Mahi Mahi Bites with Yum Yum Sauce

Bar-Style Fish Bites Appetizer

Florida seafood restaurants often serve bar-style fish bites as an appetizer. They started as a tasty way to use the smaller ends and pieces of fish, but soon became a staple on seafood menus. This fish bites recipe is also easy to scale up when you need seafood appetizers for a crowd.

Mahi mahi, also called dorado or dolphinfish, is to the Florida Keys what a 24-ounce steak is to Chicago or the Midwest: it is everywhere. From Key Largo to Key West, you'll find mahi on nearly every seafood menu.

TIP: Ordering an appetizer is a good way to get a taste without committing to a full meal.

Ingredients

For the Mahi Mahi Bites

• 8 ounces boneless, skinless mahi mahi (dolphinfish)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil, for frying
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Flaky salt for ser

For the Yum Yum Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

Whisk the mayonnaise, ketchup, melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, vinegar, and honey together in a small bowl. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the sauce reaches the consistency you like. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pat the mahi mahi dry and cut it into bite-size pieces, about 1½ to 2 inches each. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black or white pepper in a small bowl. Season the fish on all sides.

Place the flour in one shallow bowl. Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water in a second bowl, and place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

Dredge each piece of fish in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, then coat it with panko. Press the breadcrumbs gently against the fish so they stick.

Pour ¼ inch of oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a breadcrumb dropped into the pan immediately begins to sizzle.

Working in batches, fry the fish bites for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Do not overcrowd the skillet.

Transfer the fish bites to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack. The fish should be opaque and flaky inside and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. 

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the hot fish and sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt.

Serve with the Yum Yum Sauce.

Air Fryer Instructions

When using an air fryer, replace the oil with cooking spray.

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
• Spray the breaded mahi mahi bites, arrange them in a single layer without crowding, and air-fry for 7-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and 145°F internally.

Recipe Notes

• Cut the fish into pieces of equal size so they finish cooking at the same time.
• Keep the oil hot enough to make the coating crisp, but do not let it smoke.
• Mahi mahi, also sold as dorado or dolphinfish, has a firm texture that holds up well during frying. Cod, grouper, snapper, or another firm white fish can also be used.
• The Yum Yum Sauce can be made up to three days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
• Eight ounces makes four appetizer portions or two light meal portions.

Serving

Serve the mahi mahi bites hot with Yum Yum Sauce and fresh lime wedges. For smaller crunchy popcorn fish bites, cut the fish into ¾-inch pieces and reduce the cooking time slightly. Plan on about 2 ounces of fish per person for an appetizer, or serve larger portions with french fries, coleslaw, a green salad, or seasoned rice for a light meal.

For a full-size fillet dinner, try this Pan Fried Mahi Mahi.

For more easy ways to cook this popular Florida fish, see my Best Mahi Mahi Recipes including Blackened Mahi Mahi and Pan Seared Mahi Mahi with Basil Butter Sauce.

Storage and Reheating

Let leftover fish bites cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the Yum Yum Sauce in a separate covered container.

Reheat the bites in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5-8 minutes, until hot and crisp.

Avoid the microwave, which can make the coating soggy.

More Creamy Sauces for Fish

These crispy fish bites pair well with almost any creamy, tangy dipping sauce. Try one of these easy alternatives when you want to change the flavor:

• Spicy Mayo
• Mayo Ketchup Sauce
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
• Cocktail Sauce