28 Amazing Vegetarian Recipes For The Air Fryer

While the two terms fried and healthy don’t typically go together, you’ll be glad to know that there is in fact something known as healthy fried foods.

In this article, we will be exploring air fryer vegetarian recipes to help you achieve your fried food cravings without the added guilt!

You may be wondering, how can fried food be healthy?

Well, the secret weapon here is a magical device known as an air fryer. It provides you with everything you love about fried foods, but without the actual frying.

No messy oil platters, no lingering fried-food regrets, or any greasy aftertastes, achieve all your culinary dreams with this simple machine.

Anyone can enjoy these recipes! Whether you’re a vegetarian, cooking for vegetarians, or looking for healthier options – there’s something here for everyone!

1. Air Fryer Tomatoes

Full of delicious Mediterranean flavors, these air fryer roasted tomatoes are insanely good!

In just under 12 minutes, you’ll be enjoying these decadent, mouth-watering tomatoes which are perfect for a quick breakfast, lunch, or a dinner side dish.

2. Air Fryer French Fries

French fries are among the most popular recipes to make with an air fryer, and this is for good reason, too – they turn out delicious!

Easily create golden, shoestring, crispy fries every day of the week in minutes with an air fryer.

Batter yet? With this recipe, you’ll be receiving restaurant-like quality fries from the space of your very own kitchen.

Cooked in heart-healthy oil, you’ll be rewarded with the most perfect, crispy spuds in approximately 15 minutes.

3. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

You’ll never want regular fries again once you try these zucchini fries!

These crispy, cheese-coated zucchini fries are a great way to get the children, or picky eaters, in your family to eat their vegetables.

4. Sweet Potato Fries

Including more sweet potato fries into your diet is never a bad idea!

Packed with vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are truly a superfood.

The best part? These sweet potato fries are ridiculously delicious, so you’ll be receiving all these benefits without having to force yourself to eat them.

This recipe provides you with everything you could ever want from sweet potato fries: crispy on the outside, but squishy and soft in the middle. You’ll never want regular fries ever again!

5. Air Fryer Asparagus

Once asparagus comes in season, you won’t be able to get enough of this recipe!

Tender, yet crispy asparagus is topped with mouth-watering vegetarian parmesan cheese for the ultimate side dish.

6. Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Try these brussels sprouts with balsamic for a fancier twist to your regular brussels sprouts – perfect for an easy, yet impressive side dish that everyone will love.

The green balls of goodness come out great every time with this recipe; however, you can enhance them with a few simple tweaks.

For one, choose sprouts that are all roughly the same size to allow them to cook evenly. Next, boil them before frying them so that they have a perfectly soft middle.

7. Air Fryer Carrots

This dish is the epitome of spring! Tender savory spice carrots with crispy edges and soft centers make for the perfect side dish that the whole family will enjoy.

With a whole variety of spices, you may be tempted to eat these carrots on their own! From cumin, cilantro, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and allspice, your taste buds are about to be in for a treat.

8. Air Fryer Baked Potato

Baked potatoes are a great meal that everyone enjoys; although, the only downside is that they take forever to cook!

If you don’t have the time available to wait on your baked potatoes, then, for a faster approach, pop them into the air fryer.

Not only will you be rewarded with the softest spuds you have ever tasted, but the ultimate bonus is the skin which turns into a crispy, salty, chewy and extremely delicious addition.

If you’ve never been a fan of potato skin, then you need to try this recipe first.

9. Air Fryer Cauliflower

If you’re a fan of crispy edges, then you’re going to love this recipe!

Cooking your cauliflower in the air fryer is a quick and simple way to achieve a healthy side dish that has all the flavor of an oven-baked cauliflower but in a fraction of the time, it takes to cook.

For this recipe, you’ll want to combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and olive oil with your cauliflower florets, then place them in your air fryers.

The results are a crunchy, crispy cauliflower that contains many delicious textures and flavors.

10. Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Make a great snack or side dish with this air-fried butternut squash recipe! The flavors provide copious amounts of fall nostalgia which will have you eating these for days.

With only three ingredients, you’ll transform your plain butternut squash into little pieces of mouthwatering goodness.

All you need is a light coating of olive oil, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and in 20 minutes, you’ll be rewarded with crispy on the outside, soft in the middle roasted butternut squash cubes.

11. Crispy Chickpeas

Nutritious and crispy, air fryer chickpeas are low in calories yet provide a deliciously satisfying crunch as opposed to calorie-laden nuts or chips. They also work great on salads!

If you want something crunchy and savory without the added calories, then you’re going to love this recipe.

Simply toss your chickpeas with some seasoning and oil, then toss them into the air fryer.

In just 12 minutes, your soft chickpeas will have transformed into crunchy golden balls of goodness.

12. Air Fryer Patatas Bravas

If you’re unfamiliar with patatas bravas, essentially they are a Spanish dish that comprises spicy potatoes in a rich, delicious tomato sauce.

Thanks to the foolproof air fryer, you can now make this Mediterranean meal straight from your kitchen.

