This is my take on Vegan Fried Chicken with Fried Oyster Mushrooms. They are super crispy with a double batter and so easy to make!
You will be amazed when you try these crispy Fried Oyster Mushrooms.
It’s crazy to say it, but they totally look and taste like fried chicken except Vegan! Anthony thought I had bought him KFC when he saw the tray haha!
I can’t deny it, I’ve always loved fried chicken. It’s one of the only foods I still crave since becoming mostly plant based. These are a great substitute and are my take on vegan fried chicken. The texture of the mushrooms are so similar it’s crazy!
You can also use them to make the most epic Vegan Chicken Sandwich. I've made mine with a crunchy fresh slaw and a vegan honey mustard dressing, it's a must try!
Some more tasty vegan recipes you must try are my Vegan Bolognese, Rice Paper Dumplings and Cauliflower Steaks.
Table of Contents
These Fried Oyster Mushrooms turn out super crispy with a double batter and are so easy to make!
Perfect for those nights when you feel like something crunchy and fried. They also make a great appetizer for a get together or on game day too.
I rarely eat or cook fried foods, but these are one of those exceptions that I can’t say no to!
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 aioli
- Ketchup
- Honey mustard
How to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms
Follow my simple steps to make these delicious fried oyster mushrooms. Here I breakdown how to prepare the batter, coating the mushrooms and frying.
Prepare spice mix
- First, clean oyster mushrooms by wiping them with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt.
For the spice mix, add 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
They have a very subtle taste with a delicate earthy flavour, which allows them to be seasoned and absorb any flavor you add
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
Oyster mushrooms are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. They’re also low in carbohydrates. Source
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
More Mushroom Recipes
- Mushroom Tart
- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Mushroom Orzo
- Pappardelle Pasta with Mushrooms
- Dumpling Soup
- Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
- Vegan Gravy
- Stuffed Mushrooms
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share your Fried Oyster Mushrooms photo on Instagram so I can share the love.
Recipe
Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Fried Chicken)
Video
Ingredients
- 150 g oyster mushrooms
- 1 ½ cups plain flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Cracked pepper
- Oil for frying, ive used canola oil
Dipping Sauces
- Creamy BBQ - mix equal parts of mayonnaise with bbq sauce and a dash of apple cider vinegar
- Sriracha
Instructions
- Wipe oyster mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt
- In a large bowl, add the flour and all the spices. Mix together until well combined
- In a second bowl, add ⅓ cup of the flour mixture with ¾ cups of water. Whisk together until to achieve a smooth batter consistency
- Dip each mushroom into the wet batter mixture then into the flour mixture. 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
- 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 how large your pot is. Let them fry for a few minutes until nice and golden on all sides
- 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 or make a delicious vegan "chicken" sandwich
Notes
- The information on the nutritional table is based on the mushrooms being “uncooked” so the frying oil is not included. This will vary on the type of oil that’s being used
Sandra Coxon says
Hi ayeh
Where would I buy the oyster mushrooms from please?
Ayeh says
Hi Sandra, most supermarkets sell them, or also Asian grocers have a great mushroom range 🙂
Keisha says
This was a super easy recipe to make! Yummy and crunchy and tried it with chicken too. Thank you Ayeh
Ayeh says
Oh Yay! great to hear Keisha! xxx
Alice Pennamon says
This recipe was really easy to fix. It was delicious.
Ayeh says
So glad you loved them Alice x
Jim says
At a farmers market too!
Kim Piergallini says
Our local farmers’ market has a mushroom vendor and he has lots of varieties of mushrooms including oyster mushrooms. Great source!!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh they would be perfect for this recipe with my "chicken" sandwich recipe!!
Shakiba says
Tried the crispy tofu today and it was a real crisp! Will try this recipe for the next meal
Ayeh says
Wonderful so happy to hear lovely! Cant wait to see it xx
Nsystem says
Hi
Mine turned out nicely crunchy but not very much flavour at all,bland and flour like, not sure what happened as i followed the recipe exactly.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh no sorry to hear this! Theres a lot of spices in the batter so it should be really nice and flavourful. Did you use the same batter for the wet and dry coating?
Marta says
Sunflower oil is good for salads. For frying better is colza oil.
