10 easy vegan air fryer recipes (2024)

Features

by Rachel Deeley

published on 20 December 2023

10 easy vegan air fryer recipes (1)

Whether you’re the proud owner of a brand-new air fryer or waiting for the next chance to plug yours back in, it’s no secret that these beloved kitchen appliances are a brilliant way to make your favourite meals, snacks, and baked goods whilst saving you time, energy, and even cooking oil.

Air fryers can also make it easier to follow a vegan diet, offering a failsafe way to cook staples like tofu, cauliflower, and potatoes to perfection. Below, we’ve rounded up 10 mouth-watering recipes that prove plant-based cooking needn’t be complicated or boring.

Air Fryer Sticky Sesame Tofu Tacos and Slaw

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

Sticky, sweet, umami, and fresh – this easy midweek meal comes together in just 30 minutes and is perfect for feeding a crowd.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Niki Webster

Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce and Chickpeas

by Niki Webster

This flavour-packed take on the humble cauliflower steak includes a versatile romesco sauce that easily doubles as a tomato-based substitute for pesto in pasta dishes.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Jacket Potato Boats with Harissa Beans

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

Who says jacket potatoes have to be boring? These crispy baked potatoes are loaded with flavour and protein thanks to the smoky harissa bean topping.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Spicy Tofu Noodles

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

Get ready to ditch the takeaway apps with this comforting noodle recipe, complete with perfectly crispy marinated tofu pieces and a punchy gochujang sauce.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Choc Chip and Pistachio Cookies

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

These super-simple cookies come together with just a handful of ingredients. A few minutes in the air fryer will turn them perfectly crunchy on the outside yet soft and gooey on the inside.

Air Fryer Chimichurri-Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

As well as being a great healthy snack or side dish, this recipe includes a fresh and flavour-packed chimichurri sauce that pairs beautifully with roasted veg.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Courgette and Sweetcorn Fritters with Sesame Sauce

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

Looking to step up your brunch game? These light yet crispy fritters are easy to make in batches and come with a simple – yet deliciously savoury – dipping sauce.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cauliflower, Potato and Pea Curry

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

By quickly air-frying the veg before adding it to the curry base, this recipe helps you save time while maximising flavour – making it the ideal go-to for an easy midweek dinner.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Air Fryer Tofu and Chips

by Niki Webster

from The Vegan Air Fryer

Perfect for when you’re craving fish and chips (or a fish finger sandwich), these breaded tofu pieces make the perfect plant-based “fakeaway”.

From the book

The Vegan Air Fryer

Bored of Lunch’s Air-fried ‘Roast’ Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary

by Nathan Anthony

from Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book

Crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, these roasties require just a couple of ingredients and are entirely plant-based.

From the book

Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book

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10 easy vegan air fryer recipes (25)

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10 easy vegan air fryer recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

How to Cook and Season the Best Air-Fryer Foods With Ease
  • Chicken Breasts. Everyone has cooked or eaten a rubbery, dried-out chicken breast and there's just nothing about that experience that you want to repeat. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Zoodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
  • Salmon (chopped) ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Personal Pizzas. ...
  • Frozen Cauliflower.
Feb 18, 2020

What is the best air fryer for vegan cooking? ›

📋 Best Air Fryers (table)
Air Fryer for VegansCapacityTemperature
Philips Viva Collection Airfryer XXL7.3L80°C – 200°C
COSORI Air Fryer4.7L75°C – 230°C
Pro Breeze Air Fryer4.2L80°C – 200°C
Phillips Air Fryer 5000 Series XL6.2L60 – 200°C
4 more rows
Jun 22, 2023

Are air fryers worth it for vegans? ›

Also, most of us have an oven, so there is no urgent need. However, if you use oil and would like to use less oil, then an air fryer is a great addition. If you are an oil-free vegan, then an air fryer will give the bite, crisp and texture of fried food, without a single drop of oil.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What is the first thing I should try in my air fryer? ›

What are the first things you should cook in your new air fryer? Steak, chicken or fish will come out amazing. So will roasted vegetables or homemade fries. Potato fries, sweet potato fries, and even carrot or apple fries are all delicious, healthy and pretty easy.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.

What is number 1 air fryer? ›

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer has impressed us time and time again as the best air fryer available. It's the right balance of a generous capacity with a manageable overall size, boasts the blasting convection power necessary for crispy results, and, of course, has a user-friendly interface.

What is the easiest meat to air fry? ›

Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

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.

What is better than an air fryer? ›

An air fryer is usually limited to the convection-like air frying function, while a toaster oven or countertop oven can offer a wider range of functions such as broil, roast and bake. Some countertop ovens even feature an Air Fry setting, maximizing your appliance's functions.

What is the downside of an Airfryer? ›

Air fryers have a limited cooking capacity compared to traditional ovens or deep fryers, making them unsuitable for larger families or cooking larger portions.

Why is air fried food not healthy? ›

In one study, air frying of fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases.

Why restaurants don t use air fryers? ›

Not Enough Volume Capacity

However, most air fryers don't offer the same capabilities as traditional commercial kitchen equipment due to their size and speed. Larger, deep, or open air fryers can cook more food items at a time, leading to a faster service rate.

How to use air fryers for beginners? ›

How to Use an Air Fry Oven
  1. SET UP YOUR AIR FRYER. Before you dive into your first recipe, take a few minutes to properly prepare your air fryer for use. ...
  2. PREPARE FOOD. ...
  3. SELECT SETTINGS. ...
  4. PREHEAT. ...
  5. SELECT AIR FRYER COOKING TIME. ...
  6. SHAKE OR FLIP FOOD. ...
  7. REMOVE FOOD. ...
  8. CLEAN YOUR AIR FRYER OVEN.

What do I wish I knew before I get an air fryer? ›

What I wish I had known before buying an air fryer
  • They're not foolproof. ...
  • They don't fry. ...
  • And they're more versatile than I first thought. ...
  • They need a lot of cleaning.
Apr 24, 2024

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