Name: Fried Gnocchi with Mushrooms
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, (cleaned and sliced); 2 tablespoons vegan butter; 16 ounces shelf-stable gnocchi; 1 garlic clove, (minced); 2 tablespoons dry sherry; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; Salt and pepper, (to taste)

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Tender fried gnocchi are tossed with sautéed mushrooms in garlic butter sauce to make this oh-so-comforting and incredibly easy vegan dinner!

Cast Iron Skillet of Fried Gnocchi and Mushrooms on a Wooden Surface

You've probably had gnocchi before, but have you had fried gnocchi? It's a game-changer!

Why Fry?

I didn't come up with the idea of frying gnocchi myself. This is a thing that people have been doing for a while now, but I recently had gnocchi served to me in this way, and it was amazing. I knew I had to create my own recipe!

As an added bonus, frying gnocchi is generally a pretty easy way to cook it. There's no boiling involved and you can fry other ingredients — in this case we're using mushroooms — in the same pan as your gnocchi.

Is Gnocchi Vegan?

Wooden Table Set with Skillet and Plate of Fried Gnocchi with Mushrooms

Maybe! As is the case with most pasta, freshly made gnocchi often contains eggs. Store-bought gnocchi, which is usually available in frozen and shelf-stable varieties, is often vegan. Always check the ingredients when buying though!

I usually use Wegman's or DeLallo brand shelf-stable gnocchi, both of which are vegan.

How to Make Fried Gnocchi with Mushrooms

Start by heating up some olive oil in a large skillet. Give the oil a minute to get hot, then add sliced cremini mushrooms in an even layer. Let the mushrooms cook for a few minutes on each side, undisturbed, until they're tender and browned. Remove the mushrooms from the skillet and transfer them to a plate.

Side By Side Images Showing Two Stages of Mushrooms Cooking in a Skillet

Now heat up some vegan butter in the skillet. Once it's melted and starts to bubble, add a package of shelf-stable gnocchi. Let the gnocchi sizzle for a few minutes on each side.

Once the gnocchi are golden with some nice brown patches, push them to the side and add some garlic. You can, if needed, add a little more butter at this point. Let the garlic cook until it becomes very fragrant.

Collage Showing 4 Steps for Making Fried Gnocchi: Melt Butter in Skillet, Add Gnocchi, Cook Gnocchi Until Golden, and Add Garlic

Now add the mushrooms back to the skillet and give everything a stir to combine the ingredients. Stir in a dash of dry sherry. Let everything cook for a minute or so, then take the skillet off the burner and add your lemon juice and zest.

Side By Side Images Showing Final Two Steps for Making Fried Gnocchi: Add Mushrooms and Sherry, and Cook for 3 Minutes

Season your gnocchi with salt and pepper to taste. Dig in!

Close Up of Fried Gnocchi and Mushrooms in a Skillet

Fried Gnocchi Tips & FAQ

Can this dish be made gluten-free? Yup! Just use gluten-free gnocchi. Remember to check the ingredients to ensure it's also vegan. DeLallo makes vegan and gluten-free gnocchi.
Can I use frozen gnocchi? I think you could, as I've seen other recipes for fried frozen gnocchi, but haven't tested any myself. I'm guessing you'd need to increase the cook-time and perhaps cover the pan in order to fully heat the gnocchi.
Shelf-life and storage: This dish will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days.
Is there a substitute for sherry? Try using dry white wine, or simply skipping it for an alcohol-free version.
If you do use alcohol, check with Barnivore to ensure the brand you buy is vegan.
Prefer a boiled gnocchi? Try my vegan gnocchi with lemon cream sauce.

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5 from 2 votes