Laura Smith
Caramelizing mushrooms and onions in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this tasty side dish. The air fryer saves time and effort compared to traditional stovetop methods, and the results are delicious, slightly firmer, and buttery-flavored vegetables. With a few simple ingredients and a short prep time, you can have juicy, crispy-edged mushrooms and sweet, golden onions ready to eat in less than 20 minutes.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right mushrooms and onions
Mushrooms:
Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bellas, are an excellent choice for caramelization. They have a firm texture and an earthy flavour, similar to portobello mushrooms, but are smaller in size. If you can't find cremini mushrooms, you can use sliced portobello mushrooms or even white button mushrooms as a substitute. Don't worry too much about the size of the mushrooms, as you can always slice or quarter them to ensure even cooking. Other types of mushrooms, such as shiitake or oyster mushrooms, can also be used, depending on your preference.
Onions:
When it comes to onions, yellow onions are the most common variety used for caramelization. They have a strong flavour and are perfect for adding depth to your dish. However, if you prefer a milder taste, white or sweet onions are excellent alternatives. It's important to cut your onions into even slices of about 1/4-inch thickness to ensure they cook uniformly alongside the mushrooms.
Preparation:
Before cooking, clean your mushrooms with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, avoiding rinsing or submerging them in water. For onions, separate the layers after slicing to facilitate even cooking. Remember to add your seasonings sparingly, as a little spice goes a long way. Basic seasonings like salt, black pepper, and garlic powder can enhance the flavours of your mushrooms and onions without overwhelming them.
Cooking process:
Caramelization requires patience and the right cooking technique. When using a pan, choose a fairly large one (about 12 inches) to prevent overcrowding, which can hinder the caramelization process. For onions, a cast-iron skillet is recommended to allow moisture to evaporate properly. During cooking, avoid stirring your mushrooms too frequently, as this can lead to steaming instead of caramelization.
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Preparing the ingredients
To start, you'll need to select your mushrooms. Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bellas, are a popular choice due to their firm texture and earthy flavor. White or button mushrooms are also suitable alternatives. It's important to ensure that the mushrooms are all roughly the same size to promote even cooking. Cut larger mushrooms in half or quarters, aiming for uniformity.
Next, choose your onions. Yellow onions are the most common variety used, as they have a strong flavor that lends itself well to caramelization. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for white or sweet onions. Peel the outer skin off the onions and cut them into thin slices or rings, no thicker than 1/4 inch. Uniform thickness is crucial for even cooking.
Once you have your mushrooms and onions prepared, it's time to season them. Basic seasonings like salt and black pepper are essential, but feel free to add dried thyme leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of Italian seasoning if you're feeling adventurous. Remember, a little spice goes a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preferences.
To enhance the flavor and cooking process, add a teaspoon of oil. Olive oil is a popular choice for its mild flavor, but avocado oil or coconut oil are also excellent alternatives. If you want to add a touch of sweetness, include a teaspoon of sugar or balsamic vinegar. You can also experiment with liquid seasonings like red or white vinegar, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce.
Now that your ingredients are prepared and seasoned, it's time to move on to the cooking process. Preheat your air fryer, combine your mushrooms and onions, and you're on your way to a delicious treat!
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Adding seasoning
Seasoning is an important step in the caramelization process, as it enhances the flavours of the mushrooms and onions. Basic seasonings like salt and black pepper are all you really need, but you can also use your seasoning of choice.
If you're making mushrooms, you can toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add salt to taste. For a parmesan twist, sprinkle some on top of the mushrooms after they're done cooking.
If you're making onions, you can season them with salt and pepper. For a touch of sweetness, add a teaspoon of sugar or balsamic vinegar. You can also add garlic, thyme, or red wine to elevate the taste.
If you're making both mushrooms and onions, you can season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add a little dried thyme, but be careful not to use too much, as it can be overpowering. If you're serving the mushrooms and onions as a pizza topping, add a pinch of Italian seasoning.
Remember, a little spice goes a long way, so start with a pinch or two of seasoning and add more if needed after cooking. You can also add liquid seasonings like vinegar, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce, but take their salt content into account.
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Air frying
To air fry mushrooms, you can use fresh cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) for their firm texture and earthy flavour, or white or button mushrooms. Cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters, depending on their size, aiming for uniform pieces that will cook evenly. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt to taste. You can also add pepper and soy sauce. Transfer the mushrooms to the air fryer basket in a single layer and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket at least twice during this time. Check the mushrooms regularly, especially if using a larger air fryer model, as cooking times may vary. The mushrooms are done when they are browned and tender, with crispy edges.
When air frying onions, you can use yellow, red, or sweet onions. Start by peeling and slicing the onions thinly and uniformly, no thicker than 1/4 inch. Place the sliced onions in a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, melted butter, avocado oil or coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar or balsamic vinegar for extra sweetness and flavour. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (or 400°F according to some sources) and transfer the onions to the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring halfway through. For darker, sweeter onions, increase the cooking time, and for softer, lighter onions, reduce it. Keep a close eye on the onions towards the end of the cooking time to prevent burning.
You can also cook mushrooms and onions together in the air fryer. Simply combine the ingredients and seasonings for both vegetables in a bowl and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 11–13 minutes, stirring halfway through. The mushrooms should be browned and tender, and the onions should be translucent with caramelized edges.
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Reheating and storing
When it comes to reheating, you have a few options. You can use a microwave, an air fryer, or a skillet on the stove top. For the microwave, heat for 45-60 seconds. If using an air fryer, set it to 350F for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can simply add the mushrooms and onions directly to the dish you are preparing, such as a soup or sauce.
If you want to freeze your caramelized mushrooms and onions, it is recommended to freeze just the onions as the mushrooms' texture may be affected. They can be frozen for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need mushrooms, onions, oil, and seasonings. For seasonings, you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, or vinegar.
Slice the mushrooms and onions into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. For mushrooms, you can slice them in half or quarter them if they are large. For onions, slice them into half-moon shapes no thicker than 1/4 inch.
Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 320°F and 400°F. Cook the mushrooms and onions for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to avoid burning, and adjust the cooking time depending on your desired level of caramelization.
