These air fryer breaded mushrooms are one of my favorite snacks to make. They come out golden and crispy on the outside, and perfectly tender and juicy on the inside.
If you have ever had breaded mushrooms at a restaurant, you know how good they can be. This version gives you the same result but without all the oil from deep frying.
The breading is seasoned with parmesan, garlic powder, and a few other simple spices that give every bite a ton of flavor.
They only take about 10 minutes in the air fryer, so they are great for a quick appetizer or a side dish for dinner.
Dip them in ranch or marinara sauce and you are in for a treat. Let me show you how to make them!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Irresistibly Crispy Without Deep Frying – You get that golden crunchy coating just like a restaurant appetizer but without all the greasy oil.
Tender and Juicy on the Inside – The mushrooms turn perfectly soft and almost buttery inside that crispy shell.
Packed With Savory Flavor – The parmesan and garlic powder and smoked paprika give every bite a seriously delicious seasoned taste.
Ingredients
- 16 oz Whole White Button Mushrooms
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Milk
- 1 cup Italian Style Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Cooking Spray
- Ranch Dressing or Marinara Sauce, for Dipping
How To Make
Step 1
Clean the mushrooms by wiping them gently with a damp paper towel. Trim the very ends of the stems but leave them mostly intact so the mushrooms hold their shape. Pat them completely dry.
Step 2
Set up a three-bowl breading station. Place the flour in the first bowl. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with the milk. In the third bowl, combine the italian style breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3
Working one at a time, roll each mushroom in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting the extra drip off, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to create a full even coating.
Step 4
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Arrange the breaded mushrooms in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to work in batches. Spray the tops generously with cooking spray.
Step 5
Cook for 5 minutes, then gently shake the basket or carefully turn the mushrooms. Spray lightly with more cooking spray and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until the breading is golden and crispy all over.
Step 6
Transfer to a plate and serve hot with ranch dressing or marinara sauce for dipping. The inside will be perfectly tender and juicy, with a satisfying crunch on the outside.
Tips
Make Sure the Mushrooms Are Completely Dry
This is the most important step for getting a crispy coating. If the mushrooms are even a little damp, the flour won’t stick properly and the whole breading will slide off during cooking.
After wiping them with a damp paper towel, lay them out on a dry paper towel for a few minutes. Give each one a final pat before you start breading.
Mushrooms hold a lot of moisture, so don’t rush this part. Dry mushrooms equal crispy breading.
Don’t Skip the Flour Step
It might seem like you can just dip the mushrooms straight into the egg wash, but the flour is what makes everything stick together. It creates a dry base layer that the egg can actually grip onto.
Without it, the egg slides right off the smooth mushroom surface and you end up with bare spots where the breadcrumbs won’t hold. Make sure every part of the mushroom gets a light, even dusting of flour before moving to the egg.
Press the Breadcrumbs On Firmly
When you roll the mushrooms in the breadcrumb mixture, don’t just lightly toss them around. Use your hands to gently press the breadcrumbs into the surface so they really stick.
A light coating will fall apart in the air fryer, especially when you shake the basket halfway through. Pressing them on gives you that thick, even, crunchy shell you want.
After breading all the mushrooms, let them sit on a plate for about 5 minutes before putting them in the air fryer. This helps the coating set and makes it less likely to fall off during cooking.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Air Fryer Crispy Panko Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Cheese Curds
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to wash the mushrooms under water before breading them?
It’s best not to rinse mushrooms under running water because they soak up moisture like a sponge, and that extra water will make the breading slide right off. Instead, just wipe each one with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt.
After wiping them down, make sure they are completely dry before you start the breading process. Dry mushrooms hold onto the flour much better, which means your coating stays put during cooking.
Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms
- air fryer
- 16 oz Whole White Button Mushrooms
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Milk
- 1 cup Italian Style Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Cooking Spray
- Ranch Dressing or Marinara Sauce, for Dipping
- Clean the mushrooms by wiping them gently with a damp paper towel. Trim the very ends of the stems but leave them mostly intact so the mushrooms hold their shape. Pat them completely dry.
- Set up a three-bowl breading station. Place the flour in the first bowl. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with the milk. In the third bowl, combine the italian style breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Working one at a time, roll each mushroom in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting the extra drip off, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to create a full even coating.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Arrange the breaded mushrooms in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to work in batches. Spray the tops generously with cooking spray.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then gently shake the basket or carefully turn the mushrooms. Spray lightly with more cooking spray and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until the breading is golden and crispy all over.
- Transfer to a plate and serve hot with ranch dressing or marinara sauce for dipping. The inside will be perfectly tender and juicy, with a satisfying crunch on the outside.