Air Fryer Mushrooms
Air fryer mushrooms come out golden outside and tender inside after just 10 minutes, with none of the oil and splatter of a frying pan. Chestnut mushrooms are tossed in olive oil, garlic powder and thyme, shaken once halfway and seasoned with salt at the end. They are a quick side for steak, burgers or roast chicken, or a topping for toast.
- Total
- 18 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 100kcal
How long to cook air fryer mushrooms
The timing depends on how you cut them. Halved chestnut mushrooms take 10 minutes at 200°C, quartered pieces about 8 minutes, and small whole buttons 10–12 minutes. Mushrooms are around 90% water, so they shrink to about half their size, and a hot basket drives off the moisture quickly.
The air fryer works well for mushrooms because the circulating hot air browns the outside before the inside turns watery. A single, loose layer gives the best colour.
Air fryer mushrooms, step by step
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the mushrooms Wipe the mushrooms clean with damp kitchen paper and trim the ends of the stalks. Leave small ones whole, halve medium ones and quarter large ones, so the pieces are roughly the same size.
- Season Tip the mushrooms into a large bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, thyme and pepper. Toss well until every piece is lightly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer Heat the air fryer to 200°C for .
- Air fry Put the mushrooms into the basket in a single layer, or as close to one as you can manage, and cook for . Shake the basket halfway through so they brown evenly.
- Season and serve Tip the mushrooms into a bowl, sprinkle over the salt and toss. If you want them darker and chewier, return them for . Serve straight away.
Serving air fryer mushrooms
These are good with a steak, a roast chicken or a burger, spooned over toast with a poached egg, or stirred through hot pasta. A knob of butter and a squeeze of lemon, added after cooking, turns them into a quick garlic mushroom side.
For a bigger bite, try air fryer stuffed mushrooms, or toss the cooked mushrooms through pasta with mushrooms for a midweek dinner. Swap the thyme for rosemary or oregano if you prefer.
No air fryer? Spread the mushrooms on a large baking tray and roast at 220°C (200°C fan), gas 7, for 20–25 minutes, turning once.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Mushrooms
- The mushrooms are rubbery or soggy.
- Salt draws water out of mushrooms, so season at the end rather than before cooking. Wipe them rather than rinsing, and avoid piling them more than two layers deep.
- The basket is overcrowded and they brown unevenly.
- Cook the mushrooms in two batches. A standard 4–5.5 litre basket holds 400g only just, and the second batch needs the same 10 minutes.
- The mushrooms have shrunk and burnt at the edges.
- Air fryers vary, so check at 7 minutes. Cut the pieces larger next time, as small ones darken faster.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Mushrooms
How long do you cook mushrooms in the air fryer?
Halved chestnut mushrooms take 10 minutes at 200°C, shaking halfway. Quartered pieces need about 8 minutes and whole small buttons 10–12 minutes, plus about 3 minutes if you preheat.
Do you need to wash mushrooms before air frying?
No, just wipe them with damp kitchen paper. Mushrooms soak up water like a sponge, so washing them makes them soggy and stops them browning.
Can you use button or portobello mushrooms?
Yes, button mushrooms cook in the same time as chestnut ones. Slice large portobellos into thick strips, about 1.5cm, and cook them for 8–10 minutes.
How do you store and reheat leftovers?
Cool them quickly, keep them covered in the fridge and eat within 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 minutes, until steaming hot.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 54 ratings
