This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Air Fryer Mushrooms are one of the easiest (and most versatile) dishes you can make. Buttery, garlicky, and ready in just minutes, they work just as well as a simple side dish as they do piled on top of steaks, burgers, bowls, or pasta. I love making them when I need something fast, flavorful, and totally foolproof to round out a meal.
If you’re craving something extra crispy, be sure to check out my air fryer fried mushrooms for a fun appetizer-style option.
“Buttery, garlicky, and done in minutes, these air fryer mushrooms are the perfect side dish to upgrade any meal.”
-Becky
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Savory, buttery, and garlicky with deep umami flavor. Easily customizable with herbs, Parmesan, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 3 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 7 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 10 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer (tested in a Cosori basket-style), mixing bowl, paper towels for drying, and tongs or a spatula for shaking.
- ❄️ Freezer friendly: Not recommended. Mushrooms release a lot of moisture and don’t freeze well once cooked, but leftovers do reheat nicely in the air fryer.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Dry the mushrooms thoroughly and cook them in a single layer so the mushrooms brown rather than steam.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
These mushrooms are endlessly customizable, which makes them perfect for just about any meal. Keep them simple with salt, pepper, and olive oil, or dress them up with balsamic glaze, grated Parmesan, or fresh herbs for a more restaurant-style finish.
They’re great as a side, a finishing touch for mains, or even for snacking straight from the basket, and no matter which direction you go, they deliver big flavor with very little effort. For more easy air fryer sides, you’re going to love my air-fried butternut squash and making the best seasoned fries in the air fryer!
Why This Recipe Works
- High heat = better browning: Cooking the mushrooms at a higher temperature allows moisture to cook off quickly, so they brown instead of steam and develop deeper, richer flavor.
- Minimal prep, maximum payoff: Dry mushrooms and a single layer for even airflow, are the key to tender shrooms with lightly crisp edges.
- Fast and reliable timing: The short cook time is long enough to concentrate flavor but quick enough to prevent shrinkage or rubbery texture.
- Built for flexibility: This method works with several mushroom varieties and adapts easily to different air fryer models, making it dependable for all situation.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- Mushrooms: This recipe works with white button, cremini, baby bella, or even sliced portobello mushrooms. Baby bella mushrooms are our favorite because they have a deeper, meatier flavor and hold their texture beautifully in the air fryer without shrinking too much. White button mushrooms are milder and a bit juicier, while portobellos bring a bolder, more earthy flavor and work best when sliced into even pieces. You will want to try these air fryer stuffed mushrooms too!
- Olive oil or melted butter: Both help the mushrooms brown, but they bring different results. Olive oil keeps the mushrooms lighter and highlights their natural earthy flavor, making it a great everyday choice. Butter adds richness and a more indulgent, steakhouse-style finish, especially when paired with garlic or herbs. You can even use a mix of both for the best of both worlds.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Air Fryer Mushrooms Variations
- Cheesy Herb Mushrooms: Sprinkle your air-fried mushrooms with finely grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley or thyme. The residual heat helps the cheese melt slightly while keeping the herbs bright and fresh.
- Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms: Drizzle the hot mushrooms with balsamic glaze just before serving for a sweet, tangy contrast to their savory flavor. Start with a small amount; a little goes a long way, and toss gently to coat. Enjoy these added to an air-fried steak or any other simple meat dish.
- Garlic Butter Finish: Toss the cooked mushrooms with a small pat of softened butter and an extra pinch of garlic powder or freshly minced garlic. The warmth of the mushrooms melts the butter and creates a rich, steakhouse-style finish, for an air fryer strip steak.
- Fresh Herb Finish: Add finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, thyme, or rosemary right before serving. This works especially well if you use olive oil for cooking the mushrooms.
- Lemon Pepper Mushrooms: Finish the mushrooms with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of cracked black pepper. This brightens the flavor and works well when serving the mushrooms as a topping for air fryer chicken breasts, fish, or grain bowls.
How to Make Mushrooms in the Air Fryer
- Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel or soft brush. Don’t soak them, just gently wipe or rinse away any dirt, and then pat them dry. Slice mushrooms into even-sized pieces. You can even cut them in half or leave them whole if they are small.
- Toss them in a medium bowl with the olive oil or melted butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes. Transfer the prepared mushrooms to the air fryer basket and spread them out in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd and be sure to cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry mushrooms at 400° F (205° C) for 5 to 7 minutes. Shake the basket or flip the mushrooms with a spatula halfway through.
Expert Tips
- Adjust for size: Cut mushrooms into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Smaller mushrooms may finish faster, while larger or thicker pieces may need 1–2 extra minutes. Check for doneness by looking for browned edges and a tender, not spongy, texture.
