Air-Fryer Mushrooms: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make fried mushrooms without the mess and grease of traditional frying. This recipe will show you how to make delicious, crispy fried mushrooms in your air fryer.

Choosing the right mushrooms

Variety

When it comes to air frying, you have a lot of flexibility in terms of mushroom varieties. Common choices include button mushrooms, cremini (also known as baby bella), and portobello mushrooms. White button mushrooms are a good option, as are the slightly more flavourful cremini mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms, a larger variety, will require a longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through. If you want to get creative, you can also try shiitake or oyster mushrooms.

Size and Preparation

It is important to ensure your mushrooms are all roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. If you are using larger mushrooms, cut them into halves or quarters to ensure uniform sizing. For smaller mushrooms, you can leave them whole. Before coating and cooking the mushrooms, wipe them with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any dirt. Some recipes also suggest trimming the stems to make coating and cooking easier.

Quantity

The quantity of mushrooms you need will depend on the size of your air fryer and your desired yield. Most recipes suggest cooking the mushrooms in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can lead to steaming and prevent crispness. As a guide, a 12-ounce package of mushrooms yields around four servings.

In summary, the key to choosing the right mushrooms for air frying is to select a variety you enjoy, ensure they are clean and uniformly sized, and cook them in batches to achieve the best results.

Preparing the mushrooms

Firstly, select your mushrooms. You can use various types of mushrooms, such as baby bella, cremini, white button, or portobello mushrooms. The mushrooms should be dry before you start coating them. If they are damp, simply wipe them down with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth. You can also wash them off and then dry them thoroughly.

Next, cut the mushrooms into evenly sized pieces. For larger mushrooms, slice them into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Smaller mushrooms can be left whole, but ensure they are bite-sized. You may also choose to trim or remove the stems to make coating and breading easier.

Now, set up an assembly line with three shallow bowls or trays. The first bowl should contain flour, which you will use to coat the mushrooms lightly. The second bowl should have beaten eggs, and the third bowl should be filled with seasoned breadcrumbs. For the breadcrumbs, you can use plain breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or a combination of both. You can also add various seasonings to the breadcrumbs to enhance the flavour. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

After preparing the assembly line, it's time to start coating the mushrooms. First, dredge the mushroom pieces in the flour, ensuring they are lightly coated. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, letting any excess egg drip off. Finally, coat the mushrooms thoroughly in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for all the mushrooms.

Once all the mushrooms are coated, place them on a plate or a flat surface. Spray them lightly with a little olive oil or cooking oil spray. This step will help the breadcrumbs crisp up and turn golden. However, be careful not to use non-stick spray directly in the air fryer basket.

Now your mushrooms are ready to be placed in the air fryer! Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have a little space between them.

Preparing the coating

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need all-purpose flour, eggs, breadcrumbs (preferably panko), and seasonings of your choice. Common seasoning options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and seafood seasoning. You can also add Parmesan cheese to your breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour.

Next, prepare your dredging station. Set out three shallow bowls or trays: one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and one for the seasoned breadcrumbs. You can season the breadcrumbs with a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning, or simply stick to salt and pepper for a more plain coating.

Now, it's time to start coating the mushrooms. Before you begin, ensure that your mushrooms are clean and dry. You can wipe them with a damp cloth or gently scrub them with a vegetable scrubber to remove any dirt. If your mushrooms are large, cut them into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking.

Take each mushroom and dredge it in the flour, making sure to coat it lightly and evenly. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the mushroom into the beaten egg, ensuring it is well-coated. Finally, roll the mushroom in the seasoned breadcrumbs until completely covered. Place the coated mushroom on a plate or tray, and repeat this process until all your mushrooms are breaded.

Once all your mushrooms are coated, give them a light spritz of cooking oil spray. This step is optional but recommended as it helps the breading get a nice golden crisp. Be sure to spray both sides of the mushrooms to ensure even cooking.

Now your mushrooms are ready for the air fryer! Remember to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can lead to steaming and prevent crispness. Enjoy your delicious, crispy fried mushrooms!

Cooking the mushrooms

Now that you have prepared your mushrooms, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to around 360-400°F (180-200°C). Preheating ensures that your air fryer is hot enough to cook the mushrooms evenly and create a crispy texture.
• Arrange the mushrooms in the air fryer basket: Place the battered or breaded mushrooms in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. It's important to leave some space between the mushrooms to allow for even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the mushrooms in batches.
• Spray the mushrooms with cooking oil: Lightly spray the mushrooms with a cooking oil of your choice. This step is optional but recommended as it helps the mushrooms achieve a golden, crispy exterior. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil like avocado oil or olive oil.
• Cook the mushrooms: Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer according to the recipe you are following. Cooking times may vary, but most recipes suggest cooking the mushrooms for around 5-10 minutes. For best results, shake the air fryer basket or flip the mushrooms halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Check for doneness: After the specified cooking time, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and check if the mushrooms are cooked to your desired level of doneness. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. If they still appear wet or undercooked, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.
• Serve and enjoy: Allow the mushrooms to cool slightly, as they will be very hot. Then, serve them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, or marinara sauce. You can also serve them with lemon wedges for added flavour.

Serving suggestions

These crispy, juicy, air-fried mushrooms are a great snack or appetiser, and can be served with a variety of dips and sides.

For a game-day snack, serve with a fresh blue cheese dip or buttermilk ranch. You could also try a Greek yoghurt dip, Caesar dressing, or ketchup. For a more sophisticated flavour, serve with a side of lemon wedges.

If serving as part of a larger meal, air-fried mushrooms make a great side dish for pizza night, or alongside a sandwich or wrap. They also go well with soft pretzels, quesadillas, stuffed mini peppers, or quick pickled vegetables.

For a more substantial meal, try air-fried mushrooms with snap peas, or with a side of garlic butter mushrooms, or grilled sweet potato wedges.

Frequently asked questions