Air fried vegetables are a healthier option on any snack platter. Use this recipe and tips to make your air fryer veggies crisp and delicious, every time!
This is our final recipe for nightshade free recipes month! We’re saying sayonara to the shade-free goodness. We hope you’ve found some amazing new recipes to add to your collection! Next week, we’ll be kicking off a new month, and a new theme. It’s a sweet one, and it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, so please come back and join us!
Do you remember the first time you fired up your air fryer? I think, at first, many people believe it’s just a faster way to make frozen french fries and other convenience foods quickly.
Sure, an air fryer DOES save time. But honestly, I think there are benefits to air frying food that are even better than the time savings.
Benefits of Air Frying
For starters, an air fryer doesn’t heat up the kitchen like an oven does. Oh, and of course, there’s the health factor!
See, when you make meals like air fryer chicken tenders or homemade Cajun breakfast sausage , you’re using less oil to cook them. This means, less saturated fat, so the meals are better for your heart!
Not to mention, there are no chemical preservatives like what are in so many frozen convenience foods, even the organic ones. Best of all, there is always better flavor in meals made from scratch!
For these reasons (and probably others than I’m forgetting.. haha), I use my air fryer to make even simple things like air fried vegetables!
When it comes to making plant based snacks like a veggie platter, it’s nice to know that the veggies will be crispy and cooked to perfection.
Not to mention, you can season them exactly the way you like them! Add a little kick of heat or some fresh herbs, or sprinkle your favorite spice mix on them.
Making air fried vegetables
Which veggies are best for air frying?
Because we’re rounding out our month of nightshade free recipes, this particular selection of veggies does not include any nightshade foods. Here’s what I used:
- Broccoli florets
- Cauliflower florets
- Red onion, sliced
- Brussels sprouts
- Radishes, sliced
The great news is, if you can tolerate nightshades, you can include foods like air fried potatoes or bell peppers!
Honestly, almost any vegetables that you enjoy roasting in the oven can be air fried. This time, I’m using the ones that work best for a vegetable snack platter.
Dippable veggies and nightshade free spicy vegan ranch for the win!
Oh, and I say practically any veggies because those with a high water content (like eggplant) don’t air fry very well.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the vegetables shown above are all roughly the same density, thickness and size, so they cook evenly.
One last tip– To be sure that nothing over cooks, it’s important to avoid combining vegetables that have different cooking times. For example, asparagus and green beans require less cooking time than cauliflower and broccoli.
How to make air fryer veggies
Okay, it’s time to plug in your AF and get it cookin’! By the way, this air fryer (<– affiliate link) is the one I use, and it is amazing! The size is perfect for making enough food for a small family, or the perfect size side dishes and snacks for a larger group.
Okay, let’s make some shade-free snackage!
- Preheat the fryer.
Unless you have a fancy new fryer that doesn’t need time to preheat, be sure to set yours. This way, it’ll be ready to use as soon as you are, and not the other way around.
- Prep and season the vegetables.
My seasoning of choice is a simple one, just a little garlic powder, plus salt and pepper. The key here is using oil to help the seasonings stick. You don’t need more than a couple of teaspoons, OR you can use balsamic vinegar, which is what I do. Or, use both!
The other seasoning I use is lemon juice. It’s really more to prevent the veggies from turning brown from oxidation. The additional flavor is a bonus!
The oil gives a really nice roasted flavor to the veggies. They’ll get a little crispy, like they do when you roast them in an oven. SO good!
- Cook, cool, and crunch!
Add the veggies to the air fryer, close the drawer and cook for 17 to 20 minutes. You can check them after 17 minutes to see if they’re ready.
Of course, my favorite dipping sauces are ranch-based. I have a nightshade free spicy vegan ranch, and a traditional homemade vegan ranch dressing.
Roasted vegetables are pretty fantastic with anything though. Try some vegan salsa con queso!
Air Fried Vegetables Snack Platter
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Air fried vegetables are a healthier option on any snack platter. Use this recipe and tips to make your air fryer veggies crisp and delicious, every time!
Ingredients
1 cup each of the following, sliced in half or into florets:
- Radishes (if you don’t have radish, you can use sliced small beets)
- Broccoli floret
- Cauliflower floret
- Brussels Sprouts
- Red onion (1/3 of a large red onion)
Plus the following:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Salt/pepper, to taste
- Fresh lemon, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Toss vegetables in a bowl with 1-2 tsp olive oil or balsamic vinegar and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Oil helps to give the veggies a roasted texture.
- Place veggies into basket of air fryer and cook at 375°F. for 20 minutes or 380°F. for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 2 tsp (splash) of lemon juice before serving.
- Serve with nightshade free ranch or other dipping sauce of choice and sliced lemons to keep them fresh.
- Category: snacks
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: air fried vegetables, plant based snacks, air fryer
Now it’s your turn!
Leave a comment below! What do YOU love making in your air fryer? Have you ever made air fried vegetables?!
Happy dipping, y’all!
LC
