18 Air Fryer Vegetarian Recipes
Meat-free mains and sides, including cheese and egg dishes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
Illustration generated to show a typical finished result. It is not a photograph of a specific batch we cooked.
Meat-free cooking in an air fryer covers more ground than the vegan list, because cheese and eggs are back on the table - and both behave brilliantly under fast dry heat. Halloumi crisps at the edges, eggs bake in ramekins, and roasted vegetables get colour an oven takes twice as long to deliver.
All 18 air fryer vegetarian recipes
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
190°C · 18-24 min
Tender acorn squash wedges glazed with maple and brown butter notes. The air fryer roasts the dense flesh until soft and caramelised at the edges, a cosy autumn side that comes together far quicker than the oven. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 18-24 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Artichokes
190°C · 12-16 min
Tender, lemony artichokes with crisped, golden leaves ready for dipping. The air fryer finishes steamed artichokes with a lovely char, making an impressive starter that is far simpler than it looks. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 12-16 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Beets
190°C · 22-28 min
Earthy, sweet roasted beetroot with concentrated flavour and no messy oven tray. The air fryer intensifies their natural sugars beautifully, giving tender wedges that are ideal in salads, grain bowls or served warm with feta. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 22-28 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Bok Choy
190°C · 6-9 min
Crisp-edged bok choy with tender stems and a savoury sesame-garlic glaze. The air fryer chars the leaves while keeping the crunchy base juicy, a speedy Asian-inspired side for rice bowls and stir-fries. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 6-9 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Broccolini
190°C · 8-10 min
Charred, tender-stemmed broccolini with crispy tips and a garlicky finish. The air fryer blisters the florets while keeping the stalks snappy, a fast, elegant green side for any meal. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Carrot Fries
200°C · 14-18 min
Sweet, crisp-edged carrot fries with a tender bite, a colourful veg-packed alternative to chips. The air fryer caramelises the natural sugars and crisps the outsides using barely any oil, a hit with kids and adults alike. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 14-18 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
200°C · 15-18 min
Thick slabs of cauliflower roasted until the edges caramelise and the centre turns tender and sweet. The air fryer chars them like a griddle without heating the oven, making a striking meat-free centrepiece in under twenty minutes. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 15-18 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas
200°C · 12-16 min
Chickpeas roasted until crunchy and popcorn-like, seasoned with smoky spice. The air fryer's rapid circulation dries them out beautifully so they turn addictively crisp, perfect as a snack, salad topper or protein-rich crouton swap. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 12-16 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Delicata Squash
200°C · 12-16 min
Sweet delicata squash rings with caramelised edges and tender, edible skin, so no peeling needed. The air fryer roasts them quickly into golden half-moons, a beautiful autumnal side for any table. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 12-16 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
190°C · 12-15 min
Crisp breaded aubergine slices layered with marinara and melted mozzarella. The air fryer crisps the crumb coating without the heavy oil of frying, so this Italian-American comfort dish comes out lighter but every bit as satisfying. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 12-15 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Kale Chips
150°C · 5-8 min
Feather-light, salty kale chips that crackle at the first bite. The gentle heat of the air fryer crisps the leaves in minutes without scorching, giving you a wholesome, addictive snack packed with green goodness. Cooks at 150°C / 300°F for 5-8 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Okra
200°C · 10-14 min
Crisp, blister-edged okra with none of the sliminess, thanks to the dry heat of the air fryer. Lightly spiced and roasted until charred, it makes an addictive snack or a punchy side for curries and grilled meats. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 10-14 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Plantains
190°C · 10-14 min
Sweet, caramelised plantains with golden edges and a soft, custardy centre. The air fryer coaxes out their natural sugars with barely any oil, making a quick Caribbean-style side or snack that is hard to stop eating. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-14 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
190°C · 8-11 min
Meaty portobello caps marinated in garlic and balsamic, then air fried until juicy and deeply savoury. The air fryer concentrates their flavour and drives off excess water, giving a robust burger filling or steak-style plate. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-11 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Radishes
200°C · 12-15 min
Roasting mellows radishes into a surprisingly soft, buttery low-carb side that tastes like roast potatoes. The air fryer draws out their sharp bite and leaves lightly crisped edges, a clever swap for anyone watching the carbs. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 12-15 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
190°C · 20-30 min
Roasted spaghetti squash that forks into tender, noodle-like strands, a brilliant low-carb pasta swap. The air fryer roasts the halves faster than the oven while keeping the strands firm and separate. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 20-30 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Tempeh
190°C · 12-15 min
Marinated tempeh strips turned crisp and caramelised in the air fryer, with a nutty depth you only get from the whole soybean cake. A steaming and marinating trick tames any bitterness and lets the savoury glaze soak right in. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 12-15 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
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Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
190°C · 11-14 min
Grated courgette bound with feta and herbs, air fried into crisp, savoury fritters. Squeezing out the moisture is the trick to a crunchy edge, and the air fryer delivers it with barely any oil for a light, moreish bite. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 11-14 min. Ingredients, method, and starting-point times for a domestic air fryer.
Read moreCheese in an air fryer, without the mess
Firm cheeses are the ones that work: halloumi, paneer and mature cheddar in a coated form all hold their shape. Soft cheeses melt straight through the basket, so they need a container or a wrapping of some kind.
Keep firm cheese at 190°C / 375°F rather than higher. Above that the outside browns before the inside softens, and halloumi in particular turns squeaky and tough.
Building a vegetarian main that is not just a side
The trick is combining textures in one basket: something starchy for substance, something green for freshness, and something with a crust for interest. Potatoes, broccoli and halloumi at 190°C / 375°F is a complete plate in 20 minutes.
Add anything watery - courgette, mushrooms, peppers - in the last third only. Put them in at the start and they release enough steam to soften everything else in the basket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetarian food can you cook in an air fryer?
Roasted vegetables, halloumi, paneer, tofu, veggie burgers, stuffed peppers, falafel and baked eggs in ramekins. Firm textures work better than soft, watery ones.
Can you put cheese in an air fryer?
Firm cheeses like halloumi and paneer, yes - at 190°C / 375°F. Soft cheese will melt through the basket, so it needs a container, a coating or a wrapper around it.
How long do vegetables take in an air fryer?
Most take 10-18 minutes at 190°C / 375°F. Dense root vegetables sit at the top of that range, broccoli and asparagus at the bottom. Shake once halfway through.
Why are my air fryer vegetables soggy?
Either the basket was overloaded, or watery vegetables went in at the same time as everything else. Cook in a single layer, and add courgette, mushrooms and peppers only in the last third.