Air-Fried Garlic Mushrooms: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Air fryer garlic mushrooms are a quick and easy dish to make, perfect as a side or even as a snack. The air fryer is much easier to clean than a frying pan, and it also helps you achieve a better crisp on the mushrooms. The cooking process is simple: toss the mushrooms in a mixture of oil, garlic, and herbs, and then air fry for around 10 minutes. You can also add butter to make the dish even more flavoursome.

Choosing the right mushrooms

For a more diverse range of flavours and textures, you can mix different types of mushrooms like enoki, button, and portobello. This will create a unique and delicious dish.

When preparing your mushrooms, it's important to clean them first. Use a dry brush or a paper towel to remove any dirt. If they are very dirty, rinse them under cool water, then dry them completely with a paper towel. Avoid soaking the mushrooms in water, as they will absorb it and become mushy during cooking.

Additionally, remember to cut your mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. You can usually cut them into halves or quarters, depending on their size. This ensures that they cook evenly and thoroughly in the air fryer.

With the right mushrooms and proper preparation, you'll be on your way to making delicious garlic mushrooms in your air fryer!

Preparing the mushrooms

Firstly, select the mushrooms you want to use. Common varieties used for this recipe include white, portobello, button, baby bella, cremini, and oyster mushrooms. You can also mix different types of mushrooms for a unique flavour profile. Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel or a gentle brush, ensuring you remove any dirt. Avoid soaking the mushrooms or washing them too much, as they will absorb water and become mushy during cooking.

Once cleaned, cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. For larger mushrooms like portabellas, you may need to cut them into halves or quarters. If using baby button mushrooms, you can leave them whole. The goal is to have evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.

Next, lightly coat the mushrooms with olive oil or melted butter. You can use a spray or simply toss the mushrooms in a bowl to ensure an even coating. After this, season the mushrooms. You can use a variety of seasonings, but common choices include garlic (fresh cloves, paste, or powder), salt, black pepper, and soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. You can also add herbs like rosemary or parsley for extra flavour.

Finally, place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the mushrooms in batches. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 380-400°F, and cook for 6-10 minutes. Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Once the mushrooms are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve. You can also add some extra ingredients at this point, such as melted butter or fresh herbs, for an extra flavour boost.

Cooking the mushrooms

Now that you have cleaned and seasoned your mushrooms, it's time to cook them!

First, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, add your mushrooms to the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook in batches if you have a large number of mushrooms.

Next, set the timer for 6-10 minutes. It is important to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. After the timer goes off, check the mushrooms. If you prefer your mushrooms on the crispier side, cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes at a higher temperature of 400°F.

Once the mushrooms are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a small bowl. If desired, toss the mushrooms with garlic butter and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Mushrooms

• For the best results, be sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the mushrooms.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• If you are cooking for a crowd, cook the mushrooms in batches and then heat them all together for a minute or so before serving.
• Fresh garlic can burn at high temperatures, so it is best to add the garlic butter just before serving.
• You can also melt butter in the air fryer or microwave and toss the mushrooms in it for a delicious garlic butter flavour.

Serving suggestions

Garlic mushrooms are a versatile side dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish

Garlic mushrooms make a great side dish for a range of meals. They pair particularly well with grilled meats such as steak, pork, and chicken. They can also be served alongside a juicy steak or used as a topping for burgers or sandwiches. For a vegetarian option, serve them with a vegetarian salad.

As a Topping

These garlic mushrooms can be used as a topping for pizzas, loaded baked potatoes, or nachos. They also work well as a taco filling, especially when paired with zucchini tortillas.

As an Appetizer or Snack

The mushrooms can be served as an appetizer or snack, either on their own or with a dip such as homemade ranch dressing.

In Other Dishes

Garlic mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be added to a variety of dishes. They can be mixed into a risotto or pasta sauce, or used as a filling for omelettes or frittatas. They can also be added to other air fryer recipes, such as an air fryer beef Wellington.

Variations

For a different flavour profile, try adding Parmesan cheese to the recipe, or using Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce. You can also experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as white, portobello, or cremini, and different herbs, such as basil, marjoram, thyme, or rosemary.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover garlic mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and heat the mushrooms for 1-3 minutes until warm.

Storage and reheating instructions

Garlic mushrooms are best served warm, straight out of the air fryer. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure to place them in their original packaging or in a porous paper bag, such as a brown paper bag from the supermarket. Do not use plastic containers or bags, as these will trap moisture and cause the mushrooms to spoil faster.

When you're ready to reheat the garlic mushrooms, you can use a microwave or any other method you prefer. It is a myth that reheating mushrooms in the microwave creates toxins. However, mushrooms are mostly water, so using high power in the microwave may alter their texture. Therefore, it is recommended to reheat them on low power.

If you want to store your garlic mushrooms for longer than a week, you can freeze them. However, make sure to sauté them before freezing, as freezing fresh mushrooms will turn them to mush when thawed. Frozen, cooked garlic mushrooms can be stored for up to a month.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen garlic mushrooms, simply thaw and reheat them using your preferred method. You can also add them straight to dishes like soups or stir-fries without thawing.

Frequently asked questions