My Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe is oven-baked instead of pan-seared for a healthy, flavorful, and easy-to-make fish. Seasoned with Homemade Blackened Seasoning and lemon, this simple fish dinner can be ready in less than 15 minutes!
Serve it with Herb & Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes and Oven Roasted Garlic Green Beans for a healthy family dinner.
Blackened Mahi-Mahi recipe
This Baked Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe is the perfect simple and flavorful way to cook fish. It's simply seasoned with a homemade blackening seasoning, which is like a Cajun spice - plus butter and lemon for a tender, flaky fish dinner anyone will love. This simple piece of fish is so packed with delicious flavors that it makes a fabulous pescatarian or seafood dinner! It's also gluten-free, keto, clean eating, and paleo. If you are looking for easy seafood recipes, this one is perfect.
You could, of course, buy your favorite blackening seasoning (this one is mine!) or use my Homemade Blackening Seasoning, made with a yummy combination of paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and other spices.
Traditional blackened fish is pan-fried in a good amount of butter, but I bake mine for a bit healthier and easier preparation. Searing the fish is tasty, but it's messy, requires a lot of hands-on time, and is pretty easy to mess up. Baking the fish is a foolproof way to cook fish if you are just getting started. The way I cook it, you still get all the blackened flavor you crave, but without the fuss.
If you want to make this dairy-free, you can easily swap olive oil for the butter, but I love the way the butter tenderized the mahi-mahi!
If you love Blackened Seafood as I do, also try my Blackened Grouper, Blackened Cod, Blackened Swordfish, Blackened Salmon, and Blackened Shrimp.
YUM! Healthy Blackened Mahi Mahi from Running in a Skirt. Share on X
Why You'll Love this Healthy Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe Oven Baked...
- This Healthy Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe is easy to love because it's oven-baked.
- You don't have to fuss over making it on the stovetop.
- It has an easy clean-up.
- It also uses less butter than other blackened fish recipes.
- It's a great dish to serve on a weeknight because it uses just a handful of easy ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes.
What is Mahi Mahi?
Mahi-mahi is a firm, white fish that's pretty lean. It has a very mild, buttery, slightly sweet flavor. Because it doesn't have an overpowering flavor, you can prepare it in many ways. It's a great fish to try if you aren't too into fish. It's a great source of healthy protein, packed with vitamins and minerals.
It's pretty easy to find, and many grocery store frozen fish sections stock it regularly. Sam's Club and Costco now sell bags of the frozen fillets. Mahi Mahi is also considered a sustainable fish to eat by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. And if you love Mahi Mahi, also try my Air Fryer Mahi Mahi and Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos.
What is blackened fish?
Blackened fish is any variety of fish prepared by dipping it in butter and coating it with a dark blackening seasoning. You then pan-sear it in a hot skillet, preferably cast iron.
Blackening Seasoning is a crazy good combination of spices like smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and oregano.
My Blackened Mahi Mahi is a bit untraditional because I bake it in the oven. The preparation is a bit healthier with less hands-on time and clean-up. It may not be the classical way to prepare this dish, but it works for my busy life with two toddlers. I just love baked mahi mahi.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Baked Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Mahi Mahi Filets: Look for fish fillets that are 4-6 ounces each and about ½ inch thick. The fish should not have a stinky or fishy aroma. You can buy Mahi-Mahi fresh or frozen; it just needs to be thawed before cooking. The best way to thaw out your fish is to leave it in the fridge overnight. To thaw it out more quickly, put it in a plastic bag (if it's frozen, it will usually come in one) and submerge it in room-temperature water. To prepare your fish, make sure it is thawed and pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- Butter: I usually cook my fish with olive oil, BUT the butter brings out the flavors in this dish and makes it a bit more tender. A little goes a long way here in bringing out the flavors. If you are dairy-free or really don't like cooking with butter, you can easily make the swap to olive oil. I melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Blackening Seasoning: My Homemade Blackening Seasoning is the perfect spice blend of paprika, smoked paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt and pepper. You can make your own or buy a pre-made version. Here are a few ones you can buy: Zatarains Blackened Seasoning, Emeril's Blackened Seasoning Blend, Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends - Blackened Redfish Magic (My favorite!)
- Lemon: Fresh lemon brings out the dish's flavors and balances the blackening seasoning's spice.
- Garnish: Fresh parsley and lemon slices. Or you can use other fresh herbs you have.
Blackening Seasoning usually already has a good amount of salt and pepper in it, so you generally will not need to add extra, but you can if yours doesn't.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions for this Baked Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe, but the full, detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish or baking sheet with cooking spray. For easy clean up, you can line your pan with foil.
- To prepare the mahi-mahi, thaw it out and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Put the Mahi fillets in the baking dish. Brush them with melted butter.
