Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. For those embracing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, air fryers can be a game-changer, allowing you to create delicious, crispy dishes with minimal oil.
Here are some mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan air fryer recipes that are easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.
1. Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Marinate: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss the tofu cubes in the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Coat: Sprinkle the cornstarch over the marinated tofu and toss again until each piece is well-coated.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The tofu should be golden and crispy.
- Serve: Enjoy the crispy tofu as a snack or add it to salads, stir-fries, or grain bowls.
2. Vegan Air Fryer Falafel
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking powder, flour, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is well combined but still slightly chunky.
- Form Patties: Shape the mixture into small balls or patties, about the size of a golf ball.
- Preheat and Spray: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the falafel balls with cooking spray.
- Cook: Place the falafel in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The falafel should be crispy and golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the falafel with pita bread, hummus, or a fresh salad.
3. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded vegan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture. If using, top with shredded vegan cheese.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
- Serve: Serve the stuffed peppers hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or avocado slices.
4. Vegan Air Fryer Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Spring roll wrappers
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well.
- Assemble Spring Rolls: Lay out a spring roll wrapper on a clean surface. Place about 2 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture near one corner. Fold the corner over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Seal the edge with a bit of water.
- Preheat and Spray: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the spring rolls with cooking spray.
- Cook: Place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the spring rolls with your favorite dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce or soy sauce.
5. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Place the sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fries should be crispy and golden.
- Serve: Serve the sweet potato fries hot, with your favorite dipping sauce.
6. Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to form a batter.
- Coat Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
- Toss in Sauce: In a large bowl, toss the cooked cauliflower wings with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the cauliflower wings hot, with celery sticks and vegan ranch dressing.
7. Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Prepare Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat Zucchini: Spray the zucchini slices with cooking spray, then press each slice into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the zucchini slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Serve: Serve the zucchini chips hot, with a dipping sauce of your choice.
8. Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded vegan cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare Coating: In separate bowls, place flour, plant-based milk, and a mixture of breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat Eggplant: Dip each eggplant slice into the flour, then the milk, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat well.
- Preheat and Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the eggplant slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Assemble and Cook: In a baking dish, layer the cooked eggplant slices, marinara sauce, and shredded vegan cheese. Return the dish to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Serve the eggplant parmesan hot, garnished with fresh basil.
Wrapping it up, these vegetarian and vegan air fryer recipes are not only healthy but also incredibly delicious and easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned plant-based eater or just looking to incorporate more meatless meals into your diet, these recipes are sure to impress.
Enjoy the benefits of air frying with these tasty dishes, and happy cooking!
