Air-Fryer Roasted Veggies: Healthy, Quick, And Easy?

Air fryers are a great way to cook roasted vegetables. They're quick, easy, and healthy. You can use any combination of vegetables you like, from zucchini and squash to bell peppers and onions. The air fryer will give your veggies a nice crispy texture and you can use minimal oil, making it a healthier alternative to roasting in the oven.

Air fryer roasted vegetables: a quick, easy, and healthy side dish

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook roasted vegetables. They're quick, easy, and healthy, requiring minimal cleanup and less oil than traditional oven-roasted vegetables. Plus, they produce perfectly tender veggies with a nice bite and a little char. Here's a simple guide to help you make delicious air fryer roasted vegetables as a side dish.

Ingredients:

You can use a variety of vegetables, such as:

• Bell peppers (red, orange, green, yellow, or purple)
• Onions (red, yellow, white, or sweet)
• Zucchini/Squash
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts

For seasoning:

• Olive oil or another oil with a high smoke point
• Italian seasoning or other seasoning blends like Mediterranean, Cajun, or Fajita
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor

Instructions:

• Prep the vegetables by washing and chopping them into similar-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking.
• In a large bowl, combine the vegetables with the oil and seasonings. Toss well to coat all the veggies.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F (180-200°C).
• Place the seasoned vegetables into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Cook for 8-15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking. The veggies are done when they are tender and browned.
• Serve immediately. For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or garnish with fresh herbs.

Tips:

• Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
• Use a good mixture of colorful vegetables for a vibrant side dish.
• Experiment with different seasonings and vegetables to find your favorite combinations.
• For a lighter version, use less oil or spray the vegetables with oil instead of tossing them in it.

Enjoy your quick, easy, and healthy air fryer roasted vegetables!

How to make roasted vegetables in an air fryer: a step-by-step guide

Roasted vegetables are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be made easily in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfect results:

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

First, select your desired vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be roasted in an air fryer, including bell peppers, zucchini, squash, onions, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and asparagus. For the best results, choose a variety of colourful vegetables to create a vibrant dish.

Once you've selected your vegetables, chop them into even-sized pieces, about 1-inch or 2-inch chunks. This ensures that all the vegetables cook at a similar rate. Place the chopped vegetables into a large bowl.

Step 2: Season the Vegetables

Add your choice of oil and seasonings to the bowl of vegetables. Extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice due to its flavour and high smoke point, but other options such as avocado oil or coconut oil can also be used.

For seasoning, you can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add some Parmesan cheese or other cheeses like goat or feta for a more indulgent touch. Toss the vegetables well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 360-400°F (180-200°C). Spray the basket insert with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Next, arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding will cause the vegetables to steam instead of browning.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables

Cook the vegetables for 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces and the power of your air fryer. For firmer vegetables, such as potatoes or carrots, you may need to cook for a longer time, about 15-20 minutes.

Remember to stir or toss the vegetables halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. The vegetables are ready when they are tender and browned, with crispy edges.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, transfer them to a serving dish and enjoy! You can serve them as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or pizza.

For a more indulgent touch, top the roasted vegetables with herb butter, red chilli flakes, chilli oil, or grated Parmesan cheese. You can also serve them with pita strips and a dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing.

Air fryer roasted vegetables are a quick, healthy, and versatile dish that can be adapted to your taste and can be served as a delicious side or even a main course. Enjoy experimenting with different vegetables and seasonings!

The best vegetables to roast in an air fryer: from zucchini to bell peppers

Roasting vegetables in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook veggies. They turn out perfectly tender, with crisp, caramelized edges. You can use pretty much any vegetables you want, but some of the best options for air frying include zucchini, bell peppers, and other tender veggies.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a great vegetable to roast in an air fryer. It gets nice and crispy, and takes away any mushiness that can sometimes occur with this squash. Cut the zucchini into uniform chunks or slices, about 1-inch thick. You can also use other types of squash, such as yellow squash, in place of or in addition to zucchini.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are another excellent choice for air frying. Any color pepper will work, but the red and orange ones tend to be sweeter. Cut the peppers into thick pieces, similar in size to the zucchini. You can also include other tender veggies, like asparagus, in your air fryer roast.

Preparing the Veggies

Once you've chosen your veggies, it's time to season them. A simple combination of extra-virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper will give your veggies tons of flavor. Toss the veggies in a large bowl with the seasonings until they're well coated.

Cooking in the Air Fryer

Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 375-400°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the veggies are tender and browned.

Serving

These air fryer roasted veggies make a delicious and healthy side dish, pairing well with grilled chicken, fish, or even a burger or pizza. For a little extra flavor, serve with herb butter, red chili flakes, chili oil, or grated Parmesan cheese. They also make a great veggie-packed snack, perfect for dipping into healthy ranch dressing.

Tips for roasting vegetables in an air fryer: getting the perfect crisp

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook vegetables, offering a quick, easy, and healthy way to get that perfect crisp. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Prepare the Vegetables

Firstly, select your vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be cooked in an air fryer, but firmer root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes will need a longer cooking time. Tender vegetables like zucchini, peppers, asparagus, and green beans are a good choice for faster cooking times.

Chop your chosen vegetables into even-sized pieces, around 1-inch or 2cm chunks. This ensures they cook at the same rate. If you're using a mix of firm and tender vegetables, cut the firmer veggies into smaller pieces so they cook through by the time the tender ones are ready.

Place the chopped veggies into a large bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. Just a light coating will do—too much oil will prevent crisping.

Seasoning

Seasoning is key to enhancing the flavor of your roasted veggies. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a good base, but you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or any of your favorite herb blends. Toss the vegetables in the bowl to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.

Air Fryer Setup

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 360-400°F (180-200°C). The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and the vegetables you're using, so you may need to experiment a little.

Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Cooking

Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam rather than crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Cook for around 8-15 minutes, depending on the vegetable type and your desired level of doneness. For firmer vegetables, you may need up to 25 minutes.

Give the air fryer basket a shake or toss the veggies halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.

Serving

Once your veggies are tender and browned to your liking, they're ready to serve! You can finish them with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh herbs, or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Enjoy your perfectly roasted, crispy vegetables as a side dish or a tasty addition to any meal.

Serving suggestions for air fryer roasted vegetables: from parmesan to chilli flakes

Air-fried roasted vegetables are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. The vegetables are tender, with crisp, caramelized edges. They can be seasoned in a variety of ways and served as a side or as part of a main dish. Here are some serving suggestions for air fryer roasted vegetables, from Parmesan to chilli flakes:

Parmesan

For a more indulgent option, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top of your roasted vegetables. You can also stir the vegetables into pasta or use them as a pizza topping. For a sharper flavour, you can swap Parmesan for pecorino romano.

Chilli Flakes

For a spicy kick, sprinkle some red chilli flakes or chilli oil on top of your roasted vegetables. This adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the vegetables.

Other Cheeses

In addition to Parmesan, other cheeses can be paired with roasted vegetables. For example, blue cheese can add a strong, pungent flavour to the dish.

Herbs

Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or thyme can be sprinkled on top of the roasted vegetables to add a burst of flavour and colour.

Dipping Sauces

Air-fried roasted vegetables can also be served with your favourite dipping sauce. This can include ranch dressing, hummus, or a garlic butter spread.

Main Dishes

While roasted vegetables are commonly served as a side dish, they can also be incorporated into main dishes. For example, they can be folded into garlic butter shrimp pasta or added to a grain bowl.

Frequently asked questions