Woman in Real Life: 40 Vegan Air Fryer Recipes, From Appetizers To Desserts

A collection of 40 incredible vegan (and vegetarian) air fryer recipes, from appetizers and sides to mains, breakfasts and desserts. Many of these vegan air fryer recipes are also gluten-free.

I gifted myself with an air fryer this Christmas, because I love all kitchen gadgets (and creating and eating food of course). We have, naturally, used our new air fryer to make delicious French fries and sweet potato fries. Air fryer tofu has become a new favourite too, as well as air fryer spiced chickpeas. I admit I don't use all of my kitchen gadgets regularly, but I'm finding the air fryer is quickly becoming a necessity. We keep it right on the counter because it's getting lots of use! (I have this Ninja Air Fryer that cooks, crisps and dehydrates. (affiliate link)

An air fryer might be your new best friend in helping you to make your new year's resolutions a reality, because it's perfect for producing healthy, low oil or oil-free recipes. Whether you are looking to lower the calorie density of your foods, create more vegan or vegetarian recipes or simply reduce oil consumption for heart health, the air fryer can create a crisp; fried consistency with little or no oil.

For creative inspiration when using my new air fryer, I turned to some talented blogging friends who have a lot of experience crafting delicious, innovative plant-based, vegan (and vegetarian) air fryer recipes. They were kind enough to share links to their recipes - you'll find them below. Whether you are an air fryer newbie like me or have been using your air fryer for ages, I'm sure you'll enjoy these 40 vegan air fryer recipes, from appetizers to desserts. Many of these recipes are also gluten-free or have gluten-free variations. (I have not always indicated when a recipe is gluten-free so head over to the recipe creator's site to check it out.)

Appetizers and Sides

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower on spabettie (gluten-free)

Everyone’s tangy spicy favorite is quick and easy in an air fryer! Air fryer buffalo cauliflower is a great appetizer for game day or fun everyday side dish for cauliflower lovers. TIP from spabettie's creator Katrina: use a parchment round for easy cleanup of your air fryer.

Super Crispy Orange Cauliflower on The Belly Rules The Mind

You can never have enough cauliflower recipes! This orange cauliflower is a vegetarian friendly take on Panda Express’s popular Asian orange chicken recipe. Loaded with a sweet and spicy orange sauce, creator Soniya promises this lightened up take-out classic will have your family happily eating their vegetables!

Smoky Air Fryer Chickpeas by Vegan Huggs

I think chickpeas are an essential plant-based food! These smoky air fryer chickpeas make for a quick, healthy, addictive snack that your family and (future) party guests will love! And you probably already have the ingredients for this recipe on hand. Bonus.

Vegan Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls on Watch Learn Eat (gluten-free)

A perfect recipe if you have leftover mashed potatoes to use up, these Vegan Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls are crispy on the outside with a pillowy potato filling on the inside. Ready in just 10 minutes in the air fryer! These gluten-free air fried mashed potato balls make a perfect party appetizer or side dish.

Air Fryer Samosas by The Belly Rules The Mind

These crispy dough pockets are stuffed with potatoes and peas and air fried to give them a healthier twist. They make a perfect starter or side dish or buffet food for your next party. Traditionally samosas are fried in oil, but this healthier air fryer version of the samosa gives you that crispiness you want without all the oil. Yum!

Air Fryer Vegan Calamari by Strength and Sunshine (gluten-free)

How about some crispy vegan calamari made in the air fryer for your next game night? This healthy, plant-based calamari is gluten-free, allergy-free and oil-free! It's creatively made with hearts of palm and a lightly seasoned breading.

Air Fryer Kale Chips from Moon and Spoon and Yum (gluten-free)

Kristen's kids couldn't gobble these down fast enough and that says a lot! An easy, fast recipe to help you get a good dose of greens into you and your family! This air fryer kale chips recipe is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, keto, low-carb, sugar-free, nut-free and soy-free.

