Some of our favourite vegan air fryer recipes to liven up your meal times
Have you given in to the air fryer craze? The versatile kitchen gadget has taken the country by storm and everyone’s talking about their new favourite cooking companion.
Air fryers boast the ability to achieve the crispiest roast potatoes, as well as taking simple veggies to the next level. And they can do it more cheaply than the humble oven.
So, if you’re in need of some meal inspiration, check out these vegan air fryer recipes and our top tips on how to use this popular piece of kitchen kit.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
There’s not much you can’t cook in your air fryer. Although it’s not ideal for liquid-based foods, sauce, pasta or rice, it’s perfect for many everyday basics and desserts. You can even re-heat leftovers in the air fryer instead of using your microwave.
- Potatoes and chips
- Vegetables
- Chickpeas
- Falafel
- Tofu
- Mini pizzas
- Fajitas
- Banana Bread
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Crumble
How to use an air fryer
- For guidance on how long to cook different foods, check the manual for your air fryer.
- Keep the grate in the basket to allow hot air to circulate and cook the food properly and prevent excess oil.
- Give the food a shake (or flip if applicable) every few minutes to ensure it’s cooked through.
- You only need to apply a light coating of oil to achieve a crispy texture. Foods that already have a wet batter don’t need oil at all.
- Don’t overfill the basket as this can lead to some of the food being uncooked.
10 vegan recipes to try in your air fryer
1. Chipotle Chick’n Wraps
These air-fried wraps use Quorn’s vegan chick’n strips and the chipotle paste adds a fiery kick. The homemade mayo is simple to throw together using a few staple ingredients you can buy on a budget.
When you need a quick, easy and delicious lunch, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.
2. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa
Air fryers are great for winter warmers like this stuffed acorn squash recipe by Vegan Punks. This colourful dish is loaded with nutrients and uses seasonal produce.
Top it with vegan parmesan and seeds for a flavourful finish.
3. Smoky Chickpeas
Give your plant-based snacks an upgrade with these smoky chickpeas by Vegan Huggs. Air-fried chickpeas make a quick, healthy (and slightly addictive) snack you can enjoy at home or on the go.
The added flavours of cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper make these a zingy snack you’ll want to make again and again.
4. Double Down Mac’n’cheeseburger
Want to make your air fryer meals more interesting? This vegan mac’n’cheeseburger by Quorn is the ultimate fake-away treat.
Just use Quorn’s crunchy vegan fillet burgers and whip up a homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and you’ll have a real treat for the tastebuds.
5. Crispy Tofu
Take your tofu to the next level with this recipe by Sandhya’s Kitchen. Whether it’s for a noodle dish, salad, Buddha bowl or wrap, this light and crispy tofu adds a yummy protein boost to any meal. And it’s ready in just 15 minutes!
6. Hasselback Potatoes
Roast potatoes are a side dish we all know and love, but can you really improve on perfection? According to these Hasselback potatoes by Vegan Punks, you can!
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these herby potatoes complement any Sunday roast or Christmas dinner.
7. Sweet Potato Fries
This vegan air fryer recipe is a simple staple but delicious nonetheless. Sweet potato fries made in the air fryer are crispier than oven-baked and lower in fat than deep-fried. When you need a tasty side dish, you can always turn to this creation by Romy London.
8. Quorn’bab Flatbread
These vegan kebab flatbreads by Quorn prove you don’t need to order takeout to enjoy a tasty meal. Complete with homemade mint yoghurt and pickled cabbage topping, these Quorn’babs will be a hit with the whole family.
9. Air Fryer Cookies
These air fryer cookies by A Virtual Vegan are too good to pass! With a crispy exterior and soft, gooey centre, these cookies will satisfy any sugar craving. Ready in just 15 minutes, these easy vegan cookies are great for those times when you don’t want to bake a full batch.
10. Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
You may be surprised to learn you can make cinnamon rolls in your air fryer! This recipe by Rescue Dog Kitchen makes sweet, sticky treats you can enjoy any day of the week and although it’s for the more experienced air fryer users, it’s well worth the effort.
Why not check out our vegan slow cooker recipes too?
