This pan-fried mahi mahi with Bang Bang Sauce is crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, and ready in about 15 minutes. The fish is coated in Old Bay-seasoned panko and fried until golden, then served with a creamy, sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce. Serve it with coleslaw or fries for an easy seafood dinner.
Quick Look: Pan-Fried Mahi Mahi
- What it is: Mahi mahi fillets coated in Old Bay-seasoned panko, pan-fried until golden, and served with creamy Bang Bang Sauce.
- Texture: Crispy outside; moist and flaky inside
- How it's cooked: Panko-coated and pan-fried until golden.
- Bang Bang Sauce: A creamy blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha
- Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet mahi mahi with savory Old Bay-seasoned panko and a creamy Bang Bang Sauce that adds garlicky sweetness and a kick of sriracha heat.
- Why we love it: It's quick, easy, and extra crispy, and the creamy Bang Bang Sauce adds the perfect sweet-and-spicy kick.
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Jump to:
- Quick Look: Pan-Fried Mahi Mahi
- Florida Mahi Mahi
- Cooking Mahi Mahi at Home
- Ingredients
- How to Cook Fried Mahi Mahi with Dipping Sauce
- Bang Bang Sauce
- Storage and Reheating
- What To Serve With Fried Mahi Mahi
- More Sauces for Fried Fish
- How to Garnish Fish Dishes
- Fried Mahi Mahi FAQ
- More Crispy Fish Recipes
- Pan Fried Mahi Mahi with Bang Bang Sauce
Florida Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi, also called dorado or dolphinfish, is a firm, lean fish with a mild flavor and a meaty texture. Because it holds up so well to grilling, broiling, and pan-frying, it is one of the easiest fish to cook at home.
Found in warm waters across the Atlantic and Pacific, fresh mahi mahi is an absolute staple here in the Florida Keys.
Cooking Mahi Mahi at Home
In this recipe, the fillets are coated in seasoned Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs and pan-fried in a small amount of oil until golden on the outside while staying moist and flaky inside.
Panko breadcrumbs create a light, crisp coating that pairs perfectly with mahi mahi without overpowering the fish's naturally mild flavor.
Ingredients
See recipe card below for quantities.
- Mahi-mahi fillets, fresh or defrosted if frozen
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Lemon wedges and chopped parsley, for serving
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Hot sauce, to taste (optional)
How to Cook Fried Mahi Mahi with Dipping Sauce
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and hot sauce to taste. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Step 2: Pat the mahi mahi dry, cut it into portions, and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Set out three shallow bowls: eggs in one, flour mixed with Old Bay in another, and panko in the third. Coat each piece in flour, egg, then panko.
Step 4: Heat ¼ to ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and flaky, then drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Keep the fish warm in a 200°F oven if needed. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and Bang Bang Sauce.
Bang Bang Sauce
Bang Bang Sauce is a creamy sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce popularized by the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain.
To make it, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a little hot sauce to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For a milder version, use mayonnaise and ketchup instead of the spicy sauces. A little pickle relish also tastes great mixed in.
Storage and Reheating
Let the fried mahi mahi cool slightly before storing to keep the coating crisp. Place the fish in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm the fish in a 350°F oven or air fryer until heated through.
What To Serve With Fried Mahi Mahi
Our favorite sides include:
Check out What Goes with Fish Sticks for a full list of sides!
More Sauces for Fried Fish
These sauces pair well with fried mahi mahi:
- Tartar Sauce For Shrimp and Fish Sticks
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce Recipe
- Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- Remoulade Sauce for Seafood
For the full recipe and serving ideas, see our Bang Bang Sauce post.
How to Garnish Fish Dishes
- Always serve fried mahi mahi with fresh lemon wedges.
- Fresh parsley also adds fresh color to the plate.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle the fish with flaky sea salt right before serving. Flaky salt adds a light crunch and a clean finish that works especially well on fried fish.
Learn about garnishing fish in our guide: Garnishing with Parsley.
Fried Mahi Mahi FAQ
Mahi mahi has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a firm, meaty texture. It is not overly "fishy," which makes it a good choice for people new to cooking seafood at home.
Yes. Thaw the fish completely in the refrigerator and pat it dry before breading and frying.
Tartar sauce, creamy pink sauce, cilantro lime crema, cocktail sauce, and lemon garlic sauce all pair well with fried fish.
The fish should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of regular panko breadcrumbs. Also, make sure your seasonings and dipping sauces are certified gluten-free.
Yes. Spray the breaded mahi mahi lightly with cooking spray and cook it in a 400°F air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is done when it is golden on the outside and flakes easily with a fork.
More Crispy Fish Recipes
If you love crispy, golden fish, try one of these easy recipes next:
- Mahi Mahi Bites with Yum Yum Sauce
- Pan-Fried Yellowtail Snapper
- Fried Snapper with Panko Breadcrumbs
- Mahi Mahi Tacos
- Crispy Fried Tuna Steak
- Fried Hogfish With Garlic Aioli
For more delicious Mahi recipes, visit The Best Mahi Mahi Recipes.
Pan Fried Mahi Mahi with Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds mahi mahi fillets
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
- chopped parsley for garnish
- lemon wedges for serving
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Instructions
- If you're using the bang bang sauce, mix the mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, and hot sauce in a medium bowl or small jar. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Pat the mahi mahi dry with paper towels. Cut into portions. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the flour to another shallow bowl. Whisk with Old Bay, salt and a little black pepper. Place the panko breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
- Dip each piece of fish into the flour, then the egg, then press into the panko breadcrumbs so they stick to the surface of the fish.
- Add about ¼ to ½ inch of vegetable oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Carefully place the breaded fish into the hot oil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- If you're not ready to serve, transfer the fried mahi mahi to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.
- Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley for an extra pop of color.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges, tartar sauce or bang bang sauce.
