Yes, you can put wet vegetables in an air fryer, but some veggies work better than others.
For example, hashbrowns and french fries come out crispy while zucchini is a little too wet to crisp up in the air fryer.
There is a trick, though: you can wrap the vegetables in paper towels and squeeze out as much liquid as possible before putting them in the air fryer.
That allows those veggies to get crispy after frying for several minutes at high temperatures.
Related: the best air fryers for frying vegetables healthily
What vegetables can you air fry?
Not all vegetables can be air-fried.
For example, zucchini and mushrooms come out too wet in the air fryer.
With that said, most veggies work great in an air fryer:
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Corn kernels
- Bell peppers
- Potatoes (hashbrowns and french fries)
- Eggplants
- Onions
- Green onions
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How do you air fry vegetables?
To air-fry veggies, you’ll need to chop them into about 2-inch pieces, making sure they are as dry as possible before putting them in the air fryer.
Then, put those veggies in a bowl and drizzle some oil on top of them.
Toss everything until all veggies are evenly covered with oil.
Put the veggies inside the basket of an air fryer and select your desired cooking time.
At the end of the cycle, remove veggies from the oven and enjoy a crispy snack.
When air frying vegetables, you can add a small amount of salt or other spice if you’d like.
You can also add some olive oil to have a richer taste.
What is the best time and temperature to air fry vegetables?
The best time and temperature for air frying vegetables depends on the type of vegetable.
For example, if you want your french fries to come out crispy, fry them at a high temperature (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit) until they reach a golden brown color.
If you’re looking for something healthier, green beans should be cooked at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the size of each pod.
What are the health benefits of air frying vegetables?
The health benefits of air frying vegetables are huge. (source)
First, you can control the amount of oil used.
Using a small amount of oil helps to keep the fat content low and allows your veggies to absorb flavor without being drenched in grease.
As for cooking time, most vegetables cook in under 10 minutes at high temperatures allowing nutrients to stay intact while also ensuring that veggies are crispy.
Finally, you get to choose the seasoning.
It’s easier to add spices like basil or garlic when cooking vegetables in an air fryer than on a stovetop.
Are there any precautions I should take when air frying vegetables?
The best precaution you can take when air frying vegetables is to chop them into small pieces.
The smaller the pieces, the faster they will cook and the less likely they are to burn inside the air fryer.
So if you want your fries to come out crispy, don’t cut them too big.
Letting them cook for a little bit longer, however, will make them crunchy even if they’re too thick.
Also, to prevent your air fryer oil from turning black or brown due to overcooking your veggies, you can cook them at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time.
Finally, keep an eye on the vegetables while cooking them.
Since there are no steam or condensation vapors when using an air fryer, you can easily overcook your veggies.
Can I use my regular oven to air fry vegetables instead of a dedicated air fryer?
Instead of using an air fryer, you can also use your regular oven to air fry vegetables. (source)
Preheat the oven at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place your veggies inside a baking dish.
Then, put that dish in the oven and continuously stir your veggies until they are crispy.
The only downside is that the entire house fills with smoke when you are cooking in the oven, while this doesn’t happen when using an air fryer.
Why are some vegetables better suited for air frying than others?
Vegetables with a crunchy texture, like potatoes or onion rings, are perfect for air frying.
The crispy exterior makes them ideal for the job.
On the other hand, vegetables that turn mushy when they’re cooked too long should be avoided unless you want soft veggies.
These include tomatoes, mushrooms, and zucchini.
So even though you can technically air fry any type of vegetable, it’s best to avoid those that will turn into mush if overcooked.
Can you put raw vegetables in an air fryer?
You can definitely put raw vegetables in an air fryer.
Just remember to cut them up into smaller pieces before putting them in the oven.
Since raw vegetables don’t cook in under 10 minutes, you should set your air fryer at a lower temperature (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) so that you only have to wait about 30-45 minutes for them to become crispy.
Is there a calorie difference between oven and air-fried vegetables?
There is absolutely no calorie difference between oven-fried and air-fried vegetables.
The same amount of vegetables, for example, will provide roughly the same number of calories whether they’re cooked in a conventional oven or an air fryer.
Does it take less time to cook in an air fryer than the oven or stovetop cooking method?
Yes, it definitely takes less time to cook vegetables via an air fryer than the other two cooking methods.
For example, potatoes can take around 45 minutes to cook in the oven but only 20-25 minutes in an air fryer.
So you save a lot of time by using this appliance.
Conclusion
In summary, air frying wet vegetables is possible, so why not give it a try?
With just a little bit of preparation, your fresh produce can be cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
Once you’ve tried it out for yourself, I think you’ll be hooked on this healthy and delicious cooking method.