Air Fryer Veggies: Perfect Timing For Crispy Treats

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, offering a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to roasting in an oven. Air-fried vegetables are perfectly tender, with a crispy finish, and can be seasoned to your taste. The air fryer's convection oven technology means food is cooked with little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories. So, how long do roast vegetables take in an air fryer? Well, it depends on the type of vegetable. Tender vegetables, like broccoli, will take less time than firm vegetables, like potatoes. As a general rule, you can expect your veggies to be done in around 10 to 15 minutes, but you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer basket.

How long to roast veggies in an air fryer vs an oven

Roasting vegetables in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a healthy and flavorful side dish. The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetables you are using and the desired level of crispness. On average, roasting veggies in an air fryer takes around 10 to 15 minutes, but some firmer vegetables may take up to 20 minutes.

When roasting vegetables in an air fryer, it's important to cut them into even-sized pieces, preferably around 1-inch thick, to ensure they cook evenly. You'll also want to toss them with a small amount of oil and your desired seasonings before placing them in the air fryer basket.

If you're roasting a mix of firm and soft vegetables, it's best to start with the firm vegetables and add the softer ones after a few minutes. For example, if you're roasting potatoes and zucchini, you'd want to cook the potatoes for about 5 minutes before adding the zucchini.

Now, let's compare this to roasting veggies in an oven. When roasting vegetables in an oven, the cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable and the desired level of doneness. As a general rule, roasting vegetables in an oven will take longer than in an air fryer. For example, roasted vegetables in an oven might take 30-45 minutes at 350°F to reach the desired level of tenderness and browning.

Similar to air frying, it's important to cut the vegetables into evenly sized pieces when roasting in an oven. This will help ensure that they cook evenly. You'll also want to toss them with oil and seasonings before spreading them out on a baking sheet.

In terms of taste and texture, air-fried vegetables tend to be crispier and less dry than oven-roasted vegetables. This is because the hot air in the air fryer circulates all around the food, creating a crispy exterior. Oven-roasted vegetables, on the other hand, can be crispy but may also have a softer, more caramelized exterior.

Additionally, air fryers are generally more energy-efficient than ovens, as they use less power to heat up and cook the food. So, if you're looking for a quick, convenient, and healthy way to cook veggies, an air fryer might be the way to go. However, if you're cooking for a large group or prefer the traditional oven-roasted taste and texture, then roasting in an oven is a great option too.

How to prepare veggies for air frying

Preparing vegetables for air frying is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose Your Vegetables

Select the vegetables you want to roast. Almost any vegetables can be cooked in an air fryer, but firmer root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and turnips may take longer to cook than softer vegetables like broccoli or peppers. You can also use frozen vegetables, but be aware that they may need a slightly longer cooking time due to their higher moisture content.

Step 2: Wash and Cut the Vegetables

Give the vegetables a good wash, and peel them if you prefer. Then, cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces, around 1-2 inches in size. This ensures even cooking.

Step 3: Soak and Dry the Vegetables (Optional)

This step is optional but can help to improve the crispiness of your veggies, especially for root vegetables. After cutting them, soak the vegetables in cold water for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse, drain, and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 4: Season the Vegetables

Place the vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or another high-smoke-point cooking oil. Sprinkle on your choice of seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Mediterranean seasoning, or even a squeeze of lemon juice. Toss the vegetables well to ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 5: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F (180°C). Place the seasoned vegetables into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the veggies in batches.

Step 6: Cook and Serve

Cook the vegetables for 10-15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The veggies are done when they are tender and golden brown with crispy edges. Serve immediately, optionally topping with herb butter, Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried veggies!

Best veggies for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, offering a healthy, delicious, and quick alternative to roasting or oven-baking. The air fryer's convection oven-style setup means veggies are fried with little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories.

So, what are the best veggies for air frying?

Most vegetables can be cooked in an air fryer, but any veggies that you would usually roast or grill are perfect for air frying. It's also a great way to cook frozen veggies. If using frozen vegetables, increase the cooking time by a few minutes to account for the extra surface moisture.

When preparing your veggies, give them a wash and peel if you prefer, then cut them into uniform pieces around 1-2 inches thick. You can cut them into fries, cubes, wedges, or any shape you like. Try to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The hot air must be able to contact the veggies on all sides, so they may steam and soften instead of browning if the basket is too full. Work in batches if necessary.

• Zucchini
• Yellow squash
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Corn on the cob
• Eggplant
• Avocado
• Beets
• Radishes
• Summer squash
• Patty pan squash
• Acorn squash

Oil and seasoning for air fryer roasted veggies

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook vegetables, offering a healthy, low-calorie alternative to frying, with a similar texture and taste to roasting. The key to tasty roasted veggies is in the seasoning, and there are a few tips and tricks to ensure your veggies come out perfectly tender with a nice bite.

Oil

Air fryers use hot air to produce a crispy finish on foods, so only a small amount of oil is needed. It's important to choose an oil with a high smoke point to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking. Oils such as light olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, corn oil, and vegetable oil are all suitable.

Seasoning

The seasoning you use will depend on your taste preferences and the type of vegetables you are cooking. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a great way to let the flavour of the vegetables shine. However, you can add extra seasonings for extra flavour. Here are some ideas:

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Herbes de Provence
• Paprika
• Lemon zest
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Ghost pepper salt

You can also add some crunch with toasted almond slices or cashew halves, or garnish with grated Parmesan, crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese.

How to Season

First, wash and peel your vegetables (if preferred). Cut them into 1-inch/2cm chunks. You can cut them into any shape you prefer, as long as they are a similar size so they cook evenly.

Next, mix the oil, salt, and seasoning in a large bowl. Add the vegetables and toss to coat them well with the seasoning. You can also add the vegetables to the oil and seasoning in batches if you are cooking a mixture of tender and firm vegetables, as they will have different cooking times.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F/180°C. Spray the basket insert with some non-stick cooking spray. Add the vegetables in a single layer and cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and how crispy you like them. Stir or shake the basket halfway through cooking to redistribute the veggies and ensure even cooking.

Serving

Air fryer roasted veggies can be served as a side dish or added to a main meal. They can be served hot or cold and enjoyed as a healthy snack.

Reheating and storing roasted veggies

Roasted vegetables are a great way to get your nutrients, and they're easy to cook too. But what do you do if you have leftovers? Well, the good news is that roasted veggies can be reheated and still taste delicious. Here are some tips for reheating and storing your roasted veggies.

Reheating Roasted Vegetables

The best way to reheat roasted vegetables is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spread the veggies out on a baking sheet. You can drizzle them with a little olive oil if you like, but this is optional. Bake for 4-6 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through to flip the veggies. Be careful not to overcrowd the tray, or they will steam and lose their crunch. If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat roasted veggies in an air fryer at the same temperature for 2-3 minutes. Again, make sure they're not touching, or they won't crisp up.

You can also reheat roasted veggies in a skillet, in the microwave, or on the grill, but these methods may result in soggier vegetables. For the skillet method, heat a tablespoon of oil in the pan over medium heat and add the veggies, sautéing for 3-4 minutes. For the microwave, spread the veggies out on a paper towel-lined plate and heat in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. For the grill, skewer the veggies and heat on all sides for 30-60 seconds. Be careful not to burn them!

Storing Roasted Vegetables

Let your roasted veggies cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should last 3-5 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them, but they may have a softer texture when thawed. To freeze roasted veggies, spread them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer until hard, then transfer to a freezer bag. Use within six months.

Frequently asked questions