This delicious Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi recipe features fresh mahi filets that are seasoned with bold Cajun flavors and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice. The mahi mahi comes out perfectly cooked every time!

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Two Bite Tested

Baked mahi mahi is a popular weeknight dinner because:

• It uses a simple seasoning blend and a short bake time.
• It works well with common sides like rice, roasted vegetables, and salad.
• It scales easily for a small dinner or a larger family meal.

This recipe includes:

• Detailed ingredient notes
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Serving and storage suggestions
• A recipe card with nutritional information

A Note From My Kitchen

Living in Florida, I've spent most of my life surrounded by seafood. Every restaurant around usually has a local catch option on the menu (or two or three!), so I've become an avid fan of trying lots of fish varieties over the years. Baked swordfish is a recent favorite with classic lemon, tomato, and capers. Halibut is oh so dreamey and I'm a big fan of salmon, too. Especially air fryer salmon. So good!

One of my very first favorite kinds of fish when I was young was mahi mahi. Mahi mahi is mild and delicious and absolutely amazing when seasoned with my favorite blackened seasoning.

I like to prepare this mahi mahi recipe at least a couple of times a month for my family. Yup, the kids eat it, too! When you try it, I think you'll understand why we love it so much. If you love Blackened Chicken, you'll love this Cajun blackened fish!

Happy cooking,

Ingredient Notes

• Mahi mahi filets: Use thawed filets that are similar in thickness so they bake evenly.
• Olive oil: Use regular olive oil or light olive oil, or substitute another neutral cooking oil.
• Paprika: Regular paprika works here, and smoked paprika also works if that is what you have.
• Kosher salt: Use kosher salt as written, or reduce slightly if using fine table salt.
• Onion powder: Use onion powder, not onion salt, to keep the seasoning level consistent.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder, not garlic salt.
• Black pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper if you have it.
• White pepper: White pepper can be omitted if it is not available.
• Thyme leaves: Use dried thyme, or substitute with Italian seasoning.
• Dried oregano leaves: Use dried oregano, or substitute with Italian seasoning.
• Cayenne pepper: Use a pinch for heat, or omit to reduce the spice level.
• Lemon: Use fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish after baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does baked mahi mahi cook in the oven?

Baking mahi mahi in the oven is a very easy way to prepare it! First, season fresh thawed mahi fish fillets with Cajun seasoning. Then bake the mahi for 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. See below for a detailed ingredients list and instructions.

Is mahi mahi dolphin?

One question that a lot of folks out there have is: Is mahi mahi dolphin? The answer is yes. Mahi mahi is dolphin, but it is dolphinfish, not the air-breathing mammal that is most associated with the word dolphin. Your mahi mahi fish is of no relation to porpoises, but rather a mild white fish.

Is this a blackened mahi recipe?

While this recipe used the same seasonings as blackened mahi mahi, the method of baking disqualifies this from being actually blackened. Blackening refers to the preparation method where meat is coated in Cajun seasonings and cooked in a very hot skillet, creating a black, crisp sear on the meat. For this recipe, the flavores will be similar to blackened mahi mahi, but the outside of the fish with be soft and tender, not pan-sear crisp.

How can the spice level be adjusted?

I make this Cajun Seasoning in bulk, so I use it all the time. As is, the spice mix does have a little kick, especially if you use it liberally. To reduce the heat, omit the white pepper and cayenne pepper from the mix. I also highly suggest not skipping the lemon. The bright acidity from the lemon juice helps balance the full-flavored seasoning and tastes amazing.

• Omit the white pepper.
• Omit the cayenne pepper.
• Use a lighter sprinkle of seasoning on the fish.
• Do not skip the lemon wedges.

Two Bite Take

"Baking mahi mahi in the oven is a very easy way to prepare it and so full of flavor! Love!"

- Becky Tarala

Serving Suggestions

What to Serve With Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi

Mahi pairs well with all of your favorite sides. Serve your mahi mahi with roasted vegetables, rice, and a side salad to make a complete meal. One serving is 1 mahi mahi filet.

Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi Variations

Want to add a little extra flair to your mahi? Try topping it with one of these creative accompaniments:

• For a sweet twist, try a fruit salsa garnish! You'll love mahi mahi with mango salsa or mahi mahi with pineapple salsa.
• Top baked mahi mahi with cream sauce. A lemon dill yogurt sauce pairs well with fish.
• Fresh herbs like fresh parsley and fresh dill are a great mahi accompaniment. Or serve your mahi mahi with chimichurri, a bold herb sauce.

Got Leftovers?

What To Do With Leftover Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi

If you want to spice things up with your leftover cooked fish, try transforming it into another meal! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy leftover mahi mahi:

• in a lunch wrap
• make mahi fish tacos
• served over a Caesar salad
• make a fish sandwich

How To Store Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi

Store leftover baked mahi mahi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Cajun Baked Mahi Mahi

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
Total time: 21 minutes

This delicious Baked Mahi Mahi recipe features fresh mahi filets that are seasoned with bold Cajun flavors and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.

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INGREDIENTS

2 mahi mahi filets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
pinch thyme leaves
pinch dried oregano leaves
pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 lemon, cut into wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Grease a baking dish with olive oil or olive oil spray.
3. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
4. Place the mahi into the baking dish and drizzle with olive oil, flipping the mahi mahi so the oil coats both sides of the fish. Sprinkle the blackened seasoning on both sides of the fish.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
6. Remove the fish from the oven and squeeze the lemon wedges over the fish.

NOTES

I recommend making a batch of the Cajun Seasoning to have on hand!

For an extra lemon kick, slice the other half of the lemon and bake the fish on top of the lemon slices.

Author: Becky Tarala

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure.

Behind the Bites

Hi, I’m Becky, the creator of The Two Bite Club, where good food starts with two bites.
I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes here for years,
sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites.
These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club here!

More Yummy Recipes

Looking for more fabulous fish recipes? Check out these popular recipes from the archives:

• Crunchy Baked Fish Sticks
• One Skillet Mahi Mahi and Tomato Basil Orzo
• Crispy Skin Salmon Piccata
• Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Salmon
• 10-Minute Air Fryer Salmon

If you decide to try my easy mahi mahi recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!