Sue says
Has anyone done this in an Air Fryer? If so, what we're your settings? Great recipe but my needed a bit more salt. Thanks for the Recipe
Ayeh Manfre says
Hi Sue! Yes you can air fry them, they don't turn out as crispy but they still work 🙂
Courtney says
Yummy but needs more seasoning. Mine came out a bit too bland and needed sauce to be good. Suggest using traditional fried chicken seasonings to make them more tasty. That said, I am happy to have a chicken substitute.
Ayeh Manfre says
You can increase the seasoning mix by 1.5% and see if you prefer the flavors 🙂
Crystal says
The best vegan “fried chicken” there is - and I’ve tried many. The batter really seals the deal. Perfect texture and flavor.
I have made this recipe sever times. The last time was the best I ever had, I did it with peanut oil and instead of water I used Aquafaba (canned chickpea liquid)
This is now a favorite dish of mine. Thank you so much
Ayeh Manfre says
Thrilled to hear how much you love this Crystal! Thank you so much for your detailed review and tips xx
Melissa says
So easy to make and the results were amazing! So crispy and so much flavour in the batter Definitely making again and will try some different vegetables I think also.
Ayeh says
Great idea Melissa, I have to try it with other veggies too 🙂
Sarah says
Absolutely incredible! Had family members who dislike mushrooms say it tastes like a chicken thigh piece. Delicious vegetarian alternative.
Ayeh never disappoints.
Ayeh says
Hehe yay love this!!! Yours looked amazing and so much like chicken hehe xx
Jae says
Super good recipe! My mushrooms came out super crispy and I did change the seasonings up a bit but still came out great!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yay amazing to hear!
Annie says
Thank you Ayeh for this supper easy and tasteful recipe It was my first time frying mushrooms. Loved the texture and the taste . Will definitely make it again.
Ayeh says
So glad to hear this Annie , they're so yummy right!
Katherine says
WOW! What a fantastic recipe! Not only was it so so easy to make, it's delicious! Awesome way to get those crunchy fried cravings without meat! Definitely adding this to my recipe book. Thank you for such a fab recipe!
Ayeh says
You are so welcome Katherine! So happy you liked these so much too and yours looked fab!
Divya says
I LOVEEED THE RECIPE❤️❤️
Ayeh says
Awww so happy Divya! Your mushies looked so good! xxx
Melli says
It's very good ❤️ , a must try on that one for everyone of you
Ayeh says
So glad you loved them Melli 🙂
Niamh says
Made and absolutely loved these. Thank you so much for this recipe. I went PB over a year ago but only lasted 9 months. Biggest problem? My family love chicken wings with franks. I got sucked back in but this is a game changer. I am back on track and very happy with this new fried chicken sub. ❤
Ayeh Manfre says
Hehe yes I totally felt the same! So happy you can enjoy this recipe and still get your "chicken" craving in too 🙂
Vicky says
Hello, the 387 calories is for all the recipe? Thank you
Ayeh says
Hi Vicky, there are 2 servings in this recipe so the calories are for one serving 🙂
Carmen says
First time I do one of your recipes. It was so good. The batter was great that I had an eggplant and used the same batter. It was a hit with my family! Ready to try more of your recipes.
Ayeh says
Oh yum I need to try the same with eggplants too yum! So happy to hear lovely x
Shenetha says
I have never liked mushrooms of any kind. But, I've heard so many good things about fried oyster mushrooms that I wanted to try them at least once. I came across this recipe and OMG it was delicious!!. I am sold! This recipe will be added to my rotation.
Ayeh says
Hehe love this Shenetha! Such a fun dish right 🙂
Jim says
This was much easier to make than I thought it would be!
Ayeh Manfre says
Lovely to hear Jim!! 🙂
Emilio says
Hi! Can these be air-fried? Looks incredible.
Ayeh Manfre says
They can but they dont have the exact same texture or crunch. Make sure to spray a generous amount of oil 🙂
Bev says
Holy cow, easy and amazing flavor!! Will definitely make it again!
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear Bev!!
Anna says
Very tasty. I somehow ran low on the batter so I made the last half of my mushrooms with just one coating of batter and flour and I liked that a lot because it was lighter. I think I'll try this recipe with chickpea flour and see how it comes out.
