Air Fryer Mushroom Crisps: A Quick, Healthy Snack

Air fryers are a great way to cook food with less oil, and they can be used to make delicious, crispy mushroom crisps. To make mushroom crisps in an air fryer, first, clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any dirt. Then, cut them into evenly-sized pieces. Next, season the mushrooms with ingredients like olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and soy sauce, and preheat the air fryer to around 360-400°F. Place the mushrooms in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until they are crispy. Serve the mushroom crisps with your favourite dip and enjoy!

How to clean mushrooms before cooking

Step 1: Identify the Type of Mushroom

Before cleaning your mushrooms, it is important to identify whether they are cultivated or wild. Mushrooms bought at a grocery store are cultivated, whereas wild mushrooms are typically foraged or bought from a reputable forager at a farmer's market. This distinction is important because it will determine the best method for cleaning your mushrooms.

Step 2: Inspect the Mushrooms

After identifying the type of mushroom, take a close look at their appearance. If the mushrooms look relatively clean, simply brush off any visible dirt or debris using a dry towel, mushroom brush, or even a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can also cut off any sections of the mushroom that are holding dirt, usually the base or end of the stem.

Step 3: Decide on a Cleaning Method

For Cultivated Mushrooms:

• Washing in Water: While some sources advise against washing mushrooms due to their tendency to absorb water, others suggest that a quick wash in cold water is an effective way to remove any remaining dirt or grit. To do this, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a few mushrooms at a time. Swirl them around for a few seconds to loosen any dirt, then immediately remove them and pat them dry with a clean towel. Lay the mushrooms out (caps up) to finish air-drying before cooking.
• Damp Cloth or Paper Towel: If your mushrooms only have a small amount of dirt, you can use a damp cloth or paper towel to gently wipe them clean. This method is less likely to result in water absorption but may not be as effective at removing stubborn dirt.

For Wild Mushrooms:

• Brushing: Wild mushrooms are more delicate and expensive, so it is generally recommended to avoid washing them. Instead, use a soft mushroom brush or a dry towel to gently brush away any dirt or debris.
• Damp Cloth: For more stubborn dirt, you can follow up the brushing with a damp cloth to ensure your wild mushrooms are extra clean.

Step 4: Timing is Important

Regardless of the cleaning method you choose, it is important to only clean your mushrooms right before you intend to cook them. Mushrooms are prone to mould if exposed to moisture for too long, and they will also become soggy if left to sit after washing.

How to cut mushrooms for even cooking

When making mushroom crisps in an air fryer, it's important to cut the mushrooms into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut mushrooms for even cooking:

• Start by cleaning the mushrooms gently. Mushrooms absorb water quickly, so instead of rinsing them, use a damp paper towel to wipe away any dirt or debris. You can also trim off any woody or dried-out parts of the stems.
• Place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board. This will provide a stable base for cutting.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the mushroom in half. For larger mushrooms, you may want to cut them into fourths to ensure they are all a similar size.
• If you prefer thinner slices, you can further slice each half into two or more pieces. This is especially useful if you want to make mushroom chips or crisps.
• Alternatively, you can create diced or cubed mushrooms. To do this, first slice the mushroom in half, but not all the way through. Then, rotate the mushroom so the stem side is facing down again and slice it into sections. Finally, chop these sections into cubes.
• Repeat this process with the remaining mushrooms, ensuring they are all cut to a similar size.

Remember, the key to even cooking is consistency in the size of your mushroom pieces. By following these steps, you'll be able to achieve evenly cooked mushroom crisps in your air fryer!

How to season mushrooms

There are several ways to season mushrooms before cooking them in an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters, depending on their size, to ensure they cook evenly. Then, you can season them with a variety of ingredients:

• Garlic powder, salt and pepper, with olive oil and soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
• Olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt
• Avocado oil, low-sodium soy sauce, garlic granules, salt and pepper
• Olive oil, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, egg, milk, granulated garlic, and salt
• Flour, plain breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, paprika, and seafood seasoning

Once seasoned, the mushrooms can be placed in the air fryer and cooked for 8-15 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The temperature and cooking time for making mushroom crisps in an air fryer depend on the type of mushrooms you are using and the specific model of your air fryer. Here is a detailed guide:

For Shiitake Mushroom Chips:

• Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
• Cut off the bottom part of the mushroom stem, and slice the mushrooms to your preferred thickness. Note that if the slices are too thin, they may fly and stick to the air fryer fan.
• Place the sliced mushrooms in the air fryer pan and fry for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the mushrooms are completely dry. Shake the pan or toss the mushrooms with a wooden spatula halfway through.
• The mushrooms will shrink in size, and once they are done, sprinkle them with salt.

For Crispy Breaded Mushrooms:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
• After preheating, place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket and cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the mushrooms are browned and softened.
• Remove the basket and shake it every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking.

For Air Fryer Mushrooms without Breading:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For Air Fryer Fried Mushrooms with Breading:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
• Place a batch of mushrooms in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and cook for 6 minutes.
• Shake the basket and spray any chalky spots with more cooking spray. Cook for an additional 6 minutes. Repeat this process if you have more mushrooms.

For Air Fryer Mushrooms as a Side Dish:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
• Combine the mushrooms, oil, soy sauce, garlic granules, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and toss to coat evenly.
• Transfer the mushrooms to the air fryer basket and cook for about 10 minutes, shaking occasionally.
• Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer. If you have a larger model, the mushrooms will cook faster, so check on them frequently.

How to store leftover mushrooms

If you have leftover mushrooms, it's important to store them properly to prevent them from spoiling. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store leftover mushrooms:

Firstly, it is recommended to avoid washing mushrooms before storing them. Washing them will increase their moisture content, and mushrooms are highly porous, so they will absorb the water. This will shorten their shelf life and make them slimy. Instead, use a damp paper towel or cloth to gently wipe away any dirt or debris from the surface of the mushrooms.

Secondly, it is best to avoid storing mushrooms in plastic containers or bags. Plastic traps moisture, creating an optimal environment for the growth of bacteria and mould. Therefore, if your mushrooms come in a plastic container or bag, it is best to transfer them to a different storage container.

So, what is the best way to store leftover mushrooms? Well, there are a few good options:

• Paper Bag: Place the mushrooms in a brown paper bag and fold the top over to seal it. The paper bag will absorb any excess moisture released by the mushrooms, keeping them dry and fresh.
• Paper Towel-Lined Bowl: If you don't have a paper bag, you can place the mushrooms in a bowl lined with paper towels. Cover them with another layer of paper towels and store them in the refrigerator. The paper towels will absorb moisture, helping to keep the mushrooms fresh.
• Airtight Container: If you've already sliced your mushrooms, it's best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Sliced mushrooms have a shorter shelf life and should be used within 3 days.

Additionally, it is important to avoid storing mushrooms near strong-smelling foods, as they will absorb those odours. Also, remember that whole mushrooms should be used within a week of purchase.

Frequently asked questions