A friend recently told me that even after 50 years as a vegetarian she still misses bacon. Here’s a recipe for anyone who loves umamiful, crunchy, chewy bacon. Air-frying thin slices of shiitake mushrooms tossed with a bit of olive oil and dusted with corn starch produces a vegetarian “bacon” that even avid bacon lovers say tastes like bacon. Use crispy shiitake as a garnish for pasta dishes, or atop your favorite salad, or soup, or baked potato...anytime you would use bacon bits. The crispy slices are also great snacks! “Where’s the bacon?” Crispy shiitakes! Prepare to be amazed!

Air Fried Crispy Shiitake
Yield about a cup

Ingredients:

• 5 ounces shiitake mushrooms stems removed, sliced very thin

• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (you can also just spray the sliced mushrooms with Pam or olive oil)

• 2 teaspoons of corn starch

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Method:
Preheat your air-fryer to 400 F.

1. Toss the sliced mushrooms with olive oil (or spray with Pam) and salt.

2. Sprinkle on the corn starch and toss gently to coat the slices. Don’t break up the mushroom slices.

3. Spread the sliced mushrooms in your air fryer basket so you have a single layer of slices.

4. Air fry for 15 minutes and check. The sliced mushrooms are done when they are golden brown and look crunchy. If you need more time, air-fry the slices for an additional 5 minutes or more until they are golden and crunchy.

5. Cool the golden crispy slices to room temperature. They will become crunchier as they cool.

The crispy mushroom slices can be used in place of bacon as garnishes for salads, pasta dishes, or soups. Enjoy!