If you haven't fallen in love with your air fryer yet, these vegetarian air fryer recipes are about to make it your new best friend in the kitchen.
Whether you're after crispy snacks for the evening, satisfying main dishes for the whole family, or a quick side dish to round out your plate, this collection of easy vegetarian air fryer recipes has something for everyone.
All tried-and-tested recipes from Love Incredible Recipes — easy meals made with real, wholesome ingredients and absolutely no meat required.
Let's dive in!
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Why You'll Love Air Fryer Vegetarian Recipes
If you're new to vegetarian cooking or simply looking for an easy way to make your favourite dishes healthier and quicker, an air fryer is a total game-changer. Here's why:
- Less oil, same amazing crunch. Unlike a conventional oven or a deep fryer, the best air fryer circulates hot air at high heat around your food, creating a beautifully crispy texture with just a teaspoon of oil — or sometimes none at all. That means a lower fat content without sacrificing any of the flavour or crunch you love.
- Speed. Most recipes in this list are ready in well under 30 minutes. The cooking time is significantly shorter than a traditional oven, which means delicious meals on the table faster.
- Versatility. From crispy foods like french fries and brussels sprouts, to baked goods, granola and even pizza — the air fryer does it all. It truly is the best thing to happen to vegetarian food in years.
- Easy clean-up. Just pop the air fryer basket in the dishwasher and you're done. A brilliant tool for the veg life!
Whether you drizzle with olive oil, sesame oil, or a splash of maple syrup, the air fryer locks in rich flavors and creates results that a conventional oven simply can't match in the same time.
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Tips for the Best Air Fryer Vegetarian Recipes
Here are a few quick tips to get the best results every time:
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give your food space so the hot air can circulate properly and achieve that crispy texture.
- Shake or flip halfway through. This ensures even cooking on all sides.
- A little oil goes a long way. Just a teaspoon of oil — such as olive oil or sesame oil — is usually all you need for crispy foods.
- Allow an extra minute if needed. Air fryers vary in power — always check your food a minute or two early and add an extra minute if needed.
- Use little oil with a brush or spray. This coats food more evenly than pouring, and gives the best golden brown finish.
- Air fryer models: air fryer models vary by size, power and shape. We love using the the Ninja 6-in-1 wide air fryer for versatile use. The Ninja air fryer with air crisp is also great, especially when you want to cook multiple dishes at the same time.
🥗 Snacks & Delicious Appetizers
These are perfect as delicious appetizers, an evening snack, or a party spread. With just a little oil and a hot air fryer, you get incredibly crispy foods that rival anything deep-fried.
Crispy Masala Peanuts
These masala peanuts are dangerously addictive — tossed in bold spices and air fried until perfectly crunchy. They're the ultimate easy recipe for snack time, and the air fryer gives them a crispy texture you'd normally only get from deep frying — with a fraction of the fat content. Scatter over salads for an added burst of flavour.
Vegetarian Jalapeño Poppers
Stuffed with cream cheese and cooked until golden brown, these jalapeño poppers are one of the most popular delicious appetizers on the blog — and for good reason. The air fryer gets them perfectly crispy on the outside with a melty, spiced filling inside. Ready in under 15 minutes and absolutely irresistible.
Crispy Paneer Fingers
Strips of paneer coated in a seasoned crumb and air fried until deeply golden. Serve with mint chutney for dipping and you've got a crowd-pleasing plate of crispy foods that disappears in minutes. Works brilliantly as a main course for kids and adults alike.
Mushroom Poppers
Juicy mushrooms stuffed with a cheesy filling and air fried to golden brown perfection. A brilliant option for delicious appetizers when you want something that feels a little fancy but takes almost no effort. The mushrooms stay wonderfully tender while the outside crisps up beautifully — a great way to impress guests.
Garlic Breaded Mushooms
Crispy, garlicky and completely egg-free — these breaded mushrooms deliver rich flavors in every bite. The air fryer achieves a crunch that rivals anything from a deep fryer, with far lower fat content. Brilliant as a side dish or starter.
Paneer Manchurian
This dry version of Paneer Manchurian is a celebration of Indo-Chinese flavours.
Crispy paneer tossed in a sticky, spiced sauce with bell pepper and spring onions — a bold, satisfying main course or sharing plate packed with rich flavors. A great way to show how exciting vegetarian food can be.
🍟 Sides & Light Bites
The air fryer is a great way to transform simple vegetables and sides into something truly special. Say goodbye to the traditional oven — these sides are faster, crispier, and even more delicious. Sweet potatoes, green beans and brussels sprouts have never tasted so good.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Sweet potatoes are arguably the best thing to cook in an air fryer. These wedges come out perfectly caramelised on the outside and fluffy inside — a brilliant side dish that's much healthier than deep-fried french fries. The air fryer's hot air gives them a crispy texture that a traditional oven struggles to match.
