Baked Mahi Mahi With Herb Parmesan Crust

Sometimes fish can be hard to include in your diet because it can taste, well… fishy. Recipes like this baked mahi mahi are great for easing in to fish because you get perfectly tender, flaky, flavorful fish without the strong fishy flavor. My husband, who has a bit of an aversion to fish, absolutely LOVES this and has actually REQUESTED this dish more than once (which is kind of a big deal).

What is Mahi Mahi?

Mahi Mahi (aka Dorado) is a delectable and versatile fish known for its firm texture and mild taste. It is one of our favorite types of fish to bake because it has such a nice texture and flavor profile. It’s light and easy, plus it’s high in protein, so it’s a great option for those looking to cut down on their red meat intake. You can find Mahi Mahi at most grocery stores, or you can use any type of white meat fish in its place for this recipe.

What Does Mahi Mahi Taste Like?

Mahi Mahi has a moderately mild taste to it, much like cod or grouper. It is a wild-caught, white-fleshed saltwater fish so it doesn’t have much of a “fishy” flavor to it. Mahi Mahi has a better flavor and texture than tilapia (in my honest opinion) and is more meaty. It is slightly more firm and a little sweeter that other ocean-caught fish. It flakes easily and takes on different flavor profiles very well. Mahi Mahi is the perfect fish for this recipe. It takes on the slightly tangy flavor of the marinade as it bakes and flakes off in perfect, savory bites.

Key Ingredients

This recipe does’t have many ingredients, but the ingredients that are used make all the difference! Here are some of the key ingredients used:

Good Seasons Zesty Italian Seasoning – what we love about this Italian seasoning is that it is easy and flavorful. It really complements the fish and gives it a bright flavor. Mayonnaise – We like using mayo instead of butter because of the flavor. It infuses the fish while also making it tender and juicy. Parmesan cheese – In Italy adding cheese to seafood is a cardinal sin. BUT this isn’t really meant to be an Italian recipe (despite using “Italian seasoning”). Don’t worry, the parmesan doesn’t overpower the fish. If you really are worried about it or if you are an Italian that is offended by this recipe, you can leave it out. Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs are the secret to getting that nice, crispy coating. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs. I prefer the texture of the panko but you can use whatever you have on hand. Lemon – I don’t know about you, but I MUST have lemon served with my fish. Whether it be a little drizzle of lemon butter or a lemon wedge to squeeze over the top before eating, I just need that zesty-ness.

The Perfect Marinade

For this recipe we keep the marinade simple with just a little olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a little salt and black pepper, to taste. If you want to add a little more zest to your fish, you can add a few tablespoons of lemon juice or lemon zest. Feel free to also add lemon pepper, dill, paprika, parsley, tarragon, or any other herbs or spices you love.

What Goes Well With Baked Mahi Mahi Fillets?

Some of my favorite side dishes to serve with this dish are rice pilaf, a baked potato, some roasted veggies and/or green beans . I also love it with our Oven Roasted Asparagus. You can also serve fish with baked potatoes or keep it light with a tasty side salad, like our Copycat Cafe Zupa’s Nuts About Berries Salad.

Tips for this Recipe

Finding the right filets: I typically find beautiful mahi mahi filets for a decent price at Costco. I like to get their individually packaged frozen filets. But if you don’t have any on hand, you could use cod, tilapia, halibut, or any kind of fish. Add a squeeze of lemon: Serve with lemon wedges so your guests can squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. You can’t go wrong with any kind of fish and fresh lemon! Zesty Italian Seasoning: The only ingredient that you may not have on hand for this is the Italian seasoning spice mix. If you don’t have it available, don’t worry about making a special trip to the store just to get some. We have got you covered. We have a homemade version on our recipe for Zesty Italian Shredded Chicken.