Fancy making a scrumptious vegan mushroom burger with a twist? Cajun fried King Oyster ‘Hen’ fillets make this recipe a quick meals fave.
We get it, not everybody likes vegan meat alternatives, or needs to eat one thing that reminds them of meat. However does that imply you need to miss out on a scrumptious burger? Completely not!
These crispy Cajun-style king oyster mushroom burgers are the proper meat-free reply to quick meals cravings. Full of southern spice and a satisfyingly crunchy coating, they’re proof that you just don’t want meat to take pleasure in a significantly good burger.
Mushrooms are a terrific substitute for meat in vegan recipes on account of their tender, chewy texture and their means to soak up loads of flavour as they cook dinner. King oyster mushrooms are a preferred different to hen, as they’re agency, gentle, and equally shreddable.
On this recipe, thick slices of king oyster mushroom are double-dipped in a Cajun-spiced batter made with tangy vegan buttermilk, then shallow-fried till golden and crunchy on the surface and juicy on the within.
The mushrooms are nestled in a comfortable vegan bun with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato and creamy mayo; a profitable mixture that delivers all the feel and luxury of a fried hen burger, with out the meat.
Serve them as a weekend deal with, at informal dinner events, or alongside fries and slaw for the last word vegan quick meals evening. You can even slice the mushrooms thinner and use them in wraps or pitas when you fancy switching it up.
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Why you’ll love this vegan mushroom burger recipe:
- A flavour-packed vegan different to southern-style hen burgers
- Made with king oyster mushrooms for a juicy, meaty chew
- Prepared in round half-hour
- No vegan meat options wanted
- Superb for impressing non-vegans
- Crispy, spicy and indulgent – good for weekend dinners or quick meals nights
- Simple to customize with completely different sauces, buns or toppings
make crispy Cajun king oyster mushroom burgers
To make this recipe, you’ll want these cooking expertise:
Making vegan buttermilk
Buttermilk originated as a by-product of creating butter. It’s the soured, fermented liquid leftover after the butter is churned. It sounds gross, however its thick consistency and tangy flavour make it a preferred ingredient for batter mixtures.
To make a vegan model, you’ll want to mix soya milk with an acidic liquid, like apple cider vinegar. Depart it to curdle for a couple of minutes, and also you’ll have a thicker milk with that attribute buttermilk flavour, able to type a thick, flavourful batter that may stick nicely to your mushrooms.
Double-dipping in batter
Double-dipping the mushrooms creates a thick, crunchy coating that fries up superbly golden and crisp. It additionally helps lock in additional of the daring Cajun flavours from the seasoned flour and vegan buttermilk.
To do that, arrange two shallow bowls; one with the seasoned flour combination and the opposite with the vegan buttermilk. You’ll be coating every mushroom by alternating between the 2.
To maintain issues tidy, use the traditional ‘dry hand, moist hand’ methodology. Making certain one hand solely touches the dry substances and the opposite solely the buttermilk means you’ll minimise the buildup of goopy batter in your fingers, making clear up a lot simpler.
Use your dry hand to coat a mushroom in flour, then fastidiously drop it into the buttermilk. Change to your moist hand to totally coat it, then gently return it to the flour bowl to repeat the method yet one more time.
As soon as coated, place the mushrooms on a board or wire rack whilst you end the remaining, or fry them right away.

Shallow frying
Shallow frying is one of the best ways to get a crisp, golden crust on the battered mushrooms with no need a deep fryer. It cooks the coating evenly whereas conserving the within tender and juicy.
To shallow fry, you’ll want an oil with a excessive smoke level, like vegetable oil or sunflower oil. Pour just a few tablespoons of the oil into a big frying pan (simply sufficient to generously coat the bottom) and warmth over medium-high warmth.
You need the oil scorching sufficient to sizzle as quickly as a mushroom hits the pan, however not so scorching that the coating browns too shortly earlier than the within cooks. A very good take a look at is to drop in a small pinch of flour or a nook of batter. It ought to bubble steadily, not furiously.
Rigorously place the coated mushrooms into the pan, working in batches if wanted to keep away from overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes on both sides till the coating is deep golden and crisp. Use tongs to flip them gently so the batter stays intact.
As soon as cooked, switch the mushrooms to a plate lined with kitchen paper or a wire rack to empty off any extra oil. Allow them to relaxation for a minute or two earlier than serving for optimum crunch.
Elements in vegan Cajun-fried mushroom burgers
King oyster mushrooms: These have a thick, meaty stem that holds up nicely to frying. When sliced and battered, they’re tender and chewy, making them a terrific different to fried hen.
Soya milk + cider vinegar: This duo creates a vegan buttermilk, which provides tang and helps the batter adhere to the mushrooms.
Plain flour: The bottom of the coating, giving construction and thickness.
Cornflour: Combines with the flour, lowering total gluten content material, resulting in a lighter, crispier batter.
Cajun seasoning: A spicy, smoky mix that brings daring southern-style flavour. It usually accommodates paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Smoked paprika: Provides deep, smoky undertones that complement the mushrooms completely.

Vegan king oyster mushroom burger FAQs
How do I retailer leftover mushroom burgers?
Retailer leftover fried mushrooms in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Reheat within the oven or air fryer to revive crispiness. Assemble recent in buns earlier than serving.
Can I bake or air fry them as an alternative of frying?
Sure, however they gained’t be fairly as crisp. Spray calmly with oil earlier than cooking. Bake at 200°C (fan) for 20–25 minutes, flipping midway. Air fry at 200°C for round quarter-hour.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Sure – swap the plain flour for a gluten-free flour mix and test your Cajun seasoning is gluten-free. The feel could also be barely completely different however nonetheless scrumptious.
What different mushrooms can I take advantage of?
King oyster mushrooms are greatest for this recipe on account of their measurement and texture. You can strive portobello mushrooms or giant oyster mushrooms, however the consequence will likely be softer and fewer meaty.
Can I cut back the oil?
This recipe makes use of shallow-frying to realize the most effective crunch. For much less oil, strive oven-baking or air frying (see above), although the feel will likely be lighter.
Nonetheless in search of the one on your bun? Attempt some extra vegan burger recipes

Vegan King Oyster Mushroom Burger
Fancy making a scrumptious vegan mushroom burger with a twist? Cajun fried King Oyster ‘Hen’ fillets make this recipe a quick meals fave
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In a bowl, combine the soya milk and cider vinegar to make buttermilk.
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In a separate bowl, combine the plain flour, cornflour, Cajun spice, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
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Subsequent, coat every mushroom piece within the flour combine after which dip into the buttermilk. Repeat this step as soon as extra to make sure a thick, even coating.
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Warmth the oil in a frying pan on a medium-high warmth, and fry every mushroom for 3-4 minutes on both sides, till golden brown and crisp.
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To serve, place three of the mushroom items right into a burger bun, with two child gem leaves, two slices of tomato and a tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise.
Serving: 282g (mushrooms solely)Energy: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 9gFats: 10gSaturated Fats: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 6gMonounsaturated Fats: 2gTrans Fats: 0.04gSodium: 1202mgPotassium: 403mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5413IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 5mg
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