Vegan Air Fried Cream Cheese Wontons by Very Vegan Val

Crispy wonton shells around a soft, flavourful, vegan tofu-based cream cheese, filled with scallions and seasoned with sriracha - what could be better? These air fryer wontons sound amazing enough on their own, but Val invites you to dip them in a sweet, fruity, homemade duck sauce!

Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon on Watch Learn Eat (gluten-free)

This Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon is great for breakfast, in a sandwich such as a vegan BLT, or chopped up as a salad topper. This air fryer vegan bacon is flavourful, easy to make and gluten-free! Tip from creator Sherri: Don't cut the tempeh strips too thin!

Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes by A Virtual Vegan

These golden, crispy, herby, Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes are well seasoned, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Plus, they are quick and easy to make in your air fryer! (I made them and my whole family enjoyed them, including my two teens.)

Vegan Cheesy Potato Wedges In The Air Fryer on VNutrition

These Vegan Cheesy Potato Wedges are a perfect snack when you’re craving something cheesy and comforting. Don't they look incredible? Of course, the potatoes are air fried so they’re a much healthier choice than regular fried potatoes. The cheese sauce is a simple vegan blend of cashews and tasty spices.

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash by This Healthy Kitchen

Recipe creator Rosa says this air fryer spaghetti squash is filling, low in calories, flavourful and versatile. Use it like you would pasta - add sautéed veggies or mix it with pesto, tomato sauce or dairy-free Alfredo. Enjoy this versatile vegan air fryer recipe!

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries With Spicy Pineapple Dipping Sauce from Go Dairy Free

Sweet potato fries are an air fryer classic. They'll have you eating healthy sweet potatoes on the regular! This sweet potato fries recipe takes it up a notch with a lovely pineapple dipping sauce. (Substitute maple syrup for honey for a fully vegan recipe.) Recipe creator Alisa cautions that you must watch your cooking sweet potato fries carefully - they can go from perfectly toasted to burned in an instant.

Crispy Quinoa Onion Rings by The Edgy Veg (gluten-free option)

Make homemade crispy vegan quinoa onion rings in 30 minutes! The recipe calls for ingredients like onions, puffed quinoa, breadcrumbs and seasonings. Cook the onion rings in the air fryer to reduce the use of oil. They can also be made gluten-free. Recipe creator Candice recommends serving these delicious onion rings with a plant-based burger and vegan aioli.

Air Fryer Carrots Two Ways by This Healthy Kitchen

All you need are carrots and a few simple additions to make a spicy or sweet version of these air fryer carrots. They are simple to prepare and make for a perfectly delicious veggie to add to your dinner rotation. Rosa's kids enjoy the spicy version!

Air Fryer Shishito Peppers by Veggies Save The Day

These blistered Japanese peppers are mild and sweet (not spicy) and ready in about five minutes with the help of your air fryer. Recipe creator Amy likes to serve them alongside other Japanese-inspired dishes such as baked teriyaki tofu with rice and marinated asparagus spears.

Asian-Inspired Air Fryer Green Beans on Veggies Save The Day (gluten-free)

These healthy air fryer green beans take just 10 minutes to cook and are full of flavour. Plus, the recipe calls for only three ingredients. This makes for a perfect, easy vegan and gluten-free side dish.

Smoky Vegan Fondue With Breaded Mushroom Dippers by Vegan Yack Attack

These breaded mushroom dippers, made in the air fryer, are the lighter version of one of recipe creator Jackie's favourite bar foods! Because they are made in the air fryer, they come together easily and with minimal oil. Dip them in Jackie's healthy vegan fondue "cheese," made with potatoes and carrots!

Entrees and Mains

Vegan Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich on Yum Vegan Food

Created from homemade seitan fillets, these vegan spicy chicken sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food – with a spicy, crispy batter and a vegan meaty interior. The air fryer makes the batter nice and crispy, a great contrast to the meaty texture of the "chicken."

