Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a great way to cook veggies, giving them a crispy texture without the need for deep frying. They are cooked using hot air circulated around the food in a small compartment, which means less oil is required. You can use a variety of vegetables, including zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, green beans, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and more. To make veggie fries, simply chop your chosen vegetables into fry shapes, toss them in olive oil and seasonings, and air fry for 10-20 minutes, depending on the vegetable. For potatoes and sweet potatoes, it is recommended to soak them in water for 30 minutes before frying to remove excess starch and achieve a crispier texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350-375°F |
| Vegetables | Zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, parsnips, heirloom carrots, asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, avocado, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes, beets, winter squash, acorn squash, butternut squash, radishes, pattypan squash, patty pan squash, cucumber |
| Seasoning | Olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, rosemary, cornmeal, lemon juice, fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, ghost pepper salt, chili peppers, summer squash, breading, balsamic vinegar |
| Time | 10-30 minutes |
What You'll Learn
How to prepare your veggies for the air fryer
Preparing your veggies for the air fryer is simple!
First, select your vegetables. You can use pretty much any veggie, but some good options for veggie fries include sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
Once you've chosen your veggies, it's time to prep them. Cut them into uniform sticks or slices, aiming for a thickness of about 1/2 an inch. If you're making potato or sweet potato fries, it's a good idea to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness. After cutting, place the veggies in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Toss well to coat.
Some popular seasoning options include:
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Rosemary
- Parmesan cheese
- Cornmeal
After your veggies are seasoned, they're ready for the air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Set the air fryer to 350-375°F and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the vegetable and desired crispiness. For best results, shake or toss the veggies halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
And that's it! With just a few simple steps, you'll have delicious, crispy veggie fries made right in your air fryer.
Make Breaded Chicken in an Air Fryer: Secrets Revealed!
You may want to see also
The best temperature to cook veggie fries in an air fryer
The optimal temperature for cooking veggie fries in an air fryer is between 350°F and 380°F (180°C to 190°C). At this temperature, your veggie fries will emerge crispy and golden brown.
When cooking veggie fries in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the vegetables are cut into even-sized pieces, preferably around 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. This will ensure that they cook evenly. You should also avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and cook the veggies in batches if necessary.
For root vegetables, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, it is recommended to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch. This will result in crispier fries. Be sure to pat them dry thoroughly before tossing them with oil and seasonings.
Additionally, it is important to stir or shake the veggies every few minutes during cooking to ensure even browning and to prevent burning.
By following these tips and cooking your veggie fries at the optimal temperature, you'll achieve delicious, crispy results!
Air Fryer Extension Cord Use: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
How long to cook veggie fries in an air fryer
The cooking time for veggie fries in an air fryer depends on the type of vegetable, the model of the air fryer, and personal preferences for crispiness. Most vegetables will cook in an air fryer within 10 to 30 minutes.
Tender Veggies
Tender vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus, cook faster than firmer vegetables. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Chop the veggies to the desired size and optionally drizzle them with olive oil for a more roasted taste. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to promote even cooking.
Firm Veggies
Firm vegetables, such as root vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips) and winter squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin), take longer to cook. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Chop the veggies into smaller pieces to promote even cooking. Optionally drizzle them with olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
Potato and Sweet Potato Fries
Potato and sweet potato fries generally take longer to cook than other tender vegetables but shorter than firmer ones. For crispier results, soak the potatoes in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to draw out excess starch. Then, pat them dry thoroughly and toss them with oil and seasonings. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/380°F (182°C). Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each fry. Air fry for 12 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway. The exact cooking time will depend on the desired crispiness and the model of the air fryer.
Air-Fried Crustless Quiche: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
The best veggies to make fries with
Veggie fries are a great way to get your fix of crispy, crunchy snacks without the guilt of regular fries. You can make fries out of almost any vegetable, but some of the most popular options include:
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato fries are a classic for a reason. They have a natural sweetness that makes them a real treat, and they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Carrots
Carrot fries are another great option, especially if you like your snacks on the sweeter side. Try adding a pinch of harissa for a savoury kick.
Parsnips
With their firm texture and sweet, earthy flavour, parsnips are another excellent candidate for fries. Toss them in rosemary for an extra special touch.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that can be turned into delicious, crispy fries. Try making Cajun-style fries for a spicy kick.
Zucchini
Zucchini, or courgette, fries are a tasty and healthy alternative to regular fries. Cut them into 3-inch sections, then cut each tube into 6 spears, and you're good to go.
Beets
Beet fries are packed with sweet, earthy flavour. Just be aware that they might require a longer cook time than some other vegetables.
Eggplant
Eggplant has a medium-soft texture that benefits from a breaded coating to help the fries keep their shape.
Green Beans
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fries, green bean fries are a great option. They come out of the air fryer extra crunchy and are a fun way to get your veggies in.
Broccoli
Broccoli florets are another vegetable that can be turned into delicious, crispy fries in the air fryer. Just be sure to cut them into small enough pieces so they cook through properly.
Cauliflower
Like broccoli, cauliflower florets make excellent veggie fries. You can even make them extra special by trying out a buffalo sauce or coating them in parmesan.
Jicama
Jicama is a type of turnip that makes excellent fries. They have a mild flavour and a crisp bite, and they benefit from the addition of smoked paprika.
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak: Quick, Crispy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
How to make frozen veggie fries in an air fryer
Ingredients
- Frozen veggies of your choice (see below for suggestions)
- 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Any other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, rosemary)
Method
- Set your air fryer to 350-375°F.
- Prepare your frozen veggies. For fries, cut them into 1/2-inch sticks. For other shapes, cut them into evenly sized pieces. Place the veggies into a bowl.
- Drizzle the veggies with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Toss well to combine.
- Place the veggies into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and the size of the pieces. Stir or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy your crispy, healthy veggie fries!
Tips
- For potatoes or sweet potatoes, soak them in water for 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch, then pat them dry with paper towels.
- For firmer vegetables like root veggies or winter squash, cut them into smaller pieces to reduce the cooking time.
- Give space between your frozen veggies to ensure they cook properly.
- You can cook a variety of frozen veggies in the air fryer, including:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Pumpkin
- Eggplant
Quickly Warming Up Chicken in Your Air Fryer
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 350-375°F (180-190°C).
Most veggie fries will be done in 10-15 minutes. Firmer vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots may take up to 20-30 minutes.
Chop your veggies into uniform, bite-sized pieces. For potatoes and sweet potatoes, soak them in water for 30 minutes before patting them dry and tossing them with oil and seasonings. For other veggies, you can optionally drizzle them with olive oil before air frying.
