Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes: Easy, Healthy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious vegetarian food without the extra calories. They are easy to use, convenient, and cook food in less time with less oil, making them healthier than deep frying.

There are many vegetarian dishes you can make in an air fryer, from snacks and side dishes to desserts and vegetable curries. You can air fry anything from buffalo cauliflower wings, popcorn nuggets, and sweetcorn fritters to halloumi, French fries, and roast potatoes.

If you're looking for a fried food with minimal oil, air fryers are the way to go. They give you the same texture and flavor as traditional frying but with much less oil and cooking time.

Crispy tofu

Ingredients:

• 1 block (12 oz/350 grams) firm or extra firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Drain the tofu and tear it into 2-inch pieces. Place the tofu pieces in a medium bowl.
• In a small saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Pour it over the tofu and leave it for 5 minutes. (This draws out excess moisture, making the tofu crispier.)
• Drain the tofu and thoroughly blot it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Dry the bowl it was soaking in as well.
• In the medium bowl, toss the tofu pieces with the avocado oil, Tamari (or light soy sauce), and pepper. Once coated, sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and arrowroot starch (or cornstarch) and resume tossing until you can't see any white, powdery bits anymore.
• Give the air fryer basket a quick spray with the spray oil. Then, transfer the coated pieces of tofu to your air fryer basket, ensuring each piece has a bit of space. Set the timer for 15 minutes and pop the basket in.
• Shake the basket every 5 minutes to evenly brown and crisp up the tofu. It is done when it's evenly deep golden brown and super crispy on all sides.

Tips:

• If you want to make the tofu even crispier, you can press it before cooking to remove excess water. You can buy a tofu press, or use a cast-iron skillet or a stack of books.
• You can switch up the seasonings to suit your taste or the dish you are serving the tofu with. Try Italian seasoning with dried parsley, oregano and basil, or a mix of za'atar, sumac, and garlic powder.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tofu in the oven, although the texture may differ.

Air-fried halloumi

Ingredients

• Halloumi cheese
• Olive oil
• Dried thyme or other dried herbs/spices (optional)

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F). While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the halloumi by slicing it into thin, equally thick pieces. You should get around 8-9 slices from an 8oz block. Lightly brush each slice of halloumi with olive oil and sprinkle with dried thyme or other dried herbs/spices if desired. Remember, halloumi is quite salty, so be careful not to over-season.

Next, place the halloumi slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. Cook for 7-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until the halloumi is softened and starting to brown around the edges.

Serving Suggestions

Storing

You can store leftover halloumi in the fridge for 1-2 days. It will lose some of its crispy exterior, but it will still taste great, especially as a salad topping.

Air-fried veggies

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They're quick, easy, and produce a delicious, healthy side dish with minimal prep time. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your air fryer when cooking veggies.

Choosing Your Veggies

Select a mix of firm and tender vegetables. Firm veggies like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower should be cut into small pieces to ensure even cooking. Tender veggies like zucchini, peppers, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans are also great choices. Avoid tough root vegetables like beets or sweet potatoes, as they require a longer cook time.

Seasoning

Coat your veggies in extra-virgin olive oil, which helps them brown and soften in the air fryer. For seasoning, you can use Italian seasoning (either store-bought or a mix of dried herbs), garlic powder for umami flavor, and salt and pepper to taste.

Prepping the Air Fryer

Chop your chosen veggies and place them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat the veggies evenly. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, so arrange the veggies in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Cooking

Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss the veggies halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Repeat with any remaining veggies.

Serving

Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the air-fried veggies and top with fresh parsley. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan for an extra savory touch.

Additional Tips

• Size matters: Ensure even cooking by cutting firm veggies into small pieces.
• Don't crowd the basket: Allow hot air to circulate by not overcrowding the basket. Work in batches if needed.
• Adapt the recipe: Feel free to use different veggies and experiment with seasonings to find your favorite combinations.

Air Fryer Veggie Recipes

Now that you know the basics, here are some delicious veggie recipes to try in your air fryer:

• French Fries
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts
• Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips
• Roasted Potatoes
• Green Beans with Garlic (Chinese-style)
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Pakora (Onion and Potato Fritters)
• Air Fryer Cucumber Chips
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Sweet potato fries

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes (preferably not too long)
• 2 teaspoons of olive oil or any neutral-tasting oil such as avocado or canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt or sea salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• Black pepper to taste

Method:

There are two methods to making sweet potato fries in an air fryer. The first method is quicker but requires cooking in batches and produces less crispy fries. The second method takes longer, cooks the fries in one batch, and results in crispier fries.

Method 1:

• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/4-inch thick slices. Try to cut them evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
• Toss the sweet potato slices with the oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika. Make sure each slice is well-coated.
• Preheat your air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
• Place the sweet potato slices into the air fryer basket in 2 or 3 batches, ensuring you do not overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry at 380°F for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Method 2:

• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/4-inch thick slices, just like in Method 1.
• Submerge the sweet potato slices in a large bowl of hot tap water for 10 minutes. Then, drain the potatoes, pat them dry with a paper towel, and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Toss the sweet potatoes with 1 teaspoon of oil in a clean, dry bowl, and then place them all into the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes, and then shake the basket and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes back to the bowl and toss them with the remaining oil, salt, and spices.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil and return the sweet potatoes to the basket.
• Increase the temperature to 380°F and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crisp.
• Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can adjust the spices according to your preference. For a smokier flavour, use smoked paprika. For some heat, add cayenne pepper. You can also experiment with cajun seasoning, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice.
• For even cooking, cut the sweet potatoes into similar sizes and do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook in batches.
• It is important to shake or turn the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crisping.
• If you are cooking in batches, you can place all the batches back into the air fryer for 1 minute to ensure everything is hot at the same time.
• Don't be afraid to open the air fryer and check on the fries to prevent overcooking or undercooking. Adjust the cooking time as needed, depending on the thickness of your fries.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy sweet potato fries!

Air-fried snacks

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious snacks with minimal oil. Here are some vegetarian snack ideas that you can make in an air fryer:

Crispy vegetables

Air fryers are perfect for making crispy vegetables, such as:

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Zucchini
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms

Breads

You can also use an air fryer to make delicious breads and toast, such as:

• Garlic bread
• French toast
• Blueberry cottage cheese toast
• Apple pie toast

Proteins

For protein-rich snacks, you can air fry:

• Tofu
• Halloumi
• Paneer

Fruits

Fruits such as bananas, peaches, and pineapple can be air-fried for a sweet treat.

Other snacks

Other snack ideas include:

• Crispy chickpeas
• Fritters
• Chips, such as cucumber, beet, or carrot chips

Frequently asked questions