These crispy air fryer morel mushrooms are a quick and easy spring appetizer or side! They’re made with fresh morels coated in seasoned panko and simple spices, then air fried until golden, crunchy, and tender!
If you still have morels left, make Unbreaded Air Fryer Morel Mushrooms and Morel Mushroom Pasta with Boursin next!
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Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Morel Mushrooms
This recipe turns delicate morels into the ultimate spring snack or appetizer. No deep frying—just a quick flour dredge, egg wash, a seasoned panko crust, and a few minutes in the air fryer. Simple, quick, and seriously delicious.
The light panko coating adds crunch without overpowering the mushroom, and the air fryer keeps things crisp without the grease. These aren’t just air-fried mushrooms—they’re "make a second batch immediately" mushrooms.
Why This Recipe Works
- Minimal prep. Soak, dry, dip, coat, and fry. Just like my Air Fryer Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, these come together quickly.
- Crispy outside, tender inside. Air frying locks in that soft center.
- No deep frying. No mess, no oil splatter, and much healthier than traditional fried mushrooms.
- Big morel flavor. The light coating lets the mushrooms shine through, preserving their delicate earthy taste.
- Fast. Cooked in 5 minutes flat – perfect for a quick appetizer when you're also making Smoked Chicken Quarters or Smoked Brisket on Pellet Grill.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make these crispy air-fried morels:
- Morel mushrooms: About ½ pound, cut in half lengthwise, soaked in salt water, and thoroughly dried. You can also use other mushrooms like oyster or cremini if you can't find morels.
- All-purpose flour: Creates a dry layer that helps the egg wash stick better.
- Egg: Helps the breadcrumb mixture stick.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Light, crispy, and perfect for air frying.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Oil spray: Helps the crust crisp up in the air fryer.
👉 You’ll find exact amounts and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Breaded Air Fryer Morel Mushrooms
Quick Overview
- Clean morels
- Coat in flour + egg + breadcrumbs
- Air fry until crispy
- Devour
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare and clean the morels. Cut the morel mushrooms in half lengthwise to expose the hollow interior. Then soak them in a bowl of salt water for 5–10 minutes to remove dirt and any critters. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, then pat completely dry with paper towels. Don't skip this step – morels can house small insects in their honeycomb structure, and cutting them in half ensures they're clean.
- Step 2: Prep the coating. Set up a three-stage breading station:
- Bowl 1: ½ cup all-purpose flour.
- Bowl 2: 1 beaten egg.
- Bowl 3: ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 3: Bread the mushrooms. Dredge each dried morel in flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten egg, and finally into the Panko mixture. Press the coating in gently so it sticks to every crevice. Set aside on a plate in a single layer.
- Step 4: Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to 375°F.
- Step 5: Air fry. Place the breaded morels in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Spray lightly with oil. Air fry at 375°F for 4–5 minutes, gently shaking the basket halfway through.
- Step 6: Serve immediately. Once golden and crisp, remove from the basket and serve hot. They’re best straight from the air fryer. Serve them as-is, with a squeeze of lemon, or dunked in your favorite dipping sauce (try my easy Smashburger Sauce).
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Dry thoroughly. Wet mushrooms = soggy coating.
- Use oil spray. Helps the panko get golden and crispy.
- Don’t overcrowd. Air needs to circulate around each mushroom to get them crispy. Work in batches if needed.
- Serve hot. They lose their crispiness if they sit too long, just like my Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, so serve them immediately.
Variations to Try
- Parmesan: Add 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan to the panko mixture.
- Spicy: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the breadcrumb mix.
- Herby: Mix in dried thyme or rosemary.
- Low-Carb: Swap panko for crushed pork rinds to make these keto-friendly.
How to Clean Morel Mushrooms
Morels are beautiful but notoriously dirty. Here’s how to clean them right:
- Cut each morel in half lengthwise to expose the hollow interior (it's the perfect hiding spot for dirt and critters).
- Soak in a bowl of cold water with salt (about 1 tablespoon) for 5–10 minutes. The salt helps draw out any tiny insects.
- Gently stir to dislodge debris hiding in the honeycomb structure.
- Rinse under cold running water, checking all the crevices.
- Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels. Let air dry cut-side down for 15–20 minutes if possible.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: Bread them and refrigerate until ready to air fry.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes.
What to Serve With Crispy Morels
These crispy air fryer morel mushrooms pair perfectly with a variety of dishes. Some of my favorites include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! It helps remove hidden bugs and dirt inside the honeycomb caps.
You can, but Panko gives a much crispier texture.
You can bake them at 425°F for about 10-12 minutes, but the texture won't be quite as crispy as air-fried. If baking, use a wire rack over a baking sheet for air circulation.
Morels are seasonal (typically spring) and can be found at farmers' markets, specialty grocery stores, or foraged if you know what you're looking for. Never eat wild mushrooms unless you're 100% certain of identification. We find ours in recent burn areas as they are easier to spot.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try Next
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Printable Recipe
Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Morel Mushrooms
Ingredients
- ½ pound morel mushrooms (or use oyster, cremini, or any mushroom you have on hand)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- avocado oil spray (or olive oil spray)
Instructions
- Prepare the morels by cutting them in half lengthwise. Clean thoroughly by soaking them in a bowl of salt water (1 tablespoon salt) for 5-10 minutes. Rinse under cold running water, then pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Set up a breading station: In the first bowl, place the all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, beat the egg. In the third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread each morel half by first dredging in flour and shaking off excess, then dipping into the beaten egg, and finally coating in the breadcrumb mixture. Press the coating gently with your fingers to help it adhere to all the crevices. Place on a plate in a single layer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the breaded morels in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. Spray lighlty with avocado oil.
- Air fry at 375°F for 4-5 minutes, gently shaking the basket halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy, with your favorite dipping sauce if desired. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Dry thoroughly. Any moisture will prevent the mushrooms from getting crispy. Take your time with paper towels after rinsing.
- Don't overcrowd. Work in batches if needed so air can circulate around each mushroom.
- Oil spray is essential for achieving that deep-fried texture without deep frying.
- Watch closely. All air fryers cook differently, so start checking at 3 minutes the first time you make these.
- Variations: Add 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture, or ¼ teaspoon cayenne for spice.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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