Home Vegan Post Crispy Vegan Air Fryer Recipes: Quick, Crunchy & Totally Plant-Based

Crispy Vegan Air Fryer Recipes: Quick, Crunchy & Totally Plant-Based


The air fryer has become a must-have in modern kitchens—and for good reason. It delivers crispy, golden results using little to no oil, making it perfect for healthier cooking without sacrificing texture or taste. If you're living a plant-based lifestyle or simply exploring more vegan meals, these vegan air fryer recipes will make your snacks, sides, and main dishes deliciously crunchy in minutes.

Whether you're a busy professional, a student, or a home cook looking to simplify your routine, these easy vegan air fryer recipes are fast, satisfying, and great for batch cooking. Plus, cleanup is minimal—bonus!

Why Use an Air Fryer for Vegan Cooking?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around your food, creating that irresistible crunch without deep frying. For vegans, this means you can transform vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and legumes into crispy delights. Benefits include:

  • Less oil = fewer calories

  • Faster cooking time than ovens or stovetops

  • Consistent texture without the grease

  • Kid-friendly and great for meal prep

Let’s dive into the best vegan air fryer recipes that balance flavor, crunch, and whole-food goodness.

1. Air Fryer Crispy Tofu

Why it works: A staple protein in vegan cooking, tofu transforms beautifully in the air fryer—golden on the outside, soft inside.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block extra firm tofu, pressed

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

  1. Cut tofu into cubes.

  2. Toss with soy sauce, oil, garlic powder, and cornstarch.

  3. Air fry at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.

  4. Serve with rice, noodles, or in a salad bowl.

2. Vegan Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Why it works: A plant-based spin on classic wings—spicy, crunchy, and satisfying.

Ingredients:

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

  • 1/2 cup flour

  • 1/2 cup plant milk

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

  • Buffalo or BBQ sauce

Instructions:

  1. Mix flour, milk, and spices into a batter.

  2. Dip each floret and place in air fryer basket.

  3. Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes.

  4. Brush with buffalo sauce and cook for 5 more minutes.

  5. Serve with vegan ranch or celery sticks.

3. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Why it works: Naturally sweet and packed with fiber, these fries are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into fries

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Toss fries with oil and seasoning.

  2. Air fry at 380°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.

  3. Serve with ketchup or tahini dip.

4. Crispy Chickpeas

Why it works: A high-protein snack you can eat by the handful or toss on salads.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 1 tsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp paprika

  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Pat chickpeas dry with paper towels.

  2. Toss with oil and spices.

  3. Air fry at 390°F for 12–15 minutes.

  4. Let cool slightly—they crisp as they cool.

5. Air Fryer Vegan Spring Rolls

Why it works: No deep frying needed! These crunchy rolls are perfect as an appetizer or light dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Vegan spring roll wrappers

  • Filling: shredded cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, tofu

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

  1. Sauté filling ingredients briefly.

  2. Roll up filling in wrappers.

  3. Spray lightly with oil.

  4. Air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.

  5. Serve with sweet chili or peanut sauce.

6. Vegan Mozzarella Sticks

Why it works: Comfort food, reimagined. Gooey inside, crispy outside, totally plant-based.

Ingredients:

  • Vegan mozzarella sticks (store-bought or homemade)

  • 1/4 cup flour

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened plant milk

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

  1. Dip each stick in flour, then milk, then breadcrumbs.

  2. Freeze for 30 minutes (helps hold shape).

  3. Air fry at 370°F for 5–7 minutes.

  4. Serve with marinara.

7. Stuffed Mushrooms

Why it works: Great as a side or appetizer—juicy mushrooms filled with flavor-packed stuffing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 large cremini mushrooms

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt and herbs to taste

Instructions:

  1. Remove mushroom stems and chop them finely.

  2. Mix with garlic, breadcrumbs, yeast, and oil.

  3. Stuff each mushroom cap.

  4. Air fry at 370°F for 10–12 minutes.

8. Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon

Why it works: Smoky, savory, and perfect for sandwiches or breakfast plates.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block tempeh, sliced thin

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke

  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

  1. Marinate tempeh slices for 30 minutes.

  2. Place in air fryer at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

  3. Use in wraps, burgers, or salads.

9. Vegan Air Fryer Donuts

Why it works: Yes, you can make donuts in an air fryer—light, fluffy, and perfect for a weekend treat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 cup plant milk

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Mix ingredients to form dough.

  2. Shape into donut rings.

  3. Air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes.

  4. Dust with cinnamon sugar or glaze.

10. Zucchini Fries

Why it works: A lower-carb, veggie-packed alternative to regular fries.

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchinis, cut into sticks

  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 2 tbsp plant milk

Instructions:

  1. Dip zucchini in milk, then breadcrumb mixture.

  2. Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes.

  3. Serve with vegan ranch or marinara.

Air Fryer Cooking Tips for Vegans

  • Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs space to circulate.

  • Lightly coat with oil spray. Even a little helps with browning.

  • Shake halfway. This ensures even cooking and crispiness.

  • Prep ahead. Most of these can be frozen or marinated in advance.

Healthier Comfort Food? Yes, Please.

With the right recipes, your air fryer becomes a game-changer in vegan cooking. You can skip the frying pan and still get that indulgent crunch using whole, plant-based ingredients.

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Final Thoughts

These vegan air fryer recipes prove you don’t need animal products—or loads of oil—to enjoy crispy, comforting food. Whether you're making a weeknight meal, meal prepping, or whipping up snacks for friends, the air fryer brings convenience, health, and texture to the table.

Experiment with different veggies, proteins, and seasonings. Once you start, you’ll see how versatile and essential your air fryer can be.

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