To make crispy vegetables with your air fryer, keep these tips in mind:
First, the vegetables you choose to air fry should be of the same size and shape. This means, if you want crisp carrots, cut them up into lengths such as 1-inch or smaller so that they can all cook at the same time.
Second, if you want two different types of vegetable crispy, then choose one that cooks faster than the other. For example, if you’re air frying potatoes and green beans, then choose to cook the green beans first because they’ll take less time than the potatoes to cook through.
Third, if your vegetables come out soggy from the preheat stage, you’ve got to check that there is no water trapped anywhere. Remove any trapped water by blotting dry with paper towels and also give them one more try in the air fryer after you turn off the power and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
Fourth, remember to use a good air fryer because not all air fryers are created equal. Some make food soggy without preheating while others cook really well with this technique. (see my recommendations for the best air fryers for vegetables here)
Fifth, don’t crowd your vegetables in the basket when you put them in the air fryer. It is an important step because if you pack the veggies too tight, they will steam and not get crispy.
Finally, for your vegetables to be crispy-crunchy, they need to have an even coating of oil or fat because no matter how hot your air fryer gets, it cannot get rid of excess water from the vegetables if there is no fat or oil in them.
You can use a variety of vegetable oils to get the job done – from olive oil to peanut oil, grapeseed oil, or even high-temperature cooking spray.
Some vegetables you can air fry include green beans, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets ( small ), sweet potatoes ( cut in cubes ), potatoes ( cut in cubes ), onion rings, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and even rutabaga.
But if you want to use a non-stick cooking spray instead of vegetable oil, be sure to do it at the lowest temperature setting on your air fryer so as not to burn them.
What is the best way to air fry vegetables?
The best way to air fry vegetables is to coat them in a thin layer of oil or vegetable spray before placing them into the air fryer.
It adds very little fat and helps to boost flavor as well as ensure that they don’t stick to the basket.
In addition, you’re going to have a lot less clean-up if you line your baking sheet with foil (to air fry vegetables), spray the foil with cooking spray, and then spread out the veggies on top of it.
The next step would be to sprinkle them lightly with salt or spices before placing them in your preheated air fryer.
What oil should I use for air frying vegetables?
For deep-frying, you will want to use an oil with a high smoke point.
High-temperature air frying is the best way to get your vegetables crispy because it locks in their moisture and gives them that wonderful golden-brown color while also helping them retain some of their nutrients.
And while you can certainly deep fry, for this recipe we will be using high-temperature cooking to get our veggies crispy.
But if you are looking for an oil that will help your vegetables become really crispy, here are some great options to try out:
Grapeseed Oil – A light flavored oil with a high smoke point of about 450° F which makes it perfect for deep frying.
Vegetable Oil – With a smoke point of around 450° F, this oil is good for deep frying and can be used interchangeably with grapeseed oil.
Peanut Oil – With a smoke point of around 450°F/232°C, peanut oil contains healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids which help to lower the risk of heart disease and prevent the hardening of your arteries.
Perilla Oil – With a smoke point of about 410° F/210°C, perilla oil is great for deep frying. It has plenty of healthy fats and nutrients which are good for your skin and hair as well as help to lower the risk of heart disease.
Is it better to preheat the air fryer or not?
Preheating your air fryer for 1-2 minutes is recommended to ensure it’s hot enough to start cooking the vegetables.
But if you are using oil, this will not be necessary because the food won’t stick to the basket as long as it is truly hot.
Do I need oil when air frying vegetables?
It’s really up to personal preference – whether you want your veggies to have a little bit of crispiness to them or whether you want them to be completely dry.
Oil does help to get your vegetables crispy and also lock in their moisture which gives them that wonderful golden-brown color while also helping them retain some of their nutrients.
How long do I need to cook my vegetables in the air fryer for them to be crispy?
Cooking time will vary based on the size of your vegetables – whether they are sliced, chopped, or whole.
Here are some tips to help you determine how long it might take to cook your vegetables:
Spinach – Cook for about 1-2 minutes.
Broccoli florets ( cut in half ) – Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
Green beans – Cook for about 2 minutes.
Asparagus ( whole spears ) – Cook for about 4-5 minutes.
Carrots ( peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick pieces ) – Cook for about 5-6 minutes.
Can I put frozen vegetables in the air fryer?
Yes.
You can put both frozen and fresh vegetables right into your air fryer without having to defrost them first.
However, it’s a good idea to rinse fresh vegetables under cool water before placing them into the frying basket because this will help to ensure that they don’t stick together.
When cooking frozen vegetables, you will need to increase the cooking time by about 50%.
Should I turn my vegetables over during cooking or not?
This is entirely up to you.
If you choose not to turn them over during cooking, your vegetables will cook more evenly.
But if you like the way they look when you turn them over, go ahead and give it a try.
Conclusion
Keep the tips I’ve shared with you above on how to make crispy vegetables using an air fryer. They will help you get the best results.
Now go ahead and give it a try for yourself. Happy cooking.
Further reading: