Air Fryer Magic: Crispy Frozen Veggies

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook frozen vegetables, and they can be made crispy, too. The key to achieving crispy frozen veggies is to avoid thawing them before cooking. Instead, place them straight into the air fryer from frozen. You can use any type of frozen vegetables, from mixed veggies to standalone sides like broccoli or zucchini.

To make crispy frozen veggies in an air fryer, simply toss them in olive oil or avocado oil, season with salt and pepper, and maybe some Italian seasoning or garlic powder, and cook for around 10-15 minutes at 375-400°F. For extra crispiness, drain any excess water from the bottom of the air fryer basket during cooking.

Choosing the right oil

Smoke Point

When selecting an oil for air frying, it's crucial to consider its smoke point. The smoke point refers to the temperature at which an oil starts to burn and produce smoke. Since air fryers typically operate at high temperatures, choosing an oil with a high smoke point is essential to prevent it from smoking and imparting undesirable flavours to your food. Oils with high smoke points include avocado oil, canola oil, and olive oil.

Flavour and Seasoning

The oil you choose can also impact the flavour of your dish. Some oils have a neutral flavour, such as avocado oil or canola oil, which allows the natural taste of the vegetables and seasonings to shine through. On the other hand, olive oil can add a distinct flavour to your dish and enhance the roasted and caramelized notes of the vegetables. Additionally, oils can help seasonings adhere better to the vegetables. By tossing the vegetables in oil before adding spices, you'll ensure that every bite is packed with flavour.

Spray or Toss

You can apply oil to your frozen vegetables in two ways: spraying or tossing. Spraying the oil ensures an even distribution and helps achieve a crispy texture. This method works well with oils that come in spray form, such as olive oil spray. Alternatively, you can toss the frozen vegetables in a bowl with the oil to coat them evenly. This method works well with oils like avocado oil or olive oil.

Amount of Oil

When adding oil to your frozen vegetables, it's important not to overuse it. A light coating or a few tablespoons are usually sufficient to help the vegetables crisp up and enhance their flavour. Using too much oil may result in excess oil pooling in the air fryer basket, which can be messy and affect the cooking process.

Oil Recommendations

The most commonly recommended oils for air frying frozen vegetables are avocado oil and olive oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, a neutral flavour, and helps seasonings stick to the vegetables. Olive oil, on the other hand, has a slightly lower smoke point but adds a delightful flavour to the dish. It's also a good option for roasting and caramelizing the veggies. Additionally, you can use olive oil spray for even distribution and crispiness.

Using the correct temperature

The temperature you use in your air fryer will depend on the type of vegetable you are cooking. For example, green beans will only need 4 minutes at 390°F (200°C), whereas larger vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower will need 6-8 minutes and 8-10 minutes, respectively, at the same temperature.

If you are cooking a mixture of vegetables, you will need to cook them for longer than the shortest cooking time of any individual vegetable in the mix. For example, if you are cooking a mixture of green beans and broccoli, you should cook them for longer than 4 minutes, perhaps aiming for somewhere between the 4-minute cooking time of green beans and the 6-8 minute cooking time of broccoli.

It is also important to note that different air fryer models will cook at different speeds, so you should check the manufacturer's instructions for your particular model to get a more accurate idea of cooking times and temperatures. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should set your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 204°C) when cooking frozen vegetables.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that you should avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. While it is fine to have multiple layers of vegetables, make sure to leave some room for the hot air to circulate. The fuller the basket, the longer it will take to cook the vegetables. For the best results, cook your vegetables in a single layer if possible.

Adding seasoning

When seasoning your frozen veggies, it's important to first coat them with oil, as this will help the seasonings stick better. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral-flavoured cooking oil of your choice. Simply toss the frozen veggies with the oil, then add your desired seasonings and toss again to combine.

Remember, the key to successful air-frying is to season generously and according to your taste preferences. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different seasoning combinations to find the ones you like best!

Avoiding overcrowding in the air fryer

To make frozen vegetables crispy in an air fryer, it is important to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Here are some tips to avoid overcrowding and ensure your veggies turn out crispy:

• It is fine to have multiple layers of vegetables in the air fryer basket, but make sure to leave some room for the hot air to circulate. The hot air needs space to move around and cook the vegetables evenly.
• For the crispiest vegetables, it is best to cook them in a single layer. This ensures that the hot air can reach all surfaces of the vegetables and promotes even cooking and crisping.
• If you are cooking a large batch of vegetables, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. This may be necessary, especially if you have a smaller air fryer basket.
• Shake or toss the vegetables halfway through cooking. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy all around.
• Different air fryer models may cook at different speeds, so it is important to check on your vegetables regularly to ensure they do not burn.
• If your air fryer basket is overcrowded, the vegetables may take longer to cook. This is because they are essentially steaming instead of roasting.
• If you notice that your vegetables are taking a long time to cook, try removing some of them to reduce the overcrowding and promote crisping.
• For best results, do not let the vegetables thaw before air frying. When vegetables start to thaw, they release moisture, which can make them soggy and affect the crisping process.

Cooking from frozen

Air-frying frozen vegetables is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook your veggies. It's faster than roasting and you can get a nice crisp that's difficult to achieve with other cooking methods. Plus, you don't have to worry about fresh vegetables going bad in your fridge!

Ingredients

You will need:

• Frozen vegetables of your choice (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, zucchini, etc.)
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral-flavoured cooking oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Any other seasonings you like (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, etc.)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-204°C). You can use olive oil or cooking spray to prepare the basket.
• Place your chosen frozen vegetables directly into the air fryer basket. Avoid using an air fryer liner, as this can make the vegetables soggy.
• Drizzle or spray your vegetables with oil and season with salt and pepper, as well as any other seasonings you like. Toss the vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Air fry for 5 minutes, then shake the basket and drain any excess water that has collected at the bottom.
• Air fry for an additional 7-9 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Check the vegetables regularly during this time to ensure they do not burn.
• If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it over the vegetables and air fry for 1 more minute.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• You can cook the vegetables straight from frozen. Do not thaw them first, as this can make them soggy.
• For crispier vegetables, drain any water that collects at the bottom of the air fryer basket during cooking.
• For smaller vegetables, such as green beans, reduce the cooking time to around 4 minutes.
• For larger vegetables, such as whole Brussels sprouts, increase the cooking time to around 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions