Air Fryer Tempura Vegetables: A Healthy, Crispy Delight?

Air fryers are a great way to cook tempura vegetables. Tempura is a Japanese style of deep frying that involves dipping food in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, and cold water, and then frying it in hot oil. The air fryer lets you do this without heating all that oil, and the result is a light, crispy tempura that is just as delicious as the deep-fried version. You can use a variety of vegetables, including root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and lotus root, as well as squash, bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini. The prep is easy and there's virtually no extra kitchen mess.

How to prepare the vegetables

Preparing vegetables for air frying is simple and requires minimal effort. First, cut up your chosen vegetables into pieces. Root vegetables should be sliced thinly, ideally less than 1/4-inch thick, to ensure they cook through properly. Sweet potatoes, for example, can be peeled and sliced into thin rounds. You can also soak root vegetables in water to wash off excess starch while you prepare other ingredients.

Once your vegetables are cut, dry them with a paper towel. Then, prepare the batter. In a shallow dish, mix together dry ingredients like flour, cornstarch, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. You can also add sesame seeds and shredded coconut to the flour mixture for extra flavour. In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients like eggs, water (or seltzer water/club soda), and a small amount of oil.

Next, dip the vegetables into the batter, shaking off any excess, and then coat them in the flour mixture. Allow any remaining excess batter to drip off. You can also dust the vegetables with seasoned flour before dipping them into the batter, as this helps the batter adhere better.

Making the batter

Air Fryer Vegetable Tempura is a delicious and healthy alternative to deep-fried tempura. It is a quick and easy way to get your tempura fix without all the added oil usually used in deep frying.

To make the batter, you will need:

• Cornstarch
• Flour
• Salt
• Egg
• Club soda or selzter water
• Panko crumbs
• Smoked paprika
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Firstly, in a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, and salt. Then, whisk in the egg and club soda or seltzer water until blended and smooth. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to thicken.

Next, in a shallow dish, mix together the panko crumbs, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and work it together with your hands until thoroughly mixed. If you are using cooking spray, you can spray the oil on just before the veggies go into the air fryer.

Now you are ready to dip your vegetables into the batter! Shake off any excess, then dredge in the panko crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

Coating the vegetables

Firstly, prepare your chosen vegetables by cutting them into uniform pieces. Root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and lotus root, are commonly used for tempura. However, you can also use various squash, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, or shiitake mushrooms. Just remember to slice your root vegetables thinly, ideally no thicker than 1/4 inch. Soaking root vegetables in water can help wash off excess starch. Once cut, dry the vegetables with a paper towel.

Next, prepare your coating mixture. In a shallow dish, mix together dry ingredients like flour, cornstarch, and seasonings such as salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings to the flour mixture, such as ground ginger or sesame seeds, for extra flavour. In a separate large bowl, create your batter by whisking together wet ingredients like eggs, water (some recipes suggest using seltzer water or club soda for a fancier version), and a small amount of mayonnaise or olive oil. Whisk until the batter is smooth and frothy.

Now you're ready to coat the vegetables. Start by dipping the vegetables into the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, allowing any excess batter to drip off. Finally, for an extra crispy texture, coat the vegetables with a layer of panko crumbs. You can simply use plain panko crumbs, or you can mix them with seasonings like smoked paprika and a pinch of salt. Gently press the crumbs onto the surface of the vegetables to help them adhere better.

If you're using oil spray, you can coat the vegetables with a light spray before placing them in the air fryer. This will help achieve a crispy texture during cooking.

Cooking the tempura vegetables

Tempura is a Japanese style of deep frying. It involves dipping food in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, and cold water, and then frying it in hot oil. The air fryer lets you do this without heating all the oil, and it's a fun and delicious side or starter.

You can use a variety of vegetables, including root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and lotus root, as well as various squashes like kabocha and butternut squash. Bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, eggplant, cauliflower, and shiitake mushrooms are also great choices.

• Cut your vegetables into slices or pieces.
• Use a paper towel to dry the vegetables.
• Mix together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. You can also add in other seasonings like smoked paprika, ground ginger, or sesame seeds.
• In another large bowl, whisk together eggs and water. You can also use seltzer water or club soda instead of regular water to make the batter extra crispy.
• Stir together panko crumbs and oil in a third shallow dish. You can also use olive oil spray to coat the veggies with a light spray before they go into the fryer.
• Dip the vegetables in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the panko mixture to coat. Allow any excess batter to drip off.
• Preheat the air fryer to between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes.
• Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
• Cook for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the vegetable, at around 200 degrees Celsius, until the coating is golden brown, crispy, and cooked.
• Serve immediately with a dipping sauce like soy sauce, mayonnaise mixed with wasabi, or sesame-ginger-soy sauce.

Note that you can also use packet tempura batter if you prefer. Just follow the package instructions to make the batter and then follow the above instructions for coating the vegetables and cooking them in the air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Tempura vegetables are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your tempura vegetables:

As an Appetizer or Side Dish

Tempura vegetables make a delicious and flavourful appetizer or side dish. Serve them on a plate and dig in! You can also sprinkle some salt over the vegetables for an added touch of flavour.

With Dipping Sauces

Tempura vegetables go well with various dipping sauces. Try classic soy sauce, spicy mayo, tangy ponzu sauce, or a sesame-ginger-soy sauce. You can also serve them with sliced green onions on the side.

Over Rice

For a simple yet satisfying meal, serve your tempura vegetables with a bowl of steamed rice. This combination makes for a hearty and tasty main course.

In a Wrap

For a quick and tasty lunch option, stuff your tempura vegetables in a tortilla with some greens and a drizzle of your favourite sauce. This creates a delicious and satisfying lunch wrap.

As Part of a Bento Box

If you're looking to create a Japanese-inspired meal, include tempura vegetables as part of a bento box. They will add flavour and texture to your box of delights.

With Noodles

Tempura vegetables can also be served as a side dish for udon or soba noodles. This combination is commonly found in Japanese restaurants and makes for a tasty and satisfying meal.

As a Main Dish

For a more substantial meal, serve your tempura vegetables over a larger portion of rice, as in the dish tendon (pronounced "ten-don"). This can be a filling and flavourful main course.

Frequently asked questions