This Oven-Baked Mahi Mahi With Macadamia Crust is a foolproof way to get a healthy dinner on the table.
Summer has officially arrived, and I am FULLY leaning into tropical flavors like pineapple and macadamia nuts. After months of gray skies and endless layers of fleece, I’m ready to eat my way into a Hawaiian daydream. A little macadamia pesto here, some grilled pineapple stacks with whipped cream there—when I close my eyes, it’s almost like I can hear the ocean. Until I open my eyes and realize it’s just the neighbor’s kids splashing in their inflatable pool. Still, warm weather is warm weather, and I’m not complaining.
Mahi mahi has been my go-to seafood for as long as I can remember. It’s meaty, not too fishy, and honestly, it’s just really fun to say out loud (what can I say, I’m easily amused). This oven-baked mahi mahi with a macadamia nut crust looks and feels fancy, but it’s not; it’s foolproof and comes together with just a few ingredients. It may look like the kind of dish you’d order at a restaurant with white tablecloths and a guy who comes around to sweep crumbs off the table, but trust me, it’s as unpretentious as it gets.
What really seals the deal is the texture. I’m a full-on texture freak, and this dish delivers. The buttery macadamia nut crust crisps up perfectly, adding just the right amount of crunch and sweetness to the tender fish. It locks in moisture, so there’s zero risk of that sad, dried-out seafood situation no one wants. Serve it up to impress your friends or eat it straight off the baking sheet for a quick solo dinner. Either way, wine is highly encouraged.
Is Oven-Baked Mahi Mahi With Macadamia Crust Healthy?
This is a pretty healthy dish. Mahi mahi, like other fish, is a good source of lean protein. It’s also low in fat, but rich in nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, and selenium.
Macadamia nuts and coconut oil both get kind of a bad rap because of their high fat content. However, macadamia nuts are primarily made up of monounsaturated fats—the “good” kind of fat—that benefit heart health. They also contain magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is mostly saturated fat. There is only a half tablespoon of it in this recipe, so it’s a fairly small amount. Still, if it’s a concern, you could swap it out with something like olive oil or avocado oil that leans back into the territory of monounsaturated fats.
A Fish By Many Names
The mahi mahi is technically also known as the dolphin fish—no, not that kind of dolphin. “Mahi mahi” is its Hawaiian name, which essentially translates to “very strong.” Since consumers were concerned that they were eating actual dolphins, the seafood industry leaned into the “mahi mahi” moniker to avoid confusion between the species.
To make matters somewhat even more confusing, mahi mahi is also known as dorado. It’s a fish that goes by many names!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store your leftover fish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the fillets in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your oven-baked mahi mahi with a macadamia nut crust over a bed of Lemon Couscous for a truly elegant meal. Watching your carbs? Serve it over a bed of Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice or Green Cauliflower Rice instead.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup roasted macadamia nuts roughly chopped
- 2 fillets of mahi mahi about 5 ounces each
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- sea salt
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blitz the macadamia nuts until they form small crumbs. This will just take a few seconds; don't overprocess or you will have macadamia nut butter. Spread the crumbs onto a plate.
- Brush the mahi mahi fillets with melted coconut oil and press the top of each into the macadamia crumbs. Make sure to press the crumbs in so they stick to the fish. Season with salt.
- Place the fillets in the baking dish, crust side up, and bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the fish is white and flaky.
- Turn your broiler to high and broil for 1-3 minutes, until the nuts have gone golden and toasty.
- Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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