Air Fryer Vegetables

Published Dec 18, 2023

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This air fryer vegetable recipe combines peppers, cauliflower, mushroom and squash for an easy-to-make side dish that results in perfectly tender and caramelized veggies every time!

I love my air fryer and use it almost daily! It’s just so easy to use and I love how versatile it is. One of my favorite things to cook is different veggies and this air fryer vegetables recipe has been my latest obsession.

I went with a mix of bell peppers, onion, mushroom, cauliflower and zucchini, but the great thing is that you can customize this recipe based on your preference and what veggies you have on hand. The end result is a medley of vegetables that are deliciously crisp and perfectly caramelized. Serve it with your favorite protein and you’ve got a healthy and delicious dinner in no time!

Air-fried vegetables in an air fryer. Vegetables include cauliflower, mushroom, onion, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Vegetables

Easy — This recipe cooks up in about 20 minutes, making it the perfect side dish for busy weeknights.
Customizable — Feel free to swap out whatever veggies you have on hand for this recipe!
Versatile — This dish can be served as a side dish, snack or main meal!

Ingredients measured out to make Air Fryer Vegetables: red onion, button mushrooms, zucchini, squash, pepper, bell peppers, cauliflower and salt.

Ingredients Needed

bell pepper — adds a sweet, colorful touch. Feel free to use any color you have on hand… green, orange, yellow or red… they’ll all work!
red onion — brings a slightly sharp, aromatic flavor to this dish. If you don’t have a red onion you can use a yellow or white onion instead.
mushrooms — provide a meaty texture. I used button mushrooms, which are easy to find and have a mild flavor, though, feel free to use your favorite variety. Shiitake would add a nice umami flavor with the veggies.
cauliflower — for a mild flavor and added nutritional boost. Broccoli would be a good substitute if you’re not a cauliflower fan.
zucchini — offers a light, slightly sweet taste. I used zucchini for this recipe, but yellow squash works just as well.
olive oil — for a light coating that helps the veggies crisp up. Avocado oil is another great option.
salt & pepper — simple seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the veggies.

How to Make Air Fryer Vegetables

Step 1: After your veggies are chopped add them to a large mixing bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Photo of hand pouring oil over a bowl of chopped veggies. Photo beside is the veggies tossed with spices and oil.

Step 2: Transfer the veggies to the air fryer basket and air fry at 375°F for 20-25 minutes. Toss the veggies a few times during cooking for even browning and crispiness. Once the veggies are tender and have a few brown spots, they’re ready to be served. Enjoy as a side dish or incorporate them into your main meal!

Side by side photo of vegetables in an air fryer, raw and cooked.

Recipe Tips:

Try to cut all your vegetables pretty similar in size so they cook evenly and you don’t end up with some undercooked pieces and some burnt pieces.
Don’t forget to toss the veggies 1-2 times while cooking to help ensure that the veggies cook evenly.
Start checking your veggies a few minutes before the recommended time. Some air fryers run hotter than others, so you might have to adjust the time as needed.

Recipe Variations

I love the simplicity of this recipe as is, but feel free to customize it to your liking! Here are some ideas:

Different veggies: As I mentioned above, you can totally swap out the veggies with different ones. Eggplant, brussels sprouts, carrots, butternut squash, parsnip, sweet potato and asparagus would all work great in this recipe. Whatever veggies you use just make sure to cut them in similar sized pieces.
Seasoning: Beyond salt and pepper, feel free to explore with different seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, or Italian seasoning.
Cheese: For a cheesy flavor, sprinkle nutritional yeast or grated parmesan cheese over the veggies just before they’re done cooking.
Balsamic glaze: After cooking, drizzle the vegetables with a balsamic glaze for a hint of acidity and sweetness.
Asian: For an Asian-inspired twist, toss the veggies in a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Mexican: For Mexican style veggies toss them in taco seasoning before cooking and serve them up as vegetable tacos!

Air-fried vegetables in a bowl. Vegetables include cauliflower, mushroom, onion, zucchini, and bell peppers.

How to Serve Air Fryer Vegetables

These veggies are hard to resist eating straight out of the air fryer (I’ve even been known to eat a whole plate of these to myself!), but here are some other serving suggestions:

Alongside a protein – serve these veggies as a side dish alongside your favorite protein for a full balanced meal! It would be delicious served with this air fryer chicken breast, maple turmeric chicken, air fryer salmon or crispy baked tofu.
Salads – add a warm, hearty element to your green salads by tossing in air fryer vegetables. They pair exceptionally well with kale, spinach, or arugula, drizzled with a balsamic dressing. Try using them in this roasted vegetable salad.
In a bowl – make a nutritious grain bowl with quinoa or wild rice as the base, topped with air fryer vegetables, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and feta cheese for a satisfying meal. Or just make this buddha bowl, chicken protein bowl or roasted harvest bowl.
Alongside pasta – I love serving pasta with a side of roasted veggies. Try this one pot pasta, baked feta pasta or penne alla vodka.
As a stir fry – toss these air fryer vegetables in a teriyaki sauce and serve them over rice or cauliflower rice for a plant-base meal!
As tacos – swap the cauliflower in these cauliflower tacos with these air fryer vegetables!

How to Store

To store: If you have leftovers or decide to make a bigger batch of these veggies store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.

To reheat: Just place them in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 375°F for 1-2 minutes. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven, regular oven or microwave. Just note that the veggies will get soft if you reheat them in the microwave.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Be sure to check out all of my air fryer recipes as well as the full collection or side dishes!

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