These easy Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are a firm favorite in my household, and you'll love them too! With a cheesy vegan savory stuffing that's loaded with herbs and pine nuts, these stuffed mushrooms make an elegant main course, or can be sized down for appetizers or even canapes! Even better, they can be made either in the air fryer or oven, so you can enjoy them even more often.
One of my very first recipes was for these Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, way back in October 2014, and since then they've been a consistent and much-loved recipe in our household, especially by my husband! I always know when a recipe has been a hit with him, because the ingredients will magically appear in our weekly shopping, as a little hint to make them again!
To serve this stuffed portobello mushroom recipe as a main, I like to make them alongside these crispy Oven Baked Patatas Bravas (which can also be made in the air fryer) and a crunchy salad such as this Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing & Roasted Chickpeas. This recipe is also easily customized to be totally gluten free, meaning you can have a delicious, wholesome dinner for any mushroom lover.
In case you hadn't notice yet, I'm a big fan of mushrooms! They make perfect appetizers, such as this Easy Mushroom Tapenade or Crispy Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms, and they make a lovely addition to mains too, like with this Vegan Smoked Garlic & Wild Mushroom Pasta. If you want a tasty side dish to eat with these mushrooms, why not try these herby Winter Roasted Vegetables
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🍄Key Ingredients
After a bit of experimenting, I've come up with an easy vegan stuffing that is just as deliciously savoury as a traditional cheese-stuffed mushroom. The great thing is that all the stuffing flavours meld into the mushroom as it gets baked in the oven or air fryer.
- Portabella or Baby Bella mushrooms - you can use 1 giant 10-15cm (6") mushroom per person or two smaller 6-7 cm(3" ) diameter mushrooms. Look for mushrooms with a bit of a 'cup' rather than being very flat, as this helps to hold the stuffing in. To make a canape version of these stuffed mushrooms, choose smaller, bite-sized cremini mushrooms.
- Panko Bread crumbs- I love using panko bread crumbs because they are light and fluffy. You can also use homemade breadcrumbs if you wish. Alternatively to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or cooked quinoa.
- Nutritional Yeast- this gives the savoury cheesy flavour! Find it at your local health food store or online. You can also use vegan parmesan cheese if you wish.
- Pine Nuts- Optional, you could substitute for sunflower seeds or broken-up cashews. I find they add a lovely soft bite.
- White Wine or a little vinegar or lemon juice - some acid helps bring out the other flavors and make them sing!
- Red Pepper- for colour and a little sweet flavour. Cut up finely and cook along with the onion and garlic.
- Onion and Garlic Cloves- mushrooms are magic with an allium, so onions, garlic or a shallot are all lovely.
- Fresh Herbs: I like to use fresh or dried thyme, as thyme has a real affinity with mushrooms and maybe some fresh parsley.
- Chilli Flakes (optional)- for a little heat.
- Olive Oil: Good quality olive oil helps bring the stuffing together as well as adds to the overall flavor profile. You could use vegan butter as well or instead, but I like olive oil the best in this recipe.
- Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper - to taste.
For the full quantities, please see the recipe card below. And for some handy substitutions or variations for the filling, check out the substitutions sections below so you can customize the flavors!
👩🍳How-To
For full instructions on how to stuff a mushroom, please head to the recipe card below.
Finely chop onion, garlic & pepper. Remove the stem from the mushrooms and chop.
In a pan, sautee the onion, garlic & pepper along with the chopped mushroom stems.
Add all other stuffing ingredients except the fresh parsley to the pan. Mix well and let the wine or liquid absorb into the breadcrumbs a bit.
Put the mushrooms stem side up on a a parchment paper lined baking tray and drizzle them with a little olive oil.
Mix fresh parsley and nutritional yeast or vegan cheese into the stuffing mixture.
Add spoonfuls of stuffing into the mushroom, gently pressing down so the stuffing is packed in but not over stuffed.
Bake in the oven on a parchment lined baking tray at 180C/250F for around 20 minutes Alternatively you can cook these stuffed mushrooms in the air fryer, at 180C/250F for 12-13 minutes.
