Ingredients
Mushrooms and Marinade
- 2 portobello mushrooms
- olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp mirin
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
Burger Assembly
- 2 slices cheese
- 2 burger buns
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 2-4 tomato slices
- 4-6 red onion slices
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optionally add harissa, sweet chili sauce, or pesto for flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) while preparing the mushrooms to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
- Prepare Mushrooms: Remove the stems from the portobello mushrooms and scrape out the gills from the underside to create space for marinade absorption.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Turn the mushrooms over and lightly brush the top surface with olive oil to promote browning and prevent sticking.
- Add Garlic: Flip the mushrooms back over and evenly sprinkle the chopped garlic onto the underside where the gills were removed.
- Marinate Mushrooms: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and mirin in a small bowl, then pour this marinade over the garlic-coated mushrooms.
- Air Fry Mushrooms: Place the mushrooms in the air fryer with the underside facing up. Cook for 7-8 minutes until they have reduced in size and are nicely browned.
- Melt Cheese: Add one slice of cheese on top of each mushroom and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Assemble Burgers: Place each mushroom on a burger bun, add lettuce leaves, tomato slices, onion slices, and spread mayonnaise (or your preferred sauce) on the bun. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can customize the mayonnaise by mixing in harissa, sweet chili sauce, or pesto for extra flavor.
- If you prefer vegan, replace cheese with a plant-based alternative and mayonnaise with a vegan spread.
- Removing the mushroom gills helps prevent the burger from becoming soggy and improves marinade absorption.
- Ensure mushrooms are not overcrowded in the air fryer to cook evenly.
- Portobello mushrooms can be replaced with large white mushrooms if unavailable, though cooking time may vary slightly.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
