Introduction
Home-grown mushrooms are a delight for many gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. They’re fresh, flavorful, and offer a unique sense of accomplishment but let’s face it, even the most voracious of us can only consume so much before these fungal treasures start to turn. In the world of fungi, freshness is fleeting. Enter dehydration, our ally in the battle against the clock. Dehydration is about transforming these plump, moist jewels into their umami-packed essence standing the test against the time. Once only possible using special equipment, dehydration is now a great option for anyone with a standard-issue air fryer.
Harvested White Oyster on Plate
Prep
Carefully harvest your mushrooms and cut off any substrate from the stem. Next, clean the mushrooms by wiping them individually with a damp cloth or brush to remove dirt. Avoid washing them under water as they absorb moisture quickly. Slice the mushrooms into bite size pieces. In general, the thicker the slice, the longer they take to dehydrate fully.
Removing Oyster Stems
Dehydrating Process
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to its lowest setting. For us that was 105°F. If your air fryer doesn’t go this low, use the lowest setting and keep a close eye on the process; it may dry out much quicker due to the higher temperatures.
White Oyster in Air Fryer
Arrange the Slices: Place the mushroom slices in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Stackable air fryer racks are a great way to increase drying capacity if space is limited.
Fresh Sliced White Oyster in Air Fryer
Dehydration Time: The drying time can vary depending on the mushroom type and thickness, generally between 6-8 hours but it doesn’t hurt to add more to be safe. The goal is to remove any and all moisture. Check periodically and flip the slices halfway through the drying process. Continue until the mushroom pieces are cracker dry.
Cool Down: Once the mushrooms are crispy and snap easily, turn off the air fryer and let them cool.
Crispy Dehydrated White Oyster
Storage
Store the dried mushrooms in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Zip lock bags work in a pinch but we recommend using a mason jar or similar for more robust long-term storage. They can last for several months to a year if kept dry and away from direct sunlight.
Culinary Uses of Dried Mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are incredibly versatile in cooking. An Otto favorite: try adding dried mushrooms to instant ramen to elevate your modest midnight meal. There are no wrong answers to incorporating mushrooms into any dish.
So there you have it. Dehydrating mushrooms with an air fryer is like harnessing the primal forces of nature for your culinary exploits. It’s about transforming the ephemeral into the eternal, the perishable into the enduring. Give it a go, and elevate your cooking with nothing more than the air fryer already in your kitchen.
