These Crispy Fried Mushrooms are golden brown, perfectly seasoned, and irresistibly crunchy on the outside, while staying juicy and tender on the inside. Paired with a cool, tangy homemade ranch dip, they make an addicting appetizer, side dish, or party snack!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Fried Mushrooms:
✔ 1 lb mushrooms (button, cremini, or oyster – cleaned & stems trimmed) 🍄
✔ 1 cup buttermilk (for tenderizing & extra crispiness!) 🥛
✔ 1 teaspoon garlic powder (adds a subtle kick!) 🧄
✔ ½ teaspoon paprika (for a mild smoky depth!) 🌶️
✔ 1 cup all-purpose flour (for the first coating!)
✔ 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko (for extra crunch!) 🥖
✔ ½ cup cornstarch (for the crispiest texture!)
✔ 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
✔ ½ teaspoon black pepper
✔ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat!🔥)
✔ Vegetable oil (for frying) 🛢️
For the Cool Ranch Dip:
✔ ½ cup mayonnaise
✔ ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt 🥛
✔ 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar 🍋
✔ ½ teaspoon dried dill 🌿
✔ ½ teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
✔ ½ teaspoon onion powder 🧅
✔ ½ teaspoon salt
✔ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
✔ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional) 🌱
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Mushrooms
- Clean mushrooms by wiping with a damp paper towel or lightly rinsing and patting dry.
- Trim stems if needed, but keep the mushrooms whole for extra juiciness.
2️⃣ Soak in Buttermilk Mixture
- In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the mushrooms, making sure they’re fully coated.
- Cover and let them soak for 30 minutes (this makes them extra juicy and helps the coating stick!).
3️⃣ Prepare the Breading Station
- In one shallow bowl, mix flour and cornstarch.
- In another bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs (or panko), salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
4️⃣ Coat the Mushrooms for Extra Crispiness
- Remove mushrooms from the buttermilk and shake off excess liquid.
- Dredge in the flour-cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip back into the buttermilk.
- Finally, coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place on a plate and let them sit for 5 minutes (helps the coating stick better!).
5️⃣ Fry to Perfection
- Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry mushrooms in small batches, cooking for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Sprinkle lightly with extra salt while still hot.
6️⃣ Make the Cool Ranch Dip
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in chopped parsley or chives for extra freshness.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes for the best flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
✔ Serve hot with Cool Ranch Dip for an addicting crunch! 🥣
✔ Pair with honey mustard or spicy aioli for variety. 🌶️
✔ Add to a grazing board for an ultimate snack spread! 🧀🥒
✔ Toss in buffalo sauce for a spicy, wing-style alternative! 🔥
🛠️ Storage & Reheating Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes, or air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to crisp them back up!
- Freeze: Coat mushrooms, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry directly from frozen!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Super Crispy & Flavorful – Light, crunchy coating with juicy mushrooms!
✔ Easy & Fun to Make – No fancy ingredients required!
✔ Crowd-Pleasing Snack – Perfect for parties, game nights, or appetizers!
✔ Cool, Tangy Ranch Dip – The perfect creamy complement!
These Crispy Fried Mushrooms with Cool Ranch Dip will be your new go-to appetizer! 🍄🔥 Try them today and let me know how they turn out!
💬 Would you dip them in ranch, honey mustard, or spicy aioli? Comment below! ⬇️😋