Name: Mahi Mahi with Panko and Papaya Mango Salsa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 ripe papaya* (peeled and diced); 1 ripe mango (peeled and diced); .5 cup diced red onion; 0.5 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (or any chili powder that you have on hand); 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 cup brown rice flour; 2 large eggs (beaten); 1 cup panko crumbs; 4 mahi mahi filets (about 24-ounces); olive oil (for pan frying)

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This Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi recipe is pan fried until golden and topped with a fresh and delicious papaya mango salsa. Serve with steamed rice, Hawaiian potato salad for a taste of the islands at home.

Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi with Papaya Mango salsa on a bed of white rice.

Recipe inspiration

Many, many years ago when I lived on Kauai, there was a restaurant that served a Mahi Mahi with Panko and Hawaiian Potato Salad that I absolutely loved!! Theirs was deep fried to perfection, but I decided to lighten it up a bit.

I decided to pan fry the Mahi Mahi with Panko and top it with with my favorite Papaya Mango Salsa recipe, and I still served it with my favorite Hawaiian Potato Salad.

Panko crusted mahi mahi filet topped with papaya mango salsa

Images updated on June 27, 2022

What is Mahi Mahi?

Mahi-Mahi or common dolphin fish is a surface dwelling fish that is found in tropical and sub-tropical off-shore waters worldwide. Also known as dorado or dolphin, no not those dolphins, they are found most commonly found in the waters around Hawaii, Costa Rica and the Gulf of Mexico.

Mahi-Mahi means “very strong” in Hawaiian. Dorado is the Spanish translation for “golden” which is their color when out of the water. Though referred to as “dolphin fish”, they are not related to dolphins at all.

Mahi Mahi is rich in selenium, niacin, and B vitamins and helps prevent lung inflammation…..and it’s delicious! It also contains heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. I first tried Mahi Mahi while in Hawaii, and I have been eating it ever since.

What does mahi mahi taste like?

Mahi Mahi has a moderately firm texture with large, moist flakes. It has a mild flavor with lean flesh, almost no fat. The skin is on the thick side, so it should be removed before cooking whenever possible.

What you will need

Ingredients to make panko crusted mahi mahi with papaya mango salsa.

Mahi Mahi Filets – skinless is best but in a pinch you can remove the skin, or prepare them and remove the skin while eating.
Brown Rice Flour – is the perfect coating for fish and chicken. It does not clump up like all-purpose flour, it is gluten-free, and it is light and crispy.
Eggs – to bind the panko bread crumbs to the rice flour. Both regular and gluten-free work perfectly in this recipe.
Oil to pan-fry the fish in a large skillet.
Fresh Papaya and Mango – are the base of this tropical salsa mixed with diced red onion, cilantro, and lime juice to keep it light and fresh.

Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below

To make the Papaya Mango Salsa

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.

Chopped papaya, mango, red onion, cilantro, and chili powder in a mixing bowl.

Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How to make Mahi Mahi with Panko

If you have ever made Chicken Parmesan, then you know exactly how this works.

Panko crumbs on a large plate, beaten eggs in a bowl, brown rice flour on a large plate.

First coat the fish on both sides with the brown rice flour….

Mahi mahi filet coated in brown rice flour on a large plate.

Then dip in the beaten egg, and dredge in the panko crumbs.

Mahi mahi filet coated in panko crumbs on a large plate.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the panko coated mahi mahi in the pan and cook until thoroughly cooked, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Four panko coated mahi mahi filets frying in oil in a cast iron skillet.

You can bake, broil, deep-fry, grill, or sauté mahi mahi. It tastes amazing no matter how you prepare it.

Quick Tip

If your fish has skin, cook with the skin side down, then flip over and cook the other side.

Crispy fried panko crusted mahi mahi on a bed or white rice topped with papaya mango salsa with two lime wedges for garnish.

Why do I use brown rice flour to coat the fish?

Because it sticks really, really well!! All-purpose flour tends to clump and fall off when fried, brown rice flour stays put and holds the panko bread crumbs on the fish perfectly.

Mango Benefits

Have you tried mangoes and papayas yet? The mango tree grows in the tropics and produces juicy, nutritious fruits that is high in fiber, vitamin A, and Folic Acid. They are beneficial for eye health, lowering cholesterol, clearing skin, alkalizing the whole body, preventing cancer, and boosts the immune system.

Papaya Benefits

Papayas have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C of any fruit. They are great for skin protection, eye health, preventing heart disease and cancer, and improving digestion.

Tools used to create this meal

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Gemini Meal

Geminis are best paired with Aries, Leo, and Libras. They should probably avoid Scorpio, Capricorn, and Sagittarius {solar opposites}. Angelina Jolie is a Gemini and Brad Pitt is a Sagittarius, so opposites definitely attract (or not)! They are both year of the Rabbit {12 years apart}, which has a pretty calm, relaxed temperament.

Raspberry-Thyme Ice Cream and Breakfast Tostadas are also part of this Gemini meal.

More delicious seafood recipes

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Enjoy!!