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 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 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 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.
  • 1Air fryer lemonade scones. ...
  • 2Air fryer tuna and sweetcorn nuggets. ...
  • 3Air fryer lamb chops. ...
  • 4Air fryer poached eggs. ...
  • 5Air fryer chips. ...
  • 6Air fryer mini OREO cheesecakes. ...
  • 7Air fryer bananas with Caramilk sauce.

What is the cheat for air fryer? ›

Due to its smaller size, an air fryer generally cooks food faster than a conventional oven. So you'll need to convert the oven recipe to suit air fryer temperatures. The general rule of thumb is to lower the cooking temperature by 25°F and shorten the time by roughly 20-25%.

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.

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.

Is an air fryer worth it for vegans? ›

Air fryers give you the ability to prep a larger volume of food at once, and use minimal pieces of equipment while doing so. Alongside that, they're a dream for prepping vegan protein sources like tofu, tempeh, or your favourite plant-based meat alternative.

Is there anything you can't air fry? ›

Using the air fryer with grains that are already cooked is no problem, but steer clear of firing up the appliance for uncooked grains, including rice, quinoa, and pasta. Air fryers are designed to cook dry foods, and rice and other grains need to be cooked in water.

Why don t vegans cook with oil? ›

The rationale used by these diets for avoiding oils is that oil is high in calories (since it's pure fat) and doesn't include the fiber or as many antioxidants as you would get from eating the whole, unprocessed food instead (in this case, the whole olive).

What is the first thing I should try in my air fryer? ›

Brussels sprouts are the best place to start your air-fried vegetable journey. They crisp up beautifully and take no time at all. If you're making these for a crowd, we suggest frying them up in batches as overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy results.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Air fryers, once hailed as a kitchen revolution, are now being sidelined by some users. But why are people getting rid of air fryers? This concise exploration uncovers the primary concerns: they're bulky, they have limited cooking uses, and they often don't deliver on the promise of crispy, tasty food.

What is the easiest meat to air fry? ›

Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

Why are things not getting crispy in air fryer? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

What does a 3 in 1 air fryer do? ›

Tefal has been doing some very clever things. They've created a 3-in-1 air fryer that can steam, grill and fry. So, basically it does all the things, not just the frying things.

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

What is bad to cook in air fryer? ›

Uncooked Grains

Air fryers are designed to cook dry foods, and rice and other grains need to be cooked in water. Even with an insert that can hold water, the air fryer likely won't get hot enough for the water to boil and cook the grains, resulting in a mushy mess.

What ruins an air fryer? ›

While many air fryer recipes say to spray your baskets with spray oil, most commercial oil sprays contain a lubricating additive called lecithin which can react with non-stick surfaces under heat and degrade its quality over time, slowly destroying your air fryer basket (and any non stick surface for that matter).

What's the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

What are the first things you should cook in your new air fryer? Steak, chicken or fish will come out amazing. So will roasted vegetables or homemade fries. Potato fries, sweet potato fries, and even carrot or apple fries are all delicious, healthy and pretty easy.

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