Air Fryer Mushroom Jerky: A Tasty, Healthy Snack

Mushroom jerky is a vegan alternative to beef jerky that can be made in an air fryer. It is a tasty, chewy, and nutritious snack that is low in calories and fat, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. Making mushroom jerky in an air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. First, prepare the marinade by mixing ingredients such as olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and maple syrup. Next, slice the mushrooms and coat them in the marinade. After marinating for a few hours or overnight, place the mushrooms in the air fryer and cook at a low temperature for about 2 hours, flipping them over periodically. Once they are dark, crispy, and chewy, the mushroom jerky is ready to be enjoyed!

Choosing the right mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are a great choice for mushroom jerky because of their size and meaty texture. They are also widely available in grocery stores. Oyster mushrooms are another good option, as are shiitake mushrooms, which are packed with flavour. King oyster mushrooms are considered one of the best options for cultivated mushroom jerky.

If you are feeling adventurous, you could also try using wild mushrooms such as hen of the woods or puffballs. However, avoid small, thin mushrooms like enoki, as they will lose too much volume after drying.

When selecting your mushrooms, keep in mind that different varieties will result in slightly different textures and flavours, so you may want to experiment to find your favourite.

Marinade ingredients

• Olive oil or toasted sesame seed oil
• Regular soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika or smoked paprika
• Brown sugar or maple syrup
• Liquid smoke
• Sriracha sauce or any chilli garlic sauce
• Rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Coconut aminos
• Ginger
• Black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes

To make the marinade, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well combined. Then, place your sliced mushrooms in a glass container with a lid and pour the marinade over them. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, shaking the container occasionally to ensure the mushrooms are fully coated. Before placing the mushrooms in the air fryer, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess marinade.

Marinating the mushrooms

Firstly, clean your mushrooms. It is not recommended to wash mushrooms with water as they can become waterlogged. Instead, place them in a colander and rinse them quickly with water for about 20 seconds. Then, transfer them to a clean work surface and wipe them with a damp paper towel.

Once the mushrooms are clean, it's time to cut them into thin strips or slices. For oyster mushrooms, cut them into strips that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. For Portobello mushrooms, slice them into pieces about 1/4 inch thick. Try to get the slices to be as uniform in size as possible so that they cook evenly.

Now, it's time to make the marinade. In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and stir well. For a simple marinade, you can use olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and brown sugar or maple syrup. You can also add some liquid smoke, rice vinegar, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavour.

Place the mushroom slices in a glass or plastic container with a lid. Pour the marinade over the mushrooms and stir or toss to coat them evenly. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator. For the best results, let the mushrooms marinate for at least 4 hours or even overnight. If you are using a ziplock bag, place the mushrooms and marinade inside, remove as much air as possible, and seal the bag.

During the marination process, stir or shake the container gently every few hours to ensure that the marinade is evenly distributed and absorbed by the mushrooms.

Once the mushrooms have finished marinating, remove them from the refrigerator and strain any excess marinade. Place the mushrooms on a paper towel and pat them dry to remove any remaining moisture before placing them in the air fryer.

Now your mushrooms are ready for the air fryer!

Air fryer settings

The air fryer is a great way to make mushroom jerky, and the settings you use will depend on the type of air fryer you have and the desired level of doneness for your jerky. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:

• First, clean your air fryer racks or trays with a non-stick cooking spray. This will ensure that your mushroom jerky doesn't stick to the surface and make it easier to remove once it's done cooking.
• Set your air fryer to a low temperature. Most recipes recommend a temperature between 180°F and 250°F. The lower temperature is important as it will slowly dehydrate the mushrooms without burning them.
• Cook the mushroom jerky for 2-3 hours. However, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your mushroom slices. So, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your jerky and check it periodically to ensure it doesn't overcook.
• During the cooking process, you'll need to flip the mushrooms and rotate the trays periodically to ensure even cooking. The specific timing for this will depend on your air fryer and the recipe you are following.
• Once the timer is up, check if the mushrooms have reached your desired level of doneness. They should be dark in colour, slightly crispy, and have a chewy texture. If they aren't done yet, put them back in the air fryer and check again in 10-minute intervals until they reach the desired texture.
• Finally, remove the mushroom jerky from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for storage in the refrigerator.

Remember that every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the settings and cooking times slightly to get the best results for your mushroom jerky. Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines.

Cooking time

The cooking time for mushroom jerky in an air fryer will vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of the mushroom slices, and your desired level of doneness. It is important to keep an eye on the mushrooms while they are cooking and adjust the timing accordingly.

Most recipes recommend air frying the mushrooms at a low temperature for approximately 2 hours. The mushrooms should be flipped and the position of the trays in the air fryer should be switched every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking. After 2 hours, you can assess the doneness of the mushrooms and continue to air fry in 10-minute increments until they reach your desired texture.

It is worth noting that thinner slices of mushrooms will cook faster and thicker slices may require a longer cooking time. Additionally, if you are making a smaller batch that fits on a single tray, the cooking time may be reduced as the mushrooms will be closer to the heating element.

When checking the doneness of the mushroom jerky, look for a dark colour, a slightly crispy texture, and a chewy consistency. The mushrooms will continue to crisp as they cool, so it is important to remove them from the air fryer before they become too crispy.

Frequently asked questions