With the increased popularity of air fryers, you might have been wondering if they are a good option for vegetarian meals. Luckily, this is very much the case, as you can easily use an air fryer for vegetables of most varieties, soy products, cheeses, and so on, giving you many vegetarian-friendly options to choose from.
To give you a clearer picture, we will tell you about the best vegetarian ingredients to cook in this kitchen appliance. We will also provide you with some of our very best recipes so you can begin to air-fry vegetarian meals for lunch and dinner.
Easy food types to air fry for vegetarians
The machine's versatile nature makes it a boon for anyone. You can easily prepare a host of flavourful vegetarian foods that go beyond more obvious choices like potato wedges. From vegetables to plant-based protein sources like tofu and tempeh, an air fryer can handle it all.
Vegetables
Vegetables such as courgettes, peppers, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli are highly suitable for air frying. Whether sliced, cut into wedges, or separated into florets these vegetables can quickly get a crispy, golden-brown exterior. Root vegetables, such as carrots and parsnips, also yield good results. Only leafy and watery vegetables such as lettuce and cucumber are unsuited for air-frying, as the heat will wilt them or make them soggy.
The air fryer's ability to handle a diverse range of vegetables makes it a valuable piece of cooking equipment, allowing for the preparation of a variety of plant-based dishes with delicious browned, dehydrated, or roasted vegetables.
Soy products
Soy products like tofu are also good options for an air-fried meal. The efficient hot air circulation cooks the soy products quickly, achieving a crispy exterior and a tender interior in mere minutes. Because many types of tofu are quite firm, they hold their shape well, allowing you to use them in anything from sandwiches to stir-fried meals. Meat substitutes that are similar in texture to soy products, like tempeh, can also be used in vegetarian air fryer recipes.
Cheeses
If you are looking for cheeses to cook in your air fryer, halloumi and paneer are excellent options. Both have high melting points, meaning you can cook them without creating a mess in the machine, as they hold their shape well. It allows you to gain a golden-brown finish on them in just a few minutes and retain a satisfying mouthfeel.
As a bonus, both cheeses are mild and great at absorbing flavours from different seasonings and marinades. As such, you can fry them up and use them in a wealth of vegetarian air fryer recipes ranging from salads and burgers to standalone appetisers and snacks.
Grains and legumes in patties
Since air fryers excel in achieving a crispy, golden-brown exterior in a short time, they are excellent for cooking grain and legume patties for quick and convenient meal options. Great grain choices include slightly sweet polenta and nutty quinoa, while legumes like chickpeas, edamame, and black beans will also work well in many vegetarian air fryer recipes.
Since the air fryer cannot boil grains or legumes, we recommend making patties using binding ingredients like eggs, breadcrumbs, or flaxseeds to make sure they hold their shape as you fry them to golden perfection.
Top 14 vegetarian recipes to make in an air fryer
Now that you know more about how to use your air fryer for vegetarian meals, it is time to get cooking! To help you get started, we have collected our best air fryer vegetable recipes below for you to peruse.
If you need more help to get started on your vegetable-centred culinary adventures, we also have a guide on how to use an air fryer as well as a helpful oven-to-air fryer conversion chart that you might like to consult.
Air fryer fries
come out fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Once you start, it is hard to stop eating. Thanks to the herb-spiked seasoning of garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil, paprika, and a little cayenne, they turn out unbelievably tasty and aromatic. Enjoy them on their own or alongside homemade vegetarian burgers.
Air fryer sweet potato fries
Golden and lightly spicy, these air fryer sweet potato fries balance their natural sweetness with garlic powder and dried chilli flakes. A light dusting of cornflour before cooking makes them perfectly crispy every single time. Serve them as soon as they come out, preferably with your favourite dips on the side.
Air fryer halloumi cheese
Air fryer halloumi emerges with golden edges, a soft bite, and that signature squeak that goes well with a fresh tomato and bean salad or warm flatbreads. The cheese brings a naturally salty richness to the plate, so you can keep sides simple and let the halloumi shine.
Air fryer broccoli
is an incredibly easy and delicious vegetarian side that turns wonderfully toasty and nutty thanks to the mix of butter and rapeseed oil in the air fryer. While it is still hot, we allow the cheese to melt slightly over the florets, then top it with crunchy pumpkin seeds, fresh basil, and a bit of spicy chilli. It is great next to grains and pasta.
Air fryer cabbage
Air fryer cabbage gets a proper glow-up in the air fryer. The pointed cabbage wedges roast to a soft core with ruffled, lightly charred edges after a brush of butter and rapeseed oil. Serve them on a bed of cool crème fraiche and top with toasted hazelnuts, chopped parsley, lemon zest, and a few chilli flakes. Savour it alongside grains or grilled vegetables.
Air fryer falafel
is a true weeknight winner. They are made from chickpeas mixed with parsley, onion, garlic, lemon zest, and warm spices. The air fryer ensures they are perfectly crisp on the outside but stay soft in the middle with a scrumptious aromatic flavour. They are best enjoyed hot in pitta bread with tahini, or added to salads and mezze spreads.
