The 6 Best Air Fryer Recipes That Revamp Boring Veggies

Make stuffed mushrooms easy by popping them in your air fryer
Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages

Listen up: Veggies shouldn't be boring, dull or tasteless. Indeed, how you prep and cook a vegetable can make all the difference when it comes to upping the flavor factor.

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And we're not just talking about deep frying. While frying in oil will make your broccoli — or just about any food — taste better, it's not the healthiest route.

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But you can easily reap all the deliciousness of frying and maintain a healthy diet by using an air fryer to cook your vegetables. Even if the childhood saying "eat your veggies" still makes you shudder, we bet these recipes for air fryer vegetables will transform your vapid greens into palate pleasers.

1. Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings

These air fryer cauliflower wings were inspired by Korean barbecue.

If you're trying to eat less meat, these air fryer cauliflower nuggets — a plant-based take on chicken wings — are a wonderful place to start. While a bit bland on its own, cauliflower is the consummate culinary blank canvas since it soaks up all the flavor of a dish. And these wings — smothered in a sticky, sweet, Korean barbecue-inspired sauce of ginger, honey and hoisin sauce — have plenty of it.

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Get theAir Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings ‌‌recipeand nutrition info from The Delicious Spoon.

2. Air Fryer Curly Zucchini Fries

While these fries are flavorful enough to eat plain, you can also stir up a yogurt-based dip for an extra punch of protein.

Who doesn't crave curly fries now and then? These spiralized zucchini fries slash starchy potatoes and forgo the deep fryer (and saturated fats) in favor of a spritz of olive oil in the air fryer. And they're a cinch to make, breaded with simple spice rack staples like paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. For an even heartier hit of nutrients, leave the skin on the zucchini.

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Get theAir Fryer Curly Zucchini Fries recipeand nutrition info from Adventures of a Nurse.

3. Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

These air fryer mushrooms are stuffed with herbed cream cheese and parmesan.

These air fryer mushrooms look so fancy (and taste even better), your family will swear you spent hours in the kitchen. But these mouthwatering mushroom bites come together in a few easy steps and only require 10 minutes in the air fryer. And with only 2 grams of carbs per serving, they're perfect for people following a low-carb diet plan like keto.

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Get theAir Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms ‌‌recipeand nutrition info from Easy Low Carb.

4. Everything Bagel Seasoned Brussels Sprouts

These air fryer Brussel sprouts get their flavor from bagel seasoning.

If you're still on the fence about Brussels sprouts, these scrumptious poppers will change your mind. A combo of crushed almonds, parmesan and everything bagel seasoning supply a crispy, crunchy texture that'll titillate your taste buds. Don't have bagel seasoning on your shelf? Substitute with a sprinkle of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of black and regular sesame seeds and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder.

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Get theEverything Bagel Seasoned Brussels Sprouts ‌‌recipeand nutrition info from How To This And That.

5. Air Fryer Egg Rolls

These air fryer egg rolls are stuffed with cabbage and carrots — to save time, use pre-made coleslaw mix, which usually contains both.

Using just 1 teaspoon of olive oil, these air fryer eggrolls are way healthier than the deep-fried version at your favorite takeout spot. But they're just as tasty thanks to flavorful seasoning like soy sauce, ginger and garlic.

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If you choose to add shrimp, chicken or beef, just be sure to cook your meat before rolling it in the wrapper.

Get theAir Fryer Egg Rolls recipeand nutrition info from Sustainable Cooks.

6. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

These air fryer cauliflower bites taste just like boneless Buffalo wings.

Crispy and tender, these air fryer cauliflower bites boast all the flavor of boneless buffalo wings minus the chicken (and saturated fat from frying). A mouth-puckering medley of chili powder, paprika and cayenne pepper provide the piquant spiciness you expect from Buffalo wings while a batter of almond and tapioca flour makes them naturally gluten-free.

And if you're tight on time, skip the breading altogether, toss the cauliflower in your favorite buffalo sauce and pop them in the air fryer.

Get theAir Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipeand nutrition info from Eat The Gains.