Air Fried Vegan Calamari
This air fried vegan calamari recipe is made with king oyster mushrooms and is packed with savory and umami flavors. Simmered in an aromatic vegetable stock infused with nori and lemon juice to provide them with a fishy, rich taste similar to calamari. Enveloped in a savory batter and lovingly coated with crispy panko breadcrumbs, these mushrooms are then air-fried or baked to perfection, resulting in a crunchy and satisfying snack. Serve with the creamy and tangy vegan tartar dip for a perfect snack.
Why You’ll Love this Air Fried Vegan Calamari Recipe
Delicious Vegan Twist: Air fried vegan calamari offers a delightful vegan twist on the classic seafood dish to create a mouthwatering snack. With king oyster mushrooms and a perfectly seasoned batter, you can enjoy crispy and flavorful vegan calamari that’s sure to impress.
Healthy Snacking: This air fried version of calamari significantly reduces the oil used in traditional deep-frying methods. It’s a guilt-free choice while providing the same satisfying crunch and flavors.
Perfect Appetizer or Snack: This recipe is a delicious snack for movie nights or game days. Also, this vegan calamari will be a hit on your next Sunday dinner or a casual get-together. Even non-vegans will love it!
Suitable for Various Dietary Needs: Aside from being vegan, this recipe is also suitable for those who follow a dairy-free diet. It’s a versatile dish that can accommodate different dietary needs.
Easy and Simple to Make: Even if you’re a newbie to vegan cooking or haven’t tried calamari, this recipe is beginner-friendly and requires a few simple ingredients.
Vegan Tartar Sauce: Don’t forget the tangy vegan tartar sauce! This zesty accompaniment perfectly complements the “calamari” and takes the dish to an entirely new level. Its creamy, herb-infused goodness will have you reaching for seconds.
What is air fried vegan calamari made of?
Vegan calamari is made using king oyster mushrooms to mimic the texture and appearance of calamari. Calamari-like rings are created by cutting each mushroom into rounds and hollowing them out. They are then simmered in a vegetable stock infused with nori (seaweed) and lemon juice for a fishy flavor. The mushrooms are then coated with a batter made from whole wheat flour, cornstarch, spices, one ground nori sheet, and plant milk, followed by wheat panko breadcrumbs coating for a crispy and crunchy exterior.
How to make Air Fried Vegan Calamari
Slice the Mushrooms
First, slice your mushrooms. Remove the tops and ends of your mushrooms, then slice them into rounds.
Hollow out the Mushrooms
Use a piping tip to hollow out the center of the mushrooms to create a shape reminiscent of calamari rings.
Prepare Ground Nori
Blend 3 sheets of nori in a blender to make ground nori. Add vegetable stock, two-thirds ground nori, and lemon juice to a pot and boil.
Cook mushrooms in ground nori and vegetable stock mix
Add in your mushrooms and simmer for 15 minutes. It will infuse the mushrooms with a fishy flavor.
Make Batter
While the mushrooms are boiling, prepare the batter. In a bowl, combine all the batter ingredients and mix well.
Coat with breadcrumbs
Add your breadcrumbs to another bowl. Strain the mushrooms, then add to the batter. Tap off the excess batter, then coat in your breadcrumbs.
Air Fry or Bake Vegan Calamari
Add your breaded mushrooms to your air fryer basket and air fry at 400f for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown.
If using an oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the breaded mushrooms on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
Prepare Vegan Tartar Sauce
While the “calamari” cooks, prepare the vegan tartar sauce. In a bowl, combine all the tartar sauce ingredients and mix well.
Serve, dip, and enjoy!
Once the air fried vegan calamari is cooked to golden perfection, serve it alongside the tangy vegan tartar sauce. Dip, savor, and enjoy the flavor explosion of this delightful plant-based dish.
Recipe Tips for Air Fried Vegan Calamari
- Make it gluten-free – To make gluten-free Vegan Calamari, substitute whole wheat flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs. This allows individuals with dietary restrictions to enjoy this delicious snack as well.
- Adjusting the Seasonings: Feel free to customize the batter by adjusting the seasonings to your taste. If you prefer a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Experiment with herbs like thyme or smoked paprika for an extra savory touch.
- Experiment with Dipping Sauces: While vegan tartar sauce is a classic pairing, explore other options. Consider zesty garlic aioli or vegan sriracha mayo for a different flavor experience.
- Don’t have cornstarch? You can omit and add extra flour instead.
- Coat the Mushrooms Evenly: When coating the mushrooms in the batter and breadcrumbs, make sure they are evenly coated on all sides. This will result in a consistent crunch and a visually appealing presentation.
- Baking instructions – Air fry at 400f for 7-8 minutes, or bake at 400f for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Air Fried Vegan Calamari
Ingredients
- 8 king oyster mushrooms
- 5 cups vegetable stock
- 2 sheets nori ground
- ½ lemon juice
- 1.5 cups whole wheat panko breadcrumbs for coating
For the batter
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- 1.25 cups plant milk
- 1 sheet nori ground
- ¼ tsp salt
VeganTartar Sauce
- ½ cup coconut yogurt
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill or 2 tsp dry
- ¼ clove grated garlic or a pinch of garlic powder
- 1 tbsp chopped capers
- 1 tsp caper juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, slice your mushrooms. Remove the tops and ends of your mushrooms, then slice them into rounds.
- Use a piping tip to hollow out the center of the mushrooms.
- Blend 3 sheets of nori in a blender to make ground nori.
- Add your vegetable stock, two-thirds of your ground nori, and lemon juice to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Add in your mushrooms and simmer for 15 minutes. This will infuse the mushrooms with a fishy flavor.
- While the mushrooms boil, make your batter. Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.
- Add your breadcrumbs to another bowl.
- Strain the mushrooms, then dredge them into the batter. Tap off the excess batter, then coat in your breadcrumbs.
- Add your breaded mushrooms to your air fryer basket and air fry at 400f for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown.
- If using the oven, bake at 400f for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While those cooks make your tartar sauce, add all ingredients to a bowl and combine.
- Serve, dip, and enjoy!