Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of vegan dishes. From snacks and appetisers to mains and desserts, air fryers can be used to make healthy, delicious, and crispy vegan food with minimal oil. This includes tofu, pizza, pastries, cookies, and more. Air fryers are also suitable for those on specific diets, such as paleo, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb. With reduced cooking times and intensified flavours, air fryers are a convenient and innovative way to cook plant-based meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Baking, frying, grilling, roasting |
| Food type | Appetizers, desserts, mains, sides, snacks |
| Diet | Dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, keto, low-carb, paleo, vegan |
| Food | Asparagus, bananas, biscuits, bread, Brussels sprouts, cakes, calzones, carrots, cauliflower, chickpeas, chocolate chip cookies, eggplant, falafel, fries, mushrooms, onion rings, pasta, pastries, pizza, potatoes, tofu, zucchini |
| Cooking time | 8-18 minutes |
| Benefits | Crispy texture, healthier, less cooking time, less fat, tender |
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Vegan cookies and desserts
Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to cook a wide range of vegan dishes, including cookies and desserts.
Vegan Cookies
Vegan chocolate chip cookies can be made in an air fryer and are a great option for those who are short on time, as they can be baked in just 10 to 15 minutes. The cookies are rich, sweet, soft, and chewy, with a crispy exterior. The dough doesn't need to be chilled before baking, but it is recommended for optimal results. To make the cookies, simply mix the ingredients together, fold in the chocolate chips, and scoop the dough into the air fryer basket lined with greaseproof paper.
Vegan Desserts
In addition to cookies, there are several other vegan desserts that can be made in an air fryer:
- Air-fried peaches served with vegan ice cream or yogurt
- Small-batch brownies to satisfy chocolate cravings
- Falafels – a healthier alternative to deep-fried falafels
- Zucchini chips – a versatile snack that can be made gluten-free, low-carb, keto, or whole30
- Brussels sprouts – a super-easy cooking method with added flavourings such as chilli
- Oyster mushrooms – a tender and meaty option with a delicate flavour, perfect as a vegan 'chicken' substitute
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Tofu and seitan
Tofu
Tofu is a plant-based protein source made from soybeans. It is a popular ingredient in vegan and vegetarian cooking due to its ability to absorb flavours and its high protein content. When cooking tofu in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that it is not silken tofu, as this will yield the wrong texture and break apart. Instead, opt for extra-firm tofu. Pressing the tofu before cooking it will also help to create a chewier texture. This can be done by wrapping the tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels, placing a heavy cast-iron skillet on top, and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
To cook tofu in an air fryer, cut the pressed tofu into cubes and season with a variety of spices and oils. Avocado oil and cornstarch are recommended to create a crispy texture. Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space around each cube to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Seitan
Seitan is another plant-based protein source that is popular among vegans and vegetarians. It is made from wheat gluten and has a chewy texture similar to meat. When cooked in an air fryer, seitan goes through two baking cycles. First, the seitan is mixed and shaped to fit the air fryer basket. It is then cut in half and cooked until it becomes puffy. After the first bake, it can be cut into strips and tossed with sauce before being cooked again. This two-step process creates a chewy texture that is perfect for vegan riblets.
Some recipes recommend using a food processor to mix the seitan, while others suggest kneading it by hand. The cooking temperature and time may vary depending on the air fryer model, but a general guideline is to cook the seitan at 370°F for 8 minutes, flip it over, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Both tofu and seitan are versatile proteins that can be cooked in an air fryer to create a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. With the right techniques and seasonings, they can be crispy, chewy, and full of flavour.
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Vegan pizzas
You can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own. If you're making your own, the dough will need to rest for about 20-30 minutes after removing it from the refrigerator. In the meantime, you can make a parchment paper insert to ensure the crust doesn't stick to the air fryer. Cut the dough in half and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of under 0.5 cm. You can cut around the edges of the dough for neat edges and to ensure it fits in your air fryer.
Once you have your pizza base, you can add your sauce of choice. This could be a marinara, BBQ sauce, or a white sauce. Then, add your toppings. You can use vegan cheese, or if you prefer not to use cheese, you can use something creamy like an olive tapenade or roasted red pepper spread to help the vegetables adhere to the dough. Popular vegan pizza toppings include mushrooms, artichoke hearts, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and black olives.
Finally, cook your pizza in the air fryer! Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place the pizza base in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 6 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden. Then, add your toppings and cook for another 4 minutes. Rotate the basket and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
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Vegan snacks
Air fryers are a great way to make vegan snacks with minimal oil and maximum flavour. You can make anything from cookies to pizza, and everything in between. Here are some ideas for vegan snacks to cook in your air fryer:
Crispy Air-Fryer Potato Balls
These potato balls are a great alternative side dish for a gathering. They are fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. You can also make rosemary potatoes, which are a delicious side for any main course.
Air Fryer Cookies
Cookies are a great dessert option and can be made in a variety of flavours. You can make stuffed chocolate chip cookies, or even Easter cookies with leftover chocolate.
Air Fryer Tofu
Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many ways in an air fryer. You can make tofu skewers, tofu nuggets, or even buffalo tofu, which has a similar texture to cheese sticks.
Air Fryer Chips
Chips are a classic snack option and can be made in a variety of ways in an air fryer. You can make sweet potato fries, carrot fries, or even jicama fries, which are a great potato substitute.
Air Fryer Veggies
Veggies are a healthy snack option and can be cooked in a variety of ways in an air fryer. You can make asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or even veggie chips.
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Vegan mains
There are plenty of vegan mains that can be cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:
Tofu Skewers
The Online Farmer's Market's tofu skewers are a tasty and simple supper option. The marinade is packed with flavour, and the air fryer makes the tofu extra crispy.
Eggplant Parmesan
This recipe from The Veg Life is a good option if you're looking for something more substantial. It involves dredging eggplant slices in a delicious coating before air-frying.
Air Fryer Lentil Meatballs
Jackie's nut-free and egg-free lentil meatballs are a great vegan option, packed with protein and flavour. They're coated in a rich barbecue sauce and cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy crowd-pleaser.
Sesame-Crusted Tofu
This tofu dish from Forks Over Knives is a succulent, oil-free stir-fry. The tofu is air-fried and then served with fork-tender veggies in an orange-infused, Chinese-style brown sauce. Serve it over brown rice or another cooked whole grain.
Crispy Breaded Portobello Mushroom Burgers
These mushroom burgers from Forks Over Knives are a great option for carnivores and vegans alike. Serve them with cashew-based Thousand Island Aioli.
Air Fryer Potatoes
These potatoes from The Plant Based School are an excellent side dish with a tender, almost buttery core and a crispy, salty skin. Cut them into bite-sized chunks, toss them in olive oil, and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary before air-frying.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make carrot fries, jicama fries, or sweet potato fries. You can also make yuca fries, which are creamy in the middle and crispy on the outside.
You can make air fryer cookies, apple chips, banana chips, or even eggplant parmesan. You can also make tofu nuggets, which you can serve with a dipping sauce or in pita bread.
You can make tofu skewers or breaded portobello mushroom burgers. You can also make oyster mushrooms, which are a great substitute for meat in appetizers.
You can make onion rings, which are super crispy and can be made without oil. You can also make vegan hush puppies, which are crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
You can make calzones with a flaky pastry pouch stuffed with tender veggies and a cheesy sauce, all without dairy and oil. You can also make falafels, which are healthier and crispier than deep-fried ones.