- Pat mushrooms completely dry: Mushrooms hold a lot of surface moisture, which can cause them to steam in the air fryer. Dry them well with paper towels before seasoning to encourage browning and prevent a soggy texture.
- Use room temperature mushrooms: This may help the mushrooms cook more evenly, especially in a fast, high-heat method like air frying. Mushrooms straight from the fridge release moisture more quickly as they heat up, which can slightly slow browning at the beginning of the cook. Letting them sit out for 10–15 minutes helps take the chill off so they heat more consistently and start browning sooner.
- Avoid overcrowding: Cook the mushrooms in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Crowded mushrooms release steam, which limits browning and keeps the butter from caramelizing.
- Storing & Reheating: Store leftover air-fried mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 2 to 4 minutes to bring back the crisp.
Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe FAQ’s
Yes. Small mushrooms, especially baby bella or white button mushrooms, can be cooked whole in the air fryer and turn out tender and flavorful. Medium mushrooms should be halved, while larger mushrooms like portobellos are best sliced into even pieces so they cook evenly. No matter how they’re cut, keeping the pieces similar in size helps prevent some mushrooms from overcooking while others stay underdone.
Mushrooms usually turn soggy when too much moisture gets trapped during cooking. This can happen if the mushrooms aren’t dried well, the basket is overcrowded, or they’re salted too early. For crispier results, pat the mushrooms completely dry, cook them in a single layer, and add salt after air frying. If needed, extend the cook time by 1–2 minutes to help excess moisture cook off.
For the best texture, dry the mushrooms thoroughly, use a high cooking temperature, and avoid crowding the air fryer basket. Cooking in a single layer allows hot air to circulate so the mushrooms brown instead of steaming. Shaking the basket halfway through also helps them cook evenly.
Yes. This recipe was tested using a Cosori basket-style air fryer, which circulates heat closely around the food for fast, even cooking. If you’re using a larger basket air fryer, the cook time will be very similar as long as the mushrooms are arranged in a single layer. Oven-style air fryers may take 1–2 extra minutes, since the heating element sits farther from the food and airflow is more spread out. No matter the model, start checking near the lower end of the time range and adjust as needed for your specific air fryer.
Mushrooms naturally contain a lot of water, and air frying cooks off that moisture quickly. As the water evaporates, the mushrooms shrink and concentrate in flavor. This is completely normal and not a sign that anything went wrong. To account for shrinkage, start with a slightly larger quantity than you think you’ll need, especially if you’re serving the mushrooms as a side dish or topping.
Serving Suggestions
- As a side dish: Serve these mushrooms alongside your favorite weeknight dinners like chicken, air fryer ribeye steaks, pork, or air-fried salmon. They’re especially great when you want something quick that still feels hearty and flavorful.
- As a topping: Spoon the mushrooms over air fryer hamburgers, steaks, pasta, rice bowls, or even air fryer scrambled eggs. They add a savory, umami-rich finish that instantly upgrades simple meals.
More Easy Air Fryer Side Dishes
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Home Fries
Appetizers
Air Fryer Green Bean Fries
Appetizers
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Squash
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil , or melted butter
- 1 clove garlic, or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the mushrooms by washing in cold water. Use a paper towel or mushroom brush to wipe off any dirt off residue. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Slice whole mushrooms into even slices, and remove stems. If using whole mushrooms, try to find small mushrooms as larger mushrooms can take longer to cook.
- Place the sliced mushrooms in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil or melted butter, then add in the garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss together until well coated.
- Transfer seasoned mushrooms to air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer, without over crowding the basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, depending on size of mushrooms. Add a minute or two at a time if necessary. They will be golden brown and have a slightly crispy texture.
- Once done air frying, add additional seasonings to taste. You can also top them with parmesan cheese, onion powder, or other fresh herbs or seasonings.
Video
Notes
- Pat mushrooms completely dry: Don’t skip this when you prep the mushrooms. Removing any excess moisture will help them brown instead of steam.
- Use room temperature mushrooms: They cook more evenly than cold ones straight from the fridge.
- Avoid overcrowding: A single layer allows them to crisp and helps the butter caramelize.
- Adjust for size: Larger mushrooms may need an extra minute or two of cook time to cook through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummmmm the seasonings go perfectly with the mushrooms. I am a big fan of mushrooms. My hubby brought home a pound of whole mushrooms so Iโm so happy to have found this recipe!
Just an FYI: Washing mushrooms is not recommended as they are porous and soak up water like a sponge. Instead, use a paper towel to wipe off any debris.
Best mushrooms, ever! I always sautรฉed them but this is the way I cook them for now on. I could have eaten them all by myself. Thank you