We’re all looking for ways to add more servings of fruits and vegetables to our diet… aren’t we? But if you’re anything like me, you may get tired of the raw, steamed, and roasted variations of your go-to veggies.
Enter the trending and popular air fryer appliance! Air fryers have “crisped their way into America’s heart,” as the New York Times put it, for over 10 years now, believe it or not. Their popularity comes from the ability to get a crispy texture without as much oil and grease as frying. Air fryers are also easy to clean, relatively affordable, and able to heat food evenly and quickly.
Although you can find air fryer recipes for just about anything, we want to focus your attention on some of the best air fryer veggie recipes we could find. Read on for some vegetable inspiration that could add some fun, delicious nutrition back into your diet.
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Air Fryer Kale Chips
Kale is an incredibly nutrient-dense food, making it a great vegetable to add to your next meal. Kale chips are almost as much fun to listen to as they are to eat. The crispy noise and texture makes this air fryer recipe a must-try. 
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Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body which helps support healthy vision. Air fryer sweet potato fries are a delicious, nutritious treat made with less fat than deep fried versions.
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Air Fryer Zucchini
Zucchini is an important source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, not the least of which are vitamins C and B6. As an added benefit, zucchini doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own and easily takes on the flavors of whatever you’re cooking. With its flavor versatility, air fryer zucchini may become the veggie you start craving!
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Air Fryer Broccoli
This cruciferous vegetable packs a health punch! Among many other health benefits, cruciferous vegetables protect the heart by reducing damage to arteries. This tastily seasoned air fryer broccoli recipe gives the vegetable a perfectly charred texture and has several topping variations listed for you to try. This cooking method may be the ticket to getting broccoli on the menu more often.
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Cumin Carrots
Carrots are another good source of beta-carotene which not only helps your vision but boosts your immunity too. Packed with fiber, carrots can help with blood sugar levels and regularity. This cumin carrot recipe is a fun variation on this healthy veggie!
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General Tso’s Cauliflower
Cauliflower is also a cruciferous vegetable that is high in fiber, antioxidants, and may help with weight loss. In recent years, there have been all kinds of fun new ways to cook cauliflower as a substitute for rice, meat, and even pizza dough. Did you know cauliflower has more vitamin C per cup than an orange? If that’s not enough to add it to your diet, maybe a fun variation on the classic Asian dish, General Tso’s chicken, will.
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Garlic Rosemary Brussels Sprouts
You guessed it! Brussels sprouts are another cruciferous vegetable packed with vital nutrients. High in vitamins C and K, Brussels sprouts help promote healthy bones, reduce inflammation, and assist in blood sugar regulation. Although Brussels sprouts have gotten a bad rap for being stinky and slimy when cooked, they have a lovely texture when roasted or air fried properly! If you’ve had a negative opinion of Brussels sprouts in the past, give this air fryer garlic rosemary Brussels sprout recipe a try!
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Beet Chips
When was the last time you ate a beet? Chances are it has been a while, but beets are classified as a superfood which makes it worth the effort to prepare! Beets have a high folate content which helps with growth, development, and heart health. Among many other nutrients, beets are also a source of nitrates which helps reduce blood pressure. Consider making these air fryer beet chips for your next mid-afternoon snack or as a healthier side when you grill out.
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Air Fryer Asparagus
Asparagus is another good source of vitamins A, C, K, fiber, and folate. It has cancer-fighting antioxidants and is a natural diuretic which can help those with high blood pressure or other heart diseases. This oh-so-easy air fryer asparagus recipe is a simple way to add it to your next meal.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Another beta-carotene source, butternut squash is high in vitamins C and E. It’s also very high in potassium which can help keep blood pressure in check. Butternut squash has a lightly sweet, buttery flavor that is a lovely complement to many meals. As the list of nutrients stack up, it’s worth the work to process this winter squash for your next meal. Or, you can always opt for pre-cubed squash in the produce section of the grocery store.
Honorable Mentions:
While the following recipes don’t actually contain vegetables, they made it on to our honorable mention list because they are just plain fun. Each of these recipes also carry a nutritional benefit as well. Happy air frying!
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Avocado Fries
Avocados are rich in many nutrients but are most known for their healthy fat content. They can help raise HDL (good cholesterol), and make you feel full longer. Try these fun avocado fries for your next appetizer. -
Cinnamon Apple Chips with Almond Yogurt Dip
Looking for a healthy fix for your sweet tooth? Cinnamon apple chips with yogurt dip has come to the rescue and is a fun, healthy “chip and dip” alternative! -
Paleo Granola
This paleo granola recipe is packed with healthy nuts and seeds that can deliver all kinds of healthy fats and proteins to your diet. As a bonus, this recipe has oven directions as well. -
Air Fryer Falafel
Falafel is made of spices, flour, and chickpeas… usually deep fried in oil. But with this air fryer falafel recipe, you can skip some of the extra oil and reap more of the benefits of chickpeas. Chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) are high in fiber, potassium, B vitamins and iron among many other nutrients. They promote heart health and can help lower total cholesterol as well.
Did our top 10 air fryer vegetable recipes pique your interest on nutrient-dense eating? Click the image below for a free nutrient-dense guide with shopping list!
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