Chile Pepita Idaho Potato Veggie Burgers by Healthy Slow Cooking

A vegan burger that’s as simple to make as it is inexpensive! Chile Pepita Idaho® Potato Veggie Burgers have a base of potatoes and black beans and get dressed up with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), chili puree and spices. Serve with potato salad or coleslaw for a delicious feast on the patio.

Air Fryer BBQ Lentil Meatballs by Vegan Yack Attack

How mouthwatering are these Air Fryer BBQ Lentil Meatballs? Recipe creator Jackie promises they are chewy and flavourful on the inside, while slightly crunchy on the outside. The addition of vital wheat gluten to the lentils acts as a great binder, plus adds a chewy texture. Slather these vegan meatballs in your favourite BBQ sauce for a taste sensation.

Easy Air Fried Crispy Potato Tacos by Very Vegan Val

These crispy potato tacos are carbs on carbs, and I'm loving it! Crispy, flavorful, and crunchy, these air fried crispy potato tacos are made with less oil in an air fryer, but are extra crispy because both the taco shell and the mashed potato inside are air fried.

Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu on Watch Learn Eat (gluten-free)

Tofu is one of my favourite foods to cook with. This Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu is so simple to make and it's a beautiful combo of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This gluten-free and vegan tofu recipe requires just five ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking.

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets by Veggie Society

Florentina's vegan "chicken nuggets" are air fried without any oil. Easy to make, they are robed in a simple panko bread crumb and nutritional yeast coating for the ultimate tasty crunch. They are great for kids, who will no doubt want to dip them in a tasty barbecue sauce or just everyone's reliable favourite, ketchup! A vegan air fryer recipe that you'll make over and over again.

Peanut Tofu Noodle Bowl by Veggie Society

This nourishing recipe combines air fried tofu in a luscious peanut sauce with soba noodles in a raw mango avocado sauce. Delish! Plus this peanut tofu noodle bowl is quick, easy and oil free!

Buffalo Tortilla Tofu Bowl on Veeg

Recipe creator Renee says this tasty tofu bowl could possibly turn your partner into a vegan! It's that good. "I had held off getting an air fryer because even I, the kitchen gadget queen, couldn’t imagine really needing one," says Renee. "So when I received one as a gift, I indulged without a lick of guilt and began exploring all sorts of time-saving methods." In this recipe, she uses an air fryer to cook the tofu a bit to give it a yummy edge and to make the oil-free tortilla strips in mere minutes. Turns out the air fryer is well worth adding to your kitchen gadgets!

Vegan Tofu Lobster Rolls by Veeg (gluten-free)

Vegan Tofu Lobster Rolls are seasoned tandoori tofu in a gluten-free sandwich recipe that makes a satisfying meatless seafood meal in minutes! Recipe creator Renee says, "If you think you don’t like tofu, get an air fryer and change that opinion in minutes! Air fryers give tofu that appetizing edge it gets when it’s fried in oil, without using a drop of that calorie-packed stuff!" The secret to tasty oil-free, air-fried food, she notes, is tossing what you’re cooking midway through and seasoning to suit your taste. In this recipe, the tofu takes on a buttery lobster flavour, thank to the seasoning and fast flowing hot air.

Popcorn Tofu by VNutrition

I know some people don't like tofu, but honestly it's one of my favourite foods! That's why I'm sharing so many air fryer tofu recipes in this post. Tofu all day. This Popcorn Tofu gets its crispiness from the air fryer rather than from oil. The breading is a simple mix of chickpea or quinoa flour, cornmeal and tasty seasonings.

Air Fryer Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken and Waffles by Strength and Sunshine

Comfort food made healthy and plant-based! This Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken & Waffles recipe is not only a meatless wonder, but allergy-free, oil-free, made with crispy air fried cauliflower "chicken" and fluffy, homemade waffles. Serve with maple syrup and hot sauce for an ultimate treat!

