Air Fryer Vegetables

Name: Air Fryer Vegetables
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces; 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices; 1 small red onion, cut into thick slices; 4-6 cremini mushrooms, quartered; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Using your air fryer to roast veggies is quick and easy! These Air Fryer Vegetables have a tender texture and light seasoning, and take less than 20 minutes from start to finish. They’re the perfect side dish for busy weeknights!

It’s not dinnertime around here unless I’m using my air fryer! Seriously, the obsession is real, and I’m not kidding when I say that I use my air fryer almost every day. My favourites lately include this air fryer corn on the cob and these air fryer stuffed peppers.

And when local beets are in season, these air fryer beets will be on repeat in our house!

Roasted vegetables on a plate with a spoon.

If you’re new to air fryer cooking, be sure to check out these air fryer side dishes. It’s a collection of side dish recipes that will make weeknight dinners a little easier!

But first, you need to try this mix of roasted vegetables in the air fryer!

Why you’ll love this recipe

You just need 5 minutes of prep time, and these veggies need less than 15 minutes in the air fryer.
There are so many ways to change up this recipe with different seasonings (suggestions below) or even a mix of different veggies. So feel free to make it your own!
You don’t need to turn on your oven to roast your veggies (which is perfect for hot summer days)! The high heat and constant air circulation in the air fryer gives these veggies a roasted and tender texture that’s similar to oven roasted vegetables.

Ingredients to make air fryer vegetables arranged individually and labelled.

Details on the ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are super simple:

Zucchini – You’ll need a small zucchini for this recipe. I usually cut it into 1/2 inch slices and then cut those slices in half. I used green zucchini, but yellow will work great too. If your zucchini is large, just use half of it.

Red pepper – I used a small red bell pepper, but you can also use yellow or orange. Green pepper works too, it’s just not as sweet as the other three varieties. I cut them into chunks instead of slices, to help them cook evenly with the other veggies.

Mushrooms – Cremini mushrooms are our favourite, but you can also use button mushrooms. I normally quarter mine, but if they’re small, you can keep them whole. I would avoid cutting them into thin slices as they will get too soft.

Red onion – You can use one small red onion or half a large one. I like using red onion because they hold their texture and pair nicely with the sweetness of the peppers. If you prefer, you can use white or yellow onion.

Oil – Just a tablespoon of oil helps the vegetables roast and caramelize a little. I used extra virgin olive oil, but you can use the oil of your choosing.

Seasonings – A simple mix of salt, pepper and garlic powder is used to season the veggies. Feel free to change it up with other dried herbs and spices. I’ve included some suggestions below!

Chopped and seasoned vegetables in a glass bowl with a spoon.

How to cook vegetables in the air fryer

Chop your vegetables into roughly the same size pieces and place them in a large bowl.
Drizzle on the oil and sprinkle on the seasonings. Toss together until the veggies are coated.
Place the veggies in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 11-13 minutes, or until tender. Shake the basket a few times to ensure even cooking.
Serve immediately with additional seasoning, if desired.

Seasoning variations

Spice things up by seasoning the veggies with chili powder, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
For a smoky flavour, try smoked paprika, chipotle seasoning or some nutritional yeast.
Before serving, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and crumbled feta cheese.
Chopped fresh herbs always make a nice presentation and add a pop of flavour. Try adding chopped fresh parsley, cilantro or oregano before serving.

Seasoned vegetables arranged in an air fryer basket.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should you air fry vegetables?

To achieve a tender texture and a little caramelization around the edges, you’ll want to air fry these vegetables at 400F. If the temperature setting on your air fryer doesn’t go as high as 400F, no worries. Just set it to the highest temperature it has and increase the cooking time.

How long does it take to cook vegetables in the air fryer?

At 400F, it will take about 11-13 minutes for the vegetables to air fry. They will have a tender texture, but won’t be too soft. If you prefer them firmer, just air fry them for 9-10 minutes. For a softer texture, you can air fry them for 14-15 minutes. Be careful not to air fry them for too much longer as they may burn or get a little mushy.

Can you use other vegetables?

I like the mix of veggies in this recipe, but you can definitely change it up. I would avoid mixing firm and soft veggies as they have different cooking times. Other vegetables I’ve tried include broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and celery. Broccoli will air fry a little quicker, so if you add it, you’ll need to remove it before the other veggies are cooked. If you’re using a firm mix of veggies, like root vegetables, you’ll definitely need to increase the air frying time.

Can you air fry frozen vegetables?

Absolutely! Just place the frozen veggies in the air fryer basket (no need to defrost them first) and spray them with oil. (If you try to toss them with oil, it may just freeze around the veggies). Air fry on 400F for 5 minutes (until they look defrosted) and then add the seasoning. Continue air frying for another 7-9 minutes, until the veggies are tender and dried out. Remember to shake the basket a few times during cooking.

How do you reheat leftovers?

You can reheat leftover air fried vegetables in the microwave or oven. I prefer to reheat them in the air fryer, which just takes 4-5 minutes on 400F.

Side view of air fried vegetables on a plate with a spoon with quinoa and parsley in the background.

Serving options for air fryer vegetables

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy these vegetables:

Pair them with quinoa and these honey garlic turkey meatballs or air fryer chicken meatballs for a filling lunch or dinner.
Serve them as a side dish with turkey burgers, chicken patties or pork tenderloin.
We love them paired with this air fryer salmon, this crispy air fryer cod or these mini air fryer quiche.
You can also add a spicy kick by drizzling some jalapeño vinaigrette over them.

Key recipe tips

Type of air fryer. The recipe instructions are based on a 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer. Depending on the brand, model and size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time.
Preheating your air fryer. If your model of air fryer calls for preheating, please feel free to do it. Your veggies may cook a few minutes faster.
Chop veggies in same size pieces. For even cooking, make sure your vegetables are cut in roughly the same size pieces. If you cut them into smaller pieces, they will air fry quicker.
Shake the basket. Check on the veggies and shake the basket a few times during air frying to make sure the veggies cook evenly and don’t burn.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. For the best results, try to arrange your vegetables in a thin layer. They can overlap a bit, but you don’t want to fill the air fryer basket with veggies. Giving them space will help the vegetables air fry quickly and evenly.

Roasted vegetables mixed with quinoa on a white plate with a fork.

More air fryer vegetable recipes to try

If you make these air fryer vegetables, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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