Fried Mushrooms (Air Fryer)

Meaty, crisp and yet tender, these healthy Fried Mushrooms have an irresistible, chip-like salt and pepper coating layered over a dusting of tapioca starch. Prepared with minimal oil in the air fryer, this recipe provides another way to enjoy nutrient-rich mushrooms -- one of the rare food sources to naturally supply Vitamin D!

Serves: 3
Prep Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 12 minutes – Total Time: 22 minutes

Helpful equipment

Air fryer with air fryer basket
Parchment paper

Ingredients

150g seafood mushrooms (read blog)
1/3-1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
1/8 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder
1/8 tsp paprika
1 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. liquid egg white

Instructions

Step 1

Make the seasoning by combining salt, white pepper, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and paprika.

Step 2

Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and evenly sprinkle the seasoning over it.

Step 3

Slice off the mushrooms' bottom root, leaving enough stem to keep the mushrooms connected if possible. Gently wipe off dirt or gently wash and pat them dry.

Step 4

Split mushrooms into bunches about ½” x ½” thick.

Step 5

Spread tapioca starch onto a flat plate. Mix in a pinch of seasoning if desired (optional).

Step 6

Baste each mushroom bunch with liquid egg white. Then roll each mushroom bunch in a thin layer of tapioca starch or dust them with tapioca starch.

Step 7

Arrange mushrooms on the parchment paper-lined air-fryer basket. Brush the tops with a small amount of oil and generously sprinkle with seasoning.

Step 8

Air fry for 6 minutes at 375F, then flip mushrooms, season the tops further, and air fry an additional 6 minutes at 375F. Optionally, for extra air circulation, remove the parchment paper and transfer mushroom bunches to the unlined air fryer basket after flipping.

Step 9

Serve with remaining seasoning if necessary.

Notes

Types of mushrooms to use – Varieties like enoki, seafood, king oyster mushrooms, and any with similar textures. Seafood mushrooms, featured here, have larger mushroom caps that air fry slower and are easier to work with than enoki.
Tapioca flour – Gluten-free tapioca flour, also utilized in recipes like chili chicken, serves as the coating here. For a lower-carb alternative with its own natural, earthy flavor, consider chickpea flour.
Nutritional benefits of mushrooms – Mushrooms offer several benefits and essential nutrients. They are low in fat and carbohydrates, and contain riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), selenium, ergothioneine, copper, potassium, and beta-glucans. Notably, they are one of the rare food sources for vitamin D, according to the Mushroom Council.