27 Delicious Vegan Air Fryer Recipes to Make Tonight

Discover healthy, crispy, and satisfying vegan recipes made easy in your air fryer, from mains to desserts.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 24, 2025

Discover healthy, crispy, and satisfying vegan recipes made easy in your air fryer, from mains to desserts.

Air fryers have dramatically changed healthy home cooking by offering crispy, flavorful foods with minimal oil. Since their debut, they’ve become a kitchen staple for cooks seeking fast and guilt-free alternatives to deep-frying. But while the spotlight often shines on chicken wings or cheesy pizzas, air fryers boast versatility for every diet—especially vegan.

Our collection of vegan air fryer recipes champions plant-based ingredients, transforming vegetables, tofu, legumes, and even baked goods into vibrant meals and snacks. As Sarah Maver, R.D., notes, “less oil means fewer calories and less saturated fat—heart-healthier choices.” It’s not just the lack of fat that makes them healthy, though; it’s the nutrient-rich ingredients and smart prep methods that truly shine.

Dive into these 27 creative, satisfying, and easy-to-make vegan recipes, and discover why air frying is every plant-based eater’s secret weapon.

Why Cook Vegan in an Air Fryer?

Crispy Texture with Less Fat: Air fryers use convection to crisp food with minimal oil.
Faster Cook Times: Even hearty vegetables and proteins are ready in minutes.
Healthier Ingredients: Focus on vegetables, legumes, and whole grains for more nutrition.
Versatile Options: Make mains, sides, snacks, and desserts without fuss.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Vegan Crab Cakes

Inspired by classic crab cakes, this plant-based version swaps seafood for lion’s mane mushrooms, celebrated for their meaty texture and mild flavor. Air frying delivers a crunchy exterior and a tender, herb-infused center.

Finely chop lion’s mane mushrooms and blend with breadcrumbs, vegan mayo, fresh herbs, and Old Bay seasoning.
Shape into patties and spray lightly with oil.
Air fry until golden and crispy. Serve with a tangy vegan tartar sauce.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

Tacos get a fiber and protein boost with roasted cauliflower and chickpeas.

Season cauliflower florets and chickpeas with taco spices, then air fry until deeply browned and crisp.
Serve in corn tortillas with avocado, salsa, and shredded lettuce.
Top with lime crema or cilantro for a fresh finish.

Air Fryer Mushrooms

Mushrooms transform in the air fryer, soaking up a soy-sesame glaze and developing an umami-packed crunch.

Toss sliced mushrooms with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic.
Air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway for even browning.
Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots

Sweet potato tots make a nutrient-rich alternative to classic potato versions—crispy on the outside, soft within.

Grate raw sweet potatoes, combine with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Shape into small cylinders and spray with oil.
Air fry until golden and serve with spicy ketchup or vegan ranch.

Air Fryer Eggplant

Eggplant, notorious for uneven cooking, comes out perfectly crispy outside and creamy inside in the air fryer.

Slice eggplant into rounds, dredge in flour, plant-based milk, and seasoned breadcrumbs.
Air fry until the coating is crunchy and the center is soft.
Pair with marinara for dipping or layer in sandwiches.

Air Fried Tandoori Chickpeas

Chickpeas tossed in bold tandoori spices gain a savory, crunchy personality as a snack or salad topper.

Drain and rinse canned chickpeas, toss with tandoori spice blend and a drizzle of oil.
Air fry until crunchy—use as croutons, mix with nuts, or enjoy by the handful.

Orange Air Fryer Tofu

This vegan take on orange chicken uses cubed tofu for a sweet, citrusy glaze and irresistible crunch.

Cube and marinate extra-firm tofu in orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Toss with cornstarch, air fry until crisp, then coat with a thick orange glaze.
Serve over rice, garnished with scallions.

Vegan Arancini Balls

These classic Italian rice balls feature melty vegan mozzarella and a crunchy coating.

Form balls from leftover risotto, with a cube of vegan cheese hidden inside.
Roll in breadcrumbs and mist with oil.
Air fry until piping hot and crisp, then serve with warm tomato sauce.

Vegan Taquitos with Jackfruit

Jackfruit is the hero of these handheld Mexican-style taquitos, mimicking shredded carnitas perfectly.

Season shredded jackfruit with cumin, chili powder, and garlic.
Wrap in corn tortillas with vegan cheese, roll tightly, and mist with oil.
Air fry until crispy and golden. Serve with salsa and guacamole.

