To make stuffed mushrooms in an air fryer, remove the stems from 16 large cremini mushrooms, chop the stems and cook them with garlic and baby spinach until the spinach wilts, then mix with light cream cheese, Parmesan, whole wheat panko, lemon zest and parsley. Spoon the filling into the caps, top with a little mozzarella, and air fry at 360°F for 8 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbling. It makes 4 servings of 4 mushrooms, at roughly 180 calories and 10 g protein each.
16 large cremini (baby bella) mushrooms, about 1 lb (450 g), wiped clean
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (60 g) baby spinach, finely chopped
3 oz (85 g) light cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened
1/3 cup (30 g) finely grated Parmesan
1/4 cup (15 g) whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more to garnish
1/4 tsp fine salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup (28 g) shredded part-skim mozzarella, for the tops
How Do You Make Stuffed Mushrooms in an Air Fryer?
Prep the mushrooms: Twist out the stems and finely chop them. Use a small spoon to scrape out a little of the gills so each cap holds more filling. Brush the outsides of the caps lightly with 1 tsp of the olive oil.
Cook the filling base: Heat the remaining 2 tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped stems and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, then add the spinach and cook for 1 minute more until wilted and any liquid has evaporated. Let it cool for 2 minutes.
Mix the filling: Stir the spinach mixture into the softened cream cheese with the Parmesan, panko, lemon zest, parsley, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
Stuff the caps: Spoon the filling into the caps, mounding it slightly, and press it in gently. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the tops.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for about 3 minutes.
Air fry: Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer, filling side up, splitting them across both baskets. Air fry at 360°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbling.
Serve: Rest for 2 minutes so the filling sets, then garnish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon and serve warm.
Dual basket tip: Split the 16 mushrooms across both baskets in a single layer, 8 per basket, and use Match Cook (or set both baskets to 360°F for 9 minutes) so they finish together. On a two-basket model like the NEWBULIG 9.5 Qt, each 4.5-L basket fits 8 large cremini caps. Making dinner too? Put the mushrooms in one basket and chicken or salmon in the other and let Sync Finish end them at the same time.
New pick: NEWBULIG 9.5 Qt Dual BasketTwo independent 4.5-L baskets with Match Cook, Sync Finish and an 80-450°F range: 8 mushroom caps in each basket.
Also great: Ninja Foodi DZ201 8-Qt DualZoneThe original dual-zone design with Smart Finish, Match Cook and a 450°F max from a brand with a long track record.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms? (Estimated)
Per serving (4 stuffed mushrooms, 1/4 of the recipe): about 180 calories, 11.5 g fat (5.5 g saturated), 8 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 2.5 g sugar, 10 g protein and about 400 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for raw cremini mushrooms, baby spinach, Neufchatel cheese, Parmesan, part-skim mozzarella, whole wheat panko and olive oil. Classic party stuffed mushrooms made with full-fat cream cheese, butter, sausage and extra cheese can run 300 to 400 calories for the same four mushrooms.
What Goes Well With Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms?
As a holiday appetizer: serve with a green salad, olives and crudites, or alongside other bites like our air fryer stuffed mini peppers
As a light dinner: serve 6 to 8 mushrooms with a big arugula salad and crusty whole grain bread
Sausage stuffed: add 4 oz cooked crumbled lean turkey or chicken sausage to the filling
Greek style: swap the Parmesan and mozzarella for crumbled feta and add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and oregano
Crab stuffed: fold 4 oz lump crab meat and a pinch of Old Bay into the filling
Portobello main: stuff 4 large portobello caps and air fry at 360°F for 12 to 14 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook stuffed mushrooms in the air fryer?
Air fry stuffed cremini mushrooms at 360°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until the caps are tender and the cheese on top is golden. Larger portobello caps take about 12 to 14 minutes.
Are air fryer stuffed mushrooms healthy?
Yes. Mushrooms are very low in calories, and this filling uses spinach, light cream cheese, a modest amount of Parmesan and only 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 16 mushrooms. We estimate about 180 calories and 10 g protein per 4-mushroom serving. These are estimates.
How do you keep stuffed mushrooms from getting watery?
Cook the chopped stems and spinach until their liquid evaporates before mixing the filling, wipe the mushrooms clean instead of soaking them, and air fry in a single layer so steam can escape. Air frying also drives off more moisture than a covered baking dish.
Can I make stuffed mushrooms ahead of time?
Yes. Stuff the caps, cover and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours, then air fry straight from the fridge, adding 1 to 2 minutes. Cooked leftovers keep for 3 days and reheat at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
What mushrooms are best for stuffing?
Large cremini (baby bella) mushrooms about 2 inches across are ideal: they hold their shape and have more flavor than white button mushrooms. White mushrooms work the same way, and portobello caps make a vegetarian main.
Can I make stuffed mushrooms without cream cheese?
Yes. Swap the cream cheese for the same amount of part-skim ricotta or plain Greek yogurt mixed with an extra tablespoon of Parmesan. For dairy-free, use a dairy-free cream cheese and nutritional yeast instead of the cheeses.