Purple Sweet Potato Fries
A stunning and nutritious twist on classic french fries. These vibrant purple sweet potatoes are coated in a little oil and air fried until crispy and golden brown. A showstopper side dish that's as healthy as it is beautiful — and a brilliant easy recipe for weeknights.
Sweet Potato Nachos
A creative, crowd-pleasing side dish (or even a main course) using thin-sliced sweet potatoes instead of corn chips. Loaded with toppings and air fried until the edges go golden brown, these nachos are a great way to add extra vegetables to your plate while keeping things fun and indulgent. An easy way to wow guests.
Chinese Garlic Green Beans (Asian Style Recipe)
These green beans are tossed in a punchy garlic and sesame oil sauce and air fried until slightly blistered and tender — a brilliant side dish alongside rice or noodles. Ready in just minutes, they're a great way to jazz up simple vegetables with big, bold flavour and an added burst of flavour from the sesame.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
If you think you don't like brussels sprouts, this recipe will change your mind. The air fryer transforms them into deeply caramelised, slightly crispy little nuggets of deliciousness. A drizzle of maple syrup adds an added burst of flavour that makes them completely addictive. The perfect side dish for autumn and winter dinners.
Purple Sweet Potato Bruschetta (Purple Potato Recipe)
An elegant and colourful bruschetta using air-fried purple sweet potatoes as the base. Beautiful to look at and full of rich flavors — a stunning vegetarian food option for dinner parties and weekend lunches.
Mediterranean Bruschetta
Caramelised onions, roasted peppers and hummus piled onto air-toasted sourdough. The air fryer toasts the bread to perfectly golden brown in minutes, and the toppings deliver an impressive depth of rich flavors for such a simple recipe. A brilliant light lunch or starter.
🍕 Main Dishes
These air fryer vegetarian recipes are hearty, satisfying and easy enough for any weeknight. Whether you need a quick main course for two or a crowd-pleasing dinner, you'll find something here. These delicious meals prove that vegetarian cooking is anything but boring.
Air Fryer Naan Pizza
One of the best air fryer vegetarian recipes for busy weeknights, and ready in under 10 minutes. The air fryer basket gives you a perfectly crispy base that the conventional oven simply can't match at the same speed. The easy way to do pizza night.
Eggplant Pizza
Low-carb, gluten-free and absolutely delicious — a vegetarian take on eggplant parm meets pizza. The air fryer makes the eggplant slices beautifully tender in the middle with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. A genius easy recipe for a lighter main course with a black bean or veggie topping.
Chickpea Flour Pizza
A gluten-free pizza base made from chickpea flour, topped with vibrant vegetables and air fried until golden brown. Packed with plant-based protein and a fantastic main course option — different, nourishing and genuinely tasty. A brilliant example of how exciting vegetarian food can be with just a little oil and the right ingredients.
Layered Italian Mushroom Rice
A comforting and hearty main course — layers of Italian-spiced mushroom rice finished in the air fryer for a golden brown, slightly crispy top. This is the kind of vegetarian cooking that feels like proper comfort food and is full of rich flavors. Perfect for batch cooking or a cosy midweek dinner.
Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Bake
Bell pepper and eggplant roasted together with a cheesy, golden brown breadcrumb topping — the air fryer achieves this in a fraction of the time of a traditional oven. A beautiful, rich main course that feels indulgent but is completely meat-free. One of the most delicious meals in this list.
Vegetable Lasagna
Yes — you can make lasagna in the air fryer! Layered with a rich tomato sauce, creamy white sauce and plenty of vegetables, then air fried until bubbling and golden brown on top. One of those easy meals that feels impressive and satisfying. A perfect main course for the whole family.
🌅 Breakfast & Granola
Air frying isn't just for savoury food — it's a brilliant easy way to bake too. The hot air gives baked goods a beautiful rise and a perfectly golden brown finish, making vegetarian cooking at breakfast time faster and more fun.
Healthy Air Fryer Granola (High Protein)
Homemade granola in the air fryer is a revelation — clusters of oats, nuts and seeds toasted to golden brown perfection with a drizzle of maple syrup. A fantastic easy recipe for meal prep and a much healthier option than shop-bought granola. Just a teaspoon of oil and a few minutes is all it takes.
Pistachio and Rose Granola (Air Fryer)
An elevated, floral take on granola — pistachios, oats and a hint of rose, toasted evenly in the air fryer until perfectly crunchy. A drizzle of maple syrup adds an added burst of flavour and natural sweetness. Honestly, this is the best thing to come out of our air fryer test kitchen. A stunning breakfast option that proves vegetarian food can be truly beautiful.
