Mamas fish house macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi recipe

This baked Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi recipe is a delicious, easy fish recipe that is super simple, but fancy enough to impress company! And it can be made from start to finish in under 30 minutes!

We love traveling to Hawaii, where we first tasted this version of mahi mahi, but when we can't be there we enjoy recreating some of our favorite Hawaiian-inspired dishes at home. Be sure to also check out our Kalua Pork, Macadamia Nut Sticky Buns, and Hawaiian Macaroni Salad!

It's time for another state in my American Eats series! This time we are visiting some of the favorite flavors of Hawaii!

When I started brainstorming what to share for Hawaii, I came up with a list that is so long there is no way I will get to all of it. There is just so much wonderful food from Hawaii!

But when I think of foods that Hawaii is well-known for, I immediately think of pineapple, coconut, macadamia nuts, guava, and other tropical fruits.

If you haven't already tried my toasted coconut pancakes, they would be perfect for a Hawaiian-themed breakfast, especially if you pair them with coconut syrup. I was obsessed with the coconut syrup during our recent trip to Kauai and poured it over french toast, waffles, and pancakes every. single. morning.

But one of the foods I didn't get around to trying while in Kauai was the macadamia crusted mahi-mahi that I had seen on a number of menus. So I decided to make it myself when we got home for some friends when it was our turn to host for supper club!

I love eating mahi-mahi. Not only is it delicious, but it's also high in protein and low in calories and fat. And the texture and buttery flavor of the macadamia nuts coating the outside of the fish is just wonderful.

You get a hint of coconut from the coconut milk that you dip the mahi-mahi fillets in before pressing them into the macadamia nut and panko breading. And the mango salsa is beyond perfect spooned over this dish.

Serve with some coconut jasmine rice and a nice salad and you've got a fantastic dinner that will make you feel like you are right there in Hawaii!

Ingredients in Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi

• mahi-mahi (I use roasted & salted macadamia nuts)
• coconut milk
• lime juice
• panko bread crumbs
• salt & pepper

How Long to Bake Mahi-Mahi in the Oven

You could pan-sear this mahi-mahi recipe, but I find it's much easier to me to just bake it in the oven. It's a pretty hands-off, foolproof approach. 

Mahi-mahi should be baked in a very hot oven at 450 degrees F. Generally speaking, mahi-mahi will take about 10-15 minutes to bake in the oven. You can tell when it's done when it flakes with a fork and turns opaque. 

Keep in mind that the time to bake the mahi-mahi will vary and depend on how thick each mahi-mahi fillet is. If you prefer to use a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of each fillet should be between 130 and 135 degrees F.

How to Make Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tinfoil sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Chop the macadamia nuts in a food process until they are the consistency of bread crumbs. Be careful not to chop too long until they turn into a nut butter.
3. Mix together macadamia nuts, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a shallow pan like a pie dish. Whisk the coconut milk and lime juice together in another shallow dish.
4. Dip Mahi Mahi in coconut milk mixture to coat both sides, then press the mahi-mahi into the panko-breadcrumb mixture. You may need to press the nut and breadcrumb mixture onto the fish to make sure they stick.
5. Transfer the mahi-mahi fillets to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until white and flaky inside.
6. Top with mango salsa and serve with coconut jasmine rice!

Does mahi-mahi taste fishy?

No, I do not think of mahi-mahi as tasting very fishy. It has a mild, sweet flavor with a fairly firm texture and large white flakes when cooked well. I think of mahi-mahi as not being too far from cod in terms of what it tastes like, and it's not oily like some other fish.

What kind of fish is mahi-mahi?

Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian name a fish that is also known as a dorado or dolphin fish.

What is a good substitute for mahi-mahi?

If you can't find it fresh or in the freezer section at your grocery store, my favorite substitutes for mahi-mahi are halibut, grouper, or swordfish. But fresh tuna would also work, if that's what you prefer.

More Seafood Recipes You Might Enjoy!

• Grilled Whole Fish
• Blackened Salmon Tacos
• Grilled Soy Brown Sugar Salmon in Foil
• Baja Fish Tacos
• Easy Pan Fried Trout
• Garam Masala Salmon

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

• ▢ 4 mahi mahi filets 6 ounces each
• ▢ 1 cup coconut milk
• ▢ Juice of 1 lime
• ▢ 2 cups dry roasted & salted macadamia nuts
• ▢ 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Chop the macadamia nuts in a food process until they are the consistency of bread crumbs. Be careful not to chop too long until they turn into a nut butter.

• Mix together macadamia nuts, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a shallow pan like a pie dish. Whisk the coconut milk and lime juice together in another shallow dish.

• Dip Mahi Mahi in coconut milk to coat both sides, then press the mahi-mahi into the panko-breadcrumb mixture. You may need to press the nut and breadcrumb mixture onto the fish to make sure they stick.

• Transfer the mahi-mahi fillets to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until white and flaky inside.

• Sprinkle with mango salsa and coconut jasmine rice!

Serving: 1filet | Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 412mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 5mg

More States I Have Visited in my American Eats Series

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Montana • New York • Oregon • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • South Dakota • Texas • Utah • Wisconsin