Air fryer corn on the cob
Air fryer corn on the cob is the quickest way to bring those summer barbecue flavours to the table. The plump kernels turn tender and juicy with a light char under the circulating heat, ready to soak up a rich coriander and chilli butter that adds a bright, gently spiced flavour. Serve it straight from the basket with extra butter on the side and a few lime wedges if you like a citrusy counterpoint.
Air fryer cauliflower
Air fryer cauliflower makes a delightful snack, side dish, or main attraction. This vegetarian air fryer recipe is incredibly easy to make and turns gentle, nutty-tasting cauliflower into a feast for the tastebuds and eyes alike. Flavoured with garlic and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and fresh dill, the humble vegetable is elevated to a restaurant-worthy meal, especially when served with a creamy yoghurt dressing with a touch of spice. The air fryer supplies a wonderfully caramelised exterior to ensure great flavour as well as a nice crunch.
Air fryer spring rolls
Air fryer spring rolls are crisp, golden, and packed with flavour. Inside, you will find a mix of mushrooms, cabbage, red pepper, onion, ginger, and garlic. It is a perfect mix of savoury, sweet, and fresh flavours. The air fryer makes the wrappers astonishingly crunchy without the need for deep-frying. Serve them hot with a cool dip made from crème fraiche, sweet chilli sauce, and a splash of soy sauce.
Air fryer vegetables
This colourful mix of air fryer vegetables is all about easy, flexible cooking. The vegetables turn tender with a little char that brings out their natural sweetness. The edges crisp up just enough for a bit of bite, while the centres stay soft and juicy. Serve them as a simple side, add them to grain bowls, or wrap them up for a quick and tasty lunch.
Air fryer beans
While you might not have considered beans particularly snack-worthy in the past, that is about to change. With this easy recipe for air fryer beans, you can use your nifty appliance to make some deliciously crispy bean bites perfect for snacking. The butter beans are flavoured with warm cayenne pepper and herbaceous fresh rosemary and served with a smooth dip with salty, tangy salad cheese and fresh herbs for brightness – a combination sure to make any mouth water.
Air fryer broccoli stems
Another one of our great vegetarian air fryer recipes gives you a quick and easy way to make leftover broccoli stalks into delicious broccoli stems with an air fryer. Breaded with panko breadcrumbs, the tender stalks are given a delightful crunch. Their flavourings consist of rich cheddar cheese and garlic powder for depth. The result is a crispy snack, side dish, or vegetarian main course full of savoury goodness. Serve the air fryer broccoli stems with a tasty dip of your choosing to get a delicious combination of crisp and velvety smooth.
Air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts
Use your air fryer to take a classic vegetable to new heights with this easy recipe. Tender parboiled Brussels sprouts are smashed and fried to crispy, golden perfection in this recipe, which works well for lunch as well as dinner. The subtle nutty and sweet flavour of the Brussels sprouts is enhanced by the addition of cheese for luxurious richness, garlic powder for added complexity, and smoked or spicy paprika for a bit of heat. The result? Cheesy, crispy air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts for you to indulge in.
Air fryer frittata
Our air fryer frittata perfectly showcases how vegetarian air fryer recipes can also feature eggs as a main ingredient. Combine eggs, soured cream, grated cheddar, and baby spinach to make a delicious frittata. The air fryer gives this hearty omelette a beautiful golden-brown surface with a delightfully fluffy interior. The recipe leaves ample room for experimentation, as it can easily be made with a range of leftover vegetables and different spices or herbs.
Vegetarian air fryer recipes FAQs
There are a few common mistakes to watch out for when cooking vegetarian food in an air fryer. The biggest one is overcrowding the basket. Give your food space so the hot air can circulate properly. Cook in batches if you need to, and shake or flip the food halfway through for even browning.
Another mistake is not preheating the air fryer first. Most models benefit from a quick 3–5 minute preheat, which helps your food cook evenly. It also pays to dry your vegetables or other moist ingredients before seasoning, since excess water can cause steaming instead of crisping.
There is a wide range of vegetarian foods that cook well in the air fryer. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes turn beautifully golden with crisp edges and soft centres. Cheese such as halloumi and paneer develops a deliciously browned surface while staying soft inside, making them perfect for quick appetisers or hearty mains. You can also cook tofu and tempeh in the air fryer. They come out with a firm, slightly crispy texture that soaks up marinades and sauces really well.
Keep your vegetables from drying out in the air fryer by tossing them with a little oil before cooking, just enough to coat them lightly and lock in moisture. Avoid setting the temperature too high, as intense heat can dry out the surface before the inside is tender. Cooking in single layers also helps the air circulate properly without overexposing any one side. Finally, do not overcook them; most vegetables are done when they are tender with lightly crisp edges.
Find more air fryer recipes
If these ten recipes have you craving more meat-free meals, take a look at our vegetarian air fryer recipes to round out a full day’s menu. You will also find air fryer breakfast recipes, which are great for busy mornings. Also, explore our air fryer baking and dessert recipes for easy cookies, cakes, and other treats. And if you would like to sharpen your skills, our helpful guides on how to use an air fryer and how to bake in an air fryer will help you cook with confidence.
