Air Fryer is the best way to make easy, and healthy vegetable side dishes. Whether it be carrots, asparagus, green beans, or sweet potatoes, you can perfectly roast almost any vegetable in the Air Fryer! This is your ultimate guide to roasting vegetables in the air fryer.
Many people ask me about making fried foods such as French fries in the air fryer, however I tell them that I use my air fryer the most to roast vegetables for dinner!
Yes, air frying vegetables is one of the best uses of the air fryer. The vegetables are cooked similar to roasting - a little bit more crisp on the outside, which my family loves!
The best part roasting vegetables in the air fryer takes half the time compared to roasting in the oven. And you can also skip preheating for most cases.
If you have still not bought an air fryer, check out my guide for how to choose an air fryer.
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Why roast veggies in the air fryer?
✓ Easy (cut, season and air fry)
✓ Fast (less than half the time of roasting in the oven)
✓ Healthy (uses a fraction of oil compared to frying)
22 Amazing Air Fryer Vegetables
Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes are so easy and delish. With their crispy exterior and tender interior, they are the perfect side dish.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
This Air Fryer Cauliflower seasoned with spices is easy to make and amazingly delicious topped with cilantro yogurt sauce. Enjoy as a wonderful low carb side dish.
Air Fryer Broccoli
This easy Air fryer roasted broccoli takes just 10 minutes to make. It is tender with roasted edges and so delicious. A perfect healthy side dish that the whole family will love.
Air Fryer Carrots
Perfectly seasoned and so delicious, these air fryer roasted carrot fries are a quick healthy snack or side dish. Make these crisp yet tender roasted carrots in the air fryer or oven. They are a favorite for kids.
Air Fryer Beets
Sweet and tender crisp Air fryer Beets are a delicious side dish that gets ready in few minutes. Perfectly roasted, these beets are whole30, paleo, vegan, gluten-free.
Spicy Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
This grilled Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is so easy to make and so good! Spice it up the way you like, and enjoy as an appetizer, snack or side.
Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips
Air Fryer Kale Chips are the best way to enjoy kale! Homemade crispy kale chips are a delicious, healthy, low calorie snack that can be made in less than 20 minutes.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
A delicious side dish of crispy air fryer brussels sprouts. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these are a perfect side dish.
Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic
These quick and easy Chinese-style Air-fryer Green Beans are so good! Seasoned with ginger, garlic, and flavorful sauces, these Asian Green Beans are a perfect low carb, vegan side.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Here is an easy way to cook asparagus and turn it into a healthy, delicious side dish. This Air Fryer Asparagus is perfectly seasoned and cooks quickly while keeping it tender-crisp.
Air Fryer Pumpkin
Easy and delish, this Air fryer Pumpkin is a perfect fall side dish. Learn how to roast pumpkin in the air fryer that is tender with caramelized edges.
Air Fryer Plantains
These Air Fryer Plantains are a perfect side dish or snack. Made in the air fryer for a healthier version with much less calories compared to the traditional fried plantains.
Air Fryer French Fries
Try these easy Homemade French Fries made in the Air Fryer or in the Pressure Cooker using the Crisplid. They are so good, you will never want to have deep-fried fries again!
Air Fryer Turnips
Give a healthy twist to french fries with these low carb air-fryer turnip fries. These roasted turnip fries are easy to make and are a perfect addition to the whole30, paleo or keto diet plan!
Cheesy Samosa Jalapeño Poppers
Cheesy Samosa Jalapeno Poppers is an Indian twist to the favorite party appetizer. This is a vegetarian and gluten-free version made in the air fryer for the samosa lovers.
Crispy Air Fryer Okra
Kukuri Bhindi, is sliced okra coated in spices and air fried until crunchy. This crispy okra is so good, you cannot stop eating it!
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
A simple yet delicious side dish, these Kung Pao Brussels sprouts are easy-to-whip-up in the air fryer. Garnished with roasted peanuts and sesame seeds, they can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Roasted Aloo Gobi (Indian Spiced Potato & Cauliflower)
This Roasted Aloo Gobi is so good! All you need to do is toss cauliflower and potatoes in spices, and roast in the air-fryer or oven, and you have the perfect Indian veggie dish.
Air Fryer Stuffed Eggplant
Baby Eggplants stuffed with flavorful and aromatic spices cooked in very little oil in the Air Fryer. A quick and delicious way to enjoy eggplants!
Air Fryer Taro Fries
These Taro Fries (Crispy Arbi) made in Air Fryer is so easy, delicious. They are a great variation in taste and nutrition to potato french fries. A perfect snack or side with a cilantro dip!
Stuffed Okra
Bharwa Bhindi, which means Stuffed Okra is a popular Indian side dish where the okra is stuffed with a spicy & tangy filling. This vegan & gluten free dish is a perfect healthy side dish.
Tandoori Aloo Tikka
Baby potatoes marinated in a delightful combination of yogurt and spices, threaded to skewers and cooked to create this heavenly appetizer.
Air Fryer Tandoori Gobi
Tandoori Gobi in the air fryer is a great snack or appetizer. A North Indian favorite, made healthy with no oil and so easy to prepare in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Roasted Vegetable Medley
You can also roast mixed vegetables in the air fryer all together. Make sure to mix together either quick cooking vegetables or root vegetables, so that the roasting time matches for them.
Here I paired together bell pepper, cauliflower, red onion and zucchini.
Pair together firm root vegetables such as sweet potato, beets, carrots, butternut squash or pumpkin. They all will cook together well in the same time. See the recipe card below for cooking times.
Tips for perfectly cooked Air Fryer Vegetables
- Cut veggies into equal sized pieces. This helps to to ensure all pieces are cooked evenly.
- Do not add too much oil. Air fryers don't need too much oil to cook the food well.
- Put the food in the air fryer in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
- Shake the basket half way through.
Looking for accessories for the air fryer? Check out my list of the 10+ Best Air Fryer Accessories
Common Questions
When air frying vegetables, you need to use much less oil compared to deep frying, which means lesser calories and fat content. That makes air fried vegetables much healthier.
Air frying also helps to retain nutrients, as the veggies are cooked for a short period of time.
Steaming vegetables is not a common use of the air fryer, as air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food. However you can put a small amount of water in the outer air fryer basket and food to be cooked within a mesh basket. This helps to retain moisture in the vegetables.
I would recommend to consider steaming vegetables in the instant pot.
Yes! You can cook veggies that are frozen in the air fryer. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the veggies having to thaw during the cooking process. The circulating air in an air fryer helps to remove the moisture and crisp the veggies. However they might not have the same amount of crispness as fresh vegetables.
Air Fryer Vegetable Cooking Time Chart
I have created an easy printable chart for cooking times for vegetables in the air fryer. Click below to download it!
Air Fryer Vegetables
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cauliflower cut into small florets
- ½ cup Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 cup Zucchini sliced
- ½ cup Red Onions
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- In a bowl, toss the vegetables with oil and seasonings. Transfer seasoned vegetables to the air fryer basket, and spread in a single layer as much as possible.
- Air Fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket half way through.
- Enjoy the vegetables as a side with your meal!
Video
Notes
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Cheryl Lundgren says
My air fryer has a bake and an air fry function. What is the difference and which one do I use for this?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Cheryl - Typically air fryers work in just one way - by circulating air around the food. If the air fryer has buttons to bake, it is typically just a default temperature/time setting to get you started. I do understand this can be confusing. So I typically just use the air fry button and set the temperature and cooking time.