Air Fryer Veggies: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They are quick, easy, and produce a similar result to roasting, but with a crispier texture and in a shorter time. You can use any combination of vegetables, from zucchini and bell peppers to broccoli and potatoes. Simply preheat your air fryer, toss your chosen vegetables in oil and seasonings, and cook for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable. Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to prepare vegetables, making them a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal.

Air-frying frozen vegetables

Preparation

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens that fry foods with little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories. The hot air produced by a heating element and fan bathes the food, resulting in a crispy finish.

You can use any combination of frozen vegetables you like, such as mixed vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, green beans, or sliced Brussels sprouts. There's no need to thaw frozen vegetables before putting them in the air fryer. In fact, cooking them from frozen yields the best results. As the veggies cook, the circulating air helps them dry out and achieve a beautiful exterior crispness.

For seasoning, you can use pantry staples like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, or other spices and seasoning blends of your choice. For oil, olive oil is a good choice to help get the vegetables roasted and caramelized, but you can also use avocado or coconut oil.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. Add your chosen frozen vegetables directly into the basket of your air fryer. Avoid using an air fryer liner, as this can result in soggy vegetables.

Toss the vegetables with oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, or your chosen spices and blends. Air fry for about 7 minutes, then shake the basket and drain any excess water from the bottom. Air fry for an additional 7 to 9 minutes.

If you're using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it on the vegetables and air fry for 1 more minute. For larger vegetables, such as whole Brussels sprouts, you may need to increase the cooking time to about 20 minutes.

Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy. Arrange the veggies in a single layer if possible, allowing hot air to circulate between the pieces and dry them out more thoroughly.
• For crispier vegetables, ensure they are not sitting in water while roasting. Use an air fryer with a crisper plate or drain the water halfway through cooking.
• Give the air fryer basket a good shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure the veggies aren't sticking.
• Go light on the oil. Too much oil will cause the vegetables to become oversaturated and not crisp up.
• You can add protein and more veggies to make this a full meal. Air fryer frozen vegetables go well with lemon chicken and rice, squash sausage orzo, hamburger helper lasagna, or the classic baked chicken breast and crispy sweet potato wedges.

Sample Recipe

Here's a sample recipe for air-fried frozen broccoli:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. frozen broccoli (do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon seasoning of your choice
• Cooking oil spray

Instructions:

• Cut the frozen broccoli into smaller pieces if some of the pieces are large.
• Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray.
• Drizzle the frozen broccoli with oil and sprinkle with seasoning. Stir to distribute well.
• Spread the broccoli in a single layer on two air fryer racks or dump it into the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the broccoli in batches if you have a small air fryer.
• Make sure the drip tray is in place in your air fryer oven. Put the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Switch the position of the trays in the oven or shake the air fryer basket. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Air-frying soft vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook soft vegetables. They are quick and easy to cook, and you can use any combination of vegetables you like.

How to Air Fry Soft Vegetables

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, chop your soft vegetables into the size you want and place them in a large bowl. Soft vegetables include bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. You can also include asparagus and green beans, but these are classified as thin veggies. Drizzle with olive oil (this will make them taste more roasted) and add your choice of dry seasonings. Toss the vegetables to coat them in oil and seasonings.

Once your air fryer is preheated, spray the basket insert with some non-stick cooking spray. Add the vegetables in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan once or twice during cooking to promote even cooking.

Tips for Air Frying Soft Vegetables

• Go light on the oil. Too much, and the vegetables will become oversaturated and will not crisp up.
• Slice everything into small pieces and thin strips or rounds to ensure they cook evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will cause the vegetables to steam and soften instead of browning.
• Give the air fryer basket a good shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure the veggies aren't sticking.

Soft Vegetable Recipes

• Bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, and squash
• Bell peppers, with green, yellow, or purple varieties also working well
• Red onion, with yellow, white, or sweet onions also working
• Zucchini and squash
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus and green beans

Air-frying firm vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables quickly and healthily. They are essentially mini convection ovens that fry foods with little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories.

When air-frying firm vegetables, it is important to remember that they will take longer to cook than tender vegetables. Firm vegetables include root vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, and parsnips, as well as winter squash like butternut, acorn, and pumpkin.

To cook firm vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the vegetables by chopping them into small pieces, as this will reduce the cooking time. You can optionally drizzle them with oil to enhance the flavour and texture. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this will cause them to steam instead of brown. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking.

For potatoes, the type of potato matters. Sweet potatoes are firmer and will take longer to cook, while white potatoes are softer and will cook quicker. As a general rule, air fry potatoes at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 30 minutes.

For butternut squash, peel and dice the squash, then toss the cubes with oil before air frying at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes. The smaller the dice, the quicker it will cook.

For beets or carrots, dice them up, toss them with oil and seasonings, then air fry in a single layer at 375°F (190°C).

You can also cook frozen vegetables in your air fryer. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the thawing process, and be sure to give them space to ensure they roast properly.

Air-frying root vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook root vegetables, giving them a crispy exterior in a fraction of the time it would take to roast them in an oven.

Preparation

Before air-frying root vegetables, peel and chop them into uniform sizes. This will ensure that they cook evenly. You can also get creative with your seasoning. A simple option is to use salt and pepper, but you can also try olive oil spray, sage, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or parmesan cheese.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. While it's warming up, add your chosen vegetables to a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil and your chosen spices. Toss the vegetables to ensure they are well coated.

Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the basket insert with some non-stick cooking spray. Add the vegetables in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Depending on the type of vegetable and your desired texture, you may need to cook them for up to 30 minutes.

Serving

Air-fried root vegetables can be served as a side dish or turned into a complete meal by serving them over quinoa or brown rice. They also go well with roasted chicken or meatballs.

Tips

• Give the air fryer basket a good shake halfway through the cooking process to prevent sticking.
• Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam and turn mushy instead of crispy.
• Go light on the oil. Too much will cause the vegetables to become oversaturated and soggy.
• Cut the vegetables into small, thin pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Check on the vegetables regularly, as air fryers can vary and you don't want your veggies to burn.

Air-frying with or without oil

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and you can use oil or not depending on your preference.

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens that use hot air to cook food, producing a crispy finish. They are a healthier alternative to frying as they use little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories. Air fryers are also more compact than ovens, so your food cooks faster and more evenly.

Air-Frying with Oil

When using oil in an air fryer, a small amount of oil is all you need to help the vegetables brown and soften. For example, extra-virgin olive oil can be used, but other oils such as avocado or coconut oil are also good alternatives. Simply add the oil to a bowl with your chosen vegetables, along with any seasonings, and toss to coat before placing in the air fryer.

Air-Frying without Oil

You do not need oil to use an air fryer. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy texture with little to no oil. Simply season your vegetables and put them in the air fryer basket. However, when air frying without oil, you may need to shake the basket a few extra times to prevent sticking. Another tip is to line the basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Tips for Air-Frying Vegetables

Whether you use oil or not, there are a few things to keep in mind when air-frying vegetables:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate freely and ensures even cooking.
• Cut your vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate.
• Some vegetables, like zucchini and peppers, cook faster than others, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Tough root vegetables like beets or sweet potatoes are not ideal for air frying as they require a longer cook time. Tender vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans work best.

Frequently asked questions