Air-Fry Morel Mushrooms: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to cook morel mushrooms. They are earthy, nutty, and delectable and can be cooked in a few minutes. Here is a simple recipe to make morel mushrooms in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

- 20 medium to large morel mushrooms

- 4-6 oz of softened cream cheese

- 3/4 cup of crushed crackers or breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Cut the stems off the morels and gently wash them.

2. Mix the softened cream cheese with two tablespoons of the crushed crackers.

3. Gently stuff the morels with the cream cheese mixture.

4. Roll the stuffed mushrooms in the remaining crushed crackers.

5. Place the mushrooms into the air fryer basket.

6. Air fry the mushrooms at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes.

How to prepare morel mushrooms for air frying

Ingredients

• 20 medium to large morel mushrooms
• 4-6 oz of softened cream cheese
• 3/4 cup of crushed crackers or breadcrumbs

Optional ingredients

• Spices or parmesan cheese
• Sauce for serving

Method

• Cut the stems off the morels and gently wash them.
• Create an opening inside each morel.
• Mix the softened cream cheese with two tablespoons of the crushed crackers.
• Use your fingers to gently stuff the holes and cavities of the mushrooms with the cream cheese and cracker mixture.
• Roll the stuffed mushrooms in the remaining crushed crackers or breadcrumbs.
• Place the mushrooms into the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the mushrooms at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes.

Tips

• Boiling the morels for 1-3 minutes can help to loosen any dirt or tiny critters that might be hiding in the mushrooms.
• Spritzing the mushrooms with oil can help the crushed cracker mixture to brown and crisp up.
• Remove the air fryer basket midway through and shake to prevent the mushrooms from sticking together or to the basket.
• You can use frozen morel mushrooms. Put them into boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften, then continue with the stuffing portion. Their texture will be softer than fresh morel mushrooms.

The best oil to use for air-fried morel mushrooms

Air-fried morel mushrooms are a tasty, low-calorie treat, packed with vitamins and minerals. They are usually cooked at around 370–400 °F for 5–10 minutes. But what is the best oil to use?

Firstly, it is important to note that morel mushrooms are not the same as common button or cremini mushrooms. They have a deep, earthy, nutty flavour and are foraged in the wild, rather than being farmed. They are also more delicate than other mushrooms, so it is best to avoid washing them with water, as this can make them soggy. Instead, use a damp paper towel to gently wipe away any dirt.

When it comes to oil, some recipes suggest that you can skip this step altogether. Mushrooms are around 80–90% water, so they need to dry out during cooking. Coating them in oil can make them soggy, so it is best to avoid this if you want crispy mushrooms. However, if you are coating your morels in breadcrumbs or flour before cooking, a light spray of oil can help the coating to crisp up. Avocado oil is a good option for this, as it has a neutral flavour and a high smoke point. Alternatively, vegetable oil or olive oil can be used. If you are not using oil, you can spritz the morels with a little water to help them crisp up.

If you are cooking your morels without a coating, you might want to add a drizzle of oil after cooking to enhance their flavour. Again, avocado oil or olive oil are good options here, as they have a rich, earthy flavour that pairs well with mushrooms.

How to season morel mushrooms for air frying

Preparing the Mushrooms

Before you season and cook your morel mushrooms, you'll need to prepare them. First, wipe away any surface dirt with a damp paper towel. Do not wash the mushrooms in water, as they are very absorbent. Next, cut off the stems and, if necessary, create an opening inside the morels.

Seasoning and Cooking the Mushrooms

There are several ways to season morel mushrooms for air frying. Here are some options:

• Spiced breading: Mix 3 cups of crushed rice Chex with 1 teaspoon each of granulated garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and cheesy popcorn salt or nutritional yeast. You can also add red robin seasoning to taste. Dip the mushrooms in flour, then egg, and finally in the spiced breading before placing them in the air fryer.
• Cream cheese and crackers: Mix 4-6 oz of softened cream cheese with ¾ cup of crushed crackers or breadcrumbs. Stuff the morels with this mixture, then roll the stuffed mushrooms in more crushed crackers or breadcrumbs. You can add spices or parmesan to the breading mixture for extra flavour.
• Wet and dry dredging: First, coat the mushrooms in a mixture of egg and ¼ teaspoon of creole seasoning. Second, coat them in a mixture of 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup of plain breadcrumbs, ¾ tablespoon of kosher salt, ¾ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and creole seasoning. Spray the mushrooms with avocado or vegetable oil, then cook in the air fryer.
• Spiced breadcrumbs: Mix 1½ cups of panko breadcrumbs with 1½ teaspoons each of garlic powder and onion powder, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper. After coating the mushrooms in flour and egg, toss them in the spiced breadcrumb mixture. Spray lightly with olive oil and cook in the air fryer.

Tips for Air Frying

• Leave a little space between each mushroom in the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation.
• Check on the mushrooms periodically while they're cooking, as air fryers can vary.
• If using frozen morel mushrooms, put them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes before stuffing and cooking.
• If desired, serve the cooked mushrooms with a dipping sauce such as Sriracha ranch, avocado cilantro lime dressing, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard sauce.

How long to air fry morel mushrooms

Air-fried morel mushrooms are an earthy, mouthwatering treat, and a favourite of mushroom lovers.

Air-frying morel mushrooms is a quick process. The mushrooms should be cooked at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the mushrooms and the desired level of doneness. Some recipes suggest cooking the mushrooms for up to 7 minutes, or even 10 minutes, for a crispier texture.

Preparation

Before air-frying, the morel mushrooms should be gently washed and patted dry. It is also recommended to remove the stems from the mushrooms.

Stuffing

For a delicious twist, the mushrooms can be stuffed with cream cheese before air-frying. To do this, mix softened cream cheese with some crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, and gently stuff the mixture into the mushrooms using your fingers.

Breading

For a crispy texture, the mushrooms can be coated in a breading or batter before air-frying. This step is optional but highly recommended to enhance the flavour and texture of the dish. The breading process typically involves a two-step dredging method:

• Coat the mushrooms in a wet mixture, such as a seasoned egg mixture or flour and milk mixture.
• Coat the mushrooms in a dry mixture, such as crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or a flour and seasoning mixture.

Cooking

Once the mushrooms are prepared and coated, they can be placed in the air fryer basket. It is important to leave some space between each mushroom to allow for proper air circulation. During the cooking process, the air fryer basket should be shaken midway through to prevent the mushrooms from sticking together and to the basket.

Tips

• Boiling the morels for 1-3 minutes before air-frying can help loosen any dirt or tiny critters, as these are wild mushrooms.
• Spraying the mushrooms with a light coating of oil can help the breading or batter brown and crisp up nicely.
• Frozen morel mushrooms can be used, but they should be put into boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften before stuffing and air-frying.
• Spices or Parmesan cheese can be added to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.
• Air-fried morel mushrooms can be served on their own or with a dipping sauce such as ranch, sriracha ranch, avocado cilantro lime dressing, or BBQ sauce.

Safety

It is important to note that morel mushrooms must be fully cooked before consuming to avoid any potential health risks. Raw or undercooked morels can cause upset stomachs and may even require a trip to the hospital. Therefore, it is recommended to cook the mushrooms for at least 6 minutes per morel, or until they are fully cooked and golden brown.

Enjoy your air-fried morel mushrooms!

How to serve air-fried morel mushrooms

Air-fried morel mushrooms are a delicious treat, with their earthy, nutty flavour and delicate texture. Here are some tips on how to serve them:

Preparation

Before cooking, wipe any dirt from the mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel. Do not wash the mushrooms as they are absorbent. Cut off the stems and, if desired, quarter the mushrooms. For larger mushrooms, you may need to cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

Dipping

The traditional method involves a three-step dipping process. First, dip the mushrooms in flour (or cornmeal for a gluten-free option), ensuring the flour gets into the gills of the mushroom. Second, dip them in a wet mixture like egg, aquafaba, or ranch dressing. Finally, dip them in a crunchy coating. For the crunchy coating, you can crush rice chex and mix them with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. You can also use crushed crackers or breadcrumbs.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 360-380°F (187-193°C). Place the coated mushrooms in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each mushroom to allow for airflow. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer, but it should take around 6-7 minutes for the mushrooms to turn golden brown and crunchy.

Serving

Air-fried morel mushrooms make a great appetizer, side dish, or snack. They can be served on their own, but if you want to take them to the next level, serve them with a dipping sauce. Some sauce options include Sriracha Ranch, Smokey Chipotle BBQ Ranch, Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing, Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, BBQ Sauce, or Honey Mustard Sauce.

Storage

Allow the mushrooms to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. They can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To reheat, use an oven or toaster oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy your air-fried morel mushrooms!

Frequently asked questions