These Vegan Air Fryer Recipes are a combination of delicious, easy, and time-saving. Here you'll find snacks, appetizers, side dishes, mains, and even desserts. Whether you've been loving your air fryer for years or you're considering buying one soon, this collection has something for you!
When it comes to what you can make in the air fryer, the sky is the limit. From homemade meals to cooking up frozen foods in minutes, small-batch desserts to reheating leftovers, there isn't much you can't do in the air fryer!
These Vegan Air Fryer Recipes are all quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight meals and snacks. But air frying is also great for holidays or big meals where you need to free up space in the oven.
In this collection, you'll find a wide variety of recipes for snacks, appetizers, sides, mains, and desserts--all of which can be made in the air fryer. If you don't have an air fryer yet, not to worry! Many of these recipes can also be made in an oven.
Check out the whole collection, or jump to the category you're most interested in exploring. I hope you find a new favorite air fryer recipe!
Jump to:
- Advantages of using an Air Fryer
- Air frying tips
- What type of Air Fryer should I use?
- Air Fryer Side Dishes
- Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
- Air Fryer Desserts
- More easy vegan meals
You'll love these Healthy Air Fryer Recipes because it's:
- Quick & Easy
- Vegan / Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Kid-friendly
- Easy to make Gluten-Free
- Easy to make Oil-free & WFPB
- Healthy & Delicious
Advantages of using an Air Fryer
If you're on the fence about buying an air fryer, but you just aren't sure, here are a few advantages of using one over a traditional oven.
- It's quick! Many dishes cook up in half the time.
- You can get crispy, crunchy texture with little to no oil.
- It's healthier than traditional frying (see above).
- Frees up oven space for other dishes, which is especially great during holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Or you can avoid turning on the oven altogether, which is great in the summertime.
Air frying tips
I've been using my air fryer for over a year now, and I've picked up some tips and tricks along the way.
- Try not to crowd the air fryer. Filling the basket to the brim can stop the air from properly circulating, leading to uneven cooking.
- Shake the basket halfway. Food on the outer edge of the basket tends to brown more quickly than food in the center. Shaking the basket halfway can help keep things even. I will sometimes even use tongs and manually swap the food in the center with that on the perimeter.
- When air frying quick-cooking vegetables with a high water content (like asparagus or summer squash) be sure to blast the heat as high as it will go. This way you can get some browning before the veggies turn to mush.
- For denser foods that take longer to cook (like brussels sprouts) set the heat a little lower. This will ensure that the food will be fully cooked without burning the outside.
- You don't necessarily need to preheat. Most recipes, including mine, will recommend this step in order to be more consistent, but you're in a hurry, there's no real need to pre-heat.
What type of Air Fryer should I use?
The air fryer you choose should bethe one that best meets your needs for budget, capacity, and storage space. Some air fryers also have other functions like grilling and dehydrating. I ended up buying theNinja Foodi Grill 4-in-1because it has a large capacity to feed my family of four.
If you wanted a smaller and more economical air fryer, check out thisFarberware 3.4 quartor4.2 quart Air Fryer. For even more possibilities, take a look at this list of theBest Air Fryers of 2021.
Ready to get to the healthy vegan air fryer recipes? Let's get started!
Air Fryer Appetizers & Snacks
Air Fryers are perfect for making snacks and appetizers. You can make crispy, crunchy finger foods with little or no oil. Air Fryer Starters make the perfect addition to a holiday spread or family movie night.
Air Fryer Pasta Chips 3 Ways! (Oil-free)
Air Fryer Pasta Chips are crispy, crunchy, and delicious. Perfect for snacking or adding to a party buffet! Works with all types of pasta including regular, whole wheat, and gluten-free. Choose from three flavors: Curry, Sweet BBQ, and Vegan Ranch.
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Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings by Delish Knowledge
These healthy, vegan Buffalo wings get crispy and delicious in the air fryer. Toss with buffalo sauce and serve with vegan ranch for the perfect veganized game-day appetizer.
Vegan Air Fryer Calamari by Strength and Sunshine
This delicious vegan calamari is made with hearts of palm and seasoned breading. A crispy and delicious air fryer appetizer that everyone will love!
Vegan Crab Cakes
These Vegan Crab Cakes are delicate, flaky, and full of the flavors of the sea. Nori and Old Bay Seasoning add all the right notes, while Jackfruit creates the perfect crabless cake texture. Serve with a vegan remoulade for an absolutely delicious main course or appetizer.
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Air Fryer Apple Chips by Make it Skinny Please
These delicious and healthy Apple Chips are seasoned with cinnamon and ginger. They just take 10 minutes in the air fryer for a quick and easy sanck.
Vegan Air Fryer Pizza Rolls by Moon and Spoon and Yum
These easy homemade pizza rolls are made with vegan ingredients. Whip up a quick dough, add your toppings, roll them up, and cook them in the Air Fryer for a delicious appetizer or snack.
