Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Fried Chicken)

Ingredients to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are the star of the show! They’re so pretty and a delicate mushroom with a subtle taste, which allows them to be seasoned and absorb any flavor you add

Flour is used for the batter. I’ve used plain all purpose flour to make both the dry and wet batter. Whole-wheat flour can also work. I haven't personally tried gluten free flour for this recipe but I think they should be fine too!

Spices are used to enhance flavour and colour into the beautiful oyster mushrooms. I’ve used a mix of paprika, tumeric, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper

Oil for frying - make sure to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point when frying food. I’ve used canola oil but some other options are avocado oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil and even vegetable oil

Sauces to dip into:

Creamy BBQ, mix equal parts of mayonnaise with bbq sauce and a dash of apple cider vinegar

Sriracha (hot sauce)

Ketchup

Honey mustard

How to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Time needed: 20 minutes.

Clean mushrooms
Wipe oyster mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt
Prepare spice mix
In a large bowl, add the flour and all the spices, salt and black pepper. Mix together until well combined
Prepare batter
In a second bowl, take ⅓ cup flour from the mixture and add with ¾ cups of water. Whisk together until to achieve a smooth batter consistency
Coat mushrooms in batter
Dip each mushroom into the wet batter mixture then into the dry batter. Double coat each mushroom back into the wet batter and then back in the flour mixture, making sure the mushrooms are fully coated in flour
Time to fry
Heat oil in a pot over high heat and carefully drop mushrooms into the oil one at a time in batches. Don't overcrowd the pot, you can fry a few at a time depending on how large your pot is. Let them fry for a few minutes until nice and golden brown

Remove and place on paper towels to remove excess oil, then place on a cooling rack to keep crispy until the rest is done. Enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce!

Tips for Fried Oyster Mushroom Recipe

Don't wash mushrooms with water, this will make them watery and mushy. Instead, use a damp paper towel to clean them and remove any dirt

Double coat mushrooms to make them super crispy! Just make sure you get all the corners of the mushrooms so they're fully coated for the ultimate crunch

Create more batter if needed. If you run out of the wet batter when coating the mushrooms, add more of the flour mixture with water to create more batter

Test the oil is ready before frying. Do this by dropping a pinch of flour into the oil. If it starts to bubble, its ready!

Don't overcrowd the pot. You can fry a few at a time in batches depending how large your pot is.

Remove excess oil with paper towels and place on a cooling rack. After removing the excess oil place on a cooling rack until all the mushrooms are done. This will keep them crispy until you're ready to eat

FAQs

What do oyster mushrooms taste like?

They have a very subtle taste with a delicate earthy flavour, which allows them to be seasoned and absorb any flavor you add

How to store and reheat?

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to reheat using an airfryer or in the oven to make them nice and crispy again. Avoid using a microwave as it will make them very soggy

Are oyster mushrooms good for you?

Oyster mushrooms are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. They’re also low in carbohydrates. Source

Can you cook oyster mushrooms in the air fryer?

For a lighter and healthier alternative, you can use an air fryer instead. It won’t be as crispy of course. I personally haven’t tried this method to know the exact cook time. Ensure to spray all sides well with oil spray

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