Flavorsome and juicy, these air fryer portobello mushrooms make a great easy main or side dish! An easy vegetable side dish that is ready in 15 minutes.

If you have yet tried to cook mushrooms in the air fryer, you are missing out! By air-frying them, it draws out excess moisture, leaving mushrooms crispy on the outside yet juicy and tender on the inside.
This dish is also super easy to put together and only calls for simple ingredients that are budget-friendly and easily accessible!
💚Why you will love this recipe
- A delicious mushroom dish that is bursting with flavors
- Family-friendly and will be enjoyed by both adults and kids alike
- Super easy to prepare and ready in 30 minutes
- Highly versatile and goes well with many sides or main dishes
🍄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 the mushrooms by gently pulling it off with your fingers. It should come off easily.
Method 1 - My preferred way, as this method best preserves the flavor of the mushrooms. Using a damp paper towel or cloth, gently scrub off dirt and debris on your mushrooms.
Method 2 - I recommend using this method if your mushrooms are dirty. Place mushrooms in a colander and rinse them under running water for about 10 seconds. Then, pat dry using a paper towel, wiping away the remaining dirt.
🧂What you will need
📃Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Portobello mushrooms - Choose mushrooms that are firm to the touch and uniform in color. Avoid those that have bruises or feel slimy. Medium to large ones are preferred.
- Olive oil - Can be substituted with other neutral-tasting oil like avocado or sunflower seed oil.
🔪How to make
Making the seasoning mixture - Add olive oil and all the seasonings in a bowl. Mix well.
Seasoning mushrooms - Using a pastry or basting brush, brush on the seasoning mixture.
Cooking - Place Portobello mushrooms in the air fryer container, cap side down. They should not overlap. You can cook them in 2 batches if your mushrooms are too big to fit in. Cook at 400F/200C for 4-5 minutes before flipping them over and cooking on the other side for another 4-5 minutes.
Serve - Serve your air fryer Portobello mushrooms as it is, along with sauces like teriyaki sauce, as a side, or in burgers.
✔Helpful tips
- Adding more seasonings - If your Portobello mushrooms are especially large, I recommend increasing the amount of salt and pepper added to ensure they are thoroughly seasoned.
- Spices and seasonings - Feel free to add other seasonings to suit your taste. Italian seasonings, smoked paprika, and chili powder are some great options.
- Cooking time - This will vary slightly depending on the size of your mushrooms. It will also differ from one air fryer to another. Just keep an eye out for them to make sure they are cooked correctly.
- Serving - Let freshly cooked mushrooms cool down slightly before slicing and serving. This will help them retain their juice better.
✨Variations and add-ins
You can swap or add 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 a tablespoon of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar each. You can also add some dried herbs like parsley and thyme.
Garlic butter - Replace oil with a tablespoon of melted butter (use vegan if needed). You can also replace garlic powder with one clove of minced garlic.
With cheese - When flipping mushrooms halfway through cooking, top with shredded cheese, vegan or regular. Place it back into the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
With herbs - Sprinkle on some fresh rosemary and thyme before air frying your portobello mushrooms.
🍔How to serve
- Dips and sauces - Some condiments that go with this dish include spicy teriyaki sauce, yum yum sauce, and vegan sriracha mayo.
- Main dishes - Some mains that pair well with this air fryer Portobello mushrooms include seitan steak, vegan chicken breast, or vegan beef stroganoff.
- As a burger - Use them as a burger patty and serve alongside burger buns, vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato slices, and other toppings of choice.
- In salads - Slice your mushrooms and stir them into salads like this protein pasta salad or avocado lettuce salad.
❔Commonly asked questions
You should clean your mushrooms using a damp cloth or towel instead of washing them. This prevents mushrooms from absorbing water, which will dilute their flavors.
However, if your mushrooms are dirty, give them a quick rinse (no longer than 20 seconds), and wipe them dry before using.
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 quickly.
Gills refers to the fine dark brown strips under the mushroom cap. It is edible too, but some people 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 provide some additional flavor and texture.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 4 medium portobello mushrooms (about 0.5lb/250g)
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the stems of your mushroom, and gently wipe them clean using a damp cloth or towel.4 medium portobello mushrooms
- Combine all seasonings in a bowl. Mix well.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, pinch of black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Using a pastry brush, brush the seasonings on both sides of the mushrooms.
- Air fry them at 200C/400F for 4-5 minutes, cap side down. Then, gently flip it over using tongs and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Let it rest for a few minutes, before slicing and serving them.
Notes
- If your Portobello mushrooms are especially large, I recommend increasing the amount of salt and pepper added to ensure they are thoroughly seasoned.
- Cooking time - This will vary slightly depending on the size of your mushrooms. It will also differ from one air fryer to another. Just keep an eye out for them to make sure they are cooked correctly.
- Serving - Let freshly cooked mushrooms cool down slightly before slicing and serving. This will help them retain their juice 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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