The air fryer is a vegetarian's best friend — it turns vegetables, tofu and halloumi crisp and golden with barely any oil. These seven vegetarian air fryer recipes cover breakfast to dinner, and most are easily made vegan. Every one uses ingredients from a standard UK shop.
Key takeaways
Q: What vegetarian foods cook well in an air fryer?
A: Tofu, halloumi, chickpeas, cauliflower, sweet potato and stuffed peppers all crisp beautifully. Firm, lower-moisture ingredients work best.
Q: Can you cook a full vegetarian meal in an air fryer?
A: Yes — a protein like tofu or halloumi plus a tray of roasted veg makes a complete dinner in under 20 minutes.
Seven vegetarian air fryer recipes
| Recipe | Vegan? | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crispy tofu | Yes | 15 min |
| Halloumi fries | No | 10 min |
| Crispy chickpeas | Yes | 15 min |
| Cauliflower wings | Yes | 18 min |
| Stuffed peppers | Optional | 16 min |
| Sweet potato fries | Yes | 16 min |
| Veggie breakfast bites | No | 10 min |
1. Crispy tofu (vegan)
Golden outside, soft inside — the air fryer does it better than a pan. Here's the full air fryer tofu method.
2. Halloumi fries
Cut halloumi into chips, dust lightly and air fry at 200°C for 8–10 minutes until golden. Serve with sweet chilli.
3. Crispy chickpeas (vegan)
Drained, dried and seasoned chickpeas at 200°C for 15 minutes make a crunchy, high-fibre snack or salad topper.
4. Cauliflower wings (vegan)
Battered cauliflower florets air fried until crisp, then tossed in buffalo or BBQ sauce — a proper crowd-pleaser.
5. Stuffed peppers
Halved peppers filled with spiced rice and cheese, 16 minutes at 180°C. Skip the cheese to make them vegan.
6. Sweet potato fries (vegan)
Tossed in cornflour for extra crunch and air fried at 200°C for 14–18 minutes.
7. Veggie breakfast bites
Eggs, spinach and tomato in silicone moulds — a 10-minute hot breakfast.
Making them vegan
Most of these are vegan or easily adapted: swap halloumi for tofu or a firm vegan cheese, leave cheese out of stuffed peppers, and use a plant-based egg alternative for the breakfast bites. For a vegetable-forward way of eating with more variety, our Mediterranean air fryer recipes pair perfectly. The British Veggie Air Fryer Cookbook marks every fully vegan recipe with a clear icon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best vegetarian food to air fry?
Tofu, halloumi and chickpeas top the list — they crisp up well and hold their shape. Lower-moisture vegetables like cauliflower and sweet potato also roast beautifully.
How do you stop tofu sticking in the air fryer?
Press it well, toss in a little cornflour and oil, and use a perforated liner. Don't move it for the first few minutes so a crust forms.
Are these recipes vegan?
Several are fully vegan, and the rest are easily adapted by swapping cheese or eggs for plant-based alternatives. Each recipe above notes whether it's vegan as written.