25 Quick and Easy Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes

If you're looking for healthy, flavorful meals without spending hours in the kitchen, these 25 quick and easy vegetarian air fryer recipes are exactly what you need. The air fryer makes everything crispy and delicious with minimal oil, perfect for vegetarian dishes that everyone will love.

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, especially for vegetarians seeking that perfect crunch without deep frying. These recipes use simple ingredients and come together in under 30 minutes in most cases.

Whether you're new to air frying or a seasoned pro, you'll find snacks, sides, and full meals here that highlight vegetables, tofu, and more in creative ways.

Why Choose Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes?

Vegetarian air fryer recipes are not only healthier but also incredibly versatile. You get that satisfying fried texture with way less oil, making them ideal for weeknight dinners or party snacks.

Plus, they're budget-friendly and help reduce food waste by transforming simple veggies into gourmet-tasting treats.

1. Crispy Air Fried Chickpeas

Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas (drained and rinsed), 1 tsp olive oil, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: Pat chickpeas dry. Toss with oil and seasonings. Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy.

Start with these addictive crispy air fried chickpeas – a protein-packed snack that's ready in 15 minutes. Drain a can of chickpeas, toss with olive oil and spices, and air fry until golden.

They're perfect for munching or topping salads. Try flavors like garlic parmesan or spicy chili lime.

2. Zucchini Fries

Ingredients: 2 medium zucchinis (cut into fries), ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan (or nutritional yeast for vegan), 1 egg (or flax egg), salt, pepper, garlic powder.

Instructions: Dip zucchini in beaten egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Cut zucchini into sticks, bread with panko and parmesan (or nutritional yeast for vegan), and air fry for the ultimate healthy fry alternative.

Dip in marinara or ranch for a fun appetizer everyone loves.

3. Falafel Balls

Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas (drained), ¼ cup parsley, 1 onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, salt, 2 tbsp flour, baking powder.

Instructions: Blend ingredients, form balls. Air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until crispy.

Make homemade falafel lighter by air frying instead of deep frying. Blend chickpeas with herbs and spices, form balls, and cook until crispy outside and fluffy inside.

Serve in pitas with tahini sauce for a complete meal.

4. Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (florets), ½ cup flour, ½ cup milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ cup buffalo sauce, 2 tbsp butter (or vegan butter).

Instructions: Coat florets in batter, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes. Toss in sauce and air fry 5 more minutes.

These spicy buffalo cauliflower wings are a game-changer for vegetarian game day food. Toss florets in batter, air fry, then coat in buffalo sauce.

Pair with celery and vegan ranch for the full experience.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes (cut into fries), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, salt.

Instructions: Toss with oil and spices. Air fry at 380°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway.

Crispy sweet potato fries are effortless in the air fryer. Cut into wedges, season with paprika and garlic, and cook until perfectly tender-crisp.

They're naturally sweet and nutritious – great as a side or snack.

6. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Ingredients: 8-12 spring roll wrappers, 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, oil spray.

Instructions: Fill wrappers with veggies, roll tightly. Spray with oil. Air fry at 390°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway until crispy.

Frozen or homemade vegetable spring rolls get super crispy in the air fryer without any extra oil.

Serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

7. Crispy Tofu Cubes

Ingredients: 1 block extra-firm tofu (pressed and cubed), 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, oil spray.

Instructions: Toss tofu with cornstarch and seasonings. Air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway until golden and crispy.

Press tofu, cube it, toss in cornstarch and spices, then air fry for the crispiest tofu you've ever had.

Add to stir-fries or eat as is with dipping sauce.

8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients: 1 lb Brussels sprouts (halved), 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 garlic cloves (minced), salt and pepper.

Instructions: Toss with oil, balsamic, garlic. Air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes, shaking halfway until charred and tender.

Halve Brussels sprouts, toss with balsamic and garlic, and air fry until charred and tender.

They convert even sprout haters!

9. Eggplant Parmesan Slices

Ingredients: 1 eggplant (sliced), ½ cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with ¼ cup Parmesan, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese.

Instructions: Bread slices (flour, egg, breadcrumbs). Air fry at 370°F for 10 minutes. Top with sauce and cheese, air fry 2 more minutes until melted.

Bread eggplant slices and air fry before topping with marinara and cheese for individual eggplant parm portions.

Much lighter than traditional versions.

10. Avocado Fries

Ingredients: 2 ripe avocados (sliced), ½ cup flour, 2 eggs (or flax eggs), 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper.

Instructions: Bread avocado slices. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.

Slice ripe avocados, bread them, and air fry for creamy-inside, crispy-outside fries.

Dip in chipotle mayo for extra flavor.

11. Potato Wedges

Ingredients: 4 potatoes (cut into wedges), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper.

