Mushroom pakoras disappear off the plate before one can even blink when served. These crunchy, juicy, and flavorful treats will make the best companions for a cup of chai or coffee. You can also serve them in big parties and get-togethers and see how quickly they get eaten by people of all ages.
In fact, when you compare them to other crispy dishes, it’s surprising to notice how light and easy to munch on these pakoras turn out, since mushrooms heat up quickly and absorb all the right seasonings so well.
Whether you are hosting a party or about to start prepping a family meal and looking for some extra crunch to serve, you have landed on the right place to know this easy mushroom pakora recipe. The best part? The ingredients aren’t that fancy or difficult to use. They can be easily found in your kitchen.
Ingredients for mushroom pakora (10 servings)
- 1.5 kg button mushrooms (cleaned and sliced thick)
- 3 cups besan
- ½ cup rice flour
- 2½ tsp red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp chaat masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2–3 green chillies (finely chopped)
- Fresh coriander (chopped)
- Water (as needed for batter)
- Oil for deep frying the pakoras
Step-by-step recipe to make mushroom pakoras
Rinse these mushrooms briefly under running water and pat them dry. Slice them into medium-thick pieces so they do not release much water during the sautéing.
In a broad bowl, mix besan, rice flour, all spice powders, salt, ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and coriander. Stir it well. Now, gradually add water to the bowl and mix well to make a thick batter that coats the mushrooms evenly.
Add the mushroom slices to the batter and gently mix them until each slice is coated with batter. Leave them for 5 minutes for the flavours to infuse.
Heat oil in a deep pan on medium heat. Now, gently add the batter-coated mushrooms to the pan with heated oil. Fry in batches, turning occasionally till they turn golden brown and crisp.
Remove the pakoras with a slotted spoon and drain them on tissue paper to remove excess oil. Serve them hot.
These mushroom pakoras are best served accompanied by a dipping sauce like mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or even tomato ketchup. Eating these pakoras is most appropriate when it is tea time, there is rain tapping against your windows, or it's time for a party.
Tips for extra crispy mushroom pakoras
- It should have a thick batter, as a thin batter results in soggy pakoras.
- Fry them over medium heat to cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd your pan; leave some room in there.
- Rice flour is a necessary component for that crunchy texture.
Mushroom pakora variations you can try
- Cheese Mushroom Pakora: Add grated cheese to the batter
- Pepper Mushroom Pakora: Add crushed black pepper for a spicy kick
- Onion-Mushroom Pakora: Mix thinly sliced onions for extra crunch