Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
Whether you just bought a new air fryer and are wondering what to make in it, or you’re just looking for something new and creative to make, these oil-free healthy Vegan Air Fryer Recipes are going to get you excited!
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I used to eat a lot of oily, crispy fried foods before I regained my health, and that is one thing I sometimes missed after switching to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. These days, I enjoy foods like these crunchy oil-free air fryer French fries, my healthy air-fried potato wedges, and even these delicious vegan pot stickers all made in my air fryer.
Reasons you will love air frying
- Oil-Free Cooking: Air fryers offer a healthy alternative to frying by using no oil, allowing you to enjoy crispy vegan dishes with reduced fat and calories.
- Keeps Kitchen Cool: An air fryer is great for summertime cooking because it allows you to prepare delicious meals with a crispy texture without heating up your kitchen like a traditional oven would, helping to keep your home cool during hot weather.
- Versatility: From crispy tofu and roasted vegetables to homemade veggie chips, air fryers can cook a wide variety of vegan foods, providing options for every meal and snack.
- Efficiency and Convenience: Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, making them ideal for busy schedules. They also minimize cleanup with their non-stick baskets, making healthy vegan cooking accessible throughout the year.
What is an air fryer?
If you’ve never heard of an air fryer, you’ve really been missing out. I absolutely love mine and use it at least once a week for terrific healthy recipes like my vegan black bean burgers.
An air fryer is a terrific kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food at high speed. It is able to produce crispy foods like these air fryer fried green tomatoes without using any oil which makes them much lower in calories and fat.
Air fryers are small enough to fit on your kitchen counter, and they allow you to make some great foods without needing to heat up the stove which makes them extra awesome during the hot summer months. I love my Ninja 5.5-capacity air fryer because it has a roomy basket that holds plenty of food.
Discovering healthy air fryer recipes
When I first heard about air fryers a few years ago, I was intrigued. The information I was reading said that air fryers would cook food to a crisp without having to deep fry.
I have to admit that I was very skeptical. However, after testing out a new air fryer, I discovered that all those crispy fried foods could indeed be back in my life. Only, this time, they have zero oil and aren’t clogging my arteries or causing inflammation in my body.
Take a look at some of the amazing air fryer vegan recipes these crispy roasted chickpea snacks that I make regularly in my air fryer for the family. Bring on the crispy food!
Tips for using your air fryer
- Don’t Over-Fill: Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. I love my Ninja 5.5-capacity air fryer because it has a roomy basket that holds plenty of food.
- Even Cooking: Shake the basket a couple of times during cooking to make sure everything is browning properly.
- Cooking Spray: Never use nonstick spray on your basket, because it can damage the air fryer. Parchment paper can be used to make cleanup easier.
- Counter Space: Air fryers get pretty hot, so make sure there is at least 5″ of space around your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use an air fryer without any oil. The air fryer cooks food by circulating hot air around it, which can produce a crispy texture without the need for additional oil.
You can cook a wide variety of foods in an air fryer, including vegetables, tofu, plant-based proteins, fries, and even baked goods. It’s versatile enough to handle both savory and sweet dishes.
Yes, using an air fryer is generally healthier than traditional frying because it requires no oil, reducing the overall fat and calorie content of your meals while still delivering a crispy texture.
To clean an air fryer, remove the basket and pan and wash them with warm soapy water. Wipe down the interior and exterior of the air fryer with a damp cloth, making sure to avoid abrasive cleaners or sponges that could damage the surface.
I love my air fryer because it allows me to enjoy healthy, crispy foods without the need for oil, making them significantly lower in fat and calories. I get to indulge in my favorite crunchy snacks and meals without any guilt.
More Healthy Oil-Free Vegan Recipes
Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
You're going to love these healthy vegan air fryer recipes because they offer a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, delicious meals without the added oil and calories. Packed with nutritious ingredients, these recipes are perfect for guilt-free indulgence any day of the week.
Oil-free air fryer French fries are so delicious because they come out perfectly crispy and golden without the extra grease, letting the natural potato flavor shine through. They’re also good for you, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fries by cutting down on calories and unhealthy fats.