Instructions: Toss wedges with oil and spices. Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway.

Classic potato wedges get extra crispy edges in the air fryer with simple seasoning.

Perfect alongside any main dish.

12. Mushroom Bites

Ingredients: 1 lb mushrooms, ½ cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt.

Instructions: Bread mushrooms. Air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes until golden.

Bread whole mushrooms or slices and air fry for bite-sized appetizers that taste like fried mushrooms without the grease.

Serve with garlic aioli.

13. Onion Rings

Ingredients: 1 large onion (sliced into rings), ½ cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, salt, paprika.

Instructions: Bread rings. Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until crispy.

Homemade onion rings are surprisingly easy in the air fryer with a light panko coating.

Way better than frozen!

14. Vegetable Tempura

Ingredients: Assorted veggies (broccoli, carrots, zucchini), 1 cup flour, 1 cup seltzer water, salt, oil spray.

Instructions: Dip veggies in batter. Air fry at 350°F for 7-10 minutes until golden.

Get light, crispy tempura vegetables without deep frying by using the air fryer.

Perfect for broccoli, carrots, and zucchini.

15. Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients: 4 bell peppers, 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 can black beans, cheese, spices.

Instructions: Fill halved peppers with mixture. Air fry at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until tender.

Fill bell peppers with quinoa, black beans, and cheese, then air fry until tender and melty.

A complete meal in one pepper!

16. Crispy Broccoli

Ingredients: 1 head broccoli (florets), 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper.

Instructions: Toss with oil and seasonings. Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.

Simple air fried broccoli florets become irresistibly crispy with just oil and seasoning.

Add lemon and parmesan for extra flavor.

17. Corn on the Cob

Ingredients: 4 ears corn, 2 tbsp butter, salt, pepper.

Instructions: Brush with butter and seasonings. Air fry at 370°F for 12-15 minutes.

Air fryer corn on the cob comes out perfectly charred and juicy in minutes.

Brush with garlic butter or chili lime.

18. Kale Chips

Ingredients: 1 bunch kale (torn into pieces), 1 tbsp olive oil, salt.

Instructions: Massage oil and salt into kale. Air fry at 375°F for 4-6 minutes until crisp.

The healthiest chips around – kale leaves massaged with oil and baked in the air fryer until super crisp.

Season with everything from salt to nutritional yeast.

19. Vegetable Pakora

Ingredients: Mixed veggies (onion, potato, cauliflower), 1 cup chickpea flour, spices (cumin, chili), water.

Instructions: Mix batter, drop spoonfuls. Air fry at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until crispy.

Indian-style vegetable fritters (pakora) get perfectly crispy in the air fryer with chickpea flour batter.

Serve with chutney.

20. Halloumi Fries

Ingredients: 1 block halloumi (cut into fries), flour for dusting, optional breadcrumbs.

Instructions: Dust or bread halloumi. Air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes until golden.

Cut halloumi into fries, air fry until golden, and enjoy this squeaky cheese treat.

Dip in sweet chili sauce.

21. Roasted Bananas Dessert

Ingredients: 4 bananas (halved), cinnamon, brown sugar, optional butter.

Instructions: Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Air fry at 375°F for 7-10 minutes until caramelized.

For a simple dessert, air fry banana halves sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar until caramelized.

Top with ice cream if desired.

22. Apple Chips

Ingredients: 2 apples (thinly sliced), cinnamon, optional sugar.

Instructions: Sprinkle with cinnamon. Air fry at 300°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Thinly slice apples, sprinkle with cinnamon, and air fry into healthy chips.

A perfect sweet crunch.

23. Vegetable Samosas

Ingredients: Phyllo or wrappers, potatoes, peas, spices (cumin, coriander), oil spray.

Instructions: Fill and fold samosas. Air fry at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until golden.

Fill phyllo or wrappers with spiced potatoes and peas, then air fry for crispy samosas.

Healthier than traditional fried versions.

24. Mixed Vegetable Fritters

Ingredients: Grated zucchini, corn, flour, egg (or flax), spices.

Instructions: Form patties. Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes per side.

Combine grated veggies with chickpea flour for easy fritters that air fry beautifully.

Great for using up odds and ends.

25. Edamame Pods

Ingredients: Frozen edamame pods, 1 tsp oil, garlic powder, salt.

Instructions: Toss with oil and seasonings. Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway.

Air fry frozen edamame pods with garlic and sea salt for a protein-rich snack.

Simple and satisfying.

Final Thoughts on Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes

These 25 quick and easy vegetarian air fryer recipes prove that healthy eating can be delicious and convenient. From snacks to full dinners, your air fryer will become your best friend for meatless meals.

Experiment with seasonings and ingredients to make them your own. Happy air frying!