Welcome to our collection of 25 vegan air fryer recipes that make cooking quick, easy, and deliciously crispy.

The air fryer can intensify flavors without excessive oil and becomes the perfect companion for crafting delicious plant-based dishes.

From crispy snacks to hearty mains and indulgent desserts, this roundup covers a diverse range of recipes designed to showcase the versatility of plant-based ingredients.

Vegan air fryer recipes

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a family meal, or simply seeking healthier alternatives to your favorite dishes, these recipes are tailored to suit a variety of occasions.

Join us on this culinary journey as we explore the world of plant-based cooking with the convenience and innovation of the air fryer.

1. Air fryer asparagus

We start this list with a crunchy 10-minute air fryer asparagus. Asparagus and air fryer are made for each other, and this air fryer asparagus recipe is proof of that.

It’s quick, healthy, and, most importantly, delicious.

Get the recipe here

2. Air fryer tofu

Air fryer tofu is a convenient, easy recipe you can make in less than 15 minutes with very simple ingredients. It’s the perfect plant-based protein source for salads, soups, and stews.

Get the recipe here

3. Air fryer green beans

Air fryer green beans are a quick and simple recipe to enjoy all year round, made with fresh or frozen green beans.

This healthy veggie side dish is easy to prepare and ready in under 15 minutes.

Get the recipe here

4. Air fryer zucchini

Crispy, snack-friendly, and with less oil, this air fryer zucchini recipe is the perfect low-carb, whole30, and gluten-free treat.

This air-frying technique is a godsend for health-conscious home cooks looking to put a mouthwatering side dish on the table within minutes.

Get the recipe here

5. Air fryer Croutons

It takes less than 10 minutes to make them, and a few simple ingredients such as olive oil and your favorite dry herbs.

They are excellent for soupssalads, and stews.

Get the recipe here

6. Air fryer cauliflower

Air fryer cauliflower is a quick, tasty, and versatile recipe you can make with four ingredients in about 15 minutes.

You can use the air-fried cauliflower florets as a side dish or to make other delicious recipes such as cauliflower salads, pasta, rice, and more.

Get the recipe here

7. Easy sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are delicious in many ways: roasted in the ovenadded to a saladmicrowavedcut into wedges, turned into muffins, or made into a tasty sweet potato mash.

And the air fryer is the perfect tool to cook the sweet potato quickly while making it super tasty. You can serve it as a side dish or use it for one of many delicious recipes.

Get the recipe here

8. Falafel in the air fryer

You can make falafel in a standard oven, ideally ventilated; however, the air fryer yields a much better result.

The falafels turn out crisp on the outside and delicious! Air frying falafels is THE BEST alternative to deep-frying them.

Get the recipe here

9. Air fryer tempeh

Sticky and full of flavor, these cubes of air fryer tempeh are a great source of plant-based protein for salads and rice dishes.

Lori’s tempeh recipe is marinated in a smoky sauce and ready in 10 minutes.

Get the recipe @myquietkitchen

10. Tofu nuggets

These “vegan chicken” tofu nuggets are perfect for game nights and barbecues.

They have a meaty texture, are whole-food plant-based friendly, and are ideal for dipping.

Get the recipe @veggiesociety

11. Easy air fryer eggplant

You’ll love this air fryer eggplant recipe because it’s delicious, but you can also use it to make other irresistible eggplant recipes.

From pasta alla Norma to Eggplant Dip, from Sicilian Caponata to Middle Eastern Fatteh, you’ll never want to turn on your oven again to cook eggplant.

Get the recipe here

12. Barbecue lentil meatballs

Jackie’s air fryer lentil meatballs are nut-free and egg-free but packed with protein.

Chewy, flavorful, and hugged in a barbecue sauce, these vegan meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Get the recipe @veganyackattack

13. Vegan biscuits three ways

With three different vegan fillings, these vegan biscuits make a diverse and inviting appetizer perfect for entertaining.

With filling options such as chicken buffalo, artichoke, and spinach, Rene’s recipe has something for every taste.

Get the recipe @thissavoryvegan

14. Air fryer Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts in the air fryer only take about 10 minutes to transform into delicious, slightly charred sprouts with a nutty and pleasantly bitter-sweet taste.

Don’t expect full-on crispy air fryer brussels sprouts. Only the outer leaves will be a little crispy, and the sprouts will have an al dentetender-crisp texture, which is lovely.

Get the recipe here

15. Air fryer mushrooms

This quick and easy 15-minute air fryer mushroom recipe delivers perfectly juicy and tasty roasted mushrooms.

Use them in grain bowls, salads, and pasta to add extra flavor and greens to your diet.

Get the recipe here

16. Better than takeout Orange tofu

Jessica is a master at tofu recipes and made an air fryer takeout version of her orange tofu.

This orange tofu is as easy to prepare and delicious as your favorite takeaway meal.

Get the recipe @Jessicainthekitchen

17. Crispy air fryer chickpeas

Here’s a strong candidate if you’re looking for your next salad topping or plantbased protein.

These crispy air fryer chickpeas are quick, lowfat, and fiberrich; we love them in salads, soups, and grain bowls.

Get the recipe here

18. Crispy panko tofu

Another crunchy and chewy tofu recipe, this crispy panko tofu pairs perfectly with salads, veggie bowls, or protein-rich snacks.