- Generously sprinkle the fish with blackening seasoning. Put the fish in your preheated oven.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes with a fork. Don't overcook it! If you aren't too familiar with cooking fish, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer, and it will be done at 137 degrees.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top just before serving, or serve with lemon wedges.
How is it done?
The fish is done when it turns white and easily flakes with a fork. Cooking time can vary depending on the oven and the thickness of the fish. The FDA recommends cooking fish until the internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat instant read thermometer. I pull mine out a bit before then, closer to 137 degrees, so it doesn't get tough, but do that with caution if you have health issues.
Variations
I love this Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe as written, but here are some other ways to mix it up.
- Make it Dairy Free: To make this dairy-free, use olive oil or dairy-free butter instead of butter.
- Make it Cajun: Homemade Cajun seasoning spices and Blackening Seasoning are very similar. You can use a Cajun Spice Mix if you can't find Blackening Seasoning.
- Make it Spicy: Add an extra sprinkle of cayenne pepper to bring up the heat.
- Pick Another Fish: You can easily make this same recipe with almost any type of white fish! You can also try halibut, snapper, seabass, or grouper. You could even prepare shrimp this way. They would only take a few minutes to cook, though.
- Cook it on the Stove-Top: You can also pan-sear the fish over medium-high heat with melted butter. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until done.
- Make it in the Air Fryer: Follow this Air Fryer Mahi Mahi recipe.
Topping Suggestions:
Serve this Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe plain, as shown, or add some fun toppings to really elevate this dish.
Recipe FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
I feel like this recipe is best enjoyed right out of the oven, but if you do have leftovers, put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
What is the best way to defrost frozen mahi-mahi?
The best way to defrost Mahi-Mahi is to refrigerate it overnight. To speed it up, you can place the fish in the plastic bag in room-temperature water.
How do I know when the mahi-mahi is done?
Mahi-Mahi is done when it turns opaque and starts to flake with a fork. It generally takes 10 minutes to cook for every ½ inch of fish thickness. If you aren't too familiar with cooking fish, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer, and it will be done at 137 degrees.
How do I reheat the fish?
You can reheat the fish in the microwave in 30-second increments until reheated. You could also reheat it in the air fryer.
Is mahi mahi better grilled or blackened?
Mahi mahi is a versatile fish that can be prepared grilled or blackened, and both taste great. I think blackening is a slightly better way to cook it. Adding the blackening seasoning mix and butter keeps the moisture in the fish, making it more tender to eat. Mahimahi can get dried out if you aren't careful.
This Baked Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe is the Perfect Dinner!
This Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe with a squeeze of lemon is the perfect fast weeknight dinner! I make mine with microwave white rice and fresh green beans. It's also tasty enough to serve to guests. It's one of my go-to recipes because it's so simple to prepare, so flavorful, and so healthy. You can have an entire healthy dinner on the table in just 20 minutes. I love eating this with my favorite sides like rice and vegetables or on top of a side salad.
You can serve it with a few sides - see my suggestions below - like I did in the photos, OR you can use the fish as the perfect start to blackened fish tacos or a fish wrap.
Mahi Mahi is the perfect pescatarian dinner!
Serve it with:
- Garlic Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Broccoli with Mushrooms
- 4-Ingredient Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Greek Yogurt Healthy Cole Slaw
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Potato Salad
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
YUM! Healthy Blackened Mahi Mahi from Running in a Skirt. Share on X
More Healthy Fish Recipes to Love:
- Healthy Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
- Teriyaki Salmon Bowls
- Pesto Salmon
- Foil Packet Fish
- Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
- Everything But the Bagel Salmon
- Lemon Butter Baked Grouper
- Blackened Swordfish
- Air Fryer Steelhead Trout
- Blackened Cod
- Lemon Pepper Parmesan Tilapia
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 mahi-mahi fillets, approximately 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Put the Mahi Mahi fillets in the baking dish. Brush them with the melted butter.
- Generously sprinkle the fish with blackening seasoning.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes with a fork. Don't overcook it!
- Squeeze with lemon and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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LARA RAICH says
I've made this twice now and use it for fish tacos - it couldn't be easier and it turns out perfectly. Thank you for this recipe that doesn't require me to create a mess on my stove!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! This is one of my favorites too!
Farmgal says
Turned out AMAZING...I paired it with Dirty Rice & Garlic French Cut Green Beans...the Hubby loved it!!...Thank you for this wonderful new meal on my weekly rotation...
Natalie says
Yum, such a delicious dinner idea. We love fish for dinner. Can't wait to make this.
Mayuri Patel says
Oh my, this blackened mahi mahi is so easy to make. A recipe that my hubby can easily cook for himself. In India, it is usually prepared as a tikka or with mustard sauce.
Katie Crenshaw says
This Mahi Mahi turned out beautiful! Your tips made cooking it so easy. The fish was light, flaky, and delicious.