Fried Oyster Mushrooms Recipe + Video (2024)

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The best Fried Oyster Mushrooms recipe aka “vegan fried chicken” for when you need that perfect comfort food indulgence. Perfectly crispy outer crust and a meaty juicy center, this recipe is not to be missed.

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Fried Oyster Mushrooms

If you are in need of some delicious comfort food inspo for a weeknight meal, holiday dinner or game day Sunday appetizer, this recipe is most definitely for you. From flavor to texture, it checks every single box with the entire family especially when served on a bed of vegan mashed potatoes or this dairy free mac and cheese.

Ingredient Notes

  • Oyster Mushrooms – a type of edible fungi these mushrooms make the perfect cruelty-free substitute for a chicken cutlet. Both the texture and flavor are pure meaty perfection. Look for large pieces or medium size clusters. If the clusters are too big just break them up into your desired size.
  • The Batter – thick and creamy made from whole wheat pastry flour, cashew milk and spices serves as the glue for the crispy coating. Make sure to whisk everything really well together until silky smooth. You may use a gluten-free all purpose flour if desired.
  • The Coating – the perfect mixture of panko bread crumbs, flour and lots of spices for the most delicious and crispy crust.
  • Oil for frying – a neutral vegetable oil with a high burning point is ideal. I used canola but whatever vegetable oil you have in the pantry will probably work. Be careful with extra virgin olive oil as the burning point is very low.

How to Fry Oyster Mushrooms

  1. Heat up a couple of inches of vegetable oil in a medium size heavy bottom skillet. Infuse the oil with fresh thyme and rosemary for extra flavor. Alternatively you can use a deep fryer but it isn’t necessary.
  2. Prepare your batter + dry coating in two separate bowls.
  3. Dip each oyster mushroom or cluster in the wet batter first then dredge it in the dry panko coating. Shake any excess and carefully place inside the skillet in the hot oil.
  4. Fry the oyster mushrooms for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat the process with the remaining mushrooms.

Frying Oyster Mushrooms FAQ

  • Do oyster mushrooms taste like chicken? Because of their texture, the way they are cooked and seasoned these oyster mushrooms with an otherwise mild flavor really DO Tastes Like Fried Chicken. It’s crazy but it’s true!
  • Are they good for you? Let’s be honest here, you can have the healthiest foods on the planet but as soon as you fry them you should just make peace with the fact that you are enjoying pure comfort food.
  • Should I pan fry or deep fry? Either is fine, I pan fried in a couple of inches of oil and the texture was absolutely perfect. Crispy crust with a soft and juicy center, what else is there?! I have also tested these in the air fryer without oil but i was not that impressed, pan frying is just better for this.
  • What temperature should the oil be for frying? Ideally you are looking for a temperature of 375”F. Work in batches to avoid creating steam by giving all the mushrooms the space they need to get all nice and crispy. Also this will prevent the oil temperature from dropping too much too quickly.

Serving Suggestions

  • In a fluffy focaccia sandwich with vegan mayo or aioli, lettuce, tomato + vegan mozzarella.
  • Alongside fluffy olive oil mashed potatoes + grandpa’s cucumber tomato salad.
  • With vegan biscuits, gravy + green bean casserole.
  • Roasted potatoes and green beans.
  • Next to these vegan scalloped potatoesorbutternut squash mac and cheese.
  • As an appetizer with vegan queso or your favorite dipping sauce.
  • Mashed potato salad.
  • Tomato basil salad.

Storage + Reheating

Any leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days in a glass container. Best way to reheat the fried mushrooms and get back that crispy texture is to broil them for a couple of minutes on each side or until warmed through. The microwave is an option in a pinch but that won’t make them crisp up again.

watch how to make fried oyster mushrooms

Fried Oyster Mushrooms Recipe + Video (9)

5 from 3 votes

Fried Oyster Mushrooms

The best Fried Oyster Mushrooms recipe aka "vegan fried chicken” for when you need that perfect comfort food indulgence. Perfectly crispy outer crust and a meaty juicy center, this recipe is not to be missed.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:35 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 8 oz oyster mushrooms

The Batter:

For Frying:

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Batter + Coating

  • In a medium bowl whisk together all the ingredients for the batter until combined and a thick and creamy consistency is achieved.

    1.5 cups flour, 1.5 cups cashew milk + more as needed, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp red chili flakes or chili powder to taste

  • In a separate bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients until combined well. Line up next to a cookie sheet with a cooling rack inside.

    1 cup flour, 1 cup panko bread crumbs, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper

  • Dip each oyster mushroom cluster in the wet batter to coat all over. Let any excess batter drip back into the bowl. (Depending on how large the oyster mushroom clusters are you might want to carefully break them in half before frying).

    8 oz oyster mushrooms

  • Place the battered mushrooms in the bowl with the dry coating. Use a spoon and scoop some of the coating over the top. Carefully shake any excess and repeat the process with the remaining of the mushrooms. Place on a cooling rack or plate without touching each other.

Frying the mushrooms:

  • Preheat a couple of inches of vegetable oil in a heavy bottom skillet. A temperature of 375”F is ideal.

    2 inches vegetable oil

  • Use a towel and pat dry your herbs as much as you can then add them to the oil to infuse flavor. (To avoid any oil splatter make sure to dry your herbs well and take a step back when adding them).

