Stuffed mushrooms are a timeless appetizer, perfect for everything from family dinners to party trays, but how you cook them can make a huge difference.
This time, I decided to tackle the ultimate question for stuffed mushroom lovers everywhere: Should you smoke or air fry your stuffed mushrooms?
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Both methods seemed promising, but only one could emerge victorious, so I put my Ninja Woodfire grill to the test. Spoiler alert – the air fryer setting stole the show.
Setting Up the Challenge: Air Fryer vs. Smoker
My weapon of choice for this stuffed mushroom experiment was my Ninja Woodfire, which offers both a smoker and an air fryer option. I took large, hearty portobello mushrooms, filled them to the brim with a savory, cheesy, crab-stuffed filling, and split them up to test both cooking techniques. For the smoker setting, I loaded up on pecan pellets, which added a lovely, nutty flavor to the mushrooms, while the air fryer promised a crisp, golden finish that sounded hard to resist.
Smoked Mushrooms: Delicious, but Intense
First up were the smoked mushrooms. After an hour in the smoker, they came out looking mouth-wateringly delicious, with a bubbly, golden topping. The flavor was unmistakably smoky—so smoky, in fact, that it almost overpowered the delicate taste of the crab and cheese filling. If you’re a hardcore smoke fan, these might be your favorite, but for this particular recipe, the strong smoke flavor was a bit much, overpowering the balance of flavors that makes stuffed mushrooms so irresistible.
Air Fried Mushrooms: The Winner for Crisp & Flavor Balance
Then came the air fryer mushrooms, and they did not disappoint. Only 10 minutes at a high temperature was enough to achieve a perfectly crispy topping without sacrificing the subtle flavors of the filling. The air fry setting gave just a hint of smoke flavor while keeping the creamy, cheesy crab filling front and center. The crisp breadcrumbs stayed light and didn’t absorb too much moisture, giving each bite the perfect texture. In short, the air fryer was the clear winner for both flavor and ease.
Why Air Fryer Wins for Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
The air fryer’s quicker cooking time was a game-changer, letting you go from prep to plate in about half the time of the smoker. Plus, you still get that touch of smokiness without it overpowering the delicate crab and cream cheese mixture. If you’re looking to make a crowd-pleasing appetizer without spending too much time or overwhelming the filling with smoke, the air fryer is the way to go. Give these air-fried crab stuffed mushrooms a shot, and you’ll see why they’ve become my new favorite!
Recipe
Woodfire Smoked & Air Fried Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Equipment
- Ninja Woodfire
- Tongs
- Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- 2 Containers
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 12 large portobello mushrooms stems removed and cleaned
- 7 oz imitation crab meat roughly chopped
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 Cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or any cheese you prefer
- 1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese grated
- 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ½ tablespoon granulated onion
- ½ tablespoon granulated garlic
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Mushrooms: Clean the mushrooms, then remove the stems by gently pulling them out. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out a bit more of the mushroom flesh to make room for the filling. Set the caps aside.
- Make the Crab Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped imitation crab, cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, Pecorino Romano, dried basil, granulated onion, granulated garlic, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Use your hands or a spoon to mix until well combined.
- Fill the Mushrooms: Spoon the crab mixture into each mushroom cap, filling them just to the top. Press down gently to pack the filling without overstuffing.
- Prepare the Panko Topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter, stirring until the crumbs are evenly coated. Top each stuffed mushroom with a spoonful of the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere.
- Air Fry the Mushrooms: Load your Ninja Woodfire with Pellets and set your it to the Air Crisp Setting, make sure to press the woodfire button. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil, then arrange the stuffed mushrooms in a single layer. Spray the tops of the mushrooms lightly with olive oil to help with browning.
- Cook: Air fry the mushrooms at 400°F (204°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly, the breadcrumbs are golden brown, and the mushrooms are warmed through.
- Serve: Serve these mushrooms hot as an appetizer or party snack! Add a little extra melted butter on top if you want them extra rich and tasty!
Video
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?Mention @DadGotThis or tag #DadGotThis!Ingredient and Equipment Links for Dad's Woodfire Air Fried & Smoked Crab Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe:
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Grill:
https://ninjakitchen.pxf.io/k0JNLN
Ninja Woodfire Grill Griddle:
https://amzn.to/3S2Dpnd
Smokin Pecans Pellets:
https://amzn.to/3LiZx9i
Raised Grates for Ninja Woodfire:
https://amzn.to/3LjweU2
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