Description
Deliciously crispy fried enoki mushrooms served with a spicy chili aioli, perfect as an appetizer or snack. The mushrooms are coated in a light, airy batter made with sparkling water for extra crunch, then fried until golden. Paired with a creamy, flavorful aioli, this Asian-inspired recipe brings a satisfying vegetarian dish to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fried Enoki Mushrooms
- 2 bundles enoki mushrooms, trimmed and separated
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold sparkling water
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches deep)
For the Chili Aioli
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the chili aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare enoki mushrooms: Trim the root ends off the enoki mushrooms and gently separate them into smaller clusters to ensure even frying.
- Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Slowly whisk in the cold sparkling water to form a thin, smooth batter.
- Heat oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan and heat to 350°F (175°C), ideal for frying.
- Fry mushrooms: Dip the enoki clusters into the batter, letting excess drip off. Carefully place the coated mushrooms into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the fried mushrooms with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with the chili aioli on the side or drizzled on top.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, ensure the batter is cold and the oil is preheated to the proper temperature before frying.
- Adjust the heat level of the chili aioli by adding more or less sriracha based on your spice preference.
- This dish works great as an appetizer, snack, or flavorful side dish.