Golden Crisp Air Fryer Vegetables are the easiest way to turn everyday produce into a flavorful, crispy, and colorful side dish. With just a handful of pantry spices and a drizzle of olive oil, this recipe transforms broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and peppers into a vibrant medley that tastes as good as it looks.
Because air fryers circulate hot air, the vegetables cook quickly while staying tender inside and perfectly charred outside. This makes them a healthy and versatile option for busy weeknights or as a complement to grilled meats, pasta dishes, or grain bowls.
Interestingly, roasting vegetables has been a staple cooking technique for centuries, but air fryers bring that classic flavor into modern kitchens in half the time. You’ll still get the same caramelized edges and deep flavor, only faster and with less oil.
Serve these golden crisp air fryer vegetables straight from the basket or dress them up with fresh herbs, Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Either way, they’ll quickly become a weeknight favorite.
Recipe Yield: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 yellow squash, cut into half-moons
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat and prepare:
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Lightly coat the basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
2. Season the vegetables:
In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, bell pepper, and squash. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle in garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the vegetables are well seasoned.
3. Air fry to crisp perfection:
Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until vegetables are tender and lightly charred at the edges.
4. Serve and garnish:
Transfer vegetables to a serving dish. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving warm.
Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Air circulation is key. If you pile too many vegetables together, they will steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches for best results.
- Switch up the seasoning: Try Italian herbs, curry powder, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan after cooking for exciting flavor variations that keep the recipe fresh.
- Cut vegetables evenly: Uniform pieces ensure that everything cooks at the same time, so you won’t end up with some vegetables undercooked and others too soft.
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