10 Quick and Easy Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

One of the main appeals of using an air fryer is the ability to achieve a crispy texture without as much oil. An air fryer works similarly to a convection oven—by circulating hot air around food, which browns the exterior.

Using an air fryer is simple, making it easier than ever to make delicious, healthy recipes in a short amount of time. Navigating your new kitchen tool will help you learn all the air fryer tips so making recipes is a breeze.

Air fryers are especially convenient for vegans and vegetarians. Cooking vegetables and other plant-based foods in the air fryer is a great way to eat more veggies and try some new healthy vegetarian dishes.

These vegetarian air fryer recipes make for great side dishes, snacks, appetizers, and meals.

Brussels Sprouts

This air fryer brussels sprouts recipe by The Spruce Eats is the perfect example of how delicious this vegetable can be. Though Brussels sprouts often get a bad reputation, especially from children, they are packed with nutrients and flavor.

To make this recipe, you will need a pound of Brussels sprouts and the following ingredients for flavor: olive oil, honey, salt, white pepper, garlic chili paste, and sesame seeds. Combine all ingredients and cook in the air fryer for less than 20 minutes.

To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the honey or replace with a sweet alternative like maple syrup.

Falafel

Chickpeas are a high-protein legume often used to make recipes like hummus and falafel. This air fryer falafel recipe by Simply Recipes makes for a tasty, high-protein lunch or dinner for vegetarians.

This recipe has two main parts: tahini sauce and falafel. Start by making the tahini sauce in a small bowl. Then, make the falafel and air fry it for about 14 minutes. When the tahini sauce and falafel are done, serve with pita bread and top with fresh veggies.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also a naturally gluten-free carbohydrate source. Roasting sweet potato wedges in the air fryer is an easy and tasty way to consume more of this underrated vegetable.

If you’re craving fries, try this air fryer sweet potato fries recipe by The Spruce Eats. It brings restaurant-quality side dishes straight to your kitchen.

You’ll only need seven simple ingredients: sweet potatoes, olive oil, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into fries and coat them in the remaining ingredients.

Once coated, cook the sweet potato fries in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. The result will be delicious, crispy sweet potato fries that will impress your family and friends.

Crispy Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a common substitute in low-carb cooking. It is also a popular vegetable among vegans and vegetarians since it is full of nutrients and has a mild flavor. The key to making delicious cauliflower recipes is to use ample spices and seasonings.

This air fryer cauliflower recipe by Simply Recipes is great for beginners. If you are new to using an air fryer, this is a beginner-friendly recipe.

In addition to learning how to make crispy vegetables like cauliflower in the air fryer, this recipe will teach you how to make a unique vegetarian dipping sauce. It is made with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cheese, pepper, and hot sauce. If there is one thing that makes it more fun to eat more vegetables, it’s a savory sauce for dipping.

Green Beans

Green beans aren’t just for Thanksgiving. If you want every day to feel like the holidays, try making green bean recipes all year long. Start with this air fryer green bean recipe by The Spruce Eats.

It couldn’t be more simple. You will only need six staple ingredients: green beans, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and fresh garlic.

Once all the ingredients are prepped and combined, cook the green beans in the air fryer for seven to nine minutes. The aroma will fill your house and remind you of the holidays every time you make it.

Crispy French Fries

French fries are often associated with indulgent eating, but you can make healthier French fries at home using an air fryer.

This air fryer French fries recipe by Simply Recipes will show you the ropes so you can have crispy fries any time you’d like.

Ranch Kale Chips

Kale is considered one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables, which explains why it is often referred to as a superfood. If you have told yourself that you want to eat kale more often, you need to try this air fryer kale chips recipe by The Spruce Eats.

Cooking your dark leafy greens like kale and spinach not only makes them easier on the digest tract, they are also less bitter than when they are eaten raw.

This recipe will encourage you to eat more dark leafy greens since kale chips are so satisfying. Plus, this recipe comes together in less than 15 minutes so you can make this healthy vegetarian snack whenever the craving hits.

Crispy Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are an excellent snack for vegans and vegetarians since beans are good source of plant protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Instead of roasting them in the oven, try making them in the air fryer with this crispy chickpea recipe by Simply Recipes.

You will need canned chickpeas and vegetable oil as the base. Season with a variety of spices. Simply Recipes recommends choosing between za’atar seasoning, spicy seasoning, French herb seasoning, and Italian seasoning. If you are looking for a flavorful snack that is healthy and vegetarian-friendly, this one is it.

Potato Chips

One of the easiest recipes to make in the air fryer is potato chips. This air fryer potato chip recipe by The Spruce Eats covers the basics on how to make this crispy savory snack any time.

You only need three simple ingredients to make these chips: russet potatoes, olive oil, and salt. Be sure to use a vegetable peeler or mandolin slicer to achieve thinly sliced potato chips.

Before cooking them, you will need to soak the potato chips and allow them to fully dry. Once they are dry, cook them in small batches in the air fryer.

Tofu

One of the misconceptions about tofu is that it is not flavorful. While tofu itself has a mild flavor, the key to delicious tofu is finding the right way to season and cook it.

This air fryer tofu recipe by The Spruce Eats is one that all vegetarians should know. It takes the complication and intimidation out of making tofu.

Once you learn how to make tofu in the air fryer, you can serve it with brown rice and a medley of cooked vegetables. Add this tofu to a Buddha bowl or toss it into a salad for a healthy vegetarian meal.

A Word From Verywell

An air fryer can allow you to make your favorite comfort foods like French fries, chips, and more without as much oil. You can also get creative by making vegetarian-friendly versions of recipes, such as buffalo cauliflower wings instead of chicken wings and tofu nuggets instead of chicken nuggets.

Using an air fryer may encourage you to eat more vegetables since you can cook up crispy Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and more. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more healthy vegetarian-friendly meals into your diet, an air fryer may be just what you need.