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Home / Recipes / Main Courses / Seafood / Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with White Sauce

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with White Sauce

April 6, 2018 By Jill Selkowitz / 16 Comments Updated April 11, 2021 / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

Jump to Recipe

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos are similar to tacos you find at the taco stands along Baja California. 

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

My most favorite Fish Taco joint is located in Rosarito Beach. A colorful and quaint resort town on the coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula is breathtaking. There is nothing like sitting on a beautiful beach and enjoying freshly made Fish Tacos. I wanted this recipe to be like the Rosarito Beach, Baja California Fish Tacos!!!! That was my goal.

 

Cast of Ingredients for Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with Mahi Mahi

Cast of Ingredients for Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos are absolutely the best. My Simple Corn Salsa and Baja Fish Tacos White Sauce, take the Tacos up another level.

Converting my trusty recipe to use in the Air Fryer, was a whole other experience. I had to play around with the breading in order to get a batter-like effect, as I wanted the crust to puff and be light.

Jump to Section

  • Ingredients for Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos
  • What is Dolphinfish or Mahi Mahi?
  • Why Soak Fish in Milk?
  • Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

Ingredients for Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

  • Dolphinfish
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Flour
  • Potato Starch
  • Mayonnaise

 

Ed and Jill and Dolphins

Ed and Jill and Dolphins

When I moved back to Florida from California, for a few years, we used to fish a lot….like, every weekend, a lot. We had plenty of Dolphin, don’t you think?

What is Dolphinfish or Mahi Mahi?

  • These fish are found in tropical and subtropical water. 
  • In Florida, Mahi Mahi is referred to as Dolphin or Dolphinfish. In California and Mexico, the Spanish name Dorado is used when talking about fishing for Dolphinfish, however you most likely will see the name Mahi Mahi used on restaurant menus.
  • Dolphinfish are not Porpoises like Flipper or what you see jumping in the sea. Those are called Oceanic Dolphins and are Grey in color with a bottle nose.
  • Mahi Mahi/Dolphinfish are very colorful; golden, blue, green and iridescent blue, The males have a forehead, which protrudes, while the females have a more founded profile.

Fresh caught Florida Dolphin is the best for this recipe, obviously, right!

Pro Tip: If you cannot get fresh fish, make sure your package says Atlantic Dolphin (“Mahi Mahi”) or caught in the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific (“Dorado”).

We have recently seen frozen packages of “Mahi Mahi” that says product of China. To my eyes, they do not look like Mahi Mahi.

 

Use a Paring or Utility Knife

Use a Paring or Utility Knife

When cleaning fish, make sure to use a good and sharp Paring or Utility Knife, like this Henckels, which you see above. It helps to easily remove the skin.

As I like to have a nice crust and crunch on my Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos, cutting the Fish into strips makes this possible.

 

Fresh Lime Juice Helps Plump the Fish

Fresh Lime Juice Helps Plump the Fish

The freshness of Lime Juice adds a nice layer of flavor.

It also helps to plump and tenderize fish, so that during cooking, the fish will stay nice and moist.

For “marinating” I like to use a medium sized Lock and Lock container.

I can stack the Strips and use get the most bang out of a smaller amount of brine or marinade.

 

Milk helps Tame the Fish

Milk helps Tame the Fish

Even mild fish like Mahi Mahi can sometimes be a bit fishy.

Why Soak Fish in Milk?

  • Even mild fish like Mahi Mahi can sometimes be a bit fishy.
  • Soaking the fish in milk will remove any fishy taste it might have.

We used to fish for Dolphin in Florida, leaving out of Lakeworth.

The sun, the salt air and the weather, so fun! I’m never without lots of Sunblock and Dramamine.

 

Baja Fish Tacos Creamy White Sauce

Baja Fish Tacos Creamy White Sauce

While the Fish is soaking in the Buttermilk, mix up a batch of my Baja Fish Tacos White Sauce and pop it in the Fridge.

 

The Wet Mix helps the Crust Puff

The Wet Mix helps the Crust Puff

Here is the tricky part.

Fish Batters often contain Beer, Soda, Soda Water, which are all bubbly.

Baking Soda contains bicarbonate and is used in recipes, where specific ingredients are involved.