These Vegan Black Bean Burgers are already delectable with their hearty texture and rich flavors, but it’s the addition of our homemade chipotle sauce that elevates them to pure deliciousness, creating a tantalizing smoky heat that leaves you craving for more with every bite. They are completely vegan and gluten-free!
Loaded with fresh veggies like shredded cabbage, mushrooms, and onions, these Vegan Dumplings (also known as vegetable gyoza or potstickers) can be steamed, baked, or made in your air fryer. This recipe is very simple and includes a delicious sauce that can be used for dipping.
Making Baked Potatoes in an air fryer is so simple! The best part is that they come out perfectly light and flakey on the inside with extra crispy skin on the outside. These Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are going to change the way you make baked potatoes!
The absolute best way to roast asparagus is in an air fryer because it’s super quick and the asparagus is perfectly tender and crisp. Let me show you how easy and delicious it is!
This delicious Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is crispy to perfection without a drop of oil in only about 15 minutes. Believe me, the whole family is going to love these little chunks!
The ultimate snack for traveling! We love this little crunchy, tangy, protein-packed Roasted Chickpea Snack. Warning, you will need to make more than one batch!
The perfect side dish for any meal, these Crispy Oil-Free Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are completely oil-free and can be cooked in either your oven or air fryer.
These Air-Fried Potato Wedges make a perfect side dish because they are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. They are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and deliciously healthy!
Crunchy on the outside and perfectly delicious, these Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes make a terrific appetizer or side dish. They are even great for sandwiches!
So easy to make and absolutely delicious, these Air Fryer Banana Boats can even be made in your oven, on the grill, or over a campfire. They’re vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
I would love to win this fryer. Currently, I am an exchange student in Thailand. I’ve learned so much about Thai cooking and the food is delicious! I’m excited to show my family all of my new foods, unfortunately, Thai people love to add oil and fry everything. I vowed to never cook with oil again when I return home, the stuff makes me gag now. I’ve had to eat way more than I would have liked here because it is simply unavoidable, even the water to boil vegetables has added oil. It is great for my taste buds, but definitely not my body. With the fryer, I can make Thai style fried banana, taro, eggplants, mushrooms, and bean dumplings, among other things, and share the culture of Thai food with my family and friends, without the negative health effects.
Thanks for this oppertunity!
When I hear the word ‘fry’, I get a little paranoid. Is there any issue with acrylamides with this method of frying? Thx
My son has begun to cook a lot. I think it would be great to start the habit of cooking healthy.
Since I am the only WFPB person in my house and desperately trying to move the carnivores over to a new way of eating this would be a great start I have heard amazing comments from ppl about the air fryer and would love to try one out on the family
Hope I am chosen, I’ve been looking at these. Would love to have healthy fried food. This is one gadget I don’t have and would love to cook with.
I’ve gotten fat from french fries and stuff cooked in oil. I’m eating better now but miss the crispy fries and would like them without the oil. I’d also like to bring to work and share the wealth.
This would definitely help me to transition to a plant-based, oil free way of eating!
I think an air fryer would help me with my tofu struggles. Can’t seem to get it to come out like everyone else does. Love your recipes! The “meat loaf” being a particular family favorite.
With 11 kids I can use all the extra help I can get! Would love this
I need one of this!! I’m new to this lifestyle and this air fryer will make my life easier and I will have more variety of food/recipes!
Looks great! I’ve been on the fence, but it’s way better to have fat-free fried foods than ordering from a restaurant, and as often as I want to make them. And healthy, too, which is a priority for me.
I try air frying in my convection oven and things just seem to be just dried out. Not crispy. I have been looking at air fryers for a while but still haven’t made the plunge.
French fries and no oil! What a combination!! Would love to win it?
I have one and love it! I would like to win one for my mom and dad who are trying to go plant based but need some help with how to do it. I think this would help them with the transition. They have health issues they are trying to work on. After 58 years of marriage and cooking southern all of those years, it’s hard to make the switch. I’m just learning how to use mine so I might sell them on it.
I would love to win this! My husband won’t eat much in the way of my WFPB diet and I’m sure this would help. Plus, I love my Instapot and Vitamix, which speed up my prep!