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 6 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 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 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 broccoli
Another one of our great vegetarian air fryer recipes gives you a quick and easy way to make leftover broccoli stalks into delicious broccoli fries 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 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 sweet potatoes
An obvious use of your kitchen gadget is, of course, making delicious homemade fries. While classic potato fries are tasty, these air fryer sweet potatoes are terrific when you want something a little more adventurous. They are flavoured with ginger and lime-infused butter and served with fresh herbs and crumbled salad cheese. The combination of delectable toppings is zingy, bright, and salty, in other words, a terrific match for the sweet, colourful potatoes. Try the fries as a delicious side dish or enjoy it as a starter.
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.
