Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Chicken Nuggets)

 

Ingredients

For the Wet Mixture:

• 7 oz (200 g) oyster mushrooms
• 3/4 cup (180 g) dairy-free milk
• 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup (50 g) chickpea flour

For the Breading:

• 1 cup (90 g) oats, ground into a coarse flour (see notes)
• 3 Tbsp (15 g) nutritional yeast (see notes)
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Black pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Mushrooms:

   • Gently clean each oyster mushroom with a damp paper towel or cloth to remove any dirt.

2. Prepare the Wet Mixture:

   • In a bowl, combine the dairy-free milk, apple cider vinegar, and chickpea flour. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes.

3. Prepare the Breading:

   • In a separate large bowl, mix all the breading ingredients: ground oats, nutritional yeast, salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper.

4. Bread the Mushrooms:

   • Working with one mushroom at a time, dip it into the wet mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
   • Transfer the coated mushroom to the breading mixture and coat thoroughly. Repeat the process to double coat the mushroom.
   • Continue with the remaining mushrooms.

5. Air Fry the Mushrooms:

   • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
   • Place the breaded mushrooms in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece (cook in batches if necessary).
   • Generously spray the mushrooms with cooking spray to help them become crispy.
   • Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 14-16 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes and spraying lightly with cooking spray each time.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the crispy breaded oyster mushrooms hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as Yum Yum Sauce.

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Notes:

• Ground Oats: For a coarse oat flour, blend oats in a food processor or blender until they reach a coarse texture.
• Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor to the breading; it’s a key ingredient for a rich taste.

Enjoy your crispy, flavorful oyster mushrooms!