HINT: Cook smaller mushrooms for less time, about 10-15 minutes in the oven or 8-10 minutes in the air fryer. Keep an eye on smaller mushrooms as they might cook faster. They are done when perfectly golden brown on top.
🌶 Substitutions and Variations
I make different variations of this recipe according to what i have to hand in my cupboard and fridge. Here are some of my favourite ways to switch it up;
- Gluten-Free: When making these for coeliac or gluten-sensitive friends I use cooked quinoa in place of the breadcrumbs.
- Extra Cheesy: I sometimes grate vegan cheddar or maybe some vegan mozzarella in with the mixture, which is always a crowd pleaser.
- Greek: vegan greek 'feta' cheese, dill and extra lemon are a delicious combination, especially in summer
- Spicy: Extra chilli powder. I sometimes also add a sprinkle of other spice mixtures such as Bharat or fajita, just to switch up the flavours.
- Semi or Sun-dried Tomatoes- add semi or sundried tomatoes finely chopped to the mixture for extra pizzaz.
- Green Onions- replace the regular onion with some spring or green onions.
Portion Sizes:
Depending on whether you want to make an intimate dinner for two for Valentine's day, or to serve up as a delicious appetizer or as part of a holiday meal, here are some guidelines to the mushroom size to choose:
- Main course: choose one GIANT portobello mushroom per person, about 12-15 cm or two smaller mushrooms. (I tend to make these in the air fryer as there are only two of us)
- Starter/Appetizer: Choose mushrooms that are 6-7 cm in diameter and serve one per person. (when serving for 6 or more people I think oven baked is best for space)
- Canape/Finger food/hor'dourves: Choose bite sized mushrooms that are no bigger than 5cm.
🥫Storage
You can make the stuffing for the mushrooms a day ahead of time, then assemble and cook on the day, which is great for dinner parties or entertaining purposes.
For any leftovers, keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer. I do not recommend freezing these stuffed mushrooms.
❓ FAQ
The large flat cap mushrooms that are sometimes called Portabella or baby bella are perfect. They are in fact the same type of mushroom as chestnut and button mushrooms, just at a different level of growth. You can choose which size works for you.
Use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar plus a teaspoon of sugar with some water. This provides sweetness and a bit of a tang to round out the flavours.
You can leave out the nutritional yeast if you like. It adds a yummy cheesy flavour. You could substitute with your favourite plant based cheese or add a teaspoon of miso instead for an umami hit.
Absolutely! Just choose a smaller mushroom that still has some room in it to 'stuff' - about 3cm or 1-2" wide. They won't need as long to cook in the oven so keep an eye on them!
You can make these mushrooms ahead of time and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. They reheat beautifully so are great for food prep or to have made and ready to go for guests! I do not recommend freezing them!
You can substitute the breadcrumbs for either gluten free breadcrumbs or cooked quinoa to make gluten-free stuffed mushrooms.
Yes you can cook these stuffed mushrooms in the airfryer! Just put it to 180C and cook for 10-15 minutes. You might need to check on them after 8 minutes.
🥗Serving Ideas & Similar Recipes
These yummy vegan stuffed mushrooms go really well with some greens or a salad in summer and maybe some potatoes or roasted veggies. Why not try out some of these recipe ideas:
- Easy Oven Baked Patatas Bravas
- Perfect Vegan Garlic Greens Side Dish
- High Protein Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad (Gluten Free)
- Baked Harissa Mushrooms
- Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Love Mushrooms?
Why not try some of these other fungi-tastic recipes!
Cate W says
Absolutely delicious! Served with patatas bravas and kale, chickpea and tahini salad as recommended. Loved it and very easy to do. Looking forward to trying more recipes x
Louise-Claire Cayzer says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe! It's one of my favorite meals of all time.
Toni says
My family loves stuffed mushrooms and this recipe is a great addition to our favorites!
Natalie says
Such a simple yet delicious vegan dinner idea. I have to give this a try.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Can't beat stuffed mushrooms and these look full of great flavours and textures too.
Maria San Juan says
This looks so tasty and healthy! I am so excited for this! Thanks for sharing!