    1/2 bunch thyme, 1-2 sprigs rosemary

  • Working in batches as to not overcrowd the pan, add your coated oyster mushrooms to the hot oil and fry for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown. It’s important not to overcook them.

    8 oz oyster mushrooms

  • Transfer the fried mushrooms to the cooling rack without touching each other. (No need for paper towels).

  • Repeat the process with the remaining mushrooms and serve hot in a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or alongside fluffy mashed potatoes + a garden salad.

Video

Notes

  • Storage + Reheating - Any leftovers can be store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a glass container. Best way to reheat the fried mushrooms and get back that crispy texture is to broil them for a couple of minutes on each side or until warmed through. The microwave is an option in a pinch but that won’t make them crisp up again.
  • Oyster Mushrooms - Depending on how large the mushroom clusters are you might want to carefully break them in half before coating and frying.
  • Infusing the Oil - To avoid any oil splatter make sure to dry your herbs well and take a step back when adding them to the oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 711mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 784IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fried oyster mushrooms, Vegan Fried Chicken

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 270kcal

Author: Florentina

Fried Oyster Mushrooms Recipe + Video (2024)

FAQs

Should you wash oyster mushroom with water before frying? ›

No need to wash fresh ones.

One thing you will actually want to avoid is washing fresh mushrooms, like how you would normally wash a vegetable. If you wash them too thoroughly, or for too long, then storing them wet can cause them to lose their flavor and spoil easier.

Do you eat the stems of oyster mushrooms? ›

Get ready to relish the full mushroom experience! The stems of white button, crimini, portabella, oyster, and king oyster mushrooms are entirely edible and bursting with savoury goodness. These tasty stems add texture and depth to your dishes, allowing you to enjoy the whole mushroom with every delightful bite.

How do you clean oyster mushrooms for frying? ›

To clean them, you can either brush or scrape off dirt, and rinse them just before cooking if desired. Make sure to carefully select oyster mushrooms and store them properly to maximize their lifespan. You can get oyster mushrooms year-round at many supermarkets, Asian markets, or specialty food shops.

What is the best way to eat oyster mushrooms? ›

One of the most popular ways to cook oyster mushrooms is to stir-fry or sauté them. This requires a preheated hot pan, a small amount of liquid, and stirring. Make sure to give them space so their moisture can cook off, that way they will truly sauté rather than steam.

What we should not do before cooking mushroom? ›

Do I need to wash the mushrooms before I cook them? Never wash mushrooms. Instead, Wipe off any dirt with a damp paper towel. You can wash them but they won't be as good in texture/color.

Can you overcook oyster mushroom? ›

Often, cooks may leave dirt or debris on their mushrooms since they don't need to be washed, risking grittiness in the final dish. Overcooking is another issue since it can lead to a slimy texture instead of the desired slight chewiness.

How long should I cook oyster mushrooms? ›

The best way to cook oyster mushrooms
  1. Wipe off any dirt with a damp cloth or paper towel. ...
  2. Trim the ends, then slice if required.
  3. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
  4. Add the mushrooms to the pan and let them cook for around 3 minutes.

Why can't you eat oyster mushrooms raw? ›

No. You should never eat raw oyster mushrooms. Instead, you should boil, cook, fry, grill or stir-fry them before eating them. In addition, as per Specialty Produce, eating raw oyster mushrooms may lead to potential allergic reactions.

Why are my oyster mushrooms rubbery? ›

One other rule: don't crowd the pan. “Mushrooms release this astonishing amount of water, which can create a gloop in which these darlings boil rather than fry,” Lee says. “That's when you get that strange rubbery texture.”

How to get bugs out of oyster mushrooms? ›

😅 For certain mushrooms, like Morels and Oysters, a *short* soak in water/saltwater is not going to harm their texture and will quickly draw out/kill bugs and larvae that may be inside.

How to know if oyster mushrooms have gone bad? ›

Luckily, it's not hard to tell if your oyster mushrooms have gone bad. It will develop a wet, slimy surface and look darker in color. If the mushrooms are just starting to get a bit off, you can quickly cook them to extend their life in the fridge, but if they've gone full slime, it's time to say goodbye.

Can you eat too many oyster mushrooms? ›

No, since eating too many of them can make you sick, you should limit your oyster mushroom intake.

Can I eat raw oyster mushrooms? ›

Oyster mushrooms can come in many forms, like fresh or dried. You can eat raw oyster mushrooms, which are a great addition to salads, but sometimes they can have a slight metallic taste if they're uncooked. Cooking oyster mushrooms is simple, and when cooked, they have a subtle flavour and a velvet-like texture.

Which part of oyster mushroom is edible? ›

Versatile and delicious. In addition to offering potential health benefits, these mushrooms are prized for their culinary uses. All their parts are edible, including the caps, gills, and stems.

Why remove mushroom stems? ›

No matter what shape you want, the key is to first trim off the stem of your shrooms. This not only removes any woody, dried out, or dirty sections, but more importantly it also creates a flat base for your mushroom to rest on, making slicing much easier and safer.

Do you need to trim oyster mushrooms? ›

Most mushrooms need to be trimmed before cutting them, but some do not. Trim off any woody or dried out pieces of the stems of button/white mushrooms, cremini/baby bella mushrooms, king trumpet/oyster mushrooms, and Lion's mane mushrooms. For shiitake, chanterelle, and portobello mushrooms, remove the stems entirely.

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