Air Fryer Side Dishes
One of my favorite ways to use the air fryer is to cook side dishes. Not only does it free up space in the oven, but it can also save you time since most veggies roast in the air fryer in about half the time. So if you're looking for a healthy and delicious side dish, check out these delicious Air Fryer Vegetable Sides.
Air Fryer Squash
Air Fryer Squash is quick, easy, and delicious. With just a few simple ingredients and little prep work, you can roast Summer Squash in the Air Fryer in less than 15 minutes. Serve as a simple side dish, add to pasta sauce, or pair with zucchini for a colorful summer veggie mix.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. Choose from a variety of seasonings, including Classic, Oil-free Maple Balsamic, and Sweet & Spicy. In just 20 minutes, you can have this delicious vegan side dish on the table!
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Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls by Watch Learn Eat
Crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, these Vegan Mashed Potato Balls take just 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.
Air Fryer Green Beans
These Air Fryer Green Beans are crispy and perfectly seasoned with lemon juice and vegan parmesan. They make a delicious and easy side dish that's quick enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for a holiday meal!
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
This Air Fryer Butternut Squash is gorgeously browned on the outside and deliciously buttery on the inside. Paired with thyme and fresh sage, this makes the perfect fall side dish! Ready in just 30 minutes.
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Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes by Vegan Dollhouse
These Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes are fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin. Top with vegan bacon for a delicious air fryer side dish!
Air Fryer Asparagus
Cooking Asparagus in the Air Fryer is super easy, requires almost zero prep, and takes less than 10 minutes. Crispy Air Fryer Asparagus can be made with or without oil. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and vegan parmesan for an amazing healthy side dish!
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Air Fryer Broccoli
There are so many ways to make crispy and delicious broccoli in the air fryer with or without oil. Perfect as a healthy side dish or as a component of the main course, this air fryer broccoli is sure to become a staple in your home.
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Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
When it comes to your main course, the air fryer is where it's at. You can often cut cooking times in half compared to the oven, and you can get an extra crispy and crunchy texture with little to no oil. Take a look at these Vegan Air Fryer Dinner Recipes and see if you can find a new favorite.
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets (Vegan & Oil-Free)
Air Fry Tofu is an easy variation of my Baked Tofu Nugget Recipe. Using the same ingredients, you can make these vegan nuggets in the air fryer with the same delicious flavor and texture but in half the time.
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General Tso Tofu
This General Tso Tofu is full of amazing flavors and has a perfect balance of sweet, earthy, and spicy. If you're craving a vegan version of General Tso's Chicken, then this dish is just right. It's the perfect quick, easy, and healthier vegan fake-out meal!
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Air Fryer Vegan Stuffed Peppers by My Quiet Kitchen
These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are filled with the brim with vegan meat, rice, and marinara. Top with vegan cheese for a delicious and filling meal the whole family will love.
Air Fryer Vegan Taquitos
Crispy, crunchy, beefy, cheesy--these taquitos are the perfect comfort food. But wait, they're also vegan and oil-free! The combination of the taco-seasoned tofu crumbles and rich cashew queso make these an absolutely indulgent vegan treat that even your omni friends will love!
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Vegan Butter Chicken with Tandoori Tofu
This Vegan Butter Chicken is luscious and creamy, with a mildly spiced tomato gravy and crispy chunks of Tandoori Tofu. This dish is both kid-friendly and oil-free. It comes together quickly enough for a weeknight but feels special enough for a big weekend meal.
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Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan by Veggie Chick
Crispy, crunchy eggplant is topped with marinara and vegan cheese in this nostalgic, veganized dish. In just 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan can be on the table.
Orange Tofu (Vegan Orange Chicken)
This Orange Tofu tastes like Panda Express Vegan Orange Chicken, but it's more flavorful and far healthier since it's homemade and oil-free. Pair with brown rice and steamed broccoli for the perfect takeout-style comfort dish. Air fryer instructions included!
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Air Fryer Desserts
Yes, you can make desserts in the air fryer! I was surprised, too. But there are a variety of ways to prepare sweet treats in the air fryer. The biggest advantages seem to be speed, batch size, and not having to turn on your oven. If you've never tried using your air fryer to make desserts, then give these vegan air fryer desserts a try!
Air Fryer Donuts with Jam by Rainbow Nourishments
No need to deep fry these delicious donuts! This classic donut recipe gets a healthy, vegan update with these Air Fryer Donuts with Jam.
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies by A Virtual Vegan
These Vegan Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Ready in just 15 minutes, they're perfect for when you're craving cookies but don't want to make a full batch.
Small Batch Air Fryer Brownies by Veggies Save the Day
Making a small batch of brownies in the air fryer is so easy! This recipe is both vegan and oil-free. You can be digging into these gooey and delicious brownies in just 20 minutes!
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies by Bites of Wellness
You just need 4 ingredients and 20 minutes to make these delicious air fryer cookies! They're vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for a quick sweet treat.
That's it! I hope you found a new favorite vegan air fryer recipe!
More easy vegan meals
- Vegan Broccoli Soup (Oil-Free +WFPB)
- Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Oil-Free)
Did you try this recipe? Have a question? Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you ASAP!
