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Pan Fried Lion's Mane Mushrooms

These crispy Pan Fried Lion's Mane bites are the BEST Lion's Mane recipe I've ever tried! Tender, juicy, just slightly chewy and meaty, and so so flavorful. This recipe uses just a few ingredients and takes very little prep and cook time.

Absolutely a must try if you're looking for wild mushroom recipes! I will also show you how to easily grow lion's mane mushrooms at home.

Plate of fried lion's mane mushrooms with dip.

More lion's mane recipes to try: Lion's Mane Steak and Lion's Mane Soup

Lion's mane recipe

In this recipe, I slice lion's mane mushrooms, dip them in an egg mixture and then a seasoned flour mixture, and then pan-fry for a few minutes on each side. They turn golden brown, crispy on the outside, wonderfully soft on the inside, and flavorful all over. At the risk of sounding cliché, these taste just like chicken. Like really tender, juicy, delicious pan-fried thin-sliced chicken. 

Absolutely worth trying.

I grew my own lion's mane mushrooms using this mushroom growing kit and I hope you get a chance to try it out too, so you can have lion's mane mushrooms (or other fun home-grown mushrooms) anytime!

More mushroom recipes to try: Fried Enoki Mushrooms

A hand dipping a piece of fried lion's mane mushroom into sauce.

Related recipe: Enoki Mushroom Soup with Lemongrass, Ginger, and Soba Noodles

Lion's main mushrooms - healthy and delicious

Even though most of the time I cook with just the mushrooms that are available in most regular grocery stores (such as white button mushrooms or baby bella mushrooms), I sometimes treat myself to wild mushrooms and other types of mushrooms when I can find them. They have so much more flavor, without tasting too "mushroomy," if that makes any sense.

Lion's many mushrooms are some of my FAVORITE mushrooms and they're so incredibly healthy. Lion's mane mushrooms are said to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, help with anxiety and depression, be beneficial for cognitive, heart, digestive health, and may even have cancer-prevention and nervous system healing benefits (Source).

They're getting really popular because more people are realizing their health benefits, and they're now added to a lot of supplements and health drinks. Of course, you can buy some lion's manes powder in a capsule, but I prefer to get my nutrients from food. Besides, they taste too good not to eat them in their mushroom form!!

Hand showing the inside of a fried lion's mane mushroom.

Related recipe: Mimolette Stuffed Mushrooms

Where to find lion's mane mushrooms

Unfortunately, unless you're out foraging for wild mushrooms in just the right climate, it's kind of hard to find them. Check your local farmer's market to see if they have a mushroom vendor. If they do, ask the vendor for lion's mane mushrooms, maybe they'll start to carry those!

Luckily, you can grow your own lion's mane mushrooms!!

I've been getting these mushroom growing kits from North Spore and they produce a large amount of mushrooms every time. Not only are they reliably delicious, they're also fun and easy to grow. I highly recommend trying to grow your own mushrooms at home and then using them in this lion's mane recipe. (I am not being paid by them to say any of this! I just absolutely love those kits!)

Related recipe: Air Fryer Chicken of the Woods Mushroom "Wings"

How to prepare lion's mane mushrooms for cooking

Lion's mane mushrooms have an irregular shape and often have little hair-like spines all over, so they can be intimidating to figure out how to approach them. The best way to prepare lion's mane for cooking, in my opinion, is to slice them into - inch pieces. This way you will have plenty of flat edges to work with, which works out GREAT for pan-frying and getting them nice and crispy. 

Simply slice off about ⅓ inch of a rounded part of the mushroom to give it a flat side, and then continue slicing into ⅓-inch pieces until you reach the end. Don't worry about any of the little hair-line strands, there will be a few on the outside of the mushrooms and those will be great for picking up extra crispiness and flavor from the seasonings.

Sliced lion's mane mushrooms on a plate.

I don't like slicing the mushrooms too thin because they cook down and get thinner as they cook. Slicing them a little wider than ⅓ inches is OK too, but then there won't be as much seasoning in each bite of the mushroom. You can play around and figure out what you like best!

This cooking method makes amazing appetizer pieces that are perfect for dipping, but you can also use the cooked mushrooms in a stir fry instead of chicken. I like pan-frying because it uses less oil (aka less fat) than deep frying but still produces the irresistible crispy texture of fried appetizers.

Related recipe: Pan-fried Cauliflower

Ingredients

For the mushrooms:

  • 1 lb lion's mane mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced into ⅓-inch pieces (grow your own with this kit!)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk (any kind - unsweetened and unflavored if using plant milk)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil (or Italian seasoning or oregano)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ~3-6 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking

Note: Instead of all the seasonings, you can use 3 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning mix. I love yep! seasonings—they already contain salt so I don't need to add any more.

Related recipe: Pan Fried Anchovies

For the dip: equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise (or use your favorite dip!)

You'll also need:

  • 2 medium bowls
  • A large plate or cutting board (or any clean flat surface)
  • A large non-stick skillet
  • Tongs (for safer frying)
  • Plate lined with paper towels

Related recipe: Cheddar and Herb Stuffed Mushrooms

Instructions

Step 1: In one bowl, beat the egg until it is scrambled and stir in milk until combined. In another bowl, combine the flour with all the dried seasonings—paprika through onion powder, and mix well.

Ingredients to make lion's mane mushrooms.

Step 2: Dip one slice of lion's mane mushroom into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the flour mixture. Set aside on a large plate or a cutting board. Continue until about half of the mushrooms are dipped and dredged.

You can start frying in the next step, and dredge the rest later.