Air Fryer BBQ Tofu Wings

Perfect for game night or a weekday treat, these BBQ tofu wings are sticky, sweet, and satisfyingly crisp.

Cube or slice extra-firm tofu, bread if desired, then air fry until brown.
Toss with vegan BBQ sauce and return to the air fryer for a final caramelizing blast.
Finish with chopped herbs or scallions.

More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

Healthy air-fried snacks and meals go beyond the basics. Explore more plant-based air fryer staples:

Kaiserschmarrn with Roasted Mixed Berries: A vegan spin on the Austrian shredded pancake, cooked fluffy inside and brown outside, topped with warm berries.
Blueberry Corn Salad: Refreshing sweet corn and blueberries, toasted in the air fryer for enhanced flavor.
Jammy Tomato and Tofu Burrito Bowls: Air-fried tomatoes and crispy tofu nestled in a bowl with greens and grains.
Frijoles-Stuffed Peppers: Peppers air-fried until tender, stuffed with seasoned beans and topped with vegan cheese.
Protein-Packed Lentil Salad: Lentils cooked to perfection for a hearty salad alongside tender air-fried veggies.

Key Tips for Air Fryer Vegan Cooking

Even Sizing: Cut vegetables and proteins into similar sizes for uniform cooking.
Minimal Oil: Use a spray bottle for even coverage and golden results.
Shake and Flip: Pause to shake or flip food halfway for the crispiest texture.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheating helps food brown on all sides.

Nutrition Spotlight: Why Air-Fried Vegan Meals Are Better for You

Cooking Method	Calories	Saturated Fat	Crispy Texture?
Deep Frying	High	High	Yes
Air Frying	Low	Low	Yes
Oven Roasting	Medium	Medium	Somewhat

Choosing an air fryer lets you enjoy the crunch and flavor of fried foods without excess oil, calories, or saturated fat, making it a smarter option for heart health and weight management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are air fryers healthy for vegan cooking?

Yes. Air fryers allow you to prepare crispy meals with less oil, resulting in lower calories and saturated fats. As with all cooking methods, the health depends on the quality of ingredients—lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains are best.

What oils are best for vegan air frying?

Use high smoke point oils like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil. Apply using a spray for minimal use.

Can I bake vegan desserts in my air fryer?

Absolutely. Many air fryers bake small treats like muffins, cakes (like blueberry-chia oat cake), and even crispy granola bars.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Preheating isn’t always mandatory but can help food cook more evenly and get crispier. Refer to your model’s instructions for best results.

How can I keep air-fried food from sticking?

Lightly spray the basket with oil or use parchment paper cut to fit. Avoid overcrowding for maximum crispiness.

Pro Tips for Mastering Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

Experiment with bold spices and seasoning blends—the air fryer intensifies flavors.
Crowding reduces crispiness; cook in batches if needed.
Delicate items (like berries for desserts) should be placed on parchment or in mini tins.
Store leftovers in airtight containers and reheat in the air fryer to maintain crisp texture.

Bonus Recipe Ideas

Air-Fried Avocado Fries: Creamy avocado wedges breaded and air-fried for a snack or taco filling.
Crispy Kale Chips: Toss kale leaves with lemon and nutritional yeast, air fry until chip-like.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats: Halved zucchini stuffed with quinoa, salsa, and vegan cheese, then roasted.
Maple Walnut Granola: Mix oats, nuts, and maple syrup, and air fry for crunchy breakfast topping.

Getting Started with the Air Fryer

If you’re new to the air fryer, begin with simple vegetables or tofu and gradually try combinations and full recipes. Air-fried vegan dishes are a gateway to creative, weeknight-friendly cooking that delivers bold flavors and crispy satisfaction—without excess grease.

Popular Variations

Breakfast: Sweet potato tots, blueberry oat cake, or kale chips.
Mains: Cauliflower chickpea tacos, BBQ tofu wings, jackfruit taquitos.
Sides: Air fryer mushrooms, eggplant, tandoori chickpeas.
Desserts: Kaiserschmarrn with berries, granola bars, fruity muffins.

Final Thoughts

Air fryers unlock a world of healthy, satisfying vegan meals—proving you don’t need heavy oils or dairy for flavor and crunch. With these 27 recipes, anyone can whip up crowd-pleasing snacks, hearty mains, and even baked treats in no time. Focus on whole ingredients, play with spices, and let your air fryer turn everyday plant-based foods into something extraordinary.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb