Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Chicken Nuggets)

Enjoy super crispy air fried oyster mushrooms with a tender, meaty middle in about 30 minutes as a perfect vegan substitute for chicken nuggets. This appetizer is great for game days (including Superbowl), special occasions, and more. Oven and deep-fryer methods included.

Whether there’s a game day approaching, the Super Bowl, or you’re just craving something salty, savory, and crunchy, get ready to be wowed by these air fried oyster mushrooms! Making for the perfect vegan ‘KFC,’ these oyster mushroom chicken nuggets are coated in a flavorful vegan buttermilk and gluten-free spiced crumb and then air fried until super crispy outside with a tender, juicy, ‘meaty’ middle.

Just like my air-fried buffalo cauliflower wings, this air fryer oyster mushroom fried chicken tastes indulgent while containing a fraction of oil, fat, and calories thanks to using an air fryer. However, if you’re interested, I’ve also included deep fryer and oven methods. Even better, this recipe is budget-friendly, ready in about 30 minutes, and deliciously addictive.

Meanwhile, the mushrooms’ neutral flavor and meaty texture mean you can season them in dozens of ways as an appetizer or side/main to suit any meal. Even as a gluten-free, vegan, all-natural meat substitute, they’re crispy, indulgent, and flavorful enough that they’re a total crowd-pleaser even non-vegans will love with Yum Yum sauce, alongside fries, in sandwiches, wraps, and more!

The Ingredients

You can pull together this vegan oyster mushroom recipe with simple and fairly inexpensive ingredients to create super indulgence.

• Oyster mushrooms: Make sure the mushrooms (any type of oyster mushroom should work) have a uniform color with no sliminess/ bruising. They’re available in most major grocery stores or Asian grocers. Optionally, trim away any rubbery stem (leaving just 1 inch).
• Dairy-free milk: Any unsweetened milk will work, like soy milk, oat milk, etc.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adding vinegar (or lemon juice) to the batter alongside dairy-free milk will create vegan buttermilk batter.
• Chickpea flour: This is naturally gluten-free and creates a flavorful thin batter.

You could replace a small amount of chickpea flour with cornmeal for extra color, texture, and flavor.

The Breading Mixture

• Oats: I’ve used whole rolled oats (regular or certified gluten-free) ground into coarse flour. Alternatively, use regular or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
• Nutritional yeast: This will add cheesy, umami flavor but is optional. Alternatively, use mushroom powder for the umami OR increase the spices.
• Spices: I’ve used a simple but super flavorful spice blend of:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin

You’ll also need cooking spray (or oil spray, like avocado oil) for super crispy air fryer oyster mushrooms. Don’t omit it.

Other Spice Options

The spice blend you use for this air-fried oyster mushroom recipe is one of the easiest ways to adapt them. Experiment with your own blend, such as adding chili/ cayenne pepper to the above for spice, or use spice blends, like:

• Curry powder
• Garam masala
• Shawarma spice
• Italian seasoning (optionally with garlic)
• Cajun spice
• Creole seasoning

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

How to Make Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms?

• First, gently clean each oyster mushroom with a damp paper towel or cloth.
• Then, combine the dairy-free milk, vinegar, and chickpea flour in a bowl. Set aside for some minutes. Meanwhile, mix all the breading ingredients in a large bowl.

• Working one at a time, coat an oyster mushroom in the wet mixture, then the breading, and repeat once more, so it’s thoroughly coated. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and add a single layer of the mushrooms with space in between (cook in batches if necessary). Spray them generously with cooking spray. This will help them become crispy.
• Air fry the vegan chicken nuggets for 14-16 minutes at 360 °F/180 °C, flipping them every 5 minutes and spraying them lightly with cooking spray each time. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Vegan Chicken Nuggets?

I love to serve these vegan chicken nuggets with dipping sauce like Yum Yum sauce, ketchup, vegan cheese sauce, or sriracha mayo. However, you can enjoy this ‘vegan fried chicken’ in several delicious ways, including in/over:

• Fakeout KFC alongside fries and sauce (+ optionally corn on the cob)
• Sandwiches and wraps (like a vegan po’boy or kebab sandwich)
• Tacos
• Salads and buddha bowls
• Mashed potatoes and gravy (+ optionally peas)
• Vegan biscuits and gravy
• Vegan mac n’ cheese
• As a soup topper
• As vegan shawarma

They’re also great for serving as part of any game-day platter and for the Super Bowl, alongside fries/polenta fries, onion rings, and dips like French onion dip.

Storage Instructions

Store: Allow them to cool, and then store any leftovers in a paper towel lined airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheat: The air-fried mushrooms will soften over time, so reheating is the perfect opportunity to bring back crispiness. You could reheat them in the oven or air fry them at 350 °F/175 °C until hot and crispy (about 10-15 minutes in the oven and 4-7 minutes in the air fryer), OR broil them. Avoid using a microwave.

FAQs

Can I use other mushrooms?

While technically, most mushrooms can be battered and cooked until crispy, the meaty texture of oyster mushrooms makes them particularly impressive as a vegan chicken nuggets substitute.

Can I bake the breaded oyster mushrooms In the oven?

While they aren’t as crispy, they’re easy to make. Spread the mushrooms across a baking tray with space in-between, spray with cooking oil, and cook in a preheated oven at 400F/200C for about 20-30 minutes. Flip them halfway and re-spray them with cooking oil.

Are oyster mushrooms healthy?

Oyster mushrooms are packed with fiber, 3 grams of protein per 100g, and several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants- which provide gut, heart, blood sugar, and immune-boosting benefits.

Can I make deep-fried oyster mushrooms?

I don’t deep-fry my food, but luckily, I had a friend willing to test it out. Heat a couple of inches of vegetable oil/ canola oil (or any oil with a high smoke point) in a pot to around 350-360 °F/176-182 °C (or drop a piece of batter in. It should bubble immediately).

Then add a few battered oyster mushrooms (don’t overcrowd the pan) and fry for a few minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil, and repeat with any remaining mushrooms.

What do oyster mushrooms taste like?

Oyster mushrooms have a slightly earthy but subtle flavor, acting like a sponge to absorb any seasonings and flavorings you use. That, combined with their meaty texture, makes them great for making realistic vegan chicken nuggets! Even mushroom haters are likely to enjoy this dish!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Don’t wash the mushrooms: They soak up the water and throw off the texture. Instead, use a damp cloth/ paper towel to clean oyster mushrooms.
• The size: Prepare them whole or tear/cut them into more even-sized pieces.
• For a crispier batter: Replacing a spoonful or two of chickpea flour with rice flour or corn flour can make a crunchier, lighter batter.
• Don’t skip the cooking spray/oil: While we’re making these a lot healthier by air frying oyster mushrooms, you still need oil to make them super crispy.
• Tweak the flavors: You can tweak the spice ratios or use a different spice blend to adapt the vegan oyster mushroom recipe to any meal or mood.
• Don’t overcrowd them: Whether making air fryer oyster mushrooms or cooking them in the oven or deep fryer, it’s very important not to overcrowd them, so they’re able to become properly crispy.

More Vegan Mushroom Recipes

• Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
• Portobello Mushroom Steaks
• Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon
• Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• Creamy Mushroom Sauce
• Vegan Mushroom Gravy
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Mushroom and Leek Pasta

If you try this easy air fried oyster mushrooms recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.

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