Frying Mushrooms: Tips For A Perfect Sizzle

Frying mushrooms is a quick and easy way to create a delicious side dish or snack. There are a few ways to fry mushrooms, including pan-frying and deep frying. When pan-frying, it's important to use a wide skillet to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the mushrooms to steam instead of brown. Deep-fried mushrooms are coated in a batter and fried to golden brown perfection. This article will provide a guide on how best to fry mushrooms, including tips and tricks for achieving the perfect results.

Frying Mushrooms:

Pan-frying vs deep-frying

Oil Temperature

Deep-frying mushrooms requires heating oil to a much higher temperature than pan-frying. Deep-frying recipes typically call for oil heated to around 350-375°F, whereas pan-frying mushrooms is done over medium to medium-high heat.

Oil Quantity

Deep-frying requires a large quantity of oil to completely submerge the mushrooms, whereas pan-frying uses a relatively small amount of oil to coat the bottom of the pan.

Batter

Deep-fried mushrooms are typically coated in a batter before frying, which gives them a crispy, golden brown exterior. This batter can be made with flour, beer, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice for a super crunchy texture. On the other hand, pan-fried mushrooms are often cooked without batter, although some recipes call for a light coating of flour or a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.

Cooking Time

Deep-frying mushrooms takes only a few minutes, typically 3-7 minutes, until they are golden brown. Pan-frying mushrooms can take a bit longer, depending on the desired level of doneness, but typically involves cooking the mushrooms for a few minutes until they begin to soften and sweat, and then continuing to cook for another 1-2 minutes after adding additional ingredients like garlic and herbs.

Equipment

Deep-frying requires a deep pot or fryer to contain the large quantity of oil, while pan-frying can be done in a standard frying pan or skillet.

Safety

Deep-frying with large quantities of hot oil can be dangerous, so extra care must be taken to avoid splatter and grease fires. Pan-frying with a smaller amount of oil is generally considered safer.

Using a wide skillet

To begin, heat some olive oil in your wide skillet over medium heat. While the pan is heating up, brush any dirt off your mushrooms with a clean kitchen cloth, then cut them in half or into thick slices. You can use any type or size of mushroom, but smaller mushrooms are best if you plan to batter and fry them.

Once the oil is hot, add the mushrooms in a single layer, leaving space between them. Fry the mushrooms for 3-5 minutes without stirring, until they start to turn golden brown. Then, stir or spread them back into a single layer to cook the other side.

When the mushrooms are mostly golden brown, it's time to season them. Seasoning mushrooms with salt at the beginning of cooking will encourage them to release water, so it's best to wait until the end. You can also add other seasonings, like garlic, lemon, thyme, rosemary, or Parmesan cheese.

If you want to batter and fry your mushrooms, coat them in flour, then dip them in a batter made with beer, egg, and breadcrumbs. Let any excess batter drip off, then carefully place them in the hot oil. Fry in batches, for about 3-7 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with parsley or chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Salting at the end

Salting mushrooms towards the end of the cooking process is a preferred method by some, including Julia Child and other famous chefs. This is because salt draws out moisture, which can prevent mushrooms from browning in the pan.

To achieve a golden-brown exterior, it is important to keep the mushrooms as dry as possible. One way to do this is to brush off any dirt with a paper towel or clean dish towel, instead of washing the mushrooms.

When frying mushrooms, it is also important not to overcrowd the pan. This will cause the mushrooms to steam instead of fry. Using a wide skillet or pan can help prevent this, as it allows more room to spread out the mushrooms.

Some recipes call for a light and crispy beer batter, which can be made with a lager for a mild flavor or a wheat ale for a more complex taste. The mushrooms are then deep-fried to a golden brown.

If you are pan-frying mushrooms, heat a large, heavy frying pan to medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and sweat. Then, add the remaining oil, turn the heat down to medium, and add any additional ingredients such as shallots, garlic, and herbs. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste.

For an extra savory flavor, try adding Parmesan cheese and garlic to your pan-fried mushrooms. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the mushrooms and shake the pan to coat them evenly. Fry for an additional 30 seconds, and then season with salt to taste.

Beer batter

Beer-battered fried mushrooms are a tasty treat and a great snack for parties or game day. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The beer adds a punch of flavour to the batter.

Preparing the mushrooms

Start with whole mushrooms, cleaning them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. Trim the stems, leaving a little bit behind. Leave the small mushrooms whole, but cut the larger ones in half, so everything is more or less similar in size.

The batter

In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder. You can also add cornstarch to make the batter crunchier. Add enough beer to make a batter that is not too thick or too thin, similar to pancake batter. You can use a lighter beer like lager for a mild-flavoured batter or a lighter ale for a more complex taste. Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes.

Frying

Pour oil into a large pot or saucepan to a depth of about 3-4 inches. Heat the oil to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip the mushrooms into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated, and let any excess batter drip off. Carefully place the battered mushrooms into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, which can lower the temperature of the oil. Fry the mushrooms in batches if necessary. Fry them for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon, wooden spoon, or tongs to remove them from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drain. Transfer the fried mushrooms to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any remaining oil.

Serving

Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt, parsley, or your choice of seasoning while they are still hot. Beer-battered fried mushrooms are best served immediately, as they tend to lose their crunchiness over time. They pair well with a refreshing beer or a tangy dipping sauce. You can make a dipping sauce by combining mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Serving suggestions

Fried mushrooms are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a snack. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish

Fried mushrooms can be an excellent side dish to a variety of main courses. They pair particularly well with red meat, chicken, fish, or pasta. For example, you can serve them alongside a Swiss cheeseburger, roasted chicken, or pan-fried fish. They can also be a tasty addition to polenta, grains, or a bowl of assorted leftovers.

As a Snack

Fried mushrooms coated in a light and crispy seasoned beer batter make a great snack or party appetizer. You can serve them with a variety of sauces, such as ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, ketchup, honey mustard sauce, or warm marinara sauce.

In Other Dishes

Fried mushrooms can be added to various dishes to enhance their flavour and texture. For example, you can include them in an omelette, frittata, or lentil dish. They can also be a tasty topping for dishes like polenta or Swiss cheeseburgers.

As Part of a Meal

Fried mushrooms can be a component of a larger meal. For instance, you can serve them with roasted asparagus and radishes, or as a side to a main course, such as chicken or fish.

Storage and Reheating

Fried mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, place them back in a pan with a bit of butter or in an air fryer. You can also use a microwave, but frying will help revive their golden exterior.

Frequently asked questions