Air Fryer Mushrooms: Can You Do It?

Air fryers are a valuable appliance that can cook mushrooms to perfection. They are a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare mushrooms without the hassle of traditional frying. You can use any type of mushroom, but fresh mushrooms are best to maintain texture without becoming slimy. Shiitake, portabella, white button, cremini, and oyster mushrooms are all great options. The key to success is to ensure the mushrooms are cut into even-sized pieces and not overcrowded in the air fryer so that they cook evenly and get crispy edges. Simply toss the mushrooms with oil and your desired seasonings, and cook in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, for a delicious side dish or snack.

Air fryer mushrooms on toast

This is a simple, tasty, and quick recipe that can be served as a side or a main meal.

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms (cremini/chestnut/button/white)
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable/avocado/olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of low-sodium soy sauce/Worcestershire sauce/tamari sauce
• 1 sprig of rosemary (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder/granules
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 slices of sourdough bread
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• Small handful of chopped parsley

Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F/180-190°C.

Cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Try to keep the pieces evenly sized to ensure even cooking.

In a bowl, toss the mushrooms with oil, soy sauce/Worcestershire sauce/tamari sauce, rosemary, garlic powder/granules, salt, and pepper. Ensure everything is well coated.

Place the mushrooms directly into the air fryer basket. No preheating is required if you are using a 4.2-liter air fryer. Cook for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. For smaller air fryers, you may need to cook in batches.

Open the basket and check the mushrooms every 5 minutes, shaking the basket to ensure even cooking. The mushrooms are ready when they are golden and beginning to crisp up, but be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out or burn.

A few minutes before the mushrooms are done, toast your bread. If desired, rub the toast with a garlic clove for extra flavor. Drizzle the toast with a little oil, then spoon the cooked mushrooms on top.

Garnish with chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some sea salt flakes and red chili flakes, if desired.

Tips:

• The mushrooms will release water, so ensure your air fryer can manage that.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as the mushrooms will "steam" instead of roast.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of your air fryer. Keep an eye on the mushrooms to prevent overcooking.

Air fryer mushroom tacos

Ingredients:

• 4 large portobello mushrooms
• 1 tbsp coconut aminos
• Pinch of garlic salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 8-10 grain-free tortillas (e.g. almond flour tortillas)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. red cabbage, guacamole, pineapple salsa, jalapeños, hot sauce, cilantro)

Method:

• Clean the mushroom caps under slowly running water, gently rubbing to remove any dirt.
• Put the mushrooms in a small bowl and add the coconut aminos, olive oil, and garlic salt. Gently move the bowl side to side to help coat the mushrooms evenly.
• Place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket with the bottom facing up.
• Cook at 350°F/180°C for 9-11 minutes, flipping the mushrooms with about 2 minutes left.
• Remove the mushrooms from the air fryer and let them stand for at least 2 minutes before slicing them into long pieces.
• Warm your tortillas in a pan, on a grill, or directly on a gas burner for a few seconds.
• Assemble your tacos! Start with a warm tortilla and add your desired toppings, finishing with the sliced mushrooms.

Tips:

• For extra flavour, marinate the mushrooms for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
• If you're short on time, there's no need to preheat the air fryer.
• If you're using a larger air fryer, your mushrooms may cook faster, so keep an eye on them.
• If you're making a bigger batch, you may need to cook the mushrooms in multiple batches.

Air fryer mushroom preparation

Air-fried mushrooms are a tasty, healthy, and quick side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. They are easy to make and require only basic ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing delicious air-fried mushrooms.

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need are:

• Mushrooms (white button, chestnut, cremini, baby bella, or portabella)
• Cooking oil (vegetable, avocado, canola/rapeseed, or olive oil)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, garlic granules, onion powder, or rosemary)
• Soy sauce (low-sodium, reduced-sodium, or tamari sauce)
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Chopped parsley (optional)

Preparation

First, wash and dry the mushrooms. It is important to dry them well to remove excess moisture. If you are using larger mushrooms, cut them into halves or quarters to ensure all pieces are of a similar size, which will help them cook evenly.

Next, in a bowl, toss the mushrooms with the oil, soy sauce, and your desired seasonings until they are well coated. You can also add the seasonings directly to the air fryer basket, but using a bowl ensures better coating.

Cooking

Place the mushrooms in a single layer in the air fryer basket. There is no need to preheat the air fryer, but if you choose to, preheat it to 350-400°F (180-200°C).

Cook the mushrooms for 10-15 minutes, shaking and stirring them occasionally to ensure even cooking. Smaller mushrooms may take less time, while larger ones may need a few extra minutes.

Keep a close eye on the mushrooms towards the end of the cooking time to avoid burning them. The mushrooms are done when they are golden brown, juicy, and slightly crispy.

Serving

Air-fried mushrooms are best served fresh and can be enjoyed as a side dish or on their own. For an extra touch, serve them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes and red chili flakes.

You can also get creative and use your air-fried mushrooms in various dishes, such as mushroom tacos, salads, pasta, nachos, burgers, or sandwiches.

Air fryer mushroom cooking time

Yes, you can cook mushrooms in an air fryer! The cooking time will depend on the type of mushrooms you are using, the size you cut them into, and the size of your air fryer.

For example, if you are cooking halved or quartered cremini mushrooms in a small air fryer, you should cook them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for around 10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. If you are using a larger air fryer, they will cook faster, so check on them frequently.

If you are cooking thickly sliced white button or chestnut mushrooms in a 4.2-liter air fryer, you should cook them at 356 degrees Fahrenheit for around 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you are using a larger air fryer, the mushrooms will cook faster, so check on them every 5 minutes.

You can also cook whole mushrooms in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the mushrooms for 10 minutes, tossing them halfway through. If you are cooking a large batch of mushrooms, you may need to cook them for longer.

Finally, if you are cooking halved or quartered baby bella or white button mushrooms in a 6-quart air fryer, you should cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, shaking and stirring them at least twice during cooking. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you will need to cook the mushrooms in batches.

Air fryer mushroom serving suggestions

Air-fried mushrooms are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

As a Side Dish

The most common way to serve air-fried mushrooms is as a side dish. They go well with grilled meats such as steak, pork, and chicken. You can also serve them with a main course, such as pasta or noodles. The juicy texture and golden crisp of the mushrooms will complement your meal perfectly.

In a Salad

For a healthy lunch or dinner option, add air-fried mushrooms to your salad. The mushrooms will provide a nice meaty texture and a flavour boost.

In a Buddha Bowl

If you're looking for a plant-based option, air-fried mushrooms are a great addition to a Buddha bowl. They provide a good source of protein and are full of flavour.

On Toast

For a quick and easy brunch or lunch option, serve your air-fried mushrooms on toast. You can rub the toast with garlic for extra flavour and drizzle with oil. This makes a tasty and speedy snack or light meal.

In Tacos and Nachos

For a fun and unusual twist, try using air-fried mushrooms as a filling for tacos or nachos. This is a great vegan option and will satisfy your cravings for something tasty and indulgent.

With Other Vegetables

Air-fried mushrooms can also be served with other vegetables as part of a larger meal. Some suggested vegetable side dishes include roasted cauliflower, asparagus, and baked potatoes.

As a Topping

Air-fried mushrooms are a great topping for burgers or sandwiches. They add a juicy, savoury element to your bread-based meal and can be paired with other toppings such as avocado or salad.

With so many serving suggestions, air-fried mushrooms are a versatile and tasty option for any meal. They are quick and easy to prepare and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences.

Frequently asked questions