Oyster mushrooms make a great substitute for chicken in our homage to this classic Southern American fast food.
It’s important to use soya milk because it will curdle when mixed with the lemon juice. This creates our vegan ‘buttermilk’, which improves the texture of our ‘chicken’. Other plant-based milks might not curdle!
Individually, each piece of oyster mushroom should weigh approximately 40g (1.4oz). This will give you the perfect sized vegan chicken!
Be careful when cooking with hot oil. If the oil spits aggressively when you add the mushrooms, try reducing the heat a touch. If you don’t have a thermometer – first add a small pinch of the dry ingredients to the oil and if they sizzle immediately then you’ll know the oil is hot enough.
Combine the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Brush any dirt off the mushrooms, then add them to the wet mixture and stir until they’re fully coated.
Combine the dry ingredients, including 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, in a separate mixing bowl.
Add the vegetable oil to a saucepan on a medium heat. The oil should be at least 5cm (2”) deep in the pan. If you have a thermometer, the oil should be approximately 180°C / 356°F.
When the oil is hot enough, dip one mushroom into the dry ingredients and toss to coat. Then carefully drop the mushroom into the hot oil and fry for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown, then remove the fried ‘chicken’ using a slotted spoon and place it on kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil. Repeat for the remaining mushrooms.
Sprinkle extra salt on top to serve and that’s it. Enjoy!
Those are oyster mushrooms??? I was like wait a sec, that looks like fried chicken. This will be a great recipe to introduce to my non vegan friends who are curious. Thanks!
I did use it! I dabbed each piece with a little bit of oil, brushed the grate with oil, spread out the pieces so they were not overlapping, and air fried at 400° for 10 minutes flipping halfway through. They were lighter than they pan-fried version and I enjoyed the air fried version more.
I’ve just made these and they’re delicious. So easy to make, too, which makes a change to lots of fried chicken alternatives I’ve tried. Will be saving this recipe!
I just made this and OMG it was incredible! I didn’t have peri peri so I used what I had in the cupboard (chicken seasoning) and I used my usual milk. Amazing meat alternative for those trying to minimize cruelty x
This is so amazing. I added onion powder and a bit of mixed Italian seasoning and garlic powder. I used peanut oil and put the cooked pieces in a warm oven on a paper towel-covered drying rack. You can even peel off individual layers of the mushroom and make “popcorn chicken” Everyone gobbled it up with sauteed greens, mashed acorn squash, and spicy mayo. It is a keeper, thank you!
I made this the way that was suggested and I also used the air fryer. I liked the air fryer way better because the oil didn’t soak into the mushrooms.
For the air fryer I would brush oil on the great of the air fryer. Dab a little bit of oil on each side of the mushroom piece. Place the mushrooms in the air fryer spread out so there’s space between them and they’re not overlapping. I air fried mine at 400° f for 10 minutes flipping halfway through.
I’ve tried substituting portobello when I couldn’t find enough oyster mushrooms (for another recipe) and the texture is just not the same. I don’t think oyster mushrooms have the water content that others do. I highly recommend finding oyster ones and giving this a go!
i’m not necessarily vegan but i am vegetarian, and i was wondering if i could substitute the soy milk with usual milk, will it taste different if i do that??
300g (10.6oz) oyster mushrooms
20 Comments
Where do u get oyster mushrooms from
Hey Tiana. We get ours from our local Turkish supermarket, but they are also available in Tesco supermarkets
Those are oyster mushrooms??? I was like wait a sec, that looks like fried chicken. This will be a great recipe to introduce to my non vegan friends who are curious. Thanks!
You’re very welcome!
I wonder if we could use an air fryer?
We haven’t tested this in an air fryer sorry!
Did you try the air fryer? I was wondering same thing.
I did use it! I dabbed each piece with a little bit of oil, brushed the grate with oil, spread out the pieces so they were not overlapping, and air fried at 400° for 10 minutes flipping halfway through. They were lighter than they pan-fried version and I enjoyed the air fried version more.
I’ve just made these and they’re delicious. So easy to make, too, which makes a change to lots of fried chicken alternatives I’ve tried. Will be saving this recipe!
Thanks Fiona!
I just made this and OMG it was incredible! I didn’t have peri peri so I used what I had in the cupboard (chicken seasoning) and I used my usual milk. Amazing meat alternative for those trying to minimize cruelty x
This is so amazing. I added onion powder and a bit of mixed Italian seasoning and garlic powder. I used peanut oil and put the cooked pieces in a warm oven on a paper towel-covered drying rack. You can even peel off individual layers of the mushroom and make “popcorn chicken” Everyone gobbled it up with sauteed greens, mashed acorn squash, and spicy mayo. It is a keeper, thank you!
Thank you so much for the recipe. It turnes out heavenly! 🙂
I made this the way that was suggested and I also used the air fryer. I liked the air fryer way better because the oil didn’t soak into the mushrooms.
For the air fryer I would brush oil on the great of the air fryer. Dab a little bit of oil on each side of the mushroom piece. Place the mushrooms in the air fryer spread out so there’s space between them and they’re not overlapping. I air fried mine at 400° f for 10 minutes flipping halfway through.
How long the mushroom need to stay in the soy milk and lemon juice? Thank you
Gracias por su receta. Se ve deliciosa. Lo haré. Ojalá la vendan en peru los hongos ostra. Gracias
Hello! Is there a way to print this? I don’t see it! Thank you 🙂
Can you use portobello mushrooms instead of oyster mushrooms
I’ve tried substituting portobello when I couldn’t find enough oyster mushrooms (for another recipe) and the texture is just not the same. I don’t think oyster mushrooms have the water content that others do. I highly recommend finding oyster ones and giving this a go!
i’m not necessarily vegan but i am vegetarian, and i was wondering if i could substitute the soy milk with usual milk, will it taste different if i do that??