Air Fryer Portobello Mushroom Fries

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Air fryer portobello mushroom fries are lightly coated in bread crumbs and air fried to crispy perfection. They are a great appetizer with a side of your favorite dip or as a side dish.

a photo of breaded mushroom slices on a serving tray

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These air-fried mushrooms are so good! They are lightly coated in breadcrumbs so that the flavor of mushrooms shines through. If you are here for a thicker crispy coating, see the suggestion in the recipe variations section.

This recipe was inspired by my avocado fries recipe which is another air fryer recipe that’s made without an egg wash. All it takes is just a simple brush of oil, and a dip into the crumbs

Why you will love this recipe

It’s simple to make with just a few ingredients.
Air fryer mushrooms are a great option for a side dish or appetizer.

a picture of the ingredients needed to make air fryer mushroom fries with portobello mushrooms, bread crumbs, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, oregano, olive oil

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this mushroom recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

Portobello mushrooms
Bread crumbs
Oregano
Garlic powder
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil or avocado oil

🥄Equipment

Air fryer
Pastry brush
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups

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How to make Portobello mushroom fries in an air fryer

Prepare: Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel, remove the stem of the mushroom, and slice the mushroom caps into strips similar in size to french fries.

Measure the oil, bread crumbs, and spices and grate the cheese.

process of bread crumbs mixed with cheese and spices

STEP 1. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese, and spices together

STEP 2. Coat the mushrooms. Use a pastry brush to coat the mushroom pieces in olive oil and dip them into the breadcrumb mixture making sure that all sides of the mushrooms are covered with crumbs.

process photo of mushroom slices dipped into bread crumb mixture

mushroom fries on an air fryer basket breaded and ready to be cooked

STEP 3. Place in air fryer basket. Arrange the crumb-coated mushroom slices in a single layer onto an air fryer basket or air fryer tray.

STEP 4. Air fry. Place the air fryer basket or tray into a preheated (400 degrees f) air fryer and cook for 8 minutes.

mushroom fries cooked on an air fryer tray

Note: Cooking time can vary depending on the type of air fryer. The mushrooms will be done when they are golden and crispy on the outside.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Large portobello mushrooms – These are the best type of mushroom to use to make these fries. Portobellos have a meaty texture and earthy flavor. They taste great cooked this way.

I don’t recommend using baby bella or baby portobello mushrooms because I haven’t tried this recipe with them. They are smaller in size and will most likely take less time to cook.

A good substitute for portobello mushrooms is king oyster mushrooms which are large and meaty as well.

Bread crumbs – In this recipe, I use regular unseasoned bread crumbs and season them with garlic and oregano. If you use seasoned bread crumbs, you can omit the garlic powder and oregano.

Panko bread crumbs, a Japanese style of bread crumbs with a more coarse texture, can be substituted with regular bread crumbs in this recipe.

Parmesan cheese – I highly recommend using a block of parmesan cheese and grating it yourself. It tastes much better!

an overhead view of mushroom fries on a white tray with parsley

Recipe variations

Vegan portobello mushroom fries – This recipe is vegetarian and can easily be transformed into vegan by replacing parmesan cheese with an equal amount of nutritional yeast.

Spicy air fryer portobello mushrooms – Spice up your portobello fries with up to a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.

Herbs – Change up the spices in the breadcrumbs. Try using herbs de Provence, Italian seasoning, basil, onion powder or chili powder.

Thick-coated mushroom fries – for a thicker super crispy coating, instead of olive oil, dip the mushroom strips into an egg wash (1 egg plus 1 teaspoon of milk or water beaten together) before dipping them into the bread crumbs. Spray with olive oil spray and air fry.

How to store leftovers

These are one of the few foods that taste much better right after they are cooked. But if you do have any leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container.

Reheat them in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees for up to 5 minutes.

How to make mushroom fries in the oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily make these fries in the oven. Follow the instructions on the recipe card to coat the fries in crumbs.

Arrange the fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet with enough room around them so that the air can circulate.

Place the pan into a 400-degree f preheated oven, and bake for approximately 5 minutes. Flip the fries over and cook until golden and crispy which will be about 4 to 6 minutes longer.

Serving suggestions

Serve these delicious portobello mushrooms with a side of your favorite dipping sauce like this sriracha dipping sauce, ranch dressing, onion dip or blue cheese dip.

Air-fried mushroom fries also make a perfect side dish served with your favorite beef burger or turkey burger.

Try portobello mushroom fries as a main dish! Arrange the cooked mushrooms in a single layer on a small baking sheet. Drizzle them with your favorite marinara sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Place the pan under the broiler until the cheese melts.

Tips

Save time and use pre-sliced portobello mushrooms instead of whole mushrooms.
Do not rinse the mushrooms in water, they will become soggy.
Be sure to leave enough space between the mushroom pieces so that the air can flow around them for the best results.

Should you clean the gills from the portobello mushrooms before cooking them?

It is not necessary to clean the dark gills from portobello mushrooms. Many people do because of their dark color and earthy flavor, but they are edible, so it’s up to you.

What is the best way to clean mushrooms?

Mushrooms are very absorbent and will absorb water if they are rinsed or soaked in water before cooking them. The best way to clean them is to wipe them clean with a clean damp cloth or damp towel before cooking them.