Air-Frying Veg: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables with tender insides and crispy outsides. To cook veggies in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and chop your vegetables to the size you want, remembering that smaller pieces will cook faster. You can optionally drizzle your veggies with oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, shaking the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Depending on the type of vegetable, cook for 10 to 30 minutes.

How to cook firm vegetables in an air fryer

To cook firm vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Chop your veggies into small pieces, as they will cook faster this way. You can optionally drizzle them with oil, and add them to your air fryer in a flat layer. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan a few times during cooking to promote even cooking.

If you are cooking root vegetables, toss them in a large bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Place the veg in the air fryer and cook at 170°C for 25 minutes, turning the veg over or shaking the basket every 10 minutes. Peel and slice a clove of garlic, and roughly chop some rosemary. Add the garlic, rosemary and a splash of red wine vinegar to the air fryer and toss with the veg. Then, cook at 190°C for a final 10 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.

If you are making potato or sweet potato fries, soak them in water for 30 minutes to draw out excess starch for crispier results. Then, pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before tossing with oil. Transfer your veggies into the frying compartment and fry for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 to 8 minutes.

Remember not to overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam rather than brown. Only add as many vegetables as will fit in a single layer.

How to cook tender vegetables in an air fryer

To cook tender vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). You can also preheat at 360F / 182C degrees for a slightly cooler option. Chop your veggies to the size you want, remembering that smaller pieces will cook faster. You can optionally drizzle with oil and add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Toss the vegetables together until they are well coated.

Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam, not brown. Only add as many as will fit in a single layer. Then, air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. You can also cook for up to 20 to 30 minutes for a more well-done result. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.

Shake the air fryer pan once or twice during cooking to promote even cooking. Broccoli and cauliflower are particularly tasty when they’re a bit charred and crispy. To air fry crucifers like broccoli or cauliflower, toss them with a bit of oil (or cooking spray) to keep those florets from burning, and pop them in a 375°F (190°C) air fryer for about 10 minutes.

Finally, season to taste and serve! Squeeze the air-fried veggies with fresh lemon juice, and top them with fresh parsley.

How to cook root vegetables in an air fryer

To cook root vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If you're using a 4.2-litre air fryer like Jamie Oliver, preheat to 170°C. Chop your root vegetables to the size you want, remembering that smaller pieces will cook faster. Toss the vegetables in a large bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. You can also add a splash of red wine vinegar. Place the vegetables in the air fryer in as flat a layer as possible, as overcrowding will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan a few times during cooking to promote even cooking. If you're using a 4.2-litre air fryer, cook for 25 minutes, turning the vegetables over or shaking the basket every 10 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 190°C and cook for a final 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through and golden.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. If you're making potato or sweet potato fries, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to draw out excess starch for crispier results. Then, pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before tossing with oil.

How to cook broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the vegetables

Dice the broccoli and cauliflower into small, bite-sized florets. The cauliflower florets should be smaller than the broccoli as it takes longer to cook.

Step 2: Season the vegetables

Add the vegetables to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Season with garlic powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat the broccoli and cauliflower evenly.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). You can also preheat to 360°F / 182°C or 370°F if you prefer.

Step 4: Cook the vegetables

Place the seasoned broccoli and cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Step 5: Air fry

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking. The vegetables are done when they are fork-tender and lightly browned around the edges.

Step 6: Serve

Once cooked, remove the broccoli and cauliflower from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving dish. Serve immediately as a side dish or snack. You can also garnish with a squeeze of lemon or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

How to cook potato or sweet potato fries in an air fryer

To cook potato or sweet potato fries in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 360°F / 182°C degrees. If you're making sweet potato fries, wash, peel and dry the sweet potatoes before cutting them into wedges or 1/4-inch thick fries. For regular potato fries, you can skip the peeling step. Soak the potatoes in water for about 30 minutes to draw out excess starch for crispier results, then pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Place the potatoes in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and/or paprika until they're evenly coated. You can also add a Creole seasoning blend for a spicy kick.

Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket, spreading them out as evenly as possible to avoid overcrowding. Cook the fries at five-minute intervals, shaking the basket to flip and stir the fries after each interval. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in 2 or 3 batches. Continue cooking until the potatoes are slightly blistered and browned on the edges, about 15 to 20 minutes total. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions