Learn how to make the best easy vegan air fryer recipes from potatoes and vegetables to tofu and chickpeas to snacks and desserts. Whether you're just getting started or have been using this popular small appliance for a while, you're sure to find some new favorites from this comprehensive collection of recipes suitable for beginners.
While air fryers may have first gained popularity as a way to cook meat, vegans and plant-based eaters have embraced the trend as well. The cooking method which circulates hot air around food making it crisp on the outside with little to no oil is a convenient way to cook a variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts.
Whether you have a basket air fryer or combination toaster oven/convection oven/air fryer, they are both perfect for making all of the following vegan air fryer recipes. And once you get used to using it, it may become your favorite kitchen appliance.
Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the most popular foods to prepare in an air fryer. From Russets to Yukon gold to sweet potatoes, they all turn out perfectly when air fried. And you can mimic the tastes and textures of fried, roasted, and baked potatoes with minimal time and often less oil.
Air Fryer Hand Cut Fries with Seasoned Salt
You only need a tiny bit of oil to make these fries super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Add homemade seasoned salt or your favorite spice blend.
Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Ready in 30 minutes, these air fried potatoes are seasoned with lemon, garlic, and rosemary.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Skip the oven and make the best baked potatoes in your air fryer. Not only do they take less time, you'll achieve crispy seasoned skins and perfectly fluffy interiors.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Like Russets, sweet potatoes or yams are also simple to air fry instead of baking in the oven. And the skins peel away easily if you prefer not to eat them.
Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
Studded with onions and red bell peppers, these potatoes can be customized to suit your tastes. Try them as a side dish or stuffed inside breakfast burritos or tacos.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges with Cheesy Sauce
Perfectly seasoned, crispy potato wedges are easy to make in your air fryer with little to no oil. Top them with a cheesy vegan sauce for the ultimate snack or side dish.
Air Fryer Home Fries
Skip the excess oil from pan frying and make these healthier home fries that are just as crispy and flavorful as the diner classic. Enjoy them as a side at breakfast, brunch, or any time of the day.
Vegetables
Potatoes aren't the only type of produce that benefits from cooking in an air fryer. Just about any vegetable you can think of from asparagus to cauliflower to eggplant can be prepared successfully in this handy appliance.
Air Fryer Green Beans
A handful of ingredients plus 15 minutes are all you need to make these delicious Mediterranean-inspired green beans. Seasoned with fresh garlic and lemon, they are sure to become a family favorite.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Seasoned with garlic, ginger, and cinnamon, air fried butternut squash is an easy and delicious side dish. Enjoy the lightly browned cubes garnished with cilantro, parsley, or your favorite fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Seasoned with chili powder and cayenne pepper sauce, this easy recipe is sure to become a favorite. Try them served with crisp celery and cooling Cashew Ranch Dressing.
Air Fryer Radishes
Air frying radishes with lemon and garlic gives them a unique mellow flavor and tender texture. Even if you think you don't like radishes, you may change your mind after trying them this way.
Easy Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Cooked in 10 minutes with a flavorful spice rub, this method you may have seen on TikTok is a fun alternative to traditional corn on the cob.
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Serve these crispy zucchini chips with your favorite sauces or dips for an easy appetizer or snack.
Air Fryer Baby Carrots
Sweet and tender Air Fryer Baby Carrots are easy to make in 20 minutes. Add your favorite herbs and spices and enjoy this veggie side dish with just about anything!
Air Fryer Broccoli
Crispy and garlicky, it's easy to make this air fryer broccoli in less than 15 minutes. Add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
No more soggy Brussels sprouts for you! Air frying this cruciferous vegetable makes them perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside in half the time of preparing them in the oven.
Air Fryer Eggplant
Cubed and seasoned eggplant takes under 30 minutes to prepare and is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Tossed with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, this perfectly cooked asparagus is ready in 15 minutes or less.
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Skip the skillet and make blistered shishito peppers in your air fryer with a fraction of the oil. These mild and sweet Japanese peppers are ready to eat in 5 minutes.
Tofu
Once you try air fried tofu, you may never want to cook it any other way. It's crispy and chewy and can be made with little to no oil. Try it seasoned, breaded, or topped with your favorite sauces.
Air Fryer Lemon Tofu
This citrusy tofu has all of the flavor of the deep-fried version with none of the oil. And the lemon sauce is loaded with flavor from both the juice and the zest.
Popcorn Tofu Nuggets
These breaded nuggets are crispy and delicious dipped in your favorite sauces like BBQ, Ranch, or ketchup.
Balsamic Tofu Bacon
Sweet, smoky, and salty, try this marinated bacon-flavored tofu in sandwiches and salads.
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
5 ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to make this oil-free crispy tofu that tastes like it was fried. Try it in salads, wraps, and stir fries.
Crispy Buffalo Tofu Nuggets
Extra crispy and coated in spicy Buffalo sauce, try these nuggets on their own or dipped in your favorite sauce.
Italian Style Air Fried Tofu
Seasoned with oregano and basil, this Italian-style tofu is perfect in wraps or pasta.
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu with Sticky Orange Sauce
Cubes of crispy oil-free tofu are smothered in a flavorful sweet and tangy orange sauce. This family favorite in ready to enjoy in well under an hour.
Soy curls
Soy curls are made from whole non-GMO soybeans and are often used as a vegan substitute for chicken. Like tofu, they don't have a strong flavor on their own but can be marinated, seasoned, or cooked with sauces.
Butler Soy Curls
- Gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO
- Contains the whole soybean
- 100% natural
Vegan Southern Style Air Fryer Soy Curls
Southern Fried "Chicken" Soy Curls are coated in a flavorful cornmeal crust and ready in under half an hour.
Vegan Pulled Pork
These shredded soy curls cooked in smoky barbecue sauce are delicious on sandwiches or served with potato salad or mac and cheese.
Vegan Chicken Strips
Breaded and air fried soy curls can be added to any of your favorite dishes like tacos, pasta, or salad. And you can change up the seasonings to make them your own.
Chickpeas
Canned or pre-cooked garbanzo beans become crispy when air fried. Try them with any of your favorite sweet or savory seasonings.
Smoky Sweet Crunchy Chickpeas
Seasoned with maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic, these crunchy air fried chickpeas are wonderful on salads or as a snack.
Ranch Seasoned Air Fryer Chickpeas
Flavored with dill, onion, garlic, and lemon juice, if you love Ranch, you won't want to miss this chickpea recipe.
Cheesy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Enjoy these chickpeas seasoned with nutritional yeast and onion as a savory snack or salad topping.
Smoky Air Fryer Chickpeas
These spicy crispy chickpeas are loaded with flavor from smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and onion. Add some cayenne pepper for additional heat.
Air Fried Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
This garlicky chickpea recipe also includes options for different flavor combinations including curried, chili-lime, and spiced maple.
Snacks
Because air fryers cook food quickly by circulating hot air around it, it's ideal for making fast snacks, especially crunchy and crispy ones.
Air Fryer Popcorn
There's no need for a microwave when you can pop popcorn kernels in your air fryer. But don't forget to add a piece of aluminum foil first.
Vegan Air Fryer Nachos
Layer tortilla chips, vegan cheese shreds, and your favorite toppings for a delicious crowd-pleasing snack.
Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Have you tried this viral TikTok snack? This version is flavored with Italian seasoning and nutritional yeast. Try them dipped in 15-Minute Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce.
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Using an air fryer to make kale chips is faster than making them in the oven. Season them with lemon juice and paprika and enjoy your greens in snack form.
Air Fryer Apple Chips
When you want a sweet treat, try these crunchy apple chips sprinkled with cinnamon.
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Thinly sliced Russet potatoes are transformed into this favorite snack with minimal oil. Try them salted or make them BBQ, Ranch, or Taco flavored.
Desserts
Did you know you can make baked desserts in the air fryer? It's a great way to make smaller quantities. And it's perfect for times when you don't want to turn on your oven.
Vegan Air Fryer Brownies
These fudgy vegan brownies can be made both gluten-free and oil-free. Customize them by adding chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or shredded coconut.
Vegan Air Fryer Cookies
Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, these cookies are made with dairy-free pudding, almond flour, and chocolate chips.
Vegan Air Fryer Carrot Cake
It's easy to make a single-serving mug cake in the air fryer whenever you want something sweet. This carrot cake version is deliciously spiced and studded with walnuts and dried fruit.
Air Fryer FAQs
Yes, you can line the basket with parchment paper if you place food on it. But do not pre-heat the basket with parchment paper already in it because it may burn.
Yes, you can put foil in the basket when cooking foods like popcorn. Otherwise, parchment paper is preferable if you want to line the basket.
You can use oven-save bowls and baking dishes in an air fryer.
Yes, you can cook frozen foods like French fries, tater tots, and appetizers in an air fryer. You do not need to defrost them first.
Want even more vegan air fryer recipes?
Check out my recommendations for the best air fryer cookbooks for vegans.
Enjoy the vegan air fryer recipes! And for even more easy vegan recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group.
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