Easy Vegan Air Fryer Recipes for Quick Healthy Meals

Updated On: September 29, 2025

If you’re looking to enjoy delicious, healthy meals without spending hours in the kitchen, easy vegan air fryer recipes are the perfect solution. The air fryer has revolutionized home cooking by providing a faster, oil-efficient way to prepare crispy, flavorful dishes.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply exploring plant-based options, these recipes will bring variety and excitement to your meals.

The beauty of using an air fryer lies in its versatility. From crispy tofu bites to seasoned vegetable medleys, you can create satisfying dishes with minimal effort and cleanup.

Plus, air-fried meals tend to be lower in oil and calories compared to traditional frying methods, making them a healthier choice overall.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some simple yet tasty vegan air fryer recipes, share useful tips, and offer variations to keep your meals fresh and exciting. Ready to dive into the world of easy vegan air fryer cooking?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Using an air fryer for vegan recipes offers numerous benefits that make cooking enjoyable and stress-free. First, it drastically reduces cooking time, allowing you to whip up meals in under 30 minutes without compromising on taste or texture.

Second, air frying uses little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying. This means you get that coveted crispy exterior on your veggies, tofu, or snacks without the extra calories or greasy mess.

Lastly, air fryer recipes are incredibly versatile. You can experiment with various vegetables, spices, and vegan protein sources to tailor dishes to your preferences.

If you enjoy dishes like the Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals or crave some crunchy sides from the Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe Easy, Soft, and Homemade, air fryer recipes will fit right into your cooking repertoire.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity Notes
Extra firm tofu 14 oz (400 g) Press before use for best texture
Broccoli florets 2 cups (150 g) Fresh or frozen works
Carrot sticks 1 cup Cut into thin sticks
Chickpeas 1 can (15 oz/425 g), drained and rinsed For roasting
Olive oil 2 tbsp Or any neutral oil
Garlic powder 1 tsp
Smoked paprika 1 tsp Adds smoky flavor
Ground cumin 1/2 tsp Optional
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Nutritional yeast 2 tbsp Optional, for cheesy flavor
Soy sauce or tamari 1 tbsp For marinating tofu
Lemon juice 1 tbsp Freshly squeezed

Equipment

  • Air fryer (capacity of at least 3.5 quarts recommended)
  • Mixing bowls for marinating and tossing ingredients
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Spatula or tongs for turning food in the air fryer basket
  • Paper towels or clean kitchen towel for pressing tofu

Instructions

  1. Prepare the tofu: Start by pressing the extra firm tofu to remove excess water. Wrap the block in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Cut tofu and veggies: After pressing, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Prepare the broccoli florets and carrot sticks if not already prepped.
  3. Marinate tofu: In a mixing bowl, combine the tofu cubes with soy sauce, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat. Let it marinate for 10 minutes for best flavor.
  4. Season the vegetables and chickpeas: In another bowl, toss broccoli, carrots, and chickpeas with the remaining olive oil, nutritional yeast (if using), cumin, salt, and pepper.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Cook tofu: Place the marinated tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through until golden and crispy.
  7. Cook vegetables and chickpeas: Remove tofu and set aside. Add the vegetable and chickpea mixture to the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  8. Combine and serve: Once everything is cooked, toss the tofu with the vegetables and chickpeas. Check seasoning and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Tip: For extra crispy tofu, double press before marinating and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Variation: Swap out the vegetables for bell peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower to suit your preference. You can also experiment with spices like curry powder or chili flakes for a different flavor profile.

If you love experimenting with vegan recipes, don’t miss trying the Vegan Sisig Recipe: How to Make a Tasty Filipino Classic or the Veganomicon Recipes Online: Best Dishes to Try Today for more inspiration.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (Serves 4)
Calories 220 kcal
Protein 18 g
Carbohydrates 15 g
Fiber 6 g
Fat 10 g
Sodium 400 mg

Serving Suggestions

This easy vegan air fryer dish pairs wonderfully with a side of steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal. You can also serve it wrapped in warm tortillas with fresh salsa and avocado for a quick vegan taco-inspired dinner.

For a light lunch or snack, try serving the crispy tofu and veggies over fresh greens with a drizzle of tahini dressing. If you love hearty comfort food, this recipe complements dishes like the Vegan Casserole Recipes: Easy for quick weeknight dinner perfectly.

Conclusion

Adopting air fryer recipes into your vegan cooking routine is a game changer. Not only do they save time and energy, but they also produce deliciously crispy, flavorful meals that everyone will enjoy.

This recipe is a fantastic starting point for anyone new to air frying or plant-based cooking.

With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different vegetables and spices to make these recipes your own.

For more tasty vegan ideas, check out our other recipes like the Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious or the Vegan Chocolate Milk Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide.

Happy air frying, and may your kitchen always be filled with the delightful aroma of plant-based goodness!

📖 Recipe Card: Easy Vegan Air Fryer Chickpea Nuggets

Description: Crispy and flavorful chickpea nuggets made quickly in the air fryer. Perfect as a snack or a protein-packed meal addition.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT25M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, oats, nutritional yeast, flaxseed mixture, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until combined but slightly chunky.
  3. Form mixture into small nugget shapes.
  4. Lightly coat nuggets with olive oil and then roll in breadcrumbs.
  5. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray and place nuggets inside in a single layer.
  6. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
  7. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition: Calories: 180 | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Carbs: 24g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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