Grilling Veggies: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They are quick to prep and cook, require less oil than oven-roasted vegetables, and caramelize better. You can cook a variety of vegetables in an air fryer, including zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots.

To cook vegetables in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360-380°F (180-200°C). Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces, then toss them with oil, salt, and seasonings of your choice. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes for tender vegetables or 20-30 minutes for firm vegetables, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.

You can also grill vegetables in an air fryer to enjoy the flavor of charred vegetables without the need for an outdoor grill. This method typically takes about 30 minutes to feed 6 people and allows for customization with your favorite vegetables.

Best vegetables for grilling in an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook vegetables, giving them a crispy texture similar to roasting but in a fraction of the time. They are also a healthier option, requiring less oil and fat than traditional frying methods.

Best Vegetables for Air Frying

Almost any vegetable can be cooked in an air fryer, but some of the best options for grilling include:

• Bell peppers/capsicum: Sweet peppers add a burst of colour and a crunchy texture to your dish.
• Zucchini/Courgette: This summer squash is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.
• Mushrooms: Meaty and juicy, mushrooms are a great option for grilling. King oyster mushrooms are a particularly good choice.
• Onions: Air frying transforms the humble onion, giving it a sweet, charred flavour.
• Broccoli and Cauliflower: These cruciferous veggies are perfect for air frying and even better with a little char.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips, and sweet potatoes are firm veggies that take a little longer to cook but are well worth the wait.

Tips for Air Frying Vegetables

• Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer for the best results and to ensure a beautiful char on your veggies.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
• Toss or shake the basket periodically during cooking to promote even cooking and prevent burning.
• Experiment with different seasonings and marinades to find your favourite flavours.

Sample Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup diced zucchini
• ½ cup diced summer squash
• ½ cup diced mushrooms
• ½ cup diced cauliflower
• ½ cup diced asparagus
• ½ cup diced sweet red pepper
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon seasoning, or more to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
• In a large bowl, toss the zucchini, squash, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, red pepper, oil, salt, pepper, and desired seasoning together until well coated.
• Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and crispy.
• Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

How to grill vegetables in an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook vegetables. They're quick, easy, and produce a similar result to roasting, but with a crispier texture and in a fraction of the time. Here's a step-by-step guide to grilling veggies in your air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash and dry the vegetables you want to grill. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch/2cm chunks. You can create shapes like fries, cubes, wedges, or keep them uniform. Just ensure they are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Marinade (Optional)

If you want to add extra flavour, prepare a marinade. In a large bowl, mix extra virgin olive oil or regular olive oil with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian herbs or a blend of dried thyme, basil, and oregano, minced garlic, and black pepper. You can also add salt to taste, but it's recommended to season with salt after cooking.

Toss the vegetables in the marinade and use your hands to ensure they are well coated. If using root vegetables or firmer veggies like potatoes, carrots, or sweet potatoes, you may want to cook these separately from tender veggies, as they will need a longer cooking time.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 360-400°F/180-200°C. The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so adjust accordingly.

Step 4: Place Vegetables in the Air Fryer

Place the marinated vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. If you have a lot of veggies, you may need to cook them in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Vegetables

Cooking times will vary depending on the type of vegetable and your air fryer settings. As a general guide, tender vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions will take around 10-15 minutes. Firmer vegetables like root veggies and potatoes will need a longer cooking time, around 20-30 minutes.

During cooking, shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes or so to redistribute the vegetables and ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once the vegetables are tender and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. This is the time to season with salt, if you haven't already. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Greek seasoning, or a simple combination of salt and pepper.

Your grilled vegetables are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a delicious and healthy side dish or as part of a main course.

Tips:

• If cooking frozen vegetables, they may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
• Use an oil spray or a light coating of oil to prevent burning and promote a crispy texture.
• Always keep an eye on your vegetables to prevent overcooking or burning.
• For extra flavour, top with herb butter, drizzle with truffle or chilli oil, or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Marinating vegetables for an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, giving them a crispy texture similar to roasting but in a fraction of the time. You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer, from tender vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers to firm ones like butternut squash and beets. Here are some tips and instructions for marinating and grilling vegetables in an air fryer:

• Ingredients: You can use a variety of ingredients to marinate your vegetables. A simple combination of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, and oregano works well. You can also experiment with other herbs and spices like Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, or Gremolata (a mixture of fresh parsley, lemon zest, and garlic).
• Preparation: Start by placing your chosen marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisking them until they are well combined. Cut your desired vegetables into uniform pieces, about 1/2-inch to 1-inch thick. Place the vegetables in a bowl or storage bag, cover them with the marinade, and stir or roll the bag until all the veggies are fully coated. Allow the vegetables to marinate for 20-30 minutes. Avoid marinating for too long, as this can make the vegetables mushy.
• Cooking: After marinating, place the vegetables in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to 360-400°F (180-200°C) and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable. Stir or shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The vegetables are done when they are tender and slightly crispy on the outside.

Grilling Vegetables in an Air Fryer:

• Ingredients: You can grill a variety of vegetables in your air fryer, such as zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, sweet peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, and more.
• Preparation: Cut your chosen vegetables into uniform pieces, about 1-inch thick. Place them in a large bowl and toss with a small amount of cooking oil (about 1-2 tablespoons per pound of vegetables) and your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, garlic powder, or any other seasonings you like.
• Cooking: Preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F (180-190°C). Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable, stirring or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For firmer vegetables like potatoes or butternut squash, you may need to cook them a little longer, up to 30 minutes.

Reheating grilled vegetables

Step 1: Prepare the Grilled Vegetables

Before reheating, ensure your grilled vegetables are ready to go. Wash, peel, and cut your chosen vegetables into even-sized pieces. This will help them cook evenly in the air fryer. You can use a variety of vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, or squash.

Step 2: Seasoning (Optional)

If desired, you can season your vegetables with a variety of herbs and spices. This step is optional but can enhance the flavour of your dish. Common seasonings include Mediterranean, Italian, or Cajun blends. You can also use olive oil or vegetable oil for a more roasted taste.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

For best results, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature. The ideal temperature for reheating grilled vegetables is around 360-400°F (180-200°C). Refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines.

Step 4: Arrange the Vegetables in the Air Fryer

Place the grilled vegetables in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This arrangement allows for proper air circulation, helping the vegetables heat evenly and maintain their crispiness. Depending on your air fryer's size, you may need to cook in batches.

Step 5: Reheat the Grilled Vegetables

Once the air fryer is preheated and the vegetables are arranged, it's time to reheat! Cook the vegetables for approximately 3-5 minutes at the set temperature. For tender vegetables, aim for the lower end of the time range, while firmer vegetables may need the full 5 minutes or slightly longer. Remember to shake the basket halfway through to redistribute the vegetables and promote even heating.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the vegetables are heated through and slightly crispy, they're ready to serve! You can enjoy them as a side dish or incorporate them into a main course. Air-fried grilled vegetables pair well with grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or even pizza. For an indulgent touch, add some herb butter, Parmesan cheese, or chilli oil.

Air fryer settings for grilling vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, giving them a roasted taste and a crispy texture in a fraction of the time of a conventional oven.

Air Fryer Settings

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 360°F and 380°F (180°C to 190°C). However, some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F (200°C) for a more charred, grilled effect.

Cooking Times

The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable. Tender vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus, will cook more quickly than firm or root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, and beets.

Tender vegetables should be cooked for around 10 to 15 minutes, while firm vegetables will need 20 to 30 minutes. It's important to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

Oil and Seasoning

A light coating of oil will help to create a roasted, crispy texture. Olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil are all good choices due to their high smoke points.

Seasoning is a matter of personal preference, but salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs are all popular choices. You can also try Cajun or Greek seasoning for a different flavor profile.

Frozen Vegetables

You can cook frozen vegetables in an air fryer, but they may not caramelize as well as fresh produce. Instead of coating them in oil, try using cooking spray, and add a few minutes to the cooking time to allow for thawing.

Tips

• Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Preheating the air fryer will help to create a beautiful char on the vegetables.
• Leftover grilled vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Frequently asked questions