Description
Crispy Golden Fried Morel Mushrooms are a delectable appetizer or side dish featuring fresh morels soaked and coated in a seasoned egg and cracker crumb mixture, then pan-fried to a golden, crispy perfection. This American classic offers a delightful crunch and earthy flavor that’s perfect for mushroom lovers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Morel Mushrooms
- 3/4 to 1 lb Fresh Morel Mushrooms
- Water + table salt for soaking
Egg Wash
- 3 Large eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Breading
- 2 Sleeves Saltine Crackers
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
Frying
- 2 cups Vegetable Oil
- 4 tbsp Salted Butter
- Additional Salt for sprinkling after frying
Instructions
- Prepare and Soak Morels: Rinse the morel mushrooms thoroughly, slice them in half, and soak them overnight in salted water. This helps to cleanse the mushrooms, removing dirt and any small insects.
- Dry Morels: After soaking, rinse the mushrooms again and lay them out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry completely before breading.
- Make Egg Wash: In a bowl, beat the eggs with milk and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the dried mushrooms to this mixture, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: Crush the saltine crackers finely inside a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Mix the crushed crackers with the all-purpose flour in a shallow dish.
- Bread the Mushrooms: Working in small batches, dip each egg-coated morel into the cracker and flour mixture, ensuring an even breading coat. Place the breaded mushrooms on a clean plate or tray and let them rest for 10 minutes to help the coating set.
- Heat Oil and Butter: In a skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil and salted butter over medium-high heat. Pay close attention to the temperature to avoid burning the butter or oil.
- Fry the Mushrooms: Fry the morel mushrooms in batches, cooking for about 4–5 minutes per side. Fry until they turn a deep golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Season: Remove the fried mushrooms from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle additional salt on top while still hot.
- Serve: Serve the crispy fried morel mushrooms hot as an appetizer or side dish, enjoying their rich, earthy flavor and crisp texture.
Notes
- Soaking the morels overnight not only cleans them but also enhances their texture for frying.
- Resting the breaded mushrooms before frying helps the coating adhere better and prevents it from falling off during frying.
- Keep the oil temperature steady to avoid burning the coating or undercooking the mushrooms.
- Using both vegetable oil and butter in the frying process adds flavor while maintaining a suitable frying temperature.
- Serve immediately for the best crispiness, as fried mushrooms may lose their crunch if left to sit too long.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