Vegan Air Fryer Lentil Sliders by Any Reason Vegans

These air fryer lentil sliders are perfect picnic food - plus they are inexpensive to make and very nutritious. Lentils are a healthy, plant-based protein, also offering fibre, calcium and Vitamin C. Recipe creator Jessica recommends spraying the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to avoid the lentil patties sticking to the bottom.

Air Fryer Aloo Gobi (Indian Roasted Potatoes and Cauliflower) by Piping Pot Curry

Recipe creator Meeta says all you need to do for this recipe is toss cauliflower and potatoes in spices, and roast in the air fryer for a perfect Indian veggie dish. No mushy cauliflower and it takes less than 20 minutes to put together!

Air Fryer Carrot Falafel With Tahini Sauce by Tin and Thyme (gluten-free)

Tasty and simple to make, these air fryer falafels contain carrots for extra nutrition. They are vegan and gluten free. Recipe creator Choclette recommends serving these falafels with tahini sauce, salad and flat bread for a delicious lunch or supper.

Snacks & Dessert

Cinnamon Apple Chips on The Belly Rules The Mind (gluten-free)

I love apple chips and I love the idea of making them myself at home, in the air fryer. Apple chips are delicious and make a great healthy, low calorie and filling snack for the whole family (even my dogs love apple chips)! All you need are apples, cinnamon and a pinch of salt for these simple air fryer apple chips.

Air Fryer Brownies on spabettie (gluten-free)

BROWNIES? In the air fryer? Absolutely, says Kristina. The next time you crave a brownie, stir up a small batch and enjoy within 20 minutes! This delicious dessert recipe (by Kathy Hester) is super quick and easy to make with the help of your air fryer.

Easy Vegan Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls by Rescue Dog Kitchen

Recipe creator John Rush doesn't promise these air fryer cinnamon rolls are healthy - they are cinnamon rolls with delicious icing after all - but isn't it cool that you can make these luscious beauties in your air fryer? Treat yourself! Add this one to your repertoire of vegan air fryer recipes.

Vegan Air Fryer Carrot Cake by Healthy Slow Cooking

Move over mug cakes! This recipe for Vegan Air Fryer Carrot Cake produces a single serving of delicious cake for you to enjoy all by yourself. (Or you can be nice and put more than one in the air fryer at one time!) Don't worry, recipe creator Kathy tells us what dishes we can use to create baked goods right inside the air fryer.

Chocolate Banana Cashew Cake by Tin and Thyme

Another luscious dessert that comes together in the air fryer! This recipe creates a rich and fudgy chocolate banana cashew cake topped with a nutty chocolate icing. It’s vegan, dairy free and made with nutrient-rich whole foods.

Breakfast

Air Fryer Toasted Coconut French Toast on Strength and Sunshine

Recipe creator Rebecca says this is the healthiest way to make French toast for breakfast! This Air Fryer Toasted Coconut French Toast is made without oil and is also gluten-free, vegan and free of the top eight allergens. No soggy bread and only four ingredients to create crisp coconut perfection!

Air Fryer Hash Browns From Scratch by This Healthy Kitchen

I love a good hash brown, but we all know that conventional frozen hash browns aren't the healthiest. Rosa's air fryer hash brown recipe calls for just three ingredients and produces homemade hash browns that are crispy, crunchy and use a small amount of oil (or no oil if your prefer).

Vegan Air Fryer Omelettes by Vegan Dollhouse

Make cute little vegan omelettes in heart shapes using this recipe. (Okay, you can do circular omelettes if you want.) This recipe calls for simple ingredients like tofu, chickpea flour, chopped veggies, seasonings and vegan grated cheese. Best of all, it's easy to prepare!

Print some of these recipes and keep them in your kitchen

Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or just looking for some new plant-based meal ideas, I'm sure you found a recipe or two (or three...) to tempt you in this collection of delicious vegan air fryer recipes. I made myself a little duo tang of printed vegan air fryer recipes that I keep right in the kitchen. That means it's more likely I'll cook a fast and healthy air fryer meal instead of grabbing takeout on those nights I haven't pre-planned dinner.