Air Fryer Veggie Crisps: Healthy, Quick, And Easy!

Air fryers are a great way to make vegetable crisps. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried crisps and can be made using a variety of root vegetables such as beetroot, sweet potatoes, carrots, and courgettes. The preparation is simple: cut the vegetables into thin slices, season them, and place them in the air fryer for 20-30 minutes. The result is a crispy, crunchy, and addictive snack that can be paired with your favourite dip.

Choosing the right vegetables

Variety of Vegetables

The beauty of making vegetable crisps in an air fryer is that you can use a wide range of vegetables. Root vegetables, such as beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes, are excellent options and provide a colourful and nutritious snack. You can also think beyond root vegetables and experiment with other varieties like courgettes, kale, onions, brussels sprouts, or even pickles! The key is to choose vegetables that have a good balance of moisture and starch, as this will help them crisp up nicely in the air fryer.

Colour and Taste

When selecting your vegetables, opt for a variety of colours to make your crisps visually appealing. The vibrant hues of beetroots, golden or red sweet potatoes, and orange carrots will create a stunning platter. Also, consider the flavour profiles you want to achieve. For example, sweet potatoes offer a natural sweetness, while beets provide an earthy taste. If you want a more savoury option, zucchini or kale crisps might be a better choice.

Thickness and Preparation

To ensure even cooking and crispiness, it's crucial to slice your vegetables thinly and uniformly. Aim for slices that are about 1/16 inch (approximately 3mm) thick. You can use a chef's knife or a mandoline slicer to achieve this. After slicing, consider soaking the vegetables in cold water for a few minutes, especially if you're using denser options like potatoes or carrots. This step helps remove excess starch and promotes crispiness. Be sure to dry the vegetables thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

Seasonings and Flavours

Enhance the flavour of your vegetable crisps by adding seasonings and spices. A light coating of olive oil or avocado oil can make your crisps crunchier and more flavourful. You can also experiment with spices like smoked paprika, chilli powder, rosemary, or caraway seeds. For a subtle smoky flavour, smoked paprika is an excellent option. Don't be afraid to mix and match seasonings to find your favourite combinations.

Cooking Tips

When cooking your vegetable crisps in the air fryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for specific vegetables. Preheat your air fryer, and cook the vegetables in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Depending on the vegetable and the thickness of your slices, the cooking time may vary. Most vegetables will take around 10-15 minutes, but denser options may take longer. Be sure to shake the basket periodically to prevent the crisps from sticking together and to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning options

There are endless options for seasoning your vegetable crisps, whether you're looking for something savoury, spicy, or sweet. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Options:

• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Dill, parsley, and onion powder for ranch-style veggie chips
• Chilli powder for a Tex-Mex flavour
• Caraway seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Rosemary
• Harissa dressing
• Spicy ketchup
• Sririacha ranch
• Garlic granules

Spicy Options:

• Cajun spice mix
• Chilli powder
• Chilli flakes

Sweet Options:

• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar
• Honey

You can also experiment with different types of salt, such as truffle salt, to add a luxurious touch to your crisps.

Preparing the vegetables

Firstly, select your desired vegetables. Root vegetables such as beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, and even courgettes are excellent options for making crisps. The more colourful the selection, the better! You can also opt for vegetables with higher starch content, such as parsnips or regular potatoes.

Once you have your vegetables, it's time to slice them thinly. Aim for slices that are about 1/16 inch or 3mm thick. You can use a chef's knife or a mandoline slicer to achieve even slices. If you're using potatoes, place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of ice-cold water and let them soak for about 15 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch and ensures crispier crisps. After soaking, make sure to pat the slices dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. It is essential that the vegetables are thoroughly dry before proceeding to the next step.

Next, you can choose to sprinkle the slices with a little corn starch or a pinch of salt. This step is optional but can help enhance the crispness of your vegetable crisps. If you decide to use corn starch, place the slices in a large bowl, sprinkle with corn starch, and toss to coat evenly.

Now, it's time to season your vegetables. Drizzle or spray a light coat of oil over the slices. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or any oil of your choice. Just be careful not to use too much oil, as it can lead to soggy vegetables. After coating with oil, add your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, and smoked paprika for a classic savoury flavour. Alternatively, experiment with spices like chilli powder, rosemary, or caraway seeds for a unique twist.

Once your vegetables are prepared, preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer between 180°C and 320°F. However, if you're making potato crisps, you might want to heat the air fryer to a higher temperature, such as 210°C.

Air fryer settings

To make vegetable crisps in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to the correct temperature. The ideal temperature for vegetable crisps seems to be around 320ºF (160ºC), though some recipes suggest heating the air fryer to 360ºF (180ºC).

It is important to note that different vegetables may require different temperatures and cooking times. For example, denser vegetables like potatoes or carrots may take longer to cook and might require a slightly lower temperature to ensure they cook all the way through without burning.

Most air fryers have a preheat setting, so be sure to use it before adding your vegetables. This will help ensure even cooking and a nice crispy texture.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add your vegetables. It is important to ensure that they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking.

The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable and the thickness of your slices. Most vegetables will take around 10-15 minutes to cook, but denser vegetables may take up to 25-30 minutes. It is recommended to open the air fryer and give it a shake every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and to check that your vegetables are not burning.

Adjust the cooking time as needed, keeping in mind that thinner slices and less dense vegetables will cook faster.

Additionally, some recipes suggest soaking certain vegetables, like potatoes or carrots, in cold water for a few minutes before cooking to help them crisp up. Just be sure to dry them thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

Dips and sauces

For a simple, classic option, a balsamic glaze can add a rich, sweet-tart flavour to your vegetable crisps. A drizzle of balsamic reduction can enhance the natural sweetness of root vegetables like sweet potatoes.

If you're after something creamy, a yogurt-based dip is a great option. Yogurt adds a tangy flavour and mixes well with herbs and spices. Try a yogurt dill dip, combining Greek yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, mix in some cucumber for a refreshing tzatziki.

For a more indulgent creamy dip, you could try a roasted garlic aioli. Blend roasted garlic cloves with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a rich and garlicky sauce.

If you're a fan of spicy food, there are plenty of options to add some heat to your vegetable crisps. Try a spicy mango salsa, combining diced mangoes, red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro with lime juice, honey, and salt. Alternatively, sriracha ranch or spicy ketchup are great store-bought options for a fiery kick.

For something more exotic, you could try a romesco sauce, blending roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, olive oil, sherry vinegar, and smoked paprika. This smoky and slightly spicy sauce is particularly good with roasted bell peppers and eggplant.

Finally, for a healthier option, why not try a green goddess sauce? Blend fresh herbs like parsley, basil, tarragon, or chives with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. This herbaceous dressing adds a burst of freshness to root vegetable crisps.

So, whether you're looking for something tangy, spicy, creamy, or sweet, there's a dip or sauce to suit every taste and elevate your vegetable crisps.

Frequently asked questions