A vegetable bake is comfort food, and it's easy to make a lighter one — roast the veg first for flavour, layer it in a tomato sauce, and go easy on the cheese. The air fryer does it in one dish. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make a low-fat vegetable bake in an air fryer?
A: Roast mixed veg, layer with a tomato sauce in a dish, top with a little cheese, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for about 20 minutes.
Q: How do you keep it low-fat?
A: Roast the veg with minimal oil, use a tomato (not creamy) sauce, and just a sprinkle of cheese.
The method
Roast a mix of vegetables — courgette, peppers, aubergine, onion — with just a little oil until caramelised. Layer them in a dish with a simple tomato sauce, top with a light sprinkle of cheese rather than a thick layer, and air fry until bubbling. Fibre-rich and filling, without the heavy cream or cheese of a classic bake.
The recipe
Low-Fat Air Fryer Vegetable Bake
Ingredients
- Courgette, peppers, aubergine, onion
- 400g passata, garlic, herbs
- 40g cheese (a light sprinkle)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Method
- Roast the veg at 200°C for 12 minutes.
- Layer in a dish with the tomato sauce.
- Sprinkle lightly with cheese.
- Air fry at 180°C for about 18–20 minutes.
Tips
- Roast the veg first for depth of flavour.
- Tomato sauce, not creamy, keeps it light.
- Just a sprinkle of cheese rather than a thick layer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a low-fat vegetable bake in an air fryer?
Roast mixed vegetables with a little oil, layer them with a tomato sauce in a dish, top with a light sprinkle of cheese, and air fry at 180°C for about 20 minutes.
How do you keep a vegetable bake low-fat?
Roast the veg with minimal oil, use a tomato-based rather than creamy sauce, and add just a sprinkle of cheese instead of a thick layer.
Is this medical advice?
No. These are general lower-fat ideas. A fatty liver should be managed with your GP or dietitian, alongside guidance from the NHS and the British Liver Trust.