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you liked it Anna! Yes you can totally make it with one coating too, the crunch just wont be as strong. Let me know how you go with chickpea flour, I havnt tested that yet 🙂
Holly says
This turned out perfect! I don't even fry, so used grapeseed oil in my shallow cast iron pan, and it still works great. Super recipe and tips.!
Ayeh Manfre says
Love that Holly!!
Zaina says
Seriously this taste like chicken nuggets!! My 11 year old son loves chicken nuggets and he hates mushrooms I gave him this and he still thinks he ate chicken nuggets lol I’m new to this vegan thing and I’m so glad I came across this recipe! Thank you so much!
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yay this is such a lovely compliment! My husband thought I bought him KFC when he first saw the final plate haha. So happy your son loved them so much xxx
Sara says
Can you bake instead of frying?
Ayeh Manfre says
You can or also air fry with oil spray, however they wont be the same crisp on the outside
Sanura Dean says
Super good alternative to chicken strips. And that sauce!!! Wow! I used rice wine vinegar instead of acv because that’s what I had but so good!!
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you loved this recipe Sanura 🙂
Stella says
Hello Ayeh 🙂
LOVE this recipe and cannot wait to try the others! My son loved this one too, it was his first time eating mushrooms. Batter was light and delicious and this was almost too easy to make. I would eat them everyday if I could.
Have a wonderful day.
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing to hear Stella!
Joy Friedberg says
I tried this recipe using gluten free flour and rice bran oil. It was easy and came out crispy and delicious. I intend to use this method on fresh orca.
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear Joy x
Janea says
Thank you do it this. There is a place in Santa Cruz California called Gratitude Cafe. They serve
a version like yours.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh wow!
lillian says
These were amazing!!! thank you for sharing this recipe!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yay so glad you loved these!
Tappi says
This was delicious. I made it in the air fryer. After the first dip i added 1/2 cup panko to the dry mix. Then dipped again into liquid and then then panko mix. Air fried at 400 for 12 minutes in a dual air fryer. Very good.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh sounds so yummy! The panko crumbs would have given the perfect crunch with the airfryer method!
Khadine says
Amazing! Followed the recipe. Added a little extra cayenne pepper as suggested. I use remoulade sauce for dipping instead. My husband and I loved it! Staple in my household from now on.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yum sounds amazing!! Stay tuned, Ill be posted the post epic crispy sandwich using these too 🙂
William says
we absolutely loved it!
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear William!! You must check out my Vegan "Chicken" sandwich I just posted which use these mushrooms too 🙂
Kim says
I was shocked that the flavor of the oyster mushroom didn’t come through
That said, the coating was delicious. I used an Alabama white sauce for dipping and it was delectable. Highly recommend this recipe!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Sounds amazing! so thrilled you loved these 🙂
Timmy parker says
Yum! Served with shishito peppers (dry fried) and sliced cucumbers and radishes and rice. Thanks for the recipe
Ayeh Manfre says
Sounds like the perfect meal yum!!!
Mary R Walker says
Excited to cook - no onion powder added poultry seasoning, win One of very few deep fried recipes I would surely make again. Thank you for sharing ♥️
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you loved it Mary 🙂
Sarah says
I made this the other night for the first time and put mine into a burger with salad.
I have to say the mushrooms from
This recipe were amazing! I keep thinking about them and need to remake them. Yummmm!!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yay! So happy you loved them so much Sarah!! Check out my vegan fried "chicken" burger on my site. I used these beauties in that too 🙂
Tes E Shepp says
One word… phenomenal
Ayeh Manfre says
So thrilled you loved these so much!
Melanie D Goforth says
This is an incredibly delicious way to make fried oyster mushrooms ! Ive been frying these beauties for years , but this recipe is the best ! Its summer oyster season and im finding an abundance of them . Tey are one of my favorite wild mushrooms . Thank you for such a wonderful recipe for them !
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy you enjoyed them and that they're in season yay!!
Joan says
Wow! This sounds and looks so tasty.
