28 Vegan Air Fryer Recipes You Need To Try (2024)

FAQs

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Air fryers can also make it easier to follow a vegan diet, offering a failsafe way to cook staples like tofu, cauliflower, and potatoes to perfection. Below, we've rounded up 10 mouth-watering recipes that prove plant-based cooking needn't be complicated or boring.

Uncooked Grains

Air fryers are designed to cook dry foods, and rice and other grains need to be cooked in water. Even with an insert that can hold water, the air fryer likely won't get hot enough for the water to boil and cook the grains, resulting in a mushy mess.

Shake it

One of the best tips I can offer you for how to use an air fryer is to periodically shake the basket during its cooking time. I'm not talking anything crazy – just a couple of good shakes during cooking to really move the food around and get that even, crispy coating on every single bite.

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

What vegan foods can you cook in an air fryer? As well as convenience foods like French fries, nuggets, and vegan sausages, you can cook plenty of vegetables in the air-fryer. Cauliflower wings are a particularly good example, and air fryers will also help to crisp up ingredients like sweet potatoes, tofu, and falafel.

Yes, an air fryer can be an excellent tool for vegan cooking. It offers a convenient and efficient way to prepare a wide range of vegan dishes. Air fryers can achieve a crispy texture on plant-based proteins, such as tofu, tempeh, or seitan, without the need for excessive oil.

Seitan – Protein packed with amazing texture, seitan is a wonderful plant-based alternative to beef. Finger Steak Breading – This peppery mix crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. Oil – Although much less than deep frying, a little oil is necessary for perfectly crispy air-fried finger steaks.

Hamburgers. Air fryers aren't really designed to grill red meat, especially if you like your burgers medium-rare. Though it takes a fairly short amount of time for an air fryer to cook the inside of meat to medium-rare, the outside of the burger won't brown as quickly.

Why don t chefs like air fryers? ›

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth. Some swear by it for a few things like frozen french fries and nuggets.

Brussels sprouts are the best place to start your air-fried vegetable journey. They crisp up beautifully and take no time at all. If you're making these for a crowd, we suggest frying them up in batches as overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy results.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly. If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food.

Putting a damp basket back into the air fryer can cause damage, such as affecting the time it takes for your air fryer to heat up or damaging the internal components. It is no secret that water and electricity do not go hand-in-hand.