All you have to do is cook seasoned potato wedges in the air fryer until they come out a glorious golden brown color, then serve them with a rich, homemade tomato sauce.

13. Air Fryer Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob is synonymous with summer! Reminiscent of the hot scorching days, roasting some on the grill.

However, have you ever tried air frying your corn? Coat your cobs in seasoning and oil then place them straight into your air fryer’s basket.

You’ll be rewarded with flavorful, tender, juicy corn that you won’t be able to get enough of!

14. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Looking for ways to use up your leftover cauliflower before it goes bad, well you’re in luck!

Chop up some cauliflower florets and coat them in a spicy, thick batter then place them in your air fryer.

Just like that, you’ll be rewarded with crispy, addictive, and tangy cauliflower. These are similar to buffalo chicken bites but much better.

15. Air Fryer Garlic Chips

Pungent garlic sometimes demands a required taste that not all your guests will have; however, these garlic chips will be like something you have never tasted before, and in a good way.

Whether you eat them straight from the bowl or crumble them into a meal for a hint of garlic, these suckers definitely pack a punch.

Alternatively, add them to your favorite soups for a crunchy bite with every spoonful.

The great thing about them is that they are incredibly versatile, elevating whatever dish you place them on.

16. Air Fryer Blooming Onion

These onions are carefully cut into segments, coated in batter, and then fried to create a blooming onion masterpiece that may just look slightly too good to eat.

However, in combination with their good looks is their delicious flavors that don’t sacrifice your diet.

You can simply adapt the recipe to suit a more low-carb or gluten-free diet – perfect for the whole family.

17. Air Fryer Toast

Some days, toasting your toast in a regular toaster seems like just too much effort. However, with your handy air fryer, you can achieve delicious results with minimal effort.

Turns out, air fryers are the perfect little contraption for crisping up bread into a glorious crunchy and golden masterpiece. Whoever would’ve thought?!

18. Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

No cornstarch is necessary to make the ridiculously crispy tofu bites. These vegan crispy air-fried tofu taste as if they came straight from the deep fryer but without the added fat.

Tofu is a greatly versatile food that can be added to numerous meals to get your protein fix, and depending on what you cook it with, the flavor is constantly changing.

For this recipe, marinate your tofu in a bowl of soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, and garlic, then toss in the air fryer for delicious results.

19. Air Fryer Buttered Spinach

Spinach is among the most underrated vegetables. However, this is about the change with this recipe.

Turn your spinach from being dull, limp, and tasteless leafy greens into a dreamy, creamy recipe when cooked with masses of butter.

20. Air Fryer Kale Chips

Have you got any kale haters among your friends and family? Well, convert them into kale lovers with this palate-pleasing leafy vegetable that becomes irresistible when air-fried.

Instead of reaching for the potato chips, keep these ones on hand at all times. It will serve the same feeling but without the guilt of the added calories.

21. Air Fryer Okra

People tend to stay away from okra due to its slimy texture; however, this is all avoided when you cook them in an air fryer!

For the best results, coat your vegetables in a batter that will take away any slimy textures. Rather, you will be rewarded with some crispy, mouthwateringly golden bites.

22. Air Fryer Potato Chips

When you buy chips from the store, they are usually loaded with preservatives and added sugars. When you make them at home, you guarantee that nothing bad can be included.

Not only are these chips delicious and crunchy, but the flavor will blow both your taste buds and your mind.

23. Air Fryer Churros

While the thought of cooking churros can be somewhat overwhelming, this recipe couldn’t make the process easier!

A sweet pastry is fried until the outside delivers a crispy, brown texture with a soft, fluffy middle.

24. Air Fryer Eggplant

Gluten-free, low-carb, but oh-so-delicious, these eggplant slices are the perfect appetizer that will have all your veggie lovers falling to their feet.

You can either toss them in a salad or eat them straight from the fryer, the choice is yours!

25. Air Fryer Apple Fries

For the best results, use a crispy variety of apples!

You’ll find no mushiness in these fries, instead, you will receive sweet, crispy wedges – the perfect accompaniment to a decadent meal.

26. Air Fryer Apple Chips

What to have the remaining delicious flavors of chips but don’t damage your diet? Then these apple chips are your next best option.

There are only 48 calories in a single serving, perfect for those watching their weight.

27. Air Fryer Shortbread

This recipe details how to make crumbly, buttery, shortbread perfection in just under 10 minutes.

Pass these out to your friends and family over the holiday season!

28. Air Fryer Grilled Peaches

Yes, even peaches can be air-fried! And the results? Peachy perfection!

Grilling peaches produce an intense, sweet flavor with hints of caramel. Serve with ice cream for the perfect combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is An Air Fryer Useful For Vegetarians?

Yes! Air fryers are great for vegetarians. There is a whole variety of vegetarian options that can be cooked in an air fryer, there is sure to be something that pleases everyone.

Final Thoughts

There are many options when it comes to vegetarian air fryer options. However, all are equally delicious.

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some inspiration for your next vegetarian air fryer creations!