Air Fryer Vegetables

Cook your veggies in half the time with this Air Fryer Vegetables recipe! Cooking vegetables in the air fryer is a quick and hands-off method that yields tender and caramelized veggies using less oil than oven-roasting.

Forget about the oven or grill and make a gorgeous medley of roasted vegetables in the air fryer instead! These Air Fryer Vegetables are not only gorgeous but also perfectly cooked using minimal oil and a hands-off method.

I chose seasonal summer vegetables, like zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers, to make this simple vegetable side dish. They’re the perfect companion to the summer barbecue where grilled chicken, juicy steak, and summer salad are on the menu. 

However, the best part about this recipe is how flexible it is! You can cook all kinds of different vegetables in the air fryer; from pumpkin to asparagus to potatoes, it’s always a handy cooking method that gives you tender, caramelized veggies in less time than it would take to roast them in the oven.

Recipe features

• This is a just plain easy side dish that’s ready to eat in minutes! It makes eating the rainbow fun.
• The air fryer yields crispier, caramelized, and tender vegetables in a faster amount of time and with less oil compared to the oven.
• Any vegetable goes! You can make this flexible recipe with the vegetables listed in the recipe or choose the veggies based on what you have at home or what’s in season.

Ingredients

Fresh vegetables - I made these air fryer vegetables with fresh red onion, bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, and bella mushrooms. However, you can mix these up depending on what you’re craving, what you have in the house, or the season.

Olive oil - You need high-heat cooking oil to help tenderize the veggies in the air fryer. If you don’t want to use olive oil, use canola oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil instead.

Dry herbs and seasonings - A handful of seasonings are needed to infuse the veggies with extra flavor. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt are great, but there are plenty more to choose from in the Tips and FAQs section below.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Season the veggies. Toss the chopped vegetables in a large bowl with oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt until coated.

Step 2: Air fry. Lay half of the veggies in a single layer in the air fryer, then cook until tender and lightly crisp. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3: Repeat, then serve. Air fry the rest of the vegetables until tender. Transfer the first half back into the air fryer and cook for 1 more minute to warm up the whole batch. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

• Remember to wash and dry all of the vegetables before you get started!
• None of the vegetables need to be peeled ahead of time. The zucchini and yellow squash skin becomes super soft as they cook and practically melts into the flesh.
• I highly recommend cooking the vegetables in batches. When they’re spread out in an even layer in the air fryer basket and not overlapping each other, the vegetables take on a lightly crisp and browned outside and tender inside.
• Serve the air fryer vegetables with zhoug sauce, chimichurri, or gremolata to take the flavors over the top!

Can you cook frozen vegetables in the air fryer?

Yes, this recipe works just as well with frozen vegetables! Season the frozen veggies as normal, then air fry for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you’d like them to be charred, cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

How long does it take to air fry vegetables at 400ºF?

Fresh vegetables will take around 8 minutes to air fry at 400ºF. However, because they need to be cooked in two batches, the full batch of veggies will take around 20 minutes total.

How else can you season roasted vegetables?

Italian seasoning is my favorite way to season roasted vegetables, but simple seasonings, like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and/or pepper are enough to enhance the flavor. 

Want to give the vegetables a bold burst of flavor? Season them with Cajun, blackening, curry, lemon pepper, or Greek seasoning instead.

Once they’re ready to eat, feel free to upgrade the cooked vegetables with fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, crumbled feta cheese, or lemon zest as a garnish.

What vegetables can you cook in the air fryer?

Both firm and soft/watery vegetables can be cooked in the air fryer. Instead of using what’s listed in the recipe card, customize the vegetables based on what you like, what you have on hand, or what’s in season.

Any of these seasonal vegetable options would be a great fit for the air fryer:

• Spring and summer: Zucchini, asparagus, green beans, bell peppers, turnip, tomatoes, mushrooms, yellow squash, and corn. 
• Fall and winter: Beets, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, squash, pumpkin, and parsnips.

Note: Firmer vegetables, like potatoes and winter squash, will take longer to cook than thinner or more watery vegetables, like green beans. Remember to adjust the cooking times as needed or cook the different varieties in stages to prevent them from overcooking.

Storage

Refrigerator: Once the vegetables are cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They should stay fresh for 2 to 3 days.

Reheating: Pop the veggies back in a 375ºF air fryer to reheat until they’re warmed through and slightly crisp again. 

More easy side dishes to try

• Maple Roasted Carrots
• Instant Pot Potatoes
• Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!