Think Bath Bombs! I have some recipes for those, which are coming. 🙂

In order to have a reaction, there needs to be an acidic, such as Buttermilk, which can be made with Milk, Yogurt and an acid, like Lemon, Lime or Vinegar.

Following along so far? The Milk and Lime soak?

 

This Mahi Mahi Coating is Key to the Recipe

This Mahi Mahi Coating is Key to the Recipe

Each strip of Fish first gets a nice coating of the Egg Mixture. You can use Mayonnaise or my Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt, if you like.

The Flour coating is a mixture of a couple of Flours, to keep the crust crispy, yet light and airy.

Using straight All Purpose Flour as a coating in the Air Fryer, will make the coating hard and solid, which is no good. Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour/Starch and Cornstarch is a great addition to a Flour Coating.

For this recipe, I use Potato Starch. Potato Starch is different from Potato Flour, which will not work as well. Cornstarch is an ingredient in my Bath Bombs/Fizzies too. 🙂

Make sure to use an Oil Sprayer and spray one side of the Fish very well. You will see the texture change, which is perfect.

 

Parchment Paper Helps

Parchment Paper Helps

So, here is the story with the Parchment Rounds. I wanted to make sure the Fish wouldn’t stick and the coating would not fall off.

For food with a wet batter, it is better to cook from frozen.

When using Fresh Fish, or Frozen Fish, you don’t want to thaw and then refreeze.

So, I tried the Parchment Rounds with half of my Fish. The second half of the Fish, was cooked without the parchment.

I am happy to report however, that in both tests, the Fish did not stick.

If you do not use Parchment Rounds, I suggest preheating the Air Fryer. Hot vessel, cold oil.

 

Baja Fish Tacos Puff up Nicely

Baja Fish Tacos Puff up Nicely

You can see how nicely the Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos have puffed.

 

All Coating Remains on the Fish

All Coating Remains on the Fish

They were easy to flip too, as I just grabbed a hold of the Parchment Round, and turned them right over.

Like my blurry photo?

 

Puffed up Fried Fish!

Puffed up Fried Fish!

How beautiful is this Fish?

This recipe will work with Pollack and Cod too, so if you cannot find Mahi Mahi, don’t fret.

If you like Catfish, or even you are on the fence, my Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish is the best Catfish I have ever had!

 

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with Corn Salsa

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with Corn Salsa

Typically, Corn Salsa is not inside of Baja California type of Fish Tacos, but it is soooo good, so try it.

For another authentic Taco of Baja, California, try my Air Fryer Tijuana Street Tacos.

A big scoop of my This Old Gal’s Simple Guacamole would be good right on top of your Taco.

 

Simple Corn Salsa for Tacos Recipe

Simple Corn Salsa for Tacos Recipe

But, it’s really good and you should go mix yourself up a batch. 🙂

For another yummy Air Fryer recipe, try my Air Fryer Air Fryer Cleo Hollywood Brussels Sprouts.

A nice side dish for these Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos is my Cilantro Lime Rice recipe which is found in my Pressure Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken Recipe.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

  • Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer
  • Paring or Utility Knife,
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
  • Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
  • Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
  • Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
  • Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk– a MUST have, probably my most used utensil
  • Cilio Olivewood Spatula
  • Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
  • Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
  • Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking
  • 6 oz Porcelain Ramekins
  • My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
  • Lock N Lock Container for Fish Soaking
  • Silicone Coated Tongs

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes! 

If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!

Here is the handy printable recipe:

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with Corn Salsa

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos

5 from 3 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main
Cuisine: Baja California, California, Caribbean, Mexican
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Soak Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 8 Tacos
Calories: 405kcal
Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Mahi Mahi Filets cut into strips
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 Limes
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1.5 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup Potato Starch
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 8 Taco Size Corn Tortillas
  • or
  • 8 Taco Size Flour Tortillas
  • Shredded Cabbage
  • Baja Fish Tacos White Sauce
  • Simple Corn Salsa
US Customary - Metric

Recommended Products

Large Ultrean Air Fryer
Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking
Silicone Coated Tongs

