Air fried baby bella mushrooms

Cooking with mushrooms, especially baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, is great. Their rich, earthy flavor improves when cooked, and their meaty texture is gratifying. Air-frying mushrooms crisps the outside while retaining their moist, soft interior. The simple, crunchy, and flavorful air-fried baby bella mushroom recipe will win you over. A tasty side dish, snack, or appetizer can be made quickly with a few ingredients.

Spend 10 minutes preparing

Cook: 10-12 minutes

Duration: 20 minutes

Portion-sized servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

As for mushrooms:

16 oz (2 cups) baby bella mushrooms (cremini), washed and trimmed

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary for taste)

1/4 tsp salt (to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper

Optional: 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan (for taste)

Dipping Sauce: Optional

• 1/2 cup ranch or garlic aioli
• Chop 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (garnish)

Equipment:

Basket or oven-style air fryer

Mixing bowl for mushroom seasoning

– Sharp knife for stem trimming and cutting

– Tongs or spatula for flipping mushrooms during cooking

Mushroom cleaning paper towel or cloth

Instructions:

 prepare Baby Bella mushrooms.

Time: 5 minutes

Start by washing the baby bella mushrooms. Mushrooms absorb moisture, thus rinsing them can damage their texture. Wipe caps with a moist paper towel or gentle cloth to remove dirt. Maintain clean, dry mushrooms.

To ensure uniform mushroom size, cut lengthy stems to around 1/2 inch. Leave them whole if you prefer. If sensitive, leave the stems intact—they’re excellent.

Cut mushrooms (optional): Cut large mushrooms in half or quarters. This makes them cook more uniformly in the air fryer and crispier in smaller bits. Small mushrooms can be left intact.

Prepare seasoning:

Mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix the ingredients into a fragrant paste.

After preparing the mushrooms, gently toss them in the bowl to coat them equally with the spice mixture. The olive oil and spices will crisp and flavor the air-fried mushrooms, so coat them well.

 Preheat Air Fryer

Time: 3 minutes

Start by preheating the air fryer to achieve consistent cooking and crispy mushrooms. Start the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Without a preheat option, operate your air fryer for 3 minutes to attain the desired temperature.

Optional for crispier mushrooms:

For crispier mushrooms, lightly coat the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. This prevents mushrooms from adhering and crisps them.

Air-Fry Mushrooms

About 10-12 minutes

After preheating the air fryer, place the seasoned baby bella mushrooms in a single layer in the basket. To crisp mushrooms evenly in a smaller air fryer, heat them in batches. Excess food in the basket can cause uneven cooking.

Cook mushrooms:

Air-fry mushrooms for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Shake the basket midway through cooking (5-6 minutes) to provide even crisping and prevent mushrooms from sticking. Done mushrooms are golden brown, crispy outside, and delicate inside.

To achieve a crispier exterior, cook mushrooms for a further 2-3 minutes after 10 minutes, checking every minute to avoid overcooking.

 Serve Mushrooms

Time: 2 minutes

Serve with garnish:

Place sautéed mushrooms in a serving dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over hot mushrooms while they’re still warm to melt and add flavor.

To add color and flavor, garnish mushrooms with chopped fresh parsley.

Optional dipping sauce:

Choose a dipping sauce for air-fried mushrooms. Ranch dressing, garlic aioli, and spicy mayo work well.

A dipping sauce enhances the flavor of the mushrooms, which are already flavorful.

Customization:

This recipe is very adaptable. Try different herbs and spices to change the flavor. Rosemary adds scent, while paprika adds smoke. For hotter mushrooms, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning combination.

Parmesan is a great cheese to sprinkle over cooked mushrooms, but cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyere can also be used. To melt the cheese, add it while the mushrooms are heated.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these mushrooms instead. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the seasoned mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy. Watch them to avoid overcooking.

To limit oil usage, use olive oil spray instead of tossing mushrooms in olive oil for a healthier option. Use low-sodium spices to reduce salt.

Store leftovers:

Save air-fried baby belle mushrooms in an airtight jar in the fridge for 3 days. Rerepeat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to regain crispiness. You can reheat them in the oven for 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

Serving Ideas:

Serve these mushrooms as a snack, appetizer, or side. They complement roast chicken, grilled steak, and pasta. You may serve them on a salad or veggie platter for a light supper.

Why You’ll Love Air-Fried Baby Bella Mushrooms:

Crisp and tender:

Air fryers produce crispy, golden exteriors and juicy, soft interiors with a fraction of the oil needed for deep frying.

Quick and Easy:

This recipe is super-fast. A wonderful, comforting supper may be prepared in 20 minutes. It makes a great last-minute dinner party appetizer or snack.

Versatile:

Taste possibilities are infinite. You can season the mushrooms with thyme, rosemary, or chili flakes to your liking.
Air-frying uses less oil than traditional frying, making it healthy without compromising taste or texture.

Great for Meal Prep:

Make these mushrooms ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and reheat them in the air fryer for a tasty snack or side dish later in the week.

Air-fried baby bella mushrooms are simple, healthful, and tasty. These crispy, delicate mushrooms make a great snack, side dish, or appetizer. With a few ingredients and some air fryer time, you can make a delicious dinner. Enjoy!