Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (2024)

Easy air fryer Thanksgiving recipes that are vegan-friendly and tastes delicious. It includes main course meals, sides and desserts that make your life easier.

How about giving your oven a break this Thanksgiving and letting your air fryer pick up some of the heavy lifting?

The Air Fryer can do wonders for your vegan Thanksgiving menu. Not only does it cook thins with less oil and less time, it also cooks them to delicious perfection.

So make them for Thanksgiving and impress your guests with your air frying skills.

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (1)

Tips for making food in the air fryer

  • Put your air fryer on a heat resistant and flat surface.
  • Don’t block the vents! This can melt items near the vent and can even cause fires.
  • Keep the vents pointing outside, possibly near a window, so that they don’t smoke up your home and make your smoke detector go off frequently. Ideally, you can keep it out in the garage, if possible.
  • In my experience, I have never found a reason to pre-heat an air fryer. All my recipes have been made without preheating and they have turned out delicious.
  • I use a basket air fryer because they cook much better for me than the rack air fryer. If you use a rack air fryer, you may have to adjust the times for the recipes accordingly.
  • You can also use air fryer to re-heat food. If you pre-made some of your recipes like corn or peas, use the air fryer to heat them up while your oven does other cooking. Heating food in the air fryer is much better than microwaving it.
  • Get the accessories pack that comes with your air fryer. They will help you cook the meals better and faster. I use the pizza dish and cake dish extensively for various recipes from savory to sweet.

Show stopper main course meals

Thanksgiving is never boring, especially the lively chatter and spirited debates.

So, why should the main course meal be dull?

Here are some amazing main course meals to make in your air fryer.

Whole roasted cauliflower

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (2)

Take a giant cauliflower, bath it in bell pepper pesto and stick it in the air fryer!

This whole cauliflower is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s a beautiful centerpiece that is sure to be a show stopper at your dinner table.

Air Fryer Roasted Whole Cauliflower

How to cook a whole cauliflower in the air fryer! This is a very easy vegan Thanksgiving dinner recipe.

Check out this recipe

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (3)

Side dishes you can’t resist!

Traditional side dishes are made to make the main course tastier! But, these side dishes just might steal the show!

They are your traditional dishes, but made in the air fryer. You will love how much easier your life is because of it.

Hasselback sweet potatoes with scallion pesto

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Hasselback potatoes never looked so good!! They are ready in just 20 minutes and they are topped with a very unique pesto recipe!

You will be hugging your air fryer after you taste these vegan hasselback potatoes

Lebanese Potatoes

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (5)

Spicy, creamy honey gold potatoes are the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. What makes them extra special is that you can make them in the air fryer.

This way, your oven is free to make other meals. I love how much the air fryer can take the load off your oven during Thanksgiving.

Now, this spicy potatoes will be incredibly popular with your guests.

Sweet potato drop biscuits

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (6)

“My air fryer can make drop biscuits?!!” Imagine my surprise when I made it and they turned out delicious!

So simple to make and so delicious.

They are soft and flaky on the inside. Perfect to dip in gravy or mash!

Miso glazed vegetables

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (7)

One of those rare recipes that will please meat eaters, vegans, vegetarians, keto and low carb eaters.

The collection of colorful vegetables with a simple miso sauce is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Easy potato nibbles

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We have all seen those tiny potatoes that we just can’t get enough of, right?

These potato nibbles have us addicted and they will have you suckered in too. The air fryer brings out the best in them.

Flavored with a simple lemon butter recipe, these potatoes must make an appearance on your Thanksgiving table.

Garlic bread

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (9)

Garlic bread is very common at all the Thanksgiving dinner tables I have sat at. Most people like to dunk them in the gravy and devour.

The garlic bread is much easier to make in the air fryer over the oven. You will never make it any other way.

Crispy tofu

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (10)

Every salad deserves a tofu! It adds much needed protein to a vegan salad and also gives it a “meaty” ingredient.

So, let the air fryer spit out the perfectly crispy tofu and it will liven up your greens.

Desserts for the win

And, saving the best for last! Desserts are so easy to make in the air fryer! I was very impressed by every dessert I have tried in the air fryer.

They came out so good and I didn’t need a degree in baking to make them.

Blueberry galette

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (11)

This galette is made using puff pastry as the base. But, you can use a pie crust too.

The blueberry filling is easy to make at home, but I got a store bought version. Either way, this dessert is “yummilicious” as described by my friend’s kid.

Candied sweet potatoes

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (12)

Candied sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple that tastes just as delicious when made in the air fryer.

The potatoes will completely melt in your mouth with just one bite.

Sweet Potato Tartlets with Marshmallow Top

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (13)

Who wants to share sweet potato casseroles? Not me!

So, I made individual sized tartlets which I don’t have to share with anyone!

This recipe includes instructions for the air fryer and the oven too.

Sharing is caring

Don’t be shy, chime in below in the comments. Tell me which of these easy Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes you like the best. Or, send me suggestions on what you would like me to make.

⭐️ If you tried and enjoyed this post, please share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Check out my playlist of all my Air Fryer recipes on YouTube. ⭐️

Easy Air Fryer Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do vegans use an air fryer for? ›

Air fryers can also make it easier to follow a vegan diet, offering a failsafe way to cook staples like tofu, cauliflower, and potatoes to perfection. Below, we've rounded up 10 mouth-watering recipes that prove plant-based cooking needn't be complicated or boring.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What is the easiest thing to cook in an air fryer? ›

Here are all our favourite easy air fryer recipe ideas, from simple scones to the best crispy homemade potatoes.
  • 10Air fryer Caramello danish. ...
  • 11Crispy air fryer Italian frittole. ...
  • 12Air fryer Crunchy Nut French toast. ...
  • 13Air fryer chicken satay. ...
  • 14Air fryer coccoli. ...
  • 15Air fryer little potato pancakes.

Is there anything you Cannot make in an air fryer? ›

Battered Foods – A very wet batter, like the cornmeal batter on a corndog, will not cook successfully in an air fryer. Any coating that is particularly heavy and wet will drip through the perforated basket before it has time to crisp. The hot oil bath in a traditional deep fryer is key to setting up a battered food.

Is an air fryer worth it for vegans? ›

What vegan foods can you cook in an air fryer? As well as convenience foods like French fries, nuggets, and vegan sausages, you can cook plenty of vegetables in the air-fryer. Cauliflower wings are a particularly good example, and air fryers will also help to crisp up ingredients like sweet potatoes, tofu, and falafel.

Is it worth getting an air fryer vegan? ›

Yes, an air fryer can be an excellent tool for vegan cooking. It offers a convenient and efficient way to prepare a wide range of vegan dishes. Air fryers can achieve a crispy texture on plant-based proteins, such as tofu, tempeh, or seitan, without the need for excessive oil.

Why is Airfryer not healthy? ›

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

People getting rid of air fryers in favour of kitchen appliance that's cheaper to run. Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Why is air fried food not healthy? ›

In one study, air frying of fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases.

What is the most popular thing to make in an air fryer? ›

French fries are arguably the most popular thing to cook in an air fryer. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil as deep-frying, and making French fries in one results in an appreciably crisp exterior and fluffy inside without the greasiness.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

Start air frying these 13 foods and watch your cooking time drop and your satisfaction in healthy meals skyrocket!
  • Chicken Breasts. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Zoodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
  • Salmon (chopped) ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Personal Pizzas. ...
  • Frozen Cauliflower.
Feb 18, 2020

Can you put raw meat in Airfryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Can you fry a egg in air fryer? ›

Place it in the fryer basket and preheat it for 5 minutes at 400°F (204 °C). Crack an egg to a small cup and slide the egg to the hot pan. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes for a sunny side over easy fried egg. If you prefer a fried egg with medium egg yolk, add 1 more minute to the cooking time.

What is the point of an air fryer? ›

An air-fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food. The food is heated by convection which creates a crunchy, crispy exterior requiring minimal fat, making it both convenient and a lower fat method for cooking foods like chips and fried chicken.

What are air fryers mostly used for? ›

The air fryer is just a tiny convection oven. It's quick because it's convection and so small compared to a regular oven. You can make anything in there like a regular oven. We generally use it to make fries or tots, but we have done chicken and more in it as well.

Can you air fry vegan meat? ›

I finally tried my hand at cooking a vegan roast (frozen) in the air-fryer and it came out GREAT! As you see in the picture, wrap in foil and cook for 90 mins @400° followed by 10 more minutes uncovered. Came out crisp and cooked all the way through!

Can you cook vegan meat in an air fryer? ›

Seitan – Protein packed with amazing texture, seitan is a wonderful plant-based alternative to beef. Finger Steak Breading – This peppery mix crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. Oil – Although much less than deep frying, a little oil is necessary for perfectly crispy air-fried finger steaks.

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