Description
Crispy Golden Fried Morel Mushrooms are a delightful springtime treat featuring fresh morel mushrooms soaked, breaded in a seasoned cracker and flour mixture, then fried to a perfect golden crisp. This recipe yields a crunchy, flavorful appetizer or side dish that is both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Morel Mushrooms
- 3/4 to 1 lb Fresh Morel Mushrooms
- Water + table salt for soaking
Breading Mixture
- 2 Sleeves Saltine Crackers
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
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
Frying
- 2 cups Vegetable Oil
- 4 tablespoons Salted Butter
- Additional Salt for sprinkling after frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Morels: Rinse the morel mushrooms thoroughly, then slice each mushroom in half. Soak them overnight in salted water to clean out any dirt or insects.
- Dry the Mushrooms: After soaking, rinse the mushrooms again under fresh water and lay them out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry completely. This helps the breading adhere better.
- Make the Egg Wash: In a bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Add the morel mushrooms to this mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Prepare the Breading: Crush the saltine crackers inside a gallon-sized Ziploc bag until they become fine crumbs. Mix the crushed crackers with the all-purpose flour in a shallow dish.
- Bread the Mushrooms: Working in small batches, dredge the egg-coated morels in the cracker and flour mixture, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Place the breaded mushrooms on a clean plate or surface and let them rest for 10 minutes to set the coating.
- Heat the Oil and Butter: In a skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil and salted butter over medium-high heat. Monitor the temperature carefully to avoid overheating and burning the butter.
- Fry the Morels: Fry the breaded mushrooms in batches, cooking each side for 4 to 5 minutes until they achieve a crispy, golden brown color.
- Drain and Finish: Remove the fried morels and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Immediately sprinkle with additional salt to taste. Serve hot and enjoy the crispy treat.
Notes
- If you have an abundance of morels, you can freeze them after breading but before frying. Place them in a single layer inside a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw and fry as usual.
- For leftover fried morels, store cooled pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.
- Ensure oil is not overheated to prevent burning the butter and compromising flavor.
- This recipe is best served fresh for optimal texture and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
