Air Fryer Halibut with Mango Salsa

The air fryer is the perfect cooking method for this dish as it cooks the fish to perfection while keeping it moist and flavorful. It is our favorite way of cooking fish in our house, whether we’re making a fish dish from scratch like this Air Fryer Halibut recipe or heating up a low-carb option out of the freezer.

Air Fryer Halibut

This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner as it can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The fish is seasoned with a simple blend of spices and then cooked in the air fryer for just a few minutes. The mango salsa is also quick and easy to make, with only a few simple ingredients.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it is a versatile dish. You can serve the fish on its own or with a side of rice or vegetables. It’s also a great option for entertaining. Your guests are sure to be impressed.

Ingredients

Here is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make the mango salsa from scratch and also the halibut in the air fryer.

Mango Salsa

• 1/2 medium red onion diced small
• 2 large cloves garlic finely minced
• 1 large mango skin removed and diced
• 1/2 large red jalapeño pepper seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 large green jalapeño pepper seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Halibut Filets

• 12 ounces halibut two filets
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Kinder’s Smoky Mediterranean Seasoning* see notes
• 1/2 large lemon cut into 4 pieces

Instructions

1. Prepare the mango salsa by combining the red onion, garlic, mango, jalapeño pepper, fresh cilantro and lime juice in a glass or other non-reactive bowl. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine and season the fish filets.
2. Carefully place parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Add the seasoned filets inside. Add the lemon wedges and close the lid.
3. Turn on the air fryer and select the Air Fryer function (it might say Air Crisp). Set the temperature to 400 F and adjust the timer to 6 minutes. Press Start to preheat the unit.
4. When the cooking time is complete, transfer the fish filets to individual serving plates and top them with some of the Spicy Mango Salsa. Serve immediately with some micro greens, as shown, or your choice of sides. Enjoy!

Which White Fish Should You Use?

White fish is a versatile and healthy protein option that can be used in many different dishes. In this Air Fryer White Fish with Spicy Mango Salsa recipe, I suggest using halibut as the main ingredient. However, it’s not the only option. Here are some other white fish filets that would work in this air fryer recipe, too.

Haddock

One popular white fish option is haddock. Here in Maine where we live on the seacoast, you’ll find haddock on nearly every restaurant menu. It’s the main ingredient in the fish tacos we will order when we go out to eat. When cooked, haddock is always a moist and flaky fish.

Mahi mahi

We always liken mahi mahi with the Caribbean, because that was the first place either of us ever ate the fish. We can still remember the chef at that tropical restaurant telling us that the mahi mahi on our plate had been swimming in the Caribbean Sea just a few hours before — that’s how fresh it was.

These days, we buy mahi mahi in the frozen aisle at Costco. While not fresh off the boat, it is still quite tasty when cooked up in the air fryer. Mahi Mahi has a mild, sweet and slightly nutty taste. It’s a firm fish that holds up beautifully in the air fryer.

Other white fish options

Depending on where you live or shop, you may find other white fish options for making this dish. Two I would highly recommend, if they’re available to you, are:

1. tilapia
2. cod

Here’s the air fryer I used to make this dish.

Notes

While it is ideal to use fresh fish in this recipe, I realize that isn’t always an option, especially if you’re on a budget or don’t live near the water like we do. So you can definitely opt for frozen fish. Just make sure you thaw it properly before cooking it. The best way to thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This will ensure that the fish thaws evenly and doesn’t spoil in the process. Never leave it out on a countertop.

If you don’t have mango on hand, pineapple can also be a good substitute for the salsa. Additionally, if you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can reduce the amount of chili pepper or omit it altogether.

Since you’re working with raw jalapeno peppers, always wear food service gloves when handling or cutting peppers of any kind. This will save your skin from being contaminated with pepper, which could burn or sting, especially if you rub your eyes or touch other sensitive areas.

To save yourself time from having to cut parchment paper to fit your air fryer basket, I recommend investing in parchment paper liners that are made specifically air fryer models.

This prepared seasoning mixture contains sugar. For a sugar-free alternative, try this combining the following in a bowl:

• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Brush the cod fillets with olive oil and generously season with this mixture before adding to the air fryer for a sweet yet sugar-free coating.