These air fryer black bean mushroom burgers are homemade plant-based patties made with black beans, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, lentil flour and chia seeds. Cooking the mushrooms first reduces their moisture, while the lentil flour and chia help the patties hold together.
The patties become firm and lightly browned in the air fryer without deep frying. Serve them in burger buns with lettuce, tomato and vegan mayo, or enjoy the patties on their own with salad or air fryer French fries.
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Ingredients
These homemade vegan burger patties use a short list of ingredients. Refer to the recipe card for the exact quantities.
- Black beans: Use canned black beans that have been drained well. Extra bean liquid can make the burger mixture too soft.
- Mushrooms: Chop the mushrooms before cooking. Sautéing them first allows their excess moisture to evaporate before they are added to the burger mixture.
- Red onion: Cooked with the mushrooms to add flavour to the patties.
- Lentil flour: Acts as a binder and helps give the patties a firmer texture.
- Chia seed meal: Powdered chia seeds provide additional binding.
- Ginger-garlic paste: Cook it with the mushrooms for additional flavour.
- Paprika: Adds mild seasoning. Red chilli powder can be used instead if you prefer more heat.
- Salt: Add according to taste.
- Olive or vegetable oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and lightly brushing the patties before air frying.
If you enjoy mushrooms in the air fryer, you can also try these air fryer mushrooms.
mushroom burger recipe| vegan black bean mushroom burger recipe
Equipment
- can opener
- Frying pan or skillet
- Food processor
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 medium onion chopped, about ½ cup
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 5 cups mushrooms finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ¾ cup lentil flour plus more if needed
- 3 tablespoon chia seed meal or flaxseed meal
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
- Add the chopped mushrooms, salt, paprika and ginger-garlic paste. Cook over medium heat until the mushrooms soften and most of the moisture they release has evaporated.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mushroom mixture to cool.
- Add the drained and rinsed black beans, chia seed meal and lentil flour. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse until it comes together. Do not process it into a completely smooth paste.
- Check the consistency. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to shape. If it feels too wet or sticky, add a little more lentil flour.
- Shape into patties. Lightly oil your hands if the mixture sticks. Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until firm enough to handle easily.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Lightly brush the patties with the remaining oil. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 190°C / 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Carefully flip the patties, brush with a little more oil if needed, and air fry for another 4-5 minutes.
- The patties are ready when they are firm, browned on the outside and release easily from the air fryer basket.
- Serve the patties on their own or assemble them in burger buns with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion and your favourite sauce.
Notes
Cooking the mushrooms until most of their moisture has evaporated helps prevent soft or fragile patties.
Chia seed meal or flaxseed meal acts as a binder.
If the mixture feels too wet, add a little extra lentil flour before shaping.
The uncooked patties can be frozen. If cooking them completely frozen, allow approximately 5 additional minutes, checking for doneness rather than relying only on time.
How to make black bean mushroom burgers
The most important part of this recipe is controlling moisture. Drain the black beans well and cook the mushrooms until the liquid they release has mostly evaporated before making the patties.
1. Cook the onion and mushrooms
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add some of the oil and the chopped red onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften.
Add the chopped mushrooms and ginger-garlic paste. Cook over medium heat until the mushrooms soften and most of the moisture they release has evaporated.
Add the salt and paprika or red chilli powder. Mix well, then remove the pan from the heat.
2. Make the black bean burger mixture
Allow the cooked mushroom and onion mixture to cool to room temperature. Add the drained black beans, chia seed meal and lentil flour.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor and process for about 1 minute, just until the ingredients come together. Keep some texture rather than processing it into a completely smooth paste.
3. Shape and chill the patties
Check the consistency before shaping. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to hold together when pressed. If it feels too wet or sticky, add a little more lentil flour at a time.
Shape the mixture into burger patties and arrange them on a parchment-lined tray. Cover and freeze for 2-3 hours. This firms the patties and makes them easier to move into the air fryer without breaking.
4. Air fry the black bean mushroom burgers
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 5 minutes.
Arrange the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around them for the hot air to circulate. Lightly brush the tops with oil.
Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes.
Carefully flip the patties, brush with a little more oil and air fry for another 4-5 minutes at 190°C (375°F). The patties are ready when they are firm and browned on the outside.
How to serve the patties
Serve these homemade plant-based patties in burger buns with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion and vegan mayo or your favourite burger sauce.
You can also skip the bun and serve the patty with salad or vegetables. For a classic burger-and-fries combination, pair it with homemade air fryer fries.
Tips for burgers that hold together
- Drain the beans well. Liquid from canned beans can make the mixture too wet.
- Cook off mushroom moisture. Continue sautéing until most of the liquid released by the mushrooms has evaporated.
- Cool before processing. Allow the cooked mushroom mixture to cool before combining it with the remaining ingredients.
- Do not over-process. Process only until the mixture comes together so the patties retain some texture.
- Add lentil flour gradually if needed. If your mixture is wetter than expected, add a little extra rather than a large amount at once.
- Freeze before cooking. Chilling the shaped patties makes them firmer and easier to flip.
- Flip carefully. Let the first side firm up before turning the patties.
Variations and substitutions
- For a spicier burger, replace paprika with red chilli powder.
- You can add another seasoning you normally use for burgers, but keep the amount modest so it does not overpower the black beans and mushrooms.
- If you do not have lentil flour, breadcrumbs can help bind the mixture, although the final texture will be slightly different.
Storage
Store cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
You can also freeze the shaped uncooked patties. Place them on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be air fried from frozen; allow approximately 5 extra minutes and cook until the patties are hot and firm.
More air fryer patties and vegan recipes
For more homemade air fryer patties, try these air fryer rajma cutlets, air fryer beetroot cutlets or air fryer falafel.
If you are looking for a burger made with a whole mushroom rather than a black bean and mushroom patty, see this separate air fryer portobello mushroom burger.
FAQs
Too much moisture is usually the main reason. Drain the beans well and cook the mushrooms until most of the moisture they release has evaporated. If the processed mixture is still too wet to shape, add a little more lentil flour.
Yes. Cooking the mushrooms first softens them and, importantly, removes some of their moisture. This helps the black bean burger patties hold together.
Yes. Shape the patties and keep them chilled or frozen until you are ready to air fry them. Firming them before cooking also makes them easier to handle.
Yes. Freeze the shaped patties on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be air fried from frozen with a few additional minutes of cooking time.
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