Air fried baby bella mushrooms

A recipe for air-fried Baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms that are golden brown and tender, seasoned with garlic, thyme, and topped with Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (16 oz) Baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms, fresh and firm
• 1 ½ tbsp Extra virgin olive oil or melted unsalted butter
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp)
• ½ tsp Sea salt
• ½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp Dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Clean the mushrooms by gently wiping them with a damp paper towel or soft mushroom brush; do not rinse under running water. If mushrooms are large, cut them in half to ensure even cooking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil (or melted butter), minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Whisk together until well combined.
3. Add the cleaned mushrooms to the bowl and gently toss until every mushroom is evenly coated with the garlic mixture.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
5. Add the seasoned mushrooms to the air fryer basket in a single layer with space around them. If the basket is small, cook in two batches.
6. Air fry for 5 minutes. Open the basket and give it a rigorous shake to redistribute the mushrooms.
7. Continue air frying for another 5 minutes (total 10 minutes). Check for doneness; if mushrooms are halved or whole-large, they may need 2 more minutes until golden brown and tender.
8. Remove the basket. While the mushrooms are still hot, sprinkle them evenly with freshly grated Parmesan cheese to allow the residual heat to melt it slightly.
9. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish immediately with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not skip preheating to seal the exterior and preserve moisture. Use freshly grated Parmesan for better flavor and melting. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes.