Flavorsome and juicy, these air fryer portobello mushrooms makes a great easy main or side dish! This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free, easy to make and ready in 15 minutes.

Whether if you are a fan of mushrooms or not, I urge you to give this air fried portobello mushrooms a try! It is umami, packed full of flavor and incredibly juicy. Trust me, even meat eaters will love this!
💚Why you will love this recipe
- Juicy, tender and utterly delicious - Yes, veggies can actually be tasty! They have a slight crispy exterior, and is moist and meaty on the insides.
- Super easy to throw together - Everything is ready in 15 minutes, and all you need is 6 simple ingredients.
- Incredibly versatile - You can literally pair this air fryer portobello mushrooms with any main course, or serve it as a main along with your favorite side dishes!
- Family friendly dish - This easy side dish will be enjoyed by both adults and kids.
🍄How to clean mushrooms
There are 2 ways that you can clean your portobello mushrooms. No matter which method you are following, first remove the stem of mushrooms by gently pulling it off with your fingers. It should come off easily.
Method 1 - Place mushrooms in a colander and rinse them under running water for about 10 seconds. Then, pat dry using a paper towel, wiping away remaining dirt.
Method 2 - Using a damp paper towel or cloth, gently scrub off dirt and debris on your mushrooms.
🧂What you will need

📃Notes/substitutions
- Portobello mushrooms - Choose mushrooms that are firm to touch and uniform in color. Avoid those that have bruises or feels slimy. Medium to large ones are preferred.
- Oil-free - Omit olive oil. Combine the rest of the seasonings and rub it on mushrooms.
🔪How to make
Combine olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.

Using a pastry brush, brush on the seasoning mixture on both sides of the mushrooms.
Air fry them for 4-5 minutes, cap side up.

Then, gently flip it over using tongs and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side.
Let it rest for a few minutes, before slicing and serving them.

✔Helpful tips
- No matter how you choose to clean your mushrooms, please DO NOT soak them in water! Mushrooms will readily soak up water, and they will turn out soggy with their flavors diluted.
- Depending on the type or size of your air fryer, cooking times might vary slightly. I recommend checking on them on the 4 minute mark.
- To bake your mushrooms - Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Bake for 15 minutes cap side up, them flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Let your air fryer mushrooms cool down slightly before slicing to retain they juices and flavor better.
✨Variations
You can easily swap or add-in seasonings to spice up your air fryer portabello mushrooms! Here are some ideas you can try out:
Balsamic soy - Half olive oil use and add in half tablespoon of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar each. You can also add in some dried herbs like parsley and thyme.
Garlic butter - Replace oil with a tablespoon of melted vegan butter. You can also replace garlic powder with 1 clove of minced garlic.
With cheese - Instead of flipping mushrooms over halfway through cooking, top with some shredded vegan cheese instead. Place it back into the air fryer and cook until cheese are melted and lightly browned.
With herbs - Sprinkle on some fresh rosemary and thyme before air frying your portobello mushrooms.

🍔How to serve
- As a side dish - Serve your air fryer portabello mushrooms with mains like pumpkin potato soup, vegan fried rice or noodle dishes like teriyaki soba noodles or creamy peanut noodles.
- with mashed potatoes and gravy
- along with some burger buns, lettuce, sliced tomatoes and condiments of choice to make portobello burgers
- Use it as a topper for salads like this protein pasta salad, vegan rice salad or red quinoa salad
❔Commonly asked questions
Yes, it is recommended to wash your portobello mushrooms to efficiently remove dirt and debris on their surface. However, a quick rinse should be sufficient, then pat them dry using a paper towel.
DO NOT soak them in water as they will absorb liquid readily.
Alternatively, you can clean your mushrooms using a damp cloth or paper towel.
You can check for the doneness of your portobello mushrooms by gently pressing on the center with a pair of tongs or a spoon. It should feel tender and juicy once cooked. They should also be lightly browned.
Although stems of portobello mushrooms are edible, they are commonly removed before cooking as they are unappealing and have a tough and fibrous texture. Gently pull the stalk and it should come off easily.
Gills refers to the fine dark brown strips under the mushroom cap. It is edible too, but some people choose to remove them before cooking as they will release a murky brown liquid that might affect the overall aesthetic and color of the final dish.
However, I choose to leave them on as they do provide some additional flavor and texture.
Leftover air fried portobello mushrooms can be refrigerated in a sealed container for 2-3 days. You can eat them cold, or heat them up in the pan or air fryer for a minute or so on each side. You can also heat them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
I would not recommend freezing these mushrooms, as the will turn out to be soggy and wet upon thawing.

🍽More vegan side dishes
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📖 Recipe

Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 4 medium portobello mushrooms (about 0.5lb/250g)
For marinade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients for marinade in a bowl. Mix well.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, pinch of black pepper
- Using a pastry brush, brush on the marinade on both sides of the mushrooms.4 medium portobello mushrooms
- Air fry them at 200C/400F for 4-5 minutes, cap side up. Then, gently flip it over using tongs and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Let it rest for a few minutes, before slicing and serving them.
Notes
- No matter how you choose to clean your mushrooms, please DO NOT soak them in water! Mushrooms will readily soak up water, and they will turn out soggy with their flavors diluted.
- Depending on the type or size of your air fryer, cooking times might vary slightly. I recommend checking on them on the 4 minute mark.
- To bake your mushrooms - Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Bake for 15 minutes cap side up, them flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Let your air fryer mushrooms cool down slightly before slicing to retain they juices and flavor better.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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