Air-Fryer Veg Crisps: A Healthy, Easy Snack

Air fryers are a great way to make vegetable crisps. They are healthier than deep-fried crisps, with less oil, less fat, and fewer calories. You can use a variety of vegetables, such as beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and bell peppers. The key to getting crispy vegetable crisps is to cut the vegetables thinly and evenly, and to ensure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that they cook evenly. You can also add seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil to enhance the flavour. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetable and the thickness of the slices, but on average, it should take around 10 to 30 minutes in an air fryer set between 320-375°F.

Choosing your vegetables

Root vegetables are a popular choice for making veg crisps. Carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are all commonly used to make crispy, crunchy snacks. These vegetables have a higher starch content, so they require a little extra preparation. Before cooking, place the sliced root vegetables in salty water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and ensure crispy results. You can also use other root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or rutabagas.

If you're looking for a quicker option, choose vegetables with lower moisture content, such as zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, or peppers. These vegetables don't require the same starch removal process and can be cooked at a higher temperature for a shorter time.

For a mix of textures, combine firm vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower with tender vegetables like zucchini and peppers. Just be sure to cut the firm veggies into small, thin pieces so that everything cooks evenly.

Once you've selected your vegetables, it's time to slice them. The key to crispy veg crisps is thin, even slices. Aim for a thickness of about 1/16 to 3 millimetres. A mandolin slicer or a thin-bladed sharp knife will help you achieve this.

Now you're ready to move on to the next steps of coating your vegetables in oil and seasonings and then cooking them in the air fryer!

Preparing your vegetables

Firstly, select your vegetables. Root vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes, and even courgettes or kale make excellent choices for veg crisps. Choose colourful options to make your crisps visually appealing. You can also use a mix of firm vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, along with tender vegetables like zucchini or peppers. Just ensure you cut the firmer veggies into small pieces to ensure even cooking.

Once you've chosen your vegetables, it's time to slice them. Use a mandolin or a sharp knife to cut them into thin, even slices, ideally about 3mm thick. For the best results, aim for uniformity in the thickness of your slices. If using beetroot, prepare it last to prevent the colour from running.

After slicing, dry your vegetables thoroughly with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel. Removing excess moisture will help ensure crispy results. You can also try placing the slices on kitchen paper with a pinch of salt and squeezing them with another paper towel to draw out moisture.

Next, season your vegetables. You can use a variety of seasonings to add flavour to your crisps. Try olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, or smoked paprika. Place your vegetables in a large bowl, add your chosen seasonings, and toss to coat them evenly.

Finally, preheat your air fryer. Different vegetables and air fryers may have specific temperature requirements, but generally, preheating to around 360-375°F (180°C) is recommended. Ensure you refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your particular air fryer model.

Now you're ready to place your seasoned vegetables into the air fryer basket and start cooking! Remember to arrange them in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking and browning. Depending on the quantity of vegetables and the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Seasoning your vegetables

There are many ways to season your vegetables before cooking them in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Olive oil

A little olive oil can make your veggies crunchier. It contains various unsaturated fatty acids, which complement a balanced diet. Olive oil blends in perfectly in terms of taste. Alternatively, you can use another cooking oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.

Salt

Salt is a common seasoning for vegetables. You can sprinkle it on the veggies before or after cooking. If you're making beetroot crisps, it's recommended to place the thin vegetable slices in salty water for 30 minutes before cooking.

Pepper

Black pepper is another popular seasoning for vegetables. You can sprinkle it on the veggies before or after cooking.

Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning is a great way to add flavour to your veggies. You can use store-bought Italian seasoning or make your own with dried herbs from your pantry.

Garlic powder

Garlic powder adds a savoury, umami flavour to your veggies.

Smoked paprika

Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavour to your veggies.

Herbs

You can use a variety of herbs to season your veggies, such as mixed herbs, rosemary, or chilli powder.

Spices

In addition to herbs, you can use spices such as caraway seeds or fennel seeds.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch helps to absorb moisture from the veggies and gives them a crispy texture. You can substitute cornstarch with tapioca starch or arrowroot.

When seasoning your vegetables, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations of herbs, spices, and oils. Just remember to not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown.

Cooking your vegetables

The first step to making delicious vegetable crisps is to select your vegetables. Root vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips are excellent options for making crispy veggie chips. You can also use other types of vegetables like zucchini, but keep in mind that they have a higher moisture content and will require a different cooking temperature and time.

Once you've chosen your vegetables, it's time to slice them. Use a chef's knife or a mandoline slicer to cut the vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible, preferably about 3mm thick. The thinner the slices, the crispier the chips will be, and even slices will ensure that all your chips cook at the same rate.

After slicing, you have the option to coat the vegetables in cornstarch or tapioca starch. This step is optional but will help to absorb moisture and give your chips an extra crispy texture. Simply place the sliced vegetables in a large bowl, sprinkle with cornstarch, and toss to coat evenly.

Now it's time to season your chips. Drizzle or spray the vegetable slices with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. Toss to coat, ensuring that each slice is lightly coated in oil. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, caraway seeds, fennel seeds, rosemary, or chilli powder. Give the vegetables another good toss to ensure they are evenly coated in oil and seasonings.

Preheat your air fryer to between 320-375°F (160-180°C). The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the type of vegetables you are using, so feel free to adjust as needed.

Place the seasoned vegetable slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam instead of crisping up, so you may need to work in batches.

Cook the vegetables for 10-30 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and the thickness of your slices. For firmer vegetables like sweet potatoes, the higher end of this range may be necessary. Remember to open the air fryer and give the basket a shake every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent the chips from sticking together.

Your vegetable crisps are ready when they are golden and crispy. Remove them from the air fryer and taste them to see if they need any additional salt or other seasonings. Enjoy your delicious, healthy veggie chips as a snack or a side dish!

Storing your vegetable crisps

Firstly, it is important to let your vegetable crisps cool down completely before storing them. Once they have cooled, place them in an airtight container. If you don't have an airtight container, a resealable plastic bag will also work. Make sure to keep them at room temperature and not in the fridge. They should last for up to 5 days stored this way.

If your vegetable crisps start to lose their crunch, don't worry! You can easily restore their crispness by placing them back into the air fryer for a few minutes before serving. Simply preheat your air fryer and pop them in for 3-5 minutes, or until they regain their desired texture.

It is not recommended to freeze vegetable crisps made in the air fryer, as they will not retain their crisp texture and may become soggy.

By following these simple storage instructions, you can enjoy your delicious and healthy vegetable crisps for several days!

Frequently asked questions