Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Crispy & Vegan!)

Delicious Fried Oyster Mushrooms are coated in seasoned buttermilk and breading, then deep fried to crispy golden brown perfection. With an irresistible crunch and tender, meaty center, this recipe is a great vegan substitute for fried chicken. Serve with a side of ranch for an easy and satisfying appetizer or as a main course along with your favorite sides!

Author: Food with Feeling

Meal Type: Milk Free

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: EASY

Prep. Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 300 kcal per serving

Ingredients

1 lb - oyster mushrooms
neutral oil
1 cup - nondairy milk
1 tbsp - lemon juice
1 tbsp - golden flaxseed meal
½ cup - hot sauce
1 ½ cups - all-purpose flour
1 ½ tablespoons - nutritional yeast
¼ cup - cornstarch
½ tbsp - salt
1 tbsp - paprika
1 tsp - onion powder
1 tsp - garlic powder
1 tsp - dried oregano
1 tsp - Italian seasoning

Instructions

Prep the mushrooms: using a damp paper towel, gently clean the mushrooms. Using your hands, tear the mushrooms into chunks. The size doesn’t really matter. You can make them roughly the size of chicken nuggets or bigger like tenders. Set aside.
Make the breading: Combine all of the breading ingredients in a large shallow bowl. Set aside.
Make the vegan buttermilk: In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the milk, lemon juice, flaxseed meal and optional hot sauce. Whisk in ½ cup of the breading and mix until smooth and no lumps remain. Let sit for a few minutes to thicken.
In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat 1 inch of oil to ~325 degrees F.
Meanwhile, working with one mushroom at a time, dip it into the wet ingredients, tapping off any excess and then dredge it in the flour mixture. Put it again in the wet ingredients, knocking off any excess, and then once more in the flour mixture. Place it in the oil. Repeat until all of the mushrooms are done or until the skillet is full (leaving a little room in between mushrooms). Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown all around. Once done, place on a paper towel lined plate to soak up excess oil. Serve and ENJOY!
For maximum crunch, fried oyster mushrooms are best served immediately. However, leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, until heated through and the outside crisps up again. You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 325°F for about 5 minutes.
Storage + Reheating – Fried oyster mushrooms are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or in the air fryer at 325°F for about 5 minutes to get the crispiness back.

Nutrition