Can You Put Vegetables In An Air Fryer? (read this first)

If you own an air fryer and you’re wondering if you can cook vegetables in it, you’ve found the right article. To answer the question, yes, you can cook vegetables in an air fryer.

We know what you’re thinking, but what vegetables can you cook in an air fryer? The answer is pretty much all types of vegetables can be cooked in an air fryer.

How To Cook Vegetables In An Air Fryer

When you start to think about vegetables, there are really only two types, tender vegetables and firm vegetables. Firm vegetables tend to take longer to cook in an air fryer than tender vegetables.

Tender Vegetables

Tender vegetables are vegetables like;

• Courgettes (Zucchini)
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels Sprouts
• Tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Green Beans
• Asparagus

Cooking tender vegetables in an air fryer is relatively easy to do. All you need to do is wash the vegetables, cut them to the desired size, brush with a little oil (to give the vegetables a roasted flavour), and then air fry in a preheated air fryer at 190 C (375 F) for around 10 to 15 minutes.

Air Frying Broccoli & Cauliflower

To cook broccoli & cauliflower perfectly in an air fryer all you need to do is; 

1. Preheat the air fryer
2. Brush the florets lightly with oil
3. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket
4. Air fry at 190 C (375 F) for 5 minutes
5. Shake the basket
6. Cook for a further 5 minutes or until the edges start turning crispy
7. Serve

Air Frying Courgette (Zucchini)

To cook courgettes or any Summer squash in the air fryer all you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Cut the squash to the desired size
3. Place in the air fryer basket 
4. Cook for 5 minutes
5. Shake the basket
6. Cook for a further 5 minutes
7. Serve

Air Frying Bell Peppers

Bell peppers take ages to cook in a conventional oven but only around 10 minutes in the air fryer. All you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Cut the peppers into smallish pieces
3. Brush or spray with oil
4. Place the oiled pepper pieces in the air fryer basket
5. Air fry for 5 minutes
6. Shake the basket
7. Cook for another 5 minutes
8. Serve

Air Frying Onions

There’s something special about the flavour of cooked onions, so sweet and tender. To cook onions in an air fryer all you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Cut the topped, tailed and peeled onions into quarters
3. Brush lightly with oil
4. Place in the air fryer basket
5. Air fry for 5 minutes
6. Shake the basket
7. Air fry for a further 5 minutes
8. Serve

Air Frying Tomatoes

AIr fried tomatoes have all the flavour of fried tomatoes without the added oil or grease. To cook tomatoes in the air fryer all you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Cut the tomatoes in half
3. Place the tomato halves in the air fryer basket
4. Air fry for 5 minutes
5. Check, if they’re done, remove them from the basket
6. If not, air fry for a few more minutes checking every minute or so
7. Serve

Firm Vegetables

Firm vegetables are vegetables including;

• Carrots
• Beetroots
• Parsnips
• Winter Squash
  • Butternut Squash
  • Pumpkin
  • Acorn Squash
• Turnips
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes

The same principles and techniques apply to cooking firm vegetables as cooking tender vegetables, they just take longer to cook.

To cook carrots, parsnips, turnips, beetroot and Winter squash in the air fryer all you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Peel and chop the vegetables into smallish chunks
3. Brush with oil
4. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer 
5. Air fry for 10 minutes
6. Shake the basket and air fry for another 10 minutes
7. Shake the basket
8. Air fry for a further 10 minutes or until done
9. Serve

Air Frying Potatoes

Different types of potatoes take different times to cook. Sweet potatoes will take longer than regular potatoes for example. Floury types of potatoes like Maris Pipers and King Edwards will take less time than waxy potatoes like Desiree.

To Cook potatoes in an air fryer all you need to do is;

1. Peel and cut your potatoes to the size and shape you require
2. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
3. Air fry for 15 minutes
4. Turn the potato pieces
5. Air fry for a further 10 to 15 minutes or until done
6. Serve

How To Cook Frozen Vegetables In An Air Fryer

Cooking frozen vegetables in the air fryer is even easier than cooking fresh vegetables. Just place the frozen vegetables in the basket of a preheated air fryer in a single layer. Add 2 to 3 minutes cooking time to their fresh counterparts and air fry.

Air Fried Frozen Vegetables Cooking Tips

• Always ensure there is a gap between each piece of frozen vegetable in the air fryer basket to allow the water to evaporate which lets the vegetables cook perfectly
• If cooking frozen broccoli or cauliflower in an air fryer, always brush the florets with oil to prevent burning
• To prevent frozen vegetables from becoming soggy in the air fryer, cook at 200 C (400 F)

Can You Cook Frozen Peas In An Air Fryer?

You can cook frozen peas in an air fryer. All you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Place the frozen peas in the air fryer basket
3. AIr fry for 3 minutes
4. Shake the basket
5. Air fry for another 3 minutes
6. Check they’re piping hot, and serve
7. If they’re not hot, air fry for a further 2 minutes
8. Serve

Air Fried Frozen Peas Cooking Tips

• Place the frozen peas directly into the air fryer basket
• There’s no need to add any oil!
• Cooking times may vary depending on the make and model of air fryer you own

Can You Cook Frozen Sweetcorn In An Air Fryer?

Cooking frozen sweetcorn in an air fryer uses exactly the same technique as cooking frozen peas in the air fryer.

All you need to do is;

1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (375 F)
2. Place the frozen sweetcorn in the air fryer basket
3. AIr fry for 3 minutes
4. Shake the basket
5. Air fry for another 3 minutes
6. Check that the sweetcorn is piping hot, and serve
7. If it’s not hot, air fry for a further 2 minutes
8. Serve

What About Wet Vegetables, Can They Be Air Fried?

When it comes to cooking vegetables, one thing you’ll want to watch out for is moisture. Wet vegetables can bring unwanted sogginess to your plate when you’re air frying. 

Just like how soggy shoes can be uncomfortable to wear, soggy vegetables aren’t always very nice to eat.

When you put damp vegetables into the air fryer, they tend to retain that moisture during cooking. This can prevent them from getting that nice, crispy texture we all love from air fried vegetables.

Instead of achieving a golden-brown, perfectly roasted result, you might end up with something more like steamed veggies. 

And while steamed vegetables can be tasty too, it’s not quite the same as what you likely wanted.

Can You Cook Wet Vegetables In An Air Fryer Without Them Going Soggy?

Before popping them in the air fryer, take a moment to dry off your veggies thoroughly. A gentle pat with a paper towel will do the trick. This way, you’re getting rid of that excess moisture before it goes in.

Also, seasoning your vegetables before cooking can help too! Sprinkle some salt and your favourite seasonings to add flavour while further drying out the veggies. 

Which type of flower shouldn’t be put in a vase?  
A cauliflower! 😂

SEE ALSO:

• Can You Put Eggs In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Frozen Chips In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Battered Fish In An Air Fryer?

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