Fried Mushrooms with Cool Ranch Dip Recipe
Crispy, golden fried mushrooms served with a cool and creamy ranch dip, perfect as a delicious snack or appetizer. These battered mushrooms are soaked in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour and panko breadcrumb mixture, and fried to perfection for an irresistible crunchy bite.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mushrooms:
- 1 lb mushrooms (button, cremini, or oyster), cleaned and stems trimmed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Cool Ranch Dip:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mushrooms: In a bowl, toss the cleaned mushrooms with buttermilk, garlic powder, and paprika. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes to absorb flavor and tenderize.
- Set Up Breading Stations: In one bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs for coating.
- Coat the Mushrooms: Remove mushrooms from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each mushroom in the flour mixture, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Heat the Oil: Pour 2-3 inches of vegetable oil into a deep pan and heat to 350°F (175°C), the ideal temperature for deep frying to achieve a crispy crust without greasiness.
- Fry Until Golden: Fry the mushrooms in small batches for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Make the Cool Ranch Dip: In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh lemon juice. Stir thoroughly and chill for at least 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve & Enjoy: Sprinkle the fried mushrooms with freshly chopped chives or parsley for a fresh finish, and serve hot alongside the cool ranch dip as a flavorful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Want more flavor? Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy kick.
- For extra crispiness, double-coat the mushrooms by repeating the dredging in flour and panko breadcrumbs before frying.
- Air Fryer Option: Spray the coated mushrooms lightly with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking for even crispiness.
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh. To reheat and restore crispiness, warm in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Keywords: fried mushrooms, ranch dip, appetizer, snack, crispy mushrooms, panko, buttermilk marinade
