Description
Crispy, golden, and full of texture—these oyster mushroom tacos bring big taco energy with minimal effort. The mushrooms get breaded and fried (or air-fried) to crunchy perfection, then layered with fresh cabbage and a smoky chipotle-lime sauce that steals the show. It’s the kind of recipe that feels just a little extra, but still totally doable on a weeknight.
Ingredients
For the mushrooms:
- 8 to 10 ounces oyster mushrooms
- Aquafaba from 2 (15-ounce) cans of chickpeas (about 1 ⅓ cups)
- 2 teaspoons tapioca flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Canola or grapeseed oil (if deep frying)
- Cooking spray (if air frying)
For the chipotle-lime sauce:
- 1 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo, to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- Juice from 1/2 a lime
To serve:
- Thinly sliced green and red cabbage
- Fresh cilantro
- Corn tortillas, warmed
Instructions
Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix the chipotle peppers, lime juice, and vegan mayo until smooth.
- Taste and adjust for spice and acidity. Chill until ready to use.
Set up the breading station:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the aquafaba with the tapioca flour until fully combined.
- In a second shallow bowl or plate, add the all-purpose flour.
- In a third shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Bread the mushrooms:
- Line a baking sheet with a wire cooling rack.
- Working in small batches, dip the oyster mushrooms into the aquafaba mixture, then dredge in flour, then return to the aquafaba, and finally press firmly into the panko mixture to fully coat.
- Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat until all mushrooms are breaded.
For deep frying:
- Heat several inches of oil in a medium cast iron or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- After about 7 minutes, test the oil by dipping a chopstick in—if bubbles form around it immediately, the oil is ready (350 to 375°F).
- Fry the mushrooms in small batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a clean wire rack to drain while you finish the remaining batches.
For air frying:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray the breaded mushrooms on both sides with cooking spray.
- Air fry in a single layer (you may need to do this in two batches). Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, flip, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
To serve:
- Preheat a dry cast iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
- Warm the corn tortillas for 20-30 seconds per side.
- Wrap in a clean towel or foil to keep warm while you prep the rest.
- Fill each tortilla with the cabbage, crispy mushrooms, cilantro, and a generous drizzle of the chipotle-lime sauce.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Leftover mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. For best texture, store them without sauce and keep the cabbage and herbs separate.
- Reheating Instructions: The air fryer is your best friend here. Reheat the mushrooms at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until hot and crispy again.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The chipotle-lime sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept chilled. It also doubles as a great spread for burgers, sandwiches, or grain bowls.
- Serving a crowd? Prep the mushrooms and sauce ahead, then air-fry just before serving. Set out cabbage, cilantro, and warmed tortillas so everyone can build their own.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap in gluten-free panko and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the breading. Make sure your tortillas are gluten-free (most corn tortillas are, but always check the label).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Breaded, Deep Fried, Air Fried
- Cuisine: American, Mexican