Ayeh Manfre says
They are so yum 🙂
SueLinfante says
Oh my goodness! This was so simple and absolutely delicious! I did walk my .ushroom first, drained them and then soaked them in buttermilk made from Soy milk and vinegar. My husband wanted to try making these, and he is a meat and rice man, so we did this together. He mixed the spices and flour and we set up our breading station with the wet and dry ingredients. I strained off the buttermilk and lifted handfuls of the mushrooms into the wet wet bath, then dry and repeat to double coat. I dropped them into the hot fat one by one and didn't overcrowd the pan. They fry up pretty fast! I poured off almost all the fat when all the mushrooms were done added soymilk,salt and pepper and made chick'n gravy to put over our Hawaiian and Russet mashed potatoes. Fantastic dinner along with corn on the cob and garden salad. Finished that off with chocolate Wacky Cake (also called Depression Cake). Perfect meal. Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe! We could hardly get over how .uch it was like fried chicken!
Ayeh Manfre says
Sounds so good!! Hehe I know its crazy how much they taste like "chicken" right 🙂
Danielle says
These are insanely good. We paired these with Hawaiian rolls and pepinsa sandwich spread and they taste just like chicken (and I’m a meat eater, so I would know).
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yum! So happy you loved them even as a meat eater 🙂
Mary Bluford says
Very very helpful
Kim Lee says
I’m new at meat substitute cooking and even more so to oyster mushrooms! I say that to say, I’m a hard sell. I’ve tried several mushroom recipes, and will continue to make some of them again but this recipe will be #1! The very best fried mushrooms I’ve tasted hands down! This is a recipe that will help someone crossover if they’re on the fence about changing their eating habits. Well done!
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh Wow what an amazing compliment!! so happy you loved them so much Kim 🙂
Michelle says
Just made this.....very easy and tastes fantastic! I had it with sweet chilli sauce, will definitely make this again
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing to hear Michelle 🙂
Crystal says
Scrumptious!!! These taste exactly like a high end vegan restaurant’s dish that I used to go 30 miles out of the way for! I will definitely be making these a staple in my home. I am very impressed. Thank you so much!
Ayeh Manfre says
What an amazing compliment!!! so happy you loved it Crystal xxxx
ML Williams says
Great recipe. I love that there aren't lots of extra ingredients and the double batter. One thing I would suggest is to add a little more seasoning. The first time I prepared the recipe exactly as printed and it was a little bland. The second time, I added a third more of every seasoning except the salt and pepper and used a gluten free flour and the dish was perfect.
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear! So happy you were able to adjust the seasonings and used GF flour too 🙂
Ashanti says
Flavorful, easy to make, crispy and delicious!
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy you loved them Ashanti!
Carol says
Holy!!! I tried this recipe and I am blown away. The texture is incredible. The prep was easy, and the cooking time was a breeze!!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yay so wonderful to hear!
katherine says
Anyone tried freezing these?
Ayeh Manfre says
I haven't tried myself to know exactly how they'd turn out, sorry Katherine. If you try it would love to know how it went x
Linda M says
You've managed to get a girl like me who despises mushrooms to try one. Never thought I'd see the day I'd eat a mushroom and liked it hahaha! Great recipe. I wasn't going to try it and made it for my family, but the smell got to me and braved up the courage and took a nibble. Amazing recipe!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Ayeh Manfre says
Hehe absolutely love this comment!!! Thrilled to hear you loved them too 🙂
Chantal says
Love this recipe, tastes really good and it’s easy to make.
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear Chantal 🙂
Jaclin WILLISTON says
I ended up putting double the water in the batter to make it go further and it was spectacular! It's a keeper for sure! We've tried others which didn't work out... but this was awesome!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yay amazing to hear Jaclin! xxx thank you for your lovely comment 🙂
Rona McFADDEN says
This looks so delicious! I was wondering if I could make these in my air fryer.
Ayeh Manfre says
They work but they don't turn out with the same crisp. Add a good amount of oil spray and let me know how you go 🙂
Vanessa Capstick says
Sensational. The entire family loved this dish. This will definitely be a regular dish. Thank you
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear everyone loved it Vanessa!!
Suzi says
I have not made it yet, but it looks so amazing and the instructions are clear and concise. Thank you!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Enjoy Suzi!!!
Pete Murphy says
I actually Had to give this a 5 star
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing Pete!!
Sharon S. says
Just made these and they are soooo delicious!!!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing to hear Sharon!
Wayne Stevenson says
I've been using your recipe for a couple of years now and they still taste "first-time"amazing, I make a larger batch and freeze them after cooking, they heat up great with the residual oil from frying in the airfryer.
Ayeh Manfre says
So lovely to hear this Wayne!