15 easy vegan air fryer ideas for healthy vegan dinners

Author: Victoria Smith

We've collated the 15 best vegan air fryer recipes for you to try at home, including everything from savoury staples to indulgent desserts.


Vegan Food & Living may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only ever share brands that we love and trust.

These easy and healthy vegan air fryer recipes will be on your weekly meal rotation in no time!

Air fryers have significantly increased in popularity over the past few years, attracting praise for their ability to cook and crisp up food with little to no oil.

We’ve collated the best vegan air fryer recipes for you to try at home, including everything from savoury veggie staples to indulgent desserts. Which one will you be trying first?

What is an air fryer?

If you’re unsure what an air fryer is, or simply want to know more about them before buying one, keep reading!

Air fryers are worktop appliances that work similarly to an oven. However, the main difference is its heating elements are only located on the top and are accompanied by a large, powerful fan.

This means that, unlike some ovens, air fryers heat up very quickly and cook food fast and more importantly, evenly.

Moreover, air fryers can make healthier meals, as the taste and texture are comparable to the results of a deep fryer without the copious amount of oil required for the latter.

Let’s get into the recipes!

ADVERTISEMENT

1. Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

These ultra-crispy cauliflower wings are seasoned with plenty of hot sauce, nutritional yeast and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. Vegan mayo for dipping is optional but highly recommended!

Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower - air fryer recipes

2. Vegan Cheesy Potato Wedges

These Vegan Cheesy Potato Wedges are a perfect snack when you’re craving something cheesy and comforting. However, they are made with just one teaspoon of oil while still being the perfect crispy treat.

Top with the cashew-based cheese sauce and INDULGE!

Vegan Cheesy Potato Wedges - air fryer recipes

3. Healthy Vegan Onion Rings

These 6-ingredient healthy vegan onion rings are crispy, golden brown, and absolutely delicious. And the best part is that they are completely oil-free! Covered in moreish panko breadcrumbs, they are the perfect accompaniment to your favourite movie or sports event.

Healthy Vegan Onion Rings - air fryer recipes

4. Vegan Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos

These tasty tacos are made by frying cauliflower florets and chickpeas in the air fryer for a quick roast – bringing out their intense, nutty flavour. Piled into corn tortillas with avocado, red cabbage and coconut yoghurt, they make the perfect Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday dinner.

Vegan Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos - air fryer recipes

5. Air Fryer Vegan Kale Chips

Ok, we know vegans don’t just eat salads and kale. But have you tried kale chips? These crispy florets are ready in just 15 minutes and can be seasoned in multiple different ways for any occasion. Give them a go!

Air Fryer Vegan Kale Chips

ADVERTISEMENT

6. Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme

A vegan crunchwrap in an air fryer? That’s right! This epic vegan Taco Bell inspired recipe cooks in just 8 minutes in your air fryer. What’s not to love?

Packed with refried beans, vegan meat crumbles, vegan queso, avocado and salsa, you won’t be disappointed in this lower-fat version of the original!

Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme

7. Vegan Bow-Tie Pasta Crisps

We aren’t one to miss out on a vegan-friendly food trend! These pasta crisps have exploded across TikTok and Instagram in the past couple of weeks.

Simply boil some pasta (bow-tie shape is our recommendation) and chuck it in your air fryer with some oil and seasoning and BAM, you’ve got yourself some pasta crisps!

If you love both pasta and crisps as much as we do, you’ll adore this recipe.

Vegan Bow-Tie Pasta Crisps

8. Vegan Air-Fried Falafels

It’s the vegan staple food, and it surprisingly tastes even better in an air-fryer!

Unlike traditional falafels which are deep-fried in plenty of oil, these falafels are completely oil-free, making them the perfect lower fat option.

With just a handful of common ingredients such as chickpeas, herbs and garlic, you’ll be making these on a weekly basis in no time.

Vegan Air-Fried Falafels

9. Simple Vegan Black Bean Burger

Consisting of just eight simple ingredients, these gorgeous black bean burgers can be on your plate in just 30 minutes.

The light chipotle spice in the patties means they are totally versatile and will go with whatever condiments you prefer. Mustard, ketchup, mayo or smashed avocado – we aren’t judging!

Moreover, they’ll go perfectly with a tray of air-fried potato fries and a simple salad.

Simple Vegan Black Bean Burger

10. Vegan Buttermilk Battered Tofu

This epic battered tofu makes the perfect weekend lunch, sandwiched between two vegan brioche buns. In this recipe, the sandwich is piled high with gherkins, red cabbage and sambal mayo. But you can stuff it with all your favourite sandwich fillings – go wild!

The tofu itself is coated in a gorgeous buttermilk style batter and seasoned with paprika, cayenne and hot sauce for a bit of spice. Is anyone else suddenly really hungry?

Vegan Buttermilk Battered Tofu

ADVERTISEMENT

11. Easy Vegan Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Unlike some of the other recipes in this round-up, these cinnamon rolls are not healthy. But do they taste great? Hell yes!

And whilst they are easy to make, they do take a long time to rise and cook, so this is your official warning not to start making them while hungry.

Easy Vegan Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls - vegan air fryer recipes

12. Vegan Blueberry and Apple Crumble

Yes, you read that right! You can make a delicious crumble dessert in your air fryer!

With just six ingredients, this dessert will soon become a staple in your household. What’s not to love?

Vegan Blueberry and Apple Crumble

13. Vegan Strawberry Lemonade Pop-Tarts

You wouldn’t know that this healthier version of the American breakfast snack is made in an air-fryer!

The crispy pastry cases are filled with a homemade strawberry chia jam and topped with a sweet lemon glaze and vegan-friendly sprinkles. Who said healthy had to be boring?

Vegan Strawberry Lemonade Pop-Tarts

14. Vegan Toasted Coconut French Toast

This unconventional French Toast has just four ingredients and can easily be made gluten-free using your favourite gluten-free bread.

It is gloriously coconutty, and delicious topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and fresh berries. Treat yourself this weekend!

Vegan Toasted Coconut French Toast

15. Vegan Air Fryer Carrot Cake

Carrot cake… in an air fryer? It can be done, folks!

This recipe might take longer than a microwave mug cake, but it has all the taste and texture of being oven-cooked, without all the faff.

It’s packed with subtle spices and juicy raisins and tastes even better with a dollop of vegan cream cheese frosting for the ultimate indulgence.

Vegan Air Fryer Carrot Cake

Looking for more recipes for easy weeknight dinners? Try these tasty vegan curry recipes

Written by

Victoria Smith

Vic is a freelance writer and content creator, passionate about ethical and environmental issues. When she’s not busy scribbling away she can be found visiting the best vegan restaurants in the UK and making delicious dairy-free coffees at a café in Essex. Her favourite animals are dogs, cows and pigs and her lifelong dream is to open an animal sanctuary with an onsite vegan café. You can find Vic on Instagram @vicsveganeats

Vegan Canarian Wrinkled Potatoes with Mojo Sauce

Take your tastebuds on an island holiday with this recipe for Canarian wrinkled potatoes - they're vegan by default!

Raw Vegan Pho

Chewy shiitake mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and a simple umami broth give this raw vegan pho loads of flavour

Homemade Vegan Crumpets

Soft, delicious homemade vegan crumpets are easier to make than they may seem, and need only 4 simple ingredients. 

Tofish and Chips with Tartar Sauce and Mushy Peas

Crispy beer-battered tofu makes a tasty tofish and chips dinner. Serve with homemade tartar sauce and mushy peas for a 'fishy' feast.