Easy Air Fryer Mushroom Bacon Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Mushroom Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces portobello mushroom caps; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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This mushroom bacon recipe is so easy to make in an air fryer with just a few ingredients. It’s a healthy vegan bacon recipe that is crispy, smoky and delicious!

slices of mushroom bacon on a white plate with lettuce in the backgroudn

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It’s amazing how thin slices of mushrooms can be transformed into a vegan alternative for bacon. It doesn’t taste exactly like bacon, but let’s face it, nothing tastes like bacon except the real thing! Portobello mushroom bacon has a delicious savory taste; it’s crispy, smoky, and buttery.

I am not vegan or vegetarian, but I enjoy plant-based substitutes for meat. Another one of our favorites is vegetarian enchiladas made with soy chorizo.

What you will love about this recipe

Easy! It’s made with simple ingredients, and there is very little prep time to make this portobello bacon recipe.
Delicious! There is no replacement for real bacon, but this mushroom bacon comes pretty close.

Here is what you will need

Ingredient List

Portobello mushrooms
Olive oil or avocado oil
Maple syrup
Sea salt
Smoked paprika

Equipment

How to make this mushroom bacon recipe

Prepare: Remove the stems from the mushrooms and wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel. Use a sharp knife to slice the mushroom into thin slices. Mix the olive oil and maple syrup together in a small bowl.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees f.

slices of plain mushrooms on an air fryer tray

Step 1.

Arrange the sliced mushrooms in a single layer onto an air fryer basket or tray. Use a basting brush to brush the olive oil/syrup mixture onto the mushroom slices.

slices of portobello mushrooms on an air fryer tray

Step 2.

Sprinkle the mushroom slices with smoked paprika and sea salt; air fry for 10 minutes.

NOTE: Baking time can vary, mushroom slices should be slightly crispy. If they are not, air fry for 2 to 3 minutes longer and keep a close eye as it cooks quickly!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The full list of ingredients to make this mushroom bacon recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Portobello Mushrooms – Just about any variety of mushroom can be transformed into mushroom bacon. I like to use portobello mushrooms because they have a meaty texture and are larger in size.

We also like to use meaty shiitake mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, cremini mushrooms or white mushrooms to make bacon.

Smoked paprika – This adds a subtle smoky flavor to the mushroom bacon. It can be omitted or swapped with 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke mixed in with the oil.

close up view of cooked mushroom bacon slices on a white plate

How to use mushroom bacon

Vegan mushroom bacon can be used just as you would use regular bacon. Try it in a vegan BLT, add it to vegetable recipes, or pasta. Serve it breakfast as a side dish with a breakfast casserole.

It also tastes great crumbled into bacon bits on a salad or baked potatoes.

How to store and use leftovers

Mushroom bacon tastes the best right after it comes out of the air fryer, and probably will be devoured immediately!

In the event that there is leftover bacon, store it in an airtight container for a day or two. It will be a little soggy, heat it up in the air fryer at 375 degrees for a few minutes to bring back the crispy texture.

Variations

Spicy – Make spicy hot bacon, by adding 1/4 teaspoon or less of your favorite hot sauce to the oil before brushing it onto the strips of mushrooms.

Pepper Bacon – Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper onto the bacon before air frying it.

Tips

For extra crispy bacon, slice the portobello as thin as you possibly can.
Leave enough space in the air fryer basket or tray to allow the air to circulate around the strips of mushrooms.
Save time and use pre-sliced mushrooms from your local grocery store.
Depending on your air fryer, you may need to make this recipe in two batches. Keep the second batch warm on low heat in the oven or leave it at room temperature.

slices of cooked portobello mushrooms on a plate

Can you make air fryer mushroom bacon in the oven?

Yes, you can. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the mushroom slices on the parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with the oil, and syrup mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 10 minutes or until the mushrooms begin to brown. Flip them over and bake until they are crispy, which will be approximately another 10 minutes.