Frying Mushrooms Vegan Style: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

how to fry mushrooms vegan

Frying mushrooms is a great vegan alternative to fried chicken. The texture of the mushrooms is similar to chicken, and they can be seasoned to taste just like fried chicken. Oyster mushrooms are a popular choice for frying because of their texture, but many types of mushrooms can be fried, including enoki, shiitake, and button mushrooms. To fry mushrooms, they should be coated in a wet batter, then a dry batter, and then fried in oil. They can also be cooked in an air fryer without oil for a healthier option.

Characteristics Values
Type of mushrooms Oyster, enoki, shiitake, button, beech
Wash mushrooms No, wipe with a damp paper towel
Batter Flour, cornstarch, plant milk, baking powder, garlic and onion powder, breadcrumbs, seasoning
Cooking method Air fryer, deep fryer, pan-frying
Cooking oil Colza oil, olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil
Cooking time 3-10 minutes
Serving suggestions Vegan ranch, cherry tomato sauce, spicy tahini sauce, vegan honey mustard dressing

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Frying methods: air fryer, pan, or deep fryer

Air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to fry mushrooms without using oil, making them a healthier option. To prepare the mushrooms, you can dip them in plant milk, flour, and then a breadcrumb mixture. Set the air fryer temperature to around 370-400°F and cook for about 8-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. Always cook in batches, filling the base in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Pan

For pan-frying, you can follow a similar process of dipping the mushrooms in plant milk, flour, and breadcrumbs, or you can use a batter. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown on all sides, then drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

Deep fryer

Deep frying is a quick way to cook mushrooms, but it's important to adjust the frying time based on the type and size of mushroom. Before frying, wipe the mushrooms clean and trim the stems as needed. You can dip the mushrooms in a batter or coat them in flour, egg replacer, and breadcrumbs. Heat oil in a deep pot to around 340°F and carefully add the mushrooms in batches, shaking off any excess batter first.

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Batter ingredients

To make vegan fried mushrooms, you can use a variety of batter ingredients to achieve a crispy, golden exterior. Here are the key ingredients you can use to make the batter:

Flour

A standard batter typically consists of all-purpose flour, but you can also use gluten-free flour or spelt flour. Combine the flour with spices and other dry ingredients in a bowl. Some recipes suggest using a combination of flour and cornstarch in a 1:1 ratio for a lighter coating.

Plant Milk or Water

To make a wet batter, you can use plant milk or water. Common plant milk options include soy milk or oat milk, or any vegan milk of your choice. You can also make vegan buttermilk by combining lemon juice with soy milk or oat milk. This adds a tangy flavour to the mushrooms.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are used to create a crunchy coating on the mushrooms. You can use fine-crumb breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs, which are usually vegan. Make sure to check the labels as some store-bought breadcrumbs may contain dairy.

Spices and Seasonings

Add your favourite spices and seasonings to the batter to enhance the flavour. This can include paprika, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. You can also include garlic and onion powder in the wet batter to create a savoury flavour.

Baking Powder (Optional)

Adding baking powder to the batter is optional, but it helps create a lighter texture. The carbon dioxide released during frying creates tiny pockets in the batter, resulting in a delicate exterior.

Once you have prepared your batter, dip the mushrooms once in the wet batter and once in the dry batter. Make sure to fry them immediately after battering to avoid over-saturating the coating.

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Breading ingredients

The breading ingredients for frying mushrooms vegan can vary, but here is a comprehensive list of options to choose from:

Flour

Flour is a key ingredient in creating a crispy coating for fried mushrooms. You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour, depending on your preference. A combination of flour and cornstarch in a 1:1 ratio can also be used to create a balanced coating that is neither too heavy nor too dense.

Plant Milk

Plant milk is used to create a wet batter for the mushrooms. You can use soy milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk of your choice. Lemon juice can be added to the plant milk to give it a buttermilk flavor. Alternatively, water can also be used instead of plant milk.

Spices and Seasonings

Adding spices and seasonings to the flour mixture can enhance the flavor of the fried mushrooms. This can include paprika, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. You can also include garlic and onion powder in the wet batter to create a savory flavor.

Breadcrumbs

Fine-crumb breadcrumbs are commonly used for breading vegan mushrooms. Panko breadcrumbs are usually vegan and can be a good option. You can also make your own breadcrumbs if desired.

Baking Powder

Adding a small amount of baking powder to the batter can help create a lighter and crispier texture. The carbon dioxide bubbles released during frying create tiny pockets in the batter, resulting in a delicate exterior.

Oil for Frying

When frying the breaded mushrooms, it is important to use an oil that can withstand high temperatures. Options include olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or colza oil. If using an air fryer, you can spray water or a small amount of oil to prevent the mushrooms from sticking.

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Frying times

Air-frying

When air-frying mushrooms, the cooking time depends on the size of the mushrooms and the type of air fryer used. For example, small mushrooms may require 8 minutes, while larger mushrooms may take longer to cook. It is recommended to set the air fryer temperature to between 370 and 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the mushrooms for 8 to 10 minutes.

Pan-frying

For pan-frying, the frying time can vary depending on the type of mushroom and the desired level of doneness. Generally, mushrooms should be fried for a few minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. For example, one recipe suggests frying mushrooms in a pan with oil for 5 minutes, then brushing them with oil and continuing to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Deep-frying

When deep-frying mushrooms, the frying time is typically shorter than other methods. One recipe suggests that since mushrooms are not animal flesh, they only need to be fried for about 3 minutes until golden brown. Another recipe recommends frying the mushrooms at 170 degrees Celsius or 340 degrees Fahrenheit until they are fully cooked and floating on the oil's surface with a light golden hue.

It is important to note that the frying times provided are general guidelines, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on the specific recipe, the size and type of mushrooms used, and individual preferences for doneness.

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Dipping sauces

There are several dipping sauces that can be paired with fried mushrooms. Here are some options:

Creamy Cashew Dip

This dip is made by combining cashews and unsweetened cashew milk. The cashews are soaked in the milk, and then whisked together with flour, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Hot sauce and more cashew milk are then stirred in until a thick batter forms. This dip is creamy, decadent, and lighter than a sour cream or cheese-style dip.

Alabama White Sauce

This sauce is a great dipping option for fried mushrooms. It is a vegan version of the New Orleans classic, the Rémoulade sauce. It is both tasty and easy to make.

BBQ Sauce

A simple, vegan-friendly BBQ sauce can be made by mixing equal parts of mayonnaise with BBQ sauce and a dash of apple cider vinegar.

Korean Gochujang Sauce

This sauce is made from red chili pepper flakes, fermented soybeans, and glutinous rice. It is sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, and flavorful.

Honey Garlic Sauce

This sauce is buttery, sweet, savory, and has a hint of spice. It is perfect for dipping vegan chicken nuggets, fried tofu, pizza rolls, and breadsticks.

Spicy Garlic Cilantro Sauce

This sauce includes lime and jalapenos and works great as a dipping sauce for Mexican-style meals.

Thousand Island Sauce

This is a sweet, creamy, and tangy dip that pairs well with fried mushrooms.

Tartar Sauce

This sauce is made by crushing garlic cloves into tartar sauce and mixing well. It is a great dipping option for fried mushrooms.

Spicy Homemade Vegan Mayo

This sauce can be used as a dip for zucchini fries, tofu fries, or seitan nuggets.

Sweet Vegan Mustard Sauce

This sauce is made with mock honey and is perfect for dipping fried tofu and vegan chicken nuggets.

Simple Vegan Buffalo Sauce

This sauce can be whipped up in about a minute and used as a dip for buffalo cauliflower wings and vegan chicken wings.

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