16 Amazing Air Fryer Vegetables Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What vegetables can you not cook in an air fryer? ›

It's important to eat your veggies, and while there are many ways to cook them—the air fryer isn't a good choice for leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, and kale. This is because the speed of the air causes them to heat unevenly.

While nearly any type of food can be prepared in an air fryer, vegetables are by far our favorite. Air Frying vegetables is a quick and easy way to turn healthy food like zucchini, sweet potatoes, and carrots into a fried masterpiece.

To get the very best crispy vegetables with creamy interiors, ATK's Healthy Air Fryer cookbook advises that a mixture of oil and water not only attains a satisfying crunch but also ensures vegetables such as broccoli and fennel don't dry out as they cook and crisp.

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Cons of air fryers

Also, foods can dry out quickly with less fat and higher cooking temps; and they're fairly small so if you plan to cook for more than several people you'll have to do so in batches. Make sure the fryer you purchase is made of BPA-free plastic, since BPA is a carcinogen.

Spray the insert of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Add in vegetables and cook for 8 minutes or until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with parmesan cheese, if desired.

Add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the veggies having to thaw during the cooking process. The circulating air in an air fryer helps to remove the moisture and crisp the veggies. However, they might not have the same amount of crispness as fresh vegetables.

Not preheating the air fryer

When cooking foods that aren't already precooked, such as meats, fish, vegetables or potatoes, preheating is essential to ensure the food doesn't end up soggy.

Steaming is a gentle cooking method that retains the nutrients in food, as well as the natural flavors and colors. It's a great way to cook vegetables, fish, and other delicate foods. Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses hot air to cook food instead of oil.

Do you need to use oil on vegetables in air fryer? ›

While you would typically add oil to a pan before adding your food, the case is not the same when using an air fryer. In a bowl, toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil along with your seasoning before putting it in the air fryer. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are the best place to start your air-fried vegetable journey. They crisp up beautifully and take no time at all. If you're making these for a crowd, we suggest frying them up in batches as overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy results.

Place it in the fryer basket and preheat it for 5 minutes at 400°F (204 °C). Crack an egg to a small cup and slide the egg to the hot pan. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes for a sunny side over easy fried egg. If you prefer a fried egg with medium egg yolk, add 1 more minute to the cooking time.

French fries are arguably the most popular thing to cook in an air fryer. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil as deep-frying, and making French fries in one results in an appreciably crisp exterior and fluffy inside without the greasiness.

An air fryer is a healthier option than deep frying foods and can be an inventive way to fry not only meats and potatoes but other nutritious foods such as broccoli, yams, tofu, or eggs. Compared with deep-frying, using an air fryer can reduce the amount of fat, calories, and potentially harmful compounds in your food.

Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, fatty fish and lean meats are generally just as nutritious in the air fryer as in the oven.

The foods are too light

“So something lightweight like spinach, as it starts to fry, ends up getting up in the heating coil—and then it burns, setting off the smoke alarm.”