🍫 Desserts & Sweet Treats
The air fryer excels at baking — less time than a conventional oven, same beautiful results. All of these sweet treats use just a little oil or none at all, keeping the fat content low without compromising on flavour. These are genuinely some of the most delicious meals (of the sweet variety!) on the blog.
Sweet Potato Brownies
Fudgy, rich and made with sweet potatoes — these brownies use the natural sweetness and moisture of sweet potato to create an incredibly decadent result. The air fryer bakes them evenly with a perfectly set centre. A brilliant refined sugar-free treat and a fantastic easy recipe.
Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies
Deeply chocolatey brownies with a hidden layer of pumpkin — fudgy, rich and completely addictive. The air fryer bakes them beautifully with a golden brown top, and you'll have them on the table in well under 30 minutes. One of our favourite easy recipe options for autumn baking.
Rhubarb Crumble
A classic British dessert, made faster and just as delicious in the air fryer. Tart rhubarb with a golden brown, buttery crumble topping — ready in a fraction of the cooking time of a conventional oven. Serve warm with cream or custard. Pure comfort.
Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy, golden brown and packed with chocolate chips — these oat cookies come out of the air fryer perfectly every time. An easy recipe that uses just a teaspoon of oil and comes together in minutes. The best thing about air fryer baking? You never have to wait for a full oven to preheat.
Fudgy Matcha Brownies with White Chocolate Chips
Vibrant green, intensely fudgy and studded with white chocolate chips — these matcha brownies are a showstopper. The air fryer's high heat bakes them with a perfectly set centre and a beautiful golden brown top. A wonderful easy recipe for anyone who loves bold, distinctive flavours.
Banana and Coconut Cupcakes
Fluffy, tropical cupcakes that bake up beautifully in the air fryer. The combination of banana and coconut is a match made in heaven, and the air fryer's hot air gives them a perfect rise and golden brown top. A lovely easy recipe for afternoon tea or a birthday treat.
Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
Rich chocolate cupcakes with a cool mint frosting — genuinely impressive for how easy way they are to make. The air fryer achieves a beautifully light, fluffy sponge with no preheating fuss. A brilliant option when you want something indulgent but don't want to heat up the whole kitchen.
Gingerbread Cake
A warmly spiced gingerbread cake that comes together quickly in the air fryer. This is the kind of cosy, festive bake that fills the kitchen with the most incredible scent — and a perfect example of how versatile vegetarian cooking in the air fryer truly is. A main course of dessert, if you will!
Lime and Coconut Cupcakes
Zesty lime and creamy coconut in a beautiful layered cupcake, baked in the air fryer for a light, fluffy result. Fresh, vibrant and completely delicious — proof that the best air fryer vegetarian recipes are the ones that make you forget you're cooking "healthy."
Frequently Asked Questions
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses a powerful fan to circulate hot air at high heat around your food. This mimics the effect of deep frying, producing crispy foods with just a little oil. It works much faster than a conventional oven and uses significantly less oil than a traditional oven or deep fryer — making it a brilliant tool for lighter vegetarian cooking.
Both are great cooking methods, but air frying typically uses less oil and cooks faster. The fat content of air-fried food is generally lower than deep-fried equivalents, and the shorter cooking time helps preserve nutrients in vegetables like sweet potatoes, green beans and brussels sprouts.
Not always — but a teaspoon of oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil) usually helps achieve a better crispy texture and more golden brown results. For most of the air fryer vegetarian recipes in this list, just a tiny amount of oil makes a real difference to the final result.
Almost any vegetable works well! Some of the best include sweet potatoes (as wedges or french fries), brussels sprouts, green beans, bell pepper, eggplant and mushrooms. The air fryer caramelises them beautifully and brings out their natural rich flavors.
Absolutely! Many of the recipes in this list — including the naan pizza, vegetable lasagna, chickpea flour pizza and eggplant pizza — work beautifully as a complete main course. The best air fryer is far more versatile than people realise, and air frying is a genuinely easy way to get a full meal on the table fast.
Any good-quality air fryer will work well for these recipes. Look for one with an air fryer basket large enough for your household, a temperature range up to at least 200°C, and a reliable timer. The best air fryer for you is the one that fits your kitchen and your cooking style — and once you have it, it'll become your new best friend!
Final Thoughts on Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes
From crispy foods and delicious appetizers to hearty main dishes and indulgent desserts, these easy vegetarian air fryer recipes prove that vegetarian food can be fast, fun and absolutely delicious.
Air frying is a great way to transform everyday ingredients into crispy, golden brown, flavour-packed delicious meals — with less oil, less time and less washing up than almost any other method.
The air fryer truly is your veg life sorted. Bookmark this page and let us know which ones you try in the comments below!
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