Air Fryer Veggies: Healthy, Quick, And Easy?

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook vegetables. They can be used to cook a wide range of vegetables, including root vegetables, starchy vegetables, and low-carb vegetables. The cooking time varies depending on the type of vegetable, with softer vegetables like broccoli taking less time than firmer ones like potatoes. Air fryers are also suitable for cooking frozen vegetables, although the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Seasonings and oils can be added to enhance the flavour and texture of the vegetables. The air fryer's ability to quickly produce tender and crispy vegetables with minimal cleanup makes it a popular choice for those seeking convenient and healthy cooking options.

Can I cook vegetables in an air fryer?

Vegetables that are suitable for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, as they are faster than the oven and use less oil than roasting. You can cook most vegetables in an air fryer, but any vegetables that you might usually roast or grill are perfect for air frying.

Some examples of vegetables that are suitable for air frying include root vegetables, starchy vegetables, and low-carb vegetables. Specifically, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, winter squash, and celeriac are all great options for firm vegetables. For softer, more tender vegetables, try broccoli, zucchini, green beans, asparagus, or corn on the cob. You can even make avocado slices, though these will need a crumb coating to get crispy.

When preparing your vegetables, it is recommended to toss them with cooking oil, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that the seasoning and oil stay on the vegetables and do not drop through the holes of the basket. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or rosemary.

How to prepare vegetables for air frying

Preparing vegetables for air frying is a quick and easy process. You can cook most vegetables in an air fryer, but roasted or grilled veggies are particularly well-suited to this method. You can also cook frozen vegetables in an air fryer, which is faster than roasting them in the oven.

First, preheat your air fryer to 360–400°F (180°C–390°F). While it's heating up, place your chosen vegetables in a bowl and toss them with cooking oil and your desired seasoning. You can use any cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as light olive oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, or avocado oil. For seasoning, salt and pepper are the most common choices, but you can also use things like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or hot honey.

Next, arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches.

Finally, air fry the vegetables for 10–15 minutes, or until they're tender and browned. If you're cooking a mixture of firm and tender vegetables, cook the firm vegetables for 5 minutes first before adding the tender ones. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to redistribute the vegetables and ensure they cook evenly.

The best oil for air frying vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, allowing you to create perfectly cooked veggies for your whole family to enjoy. You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer, but any vegetables that you might usually roast or grill are perfect for air frying.

When it comes to choosing the best oil for air frying vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil is a popular choice. It helps the vegetables brown and soften in the air fryer. Other options include light olive oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, or avocado oil. Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking.

If you want to get creative, you can even try mixing equal parts of water and oil, along with a pinch of salt. This technique helps to create crispy exteriors and creamy interiors for your vegetables. The water steams the vegetables initially to soften them, and when the water evaporates, the oil takes over to create a crispy exterior.

Regardless of the type of oil you choose, the process of air frying vegetables is fairly straightforward. First, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. Then, place your vegetables in a bowl and toss them with the oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are tender and browned.

Air fryer temperature and timing for vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, allowing you to create perfectly tender veggies with crisp, caramelized edges. The best part is that you can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer.

Temperature and Timing

When cooking vegetables in an air fryer, the temperature and timing will depend on the type of vegetable you are cooking. Tender vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans will take less time to cook than firm vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes.

For tender vegetables, preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) or 375°F. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even browning.

For firm vegetables, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cut the vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your vegetables while they are cooking. Additionally, if you are cooking a mix of tender and firm vegetables, it is best to season them separately and add the tender vegetables to the air fryer after the firm vegetables have been cooking for about 5 minutes.

Reheating vegetables in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook vegetables in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to cook frozen veggies. Roasting vegetables in an air fryer is quicker and easier than in an oven, and they come out soft and perfectly browned every time.

If you're looking to reheat vegetables in an air fryer, it's a simple process. First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F, with 360°F being ideal. Place your chilled roasted veggies in the basket, spreading them out into a single layer to ensure even reheating. If your vegetables are clumped together, gently separate them. You can spray them with a little olive oil to bring back some flavor and improve the texture. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Frequently asked questions