Air Fryer Button Mushrooms
Air fryer button mushrooms come out golden, juicy and full of flavour after just 10 minutes at 200°C, with only a spoonful of oil. They roast rather than steam, so they are never rubbery, and a coating of garlic and thyme is all they need. Serve them as a side with steak, chops or a roast, or pile them onto toast.
- Total
- 18 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 90kcal
Before you start: air fryer button mushrooms
Small, firm button mushrooms are the best choice, with closed caps and no slimy patches. Buy them loose or in a punnet and use them within a few days. Larger varieties such as chestnut or flat mushrooms are covered in air fryer mushrooms, and they need slightly more time.
A 250g punnet makes a generous side for two. A standard basket holds up to 400g in a single layer, so you can double the quantities, but cook any more than that in batches.
How to cook air fryer button mushrooms
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat and clean Heat the air fryer to 200°C for . Wipe the mushrooms clean with damp kitchen paper and trim the base of the stalks. Cut any large ones in half, so all the pieces are a similar size.
- Season Toss the mushrooms in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, thyme and pepper until every one is lightly coated.
- Air fry Tip the mushrooms into the basket in a single layer. Cook at 200°C for , shaking the basket after , until deep golden and shrunken.
- Salt and serve Return the mushrooms to the bowl, toss with the salt and serve straight away while hot.
Serving and flavour ideas
These mushrooms go with steak, sausages, roast chicken or a fry-up, and are good on toast with a poached egg. Swap the thyme for rosemary or parsley, and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Leftover mushrooms can be stirred into pasta with mushrooms, or spooned into an omelette.
Without an air fryer, spread the seasoned mushrooms on a baking tray lined with baking paper and roast at 220°C (200°C fan), gas 7, for 18–20 minutes, turning once halfway. They will be a little softer and take longer to brown, but the flavour is just as good.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Button Mushrooms
- The mushrooms come out pale and watery.
- The basket was too full, so they steamed. Keep them in a single layer, or cook in two batches, and do not soak them in water beforehand.
- The mushrooms are dry and shrivelled.
- They have cooked too long or were cut too small. Whole, small mushrooms need 10 minutes; cut ones may need only 8.
- The garlic powder tastes bitter.
- It has caught on the surface. Make sure every mushroom has a thin coat of oil, and use no more than the recipe gives.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Button Mushrooms
How long do button mushrooms take in the air fryer?
10 minutes at 200°C, shaking halfway, plus a 3-minute preheat. Larger or halved ones can take 8–12 minutes.
Do you need to wash button mushrooms?
No. Wipe them with damp kitchen paper or a mushroom brush. Mushrooms soak up water, which makes them soggy and stops them browning.
Should you season mushrooms before or after cooking?
Add the herbs and pepper before, and the salt at the end. Salt draws water out of mushrooms, which steams them in the basket.
How do you store and reheat them?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat once, in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 minutes, until steaming hot.
How did you like the recipe?
4.6 / 5 · 70 ratings
