How to cook air fryer vegetables: recipes and tips

Cooking vegetables in an air fryer: a guide

Cook crispy, golden air fried vegetables as a side dish, vegetarian entree or an appetizer served with dip. Whether you’re making thin slices of air fried zucchini chips to serve beside a refreshing tzatziki or a balsamic vegetable medley, an air fryer will help you achieve a crispy, mouthwatering and tender result in no time.

While exact steps vary depending on the recipe, you can air fry your favorite veggies by sprinkling with seasoning or breading. Lightly spray the veggies with a bit of oil before tossing them in the basket for a few minutes at the right temperature for a quick and easy recipe.

Get more tips on how to master the art of air frying and explore which one is right for you.

Best vegetables to air fry

While there is a world of delicious vegetables suited to air fryer cooking, there’s a class of them that cook exceptionally well in an air fryer:

• Cauliflower

• Zucchini

• Russet Potatoes

• Brussels Sprouts

• Acorn Squash

• Breaded Green Tomatoes

• Green Beans

• Asparagus

Tools

• KitchenAid^® Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry

• Cooking oil spray

• Salt and pepper (optional)

Step 1: Preheat

Preheat the air fryer and basket at the appropriate cooking temperature per your recipe.

Step 2: Season the vegetables

If desired, sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste. Add additional seasonings according to your recipe, if needed.

Step 3: Spray the basket

Gently spray the air fryer basket with a layer of cooking oil. If your recipe calls for it, spray the vegetables lightly with the cooking oil, as well.

Step 4: Air fry the vegetables

Once the air fryer has preheated, cook the vegetables in the air fryer basket at the desired temperature for the appropriate cook time per your recipe. If your recipe calls for it, flip your veggies by tossing them in the basket before continuing cooking.

With the No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System on select KitchenAid^® countertop ovens it's easy to make delicious air fried recipes using little to no oil, letting you skip this step.

Popular seasonings for air fried vegetables

Salt, pepper and garlic powder can act as a base for getting the seasoning party started. Other popular air fryer vegetable seasonings range from Za’atar and sumac for Middle Eastern flair, dried parsley, oregano and onion powder for a classic Italian flavoring or chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika to turn the heat up, Tex-mex style.

You can find tons of inspiration for seasoning combinations that suit your recipe and the theme, or culinary integrity of whatever dish you're creating. Curry powder, cajun spice, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes can instantly spice up your air fryer vegetables. Get more inspiration by learning how to grind your own spices at home.

Extra toppings for flavor and texture

Extras are the finishing touches that will marry your flavors together to create a cohesive and balanced bite. Try fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley and basil, a squeeze of lemon juice or shavings of lime zest, fried capers, crispy bacon or melty cheese. You can also add texture and crunch with things like candied walnuts and sliced roasted almonds.

Be mindful as you build layer upon layer of flavor. Air fryer vegetables will never be just one note when you choose the right extras.

Air fryer vegetables recipes

Cooking times and temperatures will vary depending on what kinds of air fryer vegetables you plan on making but across the board, recipes will usually call for lightly coating your veggies in oil, seasoning them and placing them in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Let them cook and, if you’re using a baking sheet, flip them or give them a shake at interval cooking times. If you’re using an oven with the 360° Air Fry System and an air fry basket, like the KitchenAid^® Dual Convection Countertop Oven or the KitchenAid^® Digital Countertop Air Fry Oven, then you won’t need to flip or shake your veggies.

Read on to discover some delicious recipes with air fried vegetables that may inspire your own culinary creations.

Crispy zucchini chips

Air fryer zucchini chips make for a quick and easy recipe that works wonderfully as a crispy appetizer or side dish. Serve this crunchy treat with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious treat that’s sure to be a hit with friends and family.

Crunchy brussels sprouts

There's nothing quite like the delightfully crunchy texture of air fried brussels sprouts. Keep things simple with just a bit of salt and pepper, or season vigorously with bold flavors like cayenne or chili pepper.

Parmesan air fried asparagus

Sprinkle parmesan cheese, paprika and garlic salt on top of fresh asparagus spears before placing them in the air fryer for an easy side dish with immense flavor.

Vegetable fries

Parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots and more—any of these vegetables can quickly become a side dish. Cut them into fries and season with salt, pepper and herbs to create the perfect side or snack.

Vegetable medley

Toss your favorite vegetables in your air fryer basket to add them as a delicious topping for your favorite pasta and sauce. Experiment with different veggies like chopped bell peppers for a bit of brightness or mushrooms and garlic cloves for a more hearty flavor.

Veggie air frying tips and faqs

Air frying is a creative way to cook delicious vegetable dishes, and knowing a few added tips will help you get the results you’re looking for every time. Cook your own delicious, air fried dishes with a Digital Countertop Air Fry Oven or Dual Convection Countertop Oven from KitchenAid brand.

Preheat air fryer

Preheat the air fryer before adding your foods. You can do this by simply choosing the temperature and waiting for the oven to chime when it's preheated.

Don't overcrowd the basket

Get the best results by cooking your vegetables in an even layer. Don’t overcrowd the basket with stacks of veggies as it will prevent proper browning and crisping.

Shake and flip vegetables

Some standalone air fryers require you to flip your vegetables or give the basket a good shake about halfway through the cooking process to redistribute them and get more even browning. KitchenAid^® Countertop Ovens with Air Fry have the 360° Air Fry System and include an air fry basket so you don’t need to flip your veggies while they cook.

Check on vegetables periodically

Check on your veggies: As some recipes and air fryers can vary on time and temperature, feel free to keep an eye on your veggies—using the interior light if you have a KitchenAid^® Dual Convection Countertop Oven with Air Fry—to make sure they’re done to perfection.

How to cook tender vegetables

Tender vegetables like air fried zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli and green beans follow a similar guideline to one another for time and temperature. For air fried cauliflower and zucchini, you’ll want to preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Toss or spray the vegetables with oil and place as evenly as possible in a single layer before cooking for 10-12 minutes.

How to cook firm vegetables

For firm vegetables like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, butternut squash and rutabaga start by peeling and chopping them into uniform size pieces. Keep in mind that smaller pieces will cook faster. Follow your recipe for preheating instructions that will likely be between 350°F-400°F. Next, toss or spray them with oil, add seasoning and place them in a single layer to put into the air fryer. Firm vegetables will usually take between 15-30 minutes depending on size. Top them with extras like chopped scallions, parmesan cheese or a drizzle of honey.

Do you need oil for an air fryer?

The primary benefit of air frying is reduced use of oil, which can help to cook meals that are lower in fat and calories compared to traditional deep frying. Most recipes will only require a bit of cooking oil or spray when air frying food.

What are the best oils for an air fryer?

Because of their different smoking points—the temperature at which oil begins to smoke—certain kinds of oils are better for air frying than others. Avocado oil, ghee and extra light olive oil make great choices due to their high smoking points. Next in line would be soybean oil, coconut oil, peanut oil and vegetable oil.

How to cook frozen vegetables

If you’ve frozen some veggies you grew in your garden, air frying them is a great way to cook up a dish that’s full of flavor. Don’t let the veggies thaw as they can become watery. Spray your vegetables on all sides with oil then place them straight into your air fry tray or basket in a single layer. Give them an extra spray of oil and top with a sprinkling of seasoning before placing them in your air fry oven. Then air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, checking intermittently until crispy.

While fresh seasonal vegetables are ideal, there’s no denying the convenience of frozen vegetables. The challenge is getting them to taste great. Transform your frozen vegetables into a crisp and delicious side dish using your air fryer. With an air fryer, you can get the crispy, lightly charred results you’re looking for.

Is air fried food healthy?

With air frying, there’s less of a need to immerse foods in hot oil to create the desired crispy texture thanks to the rapidly circulating hot air of the oven that crisps and browns food. Because air fryers require only a few tablespoons of oil, or none at all, they can be considered a healthier cooking method than frying in oil. While steaming vegetables like green beans is still the healthiest option, air frying is a close second.