Crunchy Oyster Mushroom Recipe

Get ready for a crunch like no other with our crunchy oyster mushroom recipe! These oyster mushrooms are not just crispy and golden; they're a plant-based revelation. Ideal for spicing up your dinners or as a stand-alone appetizer, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.

Oyster mushrooms are a favorite in our kitchen, cherished for their hearty texture and adaptability. While they shine in the fall, they're thankfully available all year.

Our recent air fryer oyster mushrooms recipe has become a staple at our gatherings, with friends often requesting the recipe.

This vegan appetizer recipe came to life as oyster mushrooms are a fantastic plant-based alternative to fried chicken. However, typical recipes are deep-fried, something we generally avoid. Our goal was to create a version that maintains the crunch of a batter but skips the deep frying, making an oil-free version. This way, you can use an air fryer or oven for a lower-calorie option without losing that crave-worthy crispy texture.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why you will love them
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💡 Expert tips
• 📖 Variations
• 🥢 How to serve
• ❓ FAQ
• 🥡 Storage and reheating
• 🍱 Meal prep option
• 📚 More vegan appetizers
• 🎥 Video
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

💚 Why you will love them

1. Irresistibly Crunchy: Every bite delivers a satisfying snap that's simply unmatched.
2. Flavor Explosion: Seasoned to perfection, these mushrooms pack a savory punch.
3. Versatile Delight: Perfect as a snack, side, or topping - they adapt to any meal.
4. Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, they're a breeze to whip up.
5. Health-Conscious Choice: Packed with nutrients, they're a guilt-free indulgence.

🧾 Ingredients

These are the ingredients that make these oyster mushrooms so yummy and crunchy.

• Oyster Mushrooms: These mushrooms are chosen for their meaty texture and mild flavor, which absorb the spices well and offer a satisfying crunch when fried.
• Gluten-Free Beer: Used for the batter, it adds lightness and aeration, resulting in a crispy, golden coating.
• Rice Flour: This flour is gluten-free and has a lighter, crisper texture than wheat flour, ideal for a crunchy batter.
• Gluten-Free Beer: to make the batter light and crispy.
• Cinnamon: Adds a subtle, warm sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory spices in the recipe.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Smoked Paprika: Offers a smoky depth to the dish, complementing the earthiness of the mushrooms.
• Ground Cumin: Imparts a nutty, slightly spicy taste that adds complexity to the flavors.
• Turmeric Powder: Used for its bright color and earthy flavor, turmeric also offers anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Cayenne Pepper: Gives a spicy kick to the dish, balancing the savory and sweet flavors.

Substitutions

• Beer: feel free to use any regular beer if you don't mind the gluten. Sparkling water, club soda, or plain carbonated water to maintain the batter's lightness and crispiness. Instead, you can also use vegan buttermilk made with lemon and dairy-free milk.
• Rice Flour: This can be replaced with chickpea flour or an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix for a similar gluten-free, crunchy texture.
• Cinnamon: Nutmeg or allspice can be used as alternatives, offering a warm, sweet flavor.
• Garlic powder: onion powder can be used for a similar pungent, savory taste.
• Smoked Paprika: a pinch of liquid smoke, chipotle paste, or powder can replicate the smoky flavor.
• Ground Cumin: Ground coriander or caraway seeds are good substitutes, offering a slightly different but complementary earthy taste.
• Turmeric Powder: For color, saffron or yellow mustard powder can be used, though they will slightly alter the flavor profile.
• Cayenne Pepper: Red chili powder or hot paprika can replace cayenne for a similar heat level.

🍽 Equipment

You will need two large mixing bowls, a whisk or a fork, and a baking sheet.

🔪 Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 ºF (225 ºC).

Hint: While the mushrooms are baking, you have the option to whip up a sauce. Simply combine the optional dipping sauce ingredients - lemon, sriracha, vegan mayo, and garlic powder - in a bowl.

💡 Expert tips

For consistently crispy and crunchy oyster mushrooms, ensure all dry ingredients like rice flour and spices are sifted together before batter preparation. This prevents clumping and allows for an even coating on the mushrooms.

Additionally, lightly spray the coated mushrooms with kitchen spray oil before baking; this not only helps in achieving that golden color but also adds an extra layer of crunch.

Remember, even distribution of heat is key, so don't overcrowd the baking tray!

📖 Variations

Herb Fusion: Mix in finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary into the batter for a fragrant, herby flavor that complements the mushrooms beautifully.

Asian-Inspired: Incorporate a tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of ginger powder into the batter for an Asian flair, and serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

Dark Beer Delight: Swap the beer for a dark beer in the batter. This will add a rich, malty flavor, creating a more complex taste profile that pairs wonderfully with the mushrooms.

Try out our seared vegan oyster mushroom recipe, made with only five kitchen staples.

🥢 How to serve

Dipping Delight: Pair them with a homemade dipping sauce made of vegan mayo and sriracha for a creamy, spicy kick that perfectly complements their crunch. See the recipe card for details.

We have also tried them with a variation we found from the Vegetarian Mamma; we used the vegan version of the sweet and spicy sriracha sauce, which uses maple syrup instead of honey, and we loved it.

Sandwich Filler: Stuff these crispy treats into a vegan bread bun with lettuce, tomato, and homemade guacamole or Lebanese hummus for a delicious and hearty mushroom sandwich.

Herby cream: we also like pairing these crunchy buddies with our green creamy vegan sauce, or sage and kale pesto, both super easy to make in less than 10 minutes.

❓ FAQ

🥡 Storage and reheating

Refrigerator Storage

Storing: Place any leftover crunchy oyster mushrooms in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes or until they're heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.

Freezing and Reheating

Freezing: Allow the cooked mushrooms to cool completely. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together.

Reheating from Frozen: Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until they are hot and crispy.

🍱 Meal prep option

Preparation: Prepare the batter and coat the mushrooms as you would for immediate baking. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch each other.

Freezing: Place the baking sheet with the coated mushrooms in the freezer. Freeze them until they are firm, usually about 1-2 hours.

Storage: Once frozen, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

Cooking from Frozen: When ready to cook, bake the mushrooms directly from frozen. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for a slightly longer time than the original recipe, approximately 25 minutes, until they are crispy and golden. This method allows you to enjoy freshly baked crunchy oyster mushrooms with the convenience of pre-preparation.

📚 More vegan appetizers

If you like crunchy appetizers, don't forget to try our roasted squash seeds and our oven-roasted crispy fried chickpeas.

Let the luscious layers of mushroom flavors unfold in our one-pot vegan mushroom stroganoff, a true comfort classic.

⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

🎥 Video

📋 Recipe