Air-Frying Frozen Veggies: How Long Should You Fry?

Cooking frozen vegetables in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a side dish. It is also a convenient way to cook vegetables without having to worry about them going bad, as is the case with fresh vegetables. The cooking time for frozen vegetables in an air fryer depends on the type of vegetable and the model of the air fryer. On average, softer vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and green beans take around 10 to 15 minutes, while firmer vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes can take up to 20 to 30 minutes.

No need to defrost

There is no need to defrost frozen vegetables before putting them in the air fryer. In fact, cooking them from frozen will yield the best results. As veggies cook in an air fryer, the circulating air helps them to dry out and achieve a beautiful exterior crispness. If you thaw your veggies first, they’ll release some water and your air fryer will be trying to catch up the whole time they’re cooking. By starting from frozen, the air fryer is able to evaporate the water as it's released, meaning your veggies stay crisp.

When cooking frozen veggies in an air fryer, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's fine to have multiple layers, but make sure to leave some room for the hot air to circulate. For the best results, cook the veggies in a single layer.

The time it takes to cook frozen vegetables in an air fryer depends on the type of vegetable. For example, air frying frozen green beans will only take a couple of minutes, whereas larger veggies like broccoli and cauliflower will take 6-10 minutes. Firmer veggies, such as butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes, will take 20 to 30 minutes. As a general rule of thumb, any veggie you can cook fresh in the air fryer can also be cooked from frozen—simply add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the time they’ll take to thaw.

To make frozen veggies in your air fryer, you only need one thing: frozen veggies. However, to add flavor and improve the results, it is recommended to add a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil, and some seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are all popular choices.

Use a light oil coating

Using a light oil coating on frozen vegetables before air frying is a great way to enhance their flavour and texture.

A light coating of oil helps frozen veggies crisp up and ensures they don't dry out. It also helps your chosen seasonings stick to the vegetables.

You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Simply spray or toss the vegetables with oil before adding your seasonings.

Some recipes recommend mixing the oil and seasonings in a bowl with the frozen vegetables before adding them to the air fryer basket. This helps to ensure an even coating of oil and seasoning on each vegetable.

Other recipes suggest adding the oil first, then tossing or shaking the basket halfway through cooking, before adding the seasonings. This method may be preferable if you want to avoid the oil freezing immediately upon contact with the frozen vegetables.

Whether you choose to spray, toss, or pour the oil, using a light coating will help you achieve delicious, crispy, and flavourful air-fried veggies.

Season well

Seasoning your frozen vegetables before air-frying them is recommended. Seasoning your veggies will greatly enhance their flavour. You can season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, or mixed herbs.

If you want to get the most out of your salt, season your veggies halfway through the cooking process. For example, if you're cooking cauliflower for 15 minutes, cook it for the first 8 minutes, then take it out, season with salt, and return it to the air fryer for the remaining 7 minutes. If you're cooking for longer than 15 minutes, you'll need to stir the veggies a couple of additional times, or roughly every 5 to 8 minutes.

It's also important to note that you should season your vegetables after coating them with oil, as this will help the spices stick better.

Shake or toss midway

Shaking or tossing your frozen veggies midway through the air-frying process is an important step to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy all around. This is especially important if you are cooking a small amount of vegetables, as you should keep them in a single layer. Shaking or tossing the basket will also help to distribute any oil and seasonings you have added.

If you are cooking a larger batch of vegetables, you may need to cook them in batches or in layers. However, be sure to leave some room around them for the hot air to circulate. If your vegetables are overlapping too much, they may end up steaming rather than roasting.

The timing of when you shake or toss your veggies will depend on the type of vegetable you are cooking and the desired level of crispiness. For example, green beans will only need a couple of minutes in the air fryer, so you will want to shake or toss them after just a minute or so. On the other hand, larger vegetables like whole Brussels sprouts may need up to 20 minutes, so you will want to shake or toss them a few times throughout the cooking process.

It is also important to note that different air fryer models will cook at different speeds, so be sure to keep an eye on your veggies to prevent burning. Checking on them often towards the end of the cooking time will help you achieve the perfect level of crispiness.

Use high heat

Using high heat is a great way to ensure your frozen vegetables cook evenly and get crispy all around. The ideal temperature range for your air fryer is between 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). This temperature range is dependent on the type of vegetable you are cooking.

For example, softer vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, green beans, and corn are considered soft frozen veggies and cook faster. They should be cooked at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. On the other hand, firmer vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes will take longer to cook. These should be cooked at 390°F (200°C) for 20 to 30 minutes.

It is important to note that different types of air fryers may have varying cooking times, so be sure to check on your vegetables regularly to prevent burning. Additionally, it is recommended to shake the basket or toss the vegetables halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions