Cheesy air fryer portobello mushroom- a veggie air fryer recipe you will love!
Portobello mushrooms are not only a delicious addition to any meal, but they also offer several health benefits. For one, portobellos are an excellent source of fiber, which can help keep you regular and may even reduce your risk of certain gastrointestinal diseases. Additionally, portobellos contain antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage and may help to reduce your risk of some chronic diseases. Finally, portobellos are an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and selenium. So, what is the best way to eat them?
There are many ways to enjoy portobello mushrooms, but some of the best include grilling, roasting or sautéing them. Portobellos are also delicious when added to soups, stews, and pasta dishes. However, I still think that air-fried portobello mushrooms are the best. They are quick to cook, the nutrients are retained, and I get crispy and juicy mushrooms every time!
So, if you want an air fryer vegetarian recipe or want to make a quick and tasty side, this air fryer portobello mushroom with cheese will hit the mark!
Things to note:
Buying them: When looking for portobello mushrooms in the supermarket, picking ones with a dark brown color is essential. The darker the mushroom, the more flavorful it will be. In addition, you should also look for mushrooms that have a firm texture. Avoid mushrooms that are soft or have bruised spots. Another tip for choosing portobello mushrooms is to smell them before purchasing them. Mushrooms should have an earthy and slightly sweet smell. It is best to avoid them if they have a sour or unpleasant odor. Lastly, if they have a slippery feel, this is a sign of decomposition, so they should also be avoided.
Storing mushrooms before cooking: The best (and quickest) way to store portobello mushrooms in the fridge is by keeping them in a paper bag. This will help keep them from drying out and prevent them from absorbing unwanted flavors or smells from other foods in the fridge. If you do not have brown paper bags, you can place them on a flat tray (lined with dry paper towels). Then place another dry paper towel over them. Ensure they are fully covered and put them in an area with good airflow inside the fridge.
Cleaning them: It is best only to start cleaning the mushrooms just before cooking, as washed mushrooms tend to turn brown when left out for an extended period without cooking. Cleaning mushrooms are quick and straightforward. Place them in a large bowl and fill them with cold water. Give them a good rub with your hands to take off any dirt. Use a soft brush to remove any dirt or debris between the grooves. Finally, rinse them under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Some tips for cooking portobello mushrooms in an air fryer:
- Ensure that the mushrooms are not on top of each other as this will result in uneven cooking.
- Leaving small gaps between the mushrooms will also allow the heat to crisp the sides of the mushrooms.
- Make sure that the cheese layer on top is heavy enough to keep the spinach down because the air fryer fan is strong, and light food may fly around if it is not weighted down. Flying food in the air fryer can be a safety hazard if it touches the heating element directly.
- In this recipe, I have used mozzarella strips. However, you can use any cheese you like. It is recommended to use hard cheeses and not overload the cheese layer. This is because the heat from the air fryer will melt the cheese quickly, and we do not want the mushrooms to be swimming in a pool of melted cheese.
- It is recommended to use air fryer parchment paper or silicone air fryer liner as the cheese may melt at the bottom of the basket. If the cheese is not cleaned off immediately, it could be challenging to remove from the air fryer basket.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve grilled portobello mushrooms with a side of rice or quinoa for a complete vegetarian meal.
- For a lighter option, serve them with a simple salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic dressing.
- They make a great side dish when paired with air-fried beef kebabs, honey-glazed air-fried chicken wings, or tender air-fried lamb fillet.
- For seafood lovers, these mushrooms are an excellent choice served with air-fired butter garlic prawns, soft and tender squid in the air fryer, or healthy air-fried snapper fillets.
- This recipe can be used as an air fryer vegan recipe by simply removing the cheese from the recipe. Then blanch the spinach in a pot of boiling water and place them on top of the mushrooms once cooked in the air fryer. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top for some flavor.
Cheesy air-fried portobello mushrooms
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Non-scratch tongs
- 1 Air fryer parchment paper or silicone liner recommended
Ingredients
- 375 grams Portobello mushrooms around 6 mushrooms
- 1 cup Baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon Garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic (diced)
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese (grated)
- Olive oil
- Black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Clean mushrooms as per the cleaning method underthe “Things to note” section above.
- 2. Chop the baby spinach and stuff them into the mushroom cup.
- 3. Seasonwith garlic salt, Italian herbs, and diced garlic.
- 4. Sprinklethe grated mozzarella cheese over the spinach. Ensure that the cheese coversthe spinach enough so it cannot fly around in the air fryer once the fan is on.
- 5. Seasonwith black pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
- 6. Placethe portobello mushrooms in the air fryer. Refer to “Some tips for cookingp portobello mushrooms in an air fryer” in the “Things to note” section for moredetails. Then slot the air fryer basket back into the air fryer.
- 7. Setthe air fryer temperature to 160 degrees Celsius (320 degrees Fahrenheit) and15 minutes on the timer.
- 8. Oncethe timer has beeped, remove the air fryer basket and remove the mushrooms withnon-scratch tongs. Serve as an appetizer, main dish, or side dish. Refer to our“Serving suggestions” above for some ideas.
Related Products
