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

Is an air fryer good for vegan food? ›

Air fryers give you the ability to prep a larger volume of food at once, and use minimal pieces of equipment while doing so. Alongside that, they're a dream for prepping vegan protein sources like tofu, tempeh, or your favourite plant-based meat alternative.

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 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

Is there a negative to using air fryer? ›

High-temperature cooking can still lead to the formation of harmful compounds like acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Preserves more essential vitamins and minerals compared to traditional frying. Some heat-sensitive nutrients may still be lost during air frying.

Is it worth buying an air fryer if you are vegetarian? ›

Air-fryers are brilliant for embracing low-energy cooking and an easy way for vegetarians to give new veggie recipes a go. We've gathered together the best vegetarian air-fryer recipes for you, so get cooking!

Why is Airfryer not healthy? ›

Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting. Acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen based on the results of studies in laboratory animals.

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's the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

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.

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

6 things I wish I'd known before I bought an air fryer
  • Air fryers do not fry. Deep fried foods: not like air fried ones. ...
  • The air fryer parts you use most are easy to clean but the outer parts… not so much. ...
  • There's a war going on in the air fryer community! ...
  • Air fryers can be quite large.

What food Cannot use air fryer? ›

Here, experts have broken down 11 things you should avoid putting in an air fryer to keep your machine working.
  • What can you not put in an air fryer? ...
  • Water. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Roast chicken. ...
  • Wet batter. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Vegetables with low water content such as broccoli and fresh greens. ...
  • Loose seasoning and breadcrumbs.
Jan 7, 2023

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.

Can you put raw meat in an airfryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Can you cook vegan meat in an air fryer? ›

I finally tried my hand at cooking a vegan roast (frozen) in the air-fryer and it came out GREAT! As you see in the picture, wrap in foil and cook for 90 mins @400° followed by 10 more minutes uncovered. Came out crisp and cooked all the way through!

Why bother with an air fryer? ›

'Air fryers heat much faster, so little preheating is needed; money and energy could be saved at that point,' says Ben. He adds that 'Air fryers also use less oil, so the ingredient savings could offset some energy costs. '

Can vegan food be fried? ›

Firstly, to ensure there's no cross-contamination and your food is suitable for Vegans, it's important to use separate fryers for animal and non-animal-based products. Next, it's also important to make sure that your fryer is set to the correct temperature for whatever specific plant-based foods you're frying.

Is An air fryer Eco Friendly? ›

Air fryers are generally more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, especially for cooking small quantities of food. For example, cooking chicken in an air fryer can use less than half the energy an oven requires.

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