Whole mushrooms in the air fryer shrink down and concentrate into something almost meaty, coated in a garlic butter that pools in every cap. It's a five-minute prep for a side dish that tastes like it took much longer, and the leftover garlic butter at the bottom of the bowl is worth mopping up with bread.
Everything you need
- 500 g whole button or cremini mushrooms
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
- to taste fine salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp (10 g) parmesan, grated, to serve
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 4 done-
Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp cloth rather than washing, so they don't soak up water and steam instead of roast.
For this step
- 500 g whole button or cremini mushrooms
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Toss the mushrooms with the melted butter, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper until every cap is coated.
For this step
- 500 g whole button or cremini mushrooms
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or parsley
- to taste fine salt and black pepper
-
Air fry at 190°C / 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until deeply golden and tender.
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Toss through the parmesan while hot and serve straight away, spooning over any garlic butter left in the basket.
For this step
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp (10 g) parmesan
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Mushrooms release water as they cook. If the basket looks flooded halfway through, tip it out before continuing so they roast instead of boil.
- Larger mushrooms take a couple of minutes longer than small ones; halve big ones for even cooking.
Make it your own
- Add a splash of soy sauce and a pinch of chilli flakes for an umami-forward version.
- Stuff smaller mushroom caps with the garlic butter and breadcrumbs before air frying, for a party bite.
Storing & reheating
Fridge for 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 minutes; they'll release more liquid but still taste good.
Frequently asked
Why are my air fryer mushrooms soggy?
Mushrooms release their own water as they roast. If the basket floods, tip out the liquid halfway through cooking so the mushrooms brown instead of steam in it.
Do I need to wash mushrooms before air frying?
A wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel is enough. Mushrooms absorb water quickly, and a proper rinse leaves them soggy rather than crisp-edged.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.