An (almost) oil-free, yummy, and plant-based protein source.

Get the recipe @evergreenkitchen

19. Air fryer potatoes

Crispy potatoes, a classic side dish and all-time favorite snack in our home, are a winner with almost any meal.

Serve with salads, your favorite main dish, or on barbecue night, these quick potatoes are ready in just 15 minutes.

Get the recipe here

20. Tofu nuggets

It’s our second air fryer nugget on this list, but anything vegan, crunchy, and chewy deserves some attention. S

serve these aromatic tofu nuggets with a dipping sauce or in a loaf of pita bread with your favorite dressing. YUM!

Get the recipe @nosweatvegan

21. Jicama fries

Low calorie, crispy, and slightly sweet, these jicama fries are perfect potato substitutes and satiating, too.

Known as a superfood, jicama is rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.

Get the recipe @nosweatvegan

22. Air fryer caramelized bananas

Air frying is so versatile that you can even make desserts with this cooking method.

Lisa’s air fryer caramelized bananas are a perfect example of a healthy, inexpensive, and quick dessert.

Get the recipe @okonomikitchen

23. Air fryer apple chips

Danielle’s air fryer apple chips are the perfect snack for kids, as they are sugar-free and with little oil.

It’s a healthy, fun, and crunchy chip and can be stored for up to 5 days; we are fans!

Get the recipe @projectmealplan

24. Air fryer cookies

With ten different flavors, Arman made sure you’ll find your favorite flavor with these easy, vegan-friendly air fryer cookies.

The cooking time for these cookies is just 7 minutes, so there’s no excuse not to make these at home.

Get the recipe @bigmansworld

25. Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies

These stuffed chocolate chip cookies are a wonderful air fryer treat that is soft, chewy, and luxurious.

You can enjoy this decadent vegan dessert with only 30 minutes of prep and easy-to-find ingredients.

Get the recipe @sweetsimplevegan

How to serve air fryer meals

Make your air fryer meal complete by adding one or more components, such as:

How to store air fryer meals

Store these meals in air-tight containers in the fridge. Eat within 2-3 days of making them, but they are best and freshest on the preparation day.

Air fryer tofu on a plate with salt flakes

For many more 30-minute meal ideas, check out our 30-minute meal category page.

Vegan air fryer recipes with side dishes and mains

25 vegan air fryer recipes

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 5 votes
Looking for inspiration for your next air fryer meal? We've got you covered with these 25 vegan Air Fryer recipes that will satisfy your cravings and feed you a quick plant-based meal.
Try these air fryer potatoes, an excellent side dish with a tender, almost buttery core and a finger-licking good, salty, crispy skin.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Appetizer, Side dish, Snack
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds potatoes Yukon Gold, Russet, or Red Potatoes
  • 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoons salt or more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 sprig rosemary the finely chopped needles, or dried rosemary

Instructions 

  • Scrub, wash, and pat dry the potatoes. Cut them into bite-size chunks (about 1-Inch).
    Add them to a mixing bowl with extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and finely chopped rosemary needles (or dried rosemary).
    Potatoes in a bowl with herbs
  • Toss well until fully coated in the seasoning.
    potatoes covered in herbs
  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F or 200°C for 3 minutes, then transfer potatoes into air fryer basket.
    Note: potatoes CAN overlap as long as you fill the air fryer basket to no more than half full. There's no need to arrange them on a single layer.
    potatoes in air fryer basket
  • Air fry at 400°F or 200°C for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender and nicely browned.
    Shake fryer basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
    potatoes fried in air fryer basket
  • Take out of the air fryer immediately, arrange on a serving platter, and garnish with a pinch of coarse or flakey sea salt, fresh rosemary needles, or with your favorite fresh herbs or serve with dips.
    potatoes after frying in a white bowl

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of air fryer potatoes out of 6 servings, without dips.
SUBSTITUTIONS
– Extra virgin olive oil: sub avocado oil.
– Fresh rosemary: sub dried rosemary, fresh or dried thyme, Italian seasoning, fresh or dried sage.
– Garlic powder: sub 2 crushed cloves of fresh garlic. 
– Other suitable spices: paprika, chili powder, chipotle powder, cajun seasoning, ground cumin.
– Optional garnishing: fresh parsley, dill, or chives. Flakey sea salt, za’atar, rosemary needles.
OPTIONAL DIPS AND DRIZZLES
Chimichurri: made with parsley, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Tahini sauce: made with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water, and salt.
Romesco sauce: made with almonds, roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, oil and vinegar.
Cashew sour cream: made with cashews, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt.
Vegan mayo: made with canola oil, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and mustard.
Chipotle sauce: made with mayo, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, salt, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
– Make ahead: not a good recipe to cook in advance; the potatoes are best eaten right out of the air fryer. However, you can scrub, rinse, and chop the potatoes in advance and keep them in a bowl submerged in water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Once you are ready to cook them, drain them, pat them dry, and toss them with the seasoning.
– Refrigerator: keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The potatoes will get soggy, but they will still be edible.
– Freezer: we don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
– Reheat: microwave for 2 minutes or in a preheated air fryer at 400°F or 200°C for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 485mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin B6: 0.3mg, Vitamin C: 22mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 4µg, Calcium: 15mg, Folate: 18µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 0.2mg, Magnesium: 27mg, Zinc: 0.3mg
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Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

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