Sliced lion's mane mushrooms dredged in flour.

Step 3: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or cooking fat of choice) to the skillet, and swirl the hot oil around.

Use tongs to gently place the dredged mushroom slices into the skillet, taking care not to crowd the pan. Lower the heat to low—this will allow the mushrooms to thoroughly cook through without burning and browning too much. Tilt the pan around a little to spread the oil around evenly. Continue to cook on one side for 3-4 minutes over low heat, taking care not to burn the mushrooms.

Use tongs to carefully flip each mushroom piece over, and cook on the other side for 3-4 minutes.

Tongs flipping a piece of breaded lion's mane mushroom on a skillet.

Step 4: Carefully remove the fried mushrooms from the skillet and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. 

Step 5: Wipe down the skillet with a clean paper towel (use tongs to hold the paper towel so you don't burn your hand!!), and repeat steps 2-4 until the mushrooms are all cooked.

Step 6: Mix together ketchup + mayo (or use your favorite dip) and serve warm. 

Related recipe: Pan-fried Potatoes with Mushrooms

Recipe variations:

  • Instead of all the seasonings, you can use 3 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning mix. I love yep! seasonings—they already contain salt so I don't need to add any more.
  • Use smoked paprika for a touch of smokiness, or a few pinches of cayenne for some spice.
  • Use gluten-free flour if you need to. King Arthur's measure for measure flour is the BEST!
  • Squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon over the hot cooked mushrooms.
  • Try air frying these, following the same ingredients and steps as I do in my air fryer king oyster mushroom recipe.

More mushroom recipes to try: Air Fryer Oyster Mushrooms

Storing leftovers

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool to room temperature and then transfer to a container with a lid. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.

More unique crispy snack recipes: Crispy Fried Chicken Hearts

How to reheat fried lion's mane mushrooms

Like most fried food, these lion's mane mushroom bites are best served fresh and hot. If you have leftovers, reheat them in the oven or a toaster over at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for just a few minutes until they heat through. This way they'll become crispy again!

Related recipe: Pork Chops with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach

If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!

Plate of lightly battered fried lion's mane mushrooms.
Print Recipe
4.80 from 30 votes

Pan-Fried Lion's Mane Recipe

These little lion's mane bites are the TASTIEST fried mushroom recipe ever. You will not be able stop after just a few pieces! Serve as an appetizer, side dish, or you can also use these cooked lions mane mushrooms in stir fry instead of chicken.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 appetizer servings
Author: Kate

Ingredients

For the mushrooms:
  • 1 lb lion's mane mushrooms - wiped clean and sliced into ⅓-inch pieces (you can grow your own lion's mane with this kit!)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk - (any kind - unsweetened and unflavored if using plant milk)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil - (or Italian seasoning or oregano)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ~3-6 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking - (or cooking fat of choice)
For the dip:
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup

Special equipment

  • 2 medium bowls
  • A large plate or cutting board (or any clean flat surface)
  • Large non-stick skillet
  • Plate lined with paper towels

Instructions

  • In one bowl, mix together the egg and the milk. In another bowl, combine the flour with all the dried seasonings—paprika through onion powder, and mix well.
  • Dip one slice of lion's mane mushroom into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the flour mixture. Set aside on a large plate or a cutting board. Continue until about all the mushrooms are dipped and dredged.
  • Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons oil to the skillet, and swirl it around. Place the dredged mushroom slices into the skillet, taking care not to crowd the pan. Lower the heat to low and tilt the pan around a little to spread the oil around. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, taking care not to burn the mushrooms.
  • Carefully remove the fried mushrooms from the skillet and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
  • Wipe down the skillet with a clean paper towel (use tongs to hold the paper towel so you don't burn your hand!!), and repeat steps 3-4 until the mushrooms are all cooked.
  • Mix together ketchup + mayo (or use your favorite dip) and serve warm.

Notes

Get your own Spray and Grow Lion's Mane Mushroom Kit!
Recipe variations:
  • Instead of all the seasonings, you can use 3 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning mix. I love yep! seasonings—they already contain salt so I don't need to add any more.
  • Use smoked paprika for a touch of smokiness, or a few pinches of cayenne for some spice.
  • Use gluten-free flour if you need to. King Arthur's measure for measure flour is the BEST!
  • Squeeze some fresh lime over the cooked fried mushrooms.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 34g (11%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (10%) | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg (16%) | Sodium: 1023mg (43%) | Potassium: 679mg (19%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 6g (7%) | Vitamin A: 651IU (13%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 86mg (9%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)

The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.

Comments or questions about the recipe?
Recipe Rating




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Everything Matters

Monday 11th of December 2023

Great recipe - thank you! I used coconut yogurt instead of milk, swapped the flour for half banana flour/coconut flour, and seared in avocado oil. Heavy seasoning mix as you suggested - and a squeeze of lemon just before biting into each piece! Turned out well - so delicious!! I made an impromptu dip with sriracha, pumpkin puree, and avocado mayo - really worked! Thanks again for the foundation :-)

Hannah

Thursday 24th of August 2023

Delicious alternative for chicken in Alfredo pasta. I made 1/4 lb of lions mane and used the same amount of flour/spices/etc and it was amazing. Thanks for the great recipe!!

Sony Sherpa

Friday 23rd of September 2022

This recipe for pan fried lion's mane mushrooms is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this amazing mushroom. Lion's mane mushrooms are a type of fungi that have many health benefits, including cognitive support, immune system support, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. This recipe is made with organic and natural ingredients, and it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy!

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