Air Fryer Veggies: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for cooking vegetables quickly and healthily. They use high temperatures to bake, grill and fry food with little to no oil, resulting in a similar outcome to roasting. You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer, including softer vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and firmer vegetables like carrots, potatoes and pumpkin. Frozen vegetables can also be cooked in an air fryer if they are defrosted first. Air-fried vegetables are a great way to get picky eaters to enjoy their veggies, as they boast a unique, crispy texture.

Air fryer vegetable recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They are quick, easy, and produce a delicious, healthy side dish. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get the most out of your air fryer.

Tips for Cooking Vegetables in the Air Fryer:

• Use a separate bowl to toss your veggies with cooking oil, salt, and pepper. This ensures that the seasoning and oil stay on the vegetables and don't drop through the holes of the basket.
• Try to arrange your vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. It's okay to have some overlap, but too much overcrowding will cause the vegetables to steam instead of browning.
• Avoid spraying cooking spray directly into your air fryer, as it can make the non-stick surface sticky over time. Use a mister or cooking oil in a separate bowl instead.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for most recipes.
• The average cooking time for roasted vegetables is 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on the type of vegetable. Harder vegetables like carrots or potatoes will take longer.

Air Fryer Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup diced zucchini
• 1/2 cup diced summer squash
• 1/2 cup diced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced cauliflower
• 1/2 cup diced asparagus
• 1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning (Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, or Gremolata)

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
• In a large bowl, add zucchini, squash, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, red pepper, oil, salt, pepper, and desired seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
• Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and crisp.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower florets
• Breadcrumbs
• Seasoning (red pepper flakes, garlic powder, etc.)
• Wing sauce
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing

Instructions:

• Toss cauliflower florets with breadcrumbs, seasoning, and wing sauce.
• Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy.
• Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs

Instructions:

• Cut zucchini into thin slices.
• Dredge the slices in flour, dip them in beaten egg, and coat with breadcrumbs.
• Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 390°F for 12-15 minutes, or until crispy, shaking the basket occasionally.
• Serve as a side dish or snack.

Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Ingredients:

• Green beans
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Toss green beans with breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
• Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy.
• Serve as a crispy and delicious side dish.

Air Fryer Broccoli with Parmesan and Garlic

Ingredients:

• Broccoli florets
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until tender and crispy.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, seasonings, and cooking times to find your favorite air fryer vegetable recipes!

Air frying soft vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook soft vegetables. The air fryer gives a similar result to roasting, but with a crispier exterior and in a shorter amount of time.

Soft vegetables include bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. When air frying soft vegetables, it's best to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the vegetables by chopping them to your desired size and optionally drizzling them with olive oil. This will give them a more roasted taste. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in as flat a layer as possible. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket once or twice to ensure even cooking.

Some soft vegetables, like mushrooms, may require a shorter cooking time. For example, cooking button mushrooms at 380°F for 7 minutes is recommended. On the other hand, onions may take a little longer, with one source recommending cooking at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.

It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. If you're cooking a large batch of vegetables, you may need to work in batches. Additionally, avoid seasoning and oiling the vegetables directly in the air fryer basket, as the oil and seasonings can fall through the holes, leading to a bland end result. Instead, use a separate bowl to toss the vegetables with oil, salt, and pepper before placing them in the air fryer.

You can also get creative with seasonings to add extra flavour to your soft vegetables. For example, you can use garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or a squeeze of lemon juice. If you're feeling adventurous, try experimenting with spices like Chinese five spice or sesame oil.

Air frying firm vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they can handle most types of veggies, including firm ones. Here are some tips and guidelines for air-frying firm vegetables:

Choosing Firm Vegetables

Firm vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and new potatoes are great candidates for air frying. When selecting veggies, avoid tough root vegetables like beets or sweet potatoes, as they require a longer cook time.

Preparation

Cut your chosen firm vegetables into fairly small, evenly sized pieces. For example, slice carrots thinly and break broccoli and cauliflower into small florets. This ensures that all the vegetables cook evenly and thoroughly in the air fryer.

Seasoning and Oil

In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with extra-virgin olive oil or another neutral-flavoured cooking oil. You can also add seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavour. Make sure to coat the vegetables evenly.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F and 400°F. Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam instead of browning.

Cook the vegetables for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are tender and browned. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Toss the vegetables halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Serving

Once the vegetables are cooked to your desired doneness, transfer them to a plate and serve. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over them or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavour.

Tips

• Always cut firm vegetables into small pieces to ensure even cooking with the tender vegetables.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate and create a crispy texture.
• Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
• Experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your favourite flavour combinations.

Air frying frozen vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen vegetables quickly and conveniently. The high heat of the air fryer cooks the vegetables perfectly, and you can even add your choice of seasoning to enhance the flavour.

To cook frozen veggies in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). You can use any type of frozen vegetables, from broccoli to mixed veggies, and even potatoes. Lightly coat them with oil—this helps the veggies crisp up and enhances their flavour. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, or any other neutral-flavoured oil.

Next, add your choice of seasoning. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and mixed herbs are all great options. You can also experiment with different combinations, like hot honey, lemon or balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, or an Asian-inspired blend of sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.

Now, you're ready to cook the veggies. Place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with as little overlap as possible. This helps the veggies cook evenly. Depending on the type and amount of vegetable, cook for 5-10 minutes, then shake the basket or toss the veggies to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for another 4-10 minutes, checking frequently to ensure they don't burn.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked, delicious, and healthy veggies ready to be served as a side dish or enjoyed on their own.

Air fryer vegetable cooking times

Yes, you can put vegetables in an air fryer! Here is a guide to air fryer vegetable cooking times:

Tender Vegetables

Any quick-cooking veggie will fall into the "tender" category. These include veggies like:

• Crucifers (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
• Summer squash (zucchini, yellow squash)
• Soft veggies (bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions)
• Thin veggies (asparagus, green beans)

To cook these vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Chop the veggies to your desired size and optionally drizzle them with olive oil for a more roasted taste. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking for even cooking.

Firm Vegetables

"Firm vegetables" are the veggies that usually come to mind when you think of roasted veggies. They take a bit longer to cook but are worth the wait! This category includes:

• Root vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips)
• Winter squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin)

To cook firm vegetables, preheat your air fryer to the same temperature as above. Chop the veggies into small pieces (as they will cook faster this way) and optionally drizzle them with oil. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking for even results.

Frozen Vegetables

You can also cook frozen vegetables in your air fryer! Simply identify whether they are tender or firm, and then add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for thawing. It is crucial to give space between the veggies to ensure they become perfectly roasted.

Specific Examples

• Green beans: cook for 9 minutes at 380°F
• Broccoli: cook for 7-10 minutes at 400°F
• Brussels sprouts: cook for 7-10 minutes at 400°F
• Button mushrooms: cook for 7 minutes at 380°F
• Asparagus: cook for 12 minutes at 375°F
• Butternut squash: cook for 25-30 minutes at 375°F
• Sweet potatoes: cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F

Remember, every air fryer is slightly different, so always keep an eye on your vegetables to prevent burning and adjust the timing as needed.

Frequently asked questions