Instructions

  • Remove skin and slice Fish into strips about 1 inch thick and place into a container.  Add Milk and the juice of one Lime.  Place into refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, beat Egg with Baking Soda and Mayonnaise.
  • In another bowl, combine Potato Starch, Flour and all spices.
  • Using tongs, coat fish with egg mixture and then into Flour mixture, making sure pieces are completely coated. Shake off excess flour.
  • Place Fish Strips into refrigerator for 30 minutes to completely chill.
  • Spray Strips generously with Oil and then place the Filets into Air Fryer Basket (with or without a Parchment Round), Oil side down.  Generously spray tops of strips with Oil.
  • Cook at 390 degrees for 7 minutes. Flip over Strips and spray with Oil and cook an additional 5 minutes.
  • Place Fish on Tortillas and cover with Shredded Cabbage, Corn Salsa and drizzle with Baja Fish Tacos White Sauce.  Include Avocado slices and a wedge of Lime.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 139mg46%
Sodium 995mg43%
Potassium 757mg22%
Carbohydrates 48g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 340IU7%
Vitamin C 5.3mg6%
Calcium 135mg14%
Iron 4.2mg23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisOldGalCooks or tag #thisoldgalcooks!
© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos!

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with White Sauce

Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos with White Sauce

4.9K shares
  • 246

April 6, 2018

About Jill Selkowitz

Hi, I'm Jill. I'm a mom to Tonkinese cats and enjoy sharing restaurant quality meals, easily made at home. With my easy step by step photos and directions, new cooks will be able to follow along and cook like rock stars.

Comments

  1. NorCalGal says

    April 10, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    In the ingredient list you say the potato starch is supposed to be divided, but the instructions appear to only reference using it once. Am I missing something?

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      April 12, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      Hi. It’s not divided, so sorry. Jill

      Reply
  2. Bill Hogan says

    June 17, 2019 at 4:34 am

    Your shamelessly excessive product links are laughable. Dramamine and sunblock? You’re a joke!

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      June 17, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks for the feedback. Jill

      Reply
  3. Veronica says

    June 14, 2019 at 5:03 am

    You said corn starch is an option. Would it be an equal substitution for the potato starch in this recipe?

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      June 14, 2019 at 11:59 am

      Yes, it would. Jill

      Reply
  4. Cindy says

    April 8, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    I’m confused. The recipe is for 6 servings but there are only 8 tortillas.

    Reply
  5. Jeff says

    March 31, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    I love fish tacos in Baja…..nothin like it anywhere so I tried your recipe. My problem is the fish came out still covered in white flower tasted decent but not with the normal crispy outter. I sprayed the fryer with canola oil instead of the fish and it did not stick……does the fish need oil on it. Up til now we only do fried chicken and it comes out perfect…best ever no extra oil.

    Please help we need a healthy and tasty way to make these in Montana….it’s a long ways to Mulege

    Reply
  6. Cheryl says

    December 19, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    Quick question: you often use potato starch which is not available in the area I live in, is there a substitute that
    might be easier to find in a rural area?
    Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      December 19, 2018 at 5:34 pm

      Hi Cheryl. I link to potato starch in the recipe. It is wonderful to use in air frying. Jill

      Reply
      • Cheryl says

        December 20, 2018 at 10:11 am

        Jill,

        Would it be possible to substitute corn starch for the potato starch? Your link doesn’t seem cost effective to try a recipe, but if potato starch is the only product appropriate the next time I’m in a near by city I’ll search for potato starch. TYA

        Reply
  7. Heather says

    September 3, 2018 at 11:17 am

    5 stars
    I have been craving this ever since I️ read the recipe a few days ago, but I haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing an air fryer yet. Could this be made/baked/broiled in the oven, with similar results?

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 3, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      Sure, Heather. Jill

      Reply
  8. Kirby A Johnson says

    August 6, 2018 at 6:01 am

    5 stars
    can’t use your site. adds are too overwhelming, total frustration

    Reply
    • Jill says

      August 6, 2018 at 11:31 am

      We may be switching to a subscription based site with a flat monthly fee without ads. I’d be happy to keep your name and let you know if this happens. Jill

      Reply
  9. Alexandr Lorvinus says

    May 5, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds yummy and delicious.

    Reply

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