Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook frozen vegetables in an air fryer? ›

Cooking with too much water leads to mushy vegetables. That's why we recommend sautéing, roasting, or steaming frozen vegetables instead of boiling them. Here's how: Sauté – Heat a wide pan over medium high heat, add frozen vegetables and a little oil or butter, stir and cook (uncovered) for five to seven minutes.

Don't overcrowd your insert, or else the air fried veggies will turn out mushy. Go light on the oil. Too much, and the vegetables will become oversaturated and not crisp up.

Steaming them is one of the best ways to prepare them so that you can have an easy vegetable side on the table in minutes, but you can also roast them (see Roasted Frozen Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Brussels Sprouts).

It's important to eat your veggies, and while there are many ways to cook them—the air fryer isn't a good choice for leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, and kale. This is because the speed of the air causes them to heat unevenly.

Acidic ingredients like lemon or vinegar, fats like butter and olive oil, spicy condiments like chile flakes or hot sauce, savory ingredients like cheese, bacon and nuts and fresh and dried herbs are all your friends when it comes to frozen vegetables.

Roast Frozen Vegetables in Your Oven

Shull recommends roasting your veggies for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and tossing every 10 minutes or so to help them cook evenly.

Steam. Steaming preserves color, flavor, and nutrients and is a quick way to get a side dish on the table. It's a method I use to make easy veggie quesadillas. Steam whatever frozen veggies you fancy on the stovetop or microwave, then add to a tortilla topped with melted cheese and salsa.

These air fryer veggies cook in half the time it takes to make roasted vegetables in the oven! Second, it's delicious. The air fryer vegetables are perfectly tender, with crisp, caramelized edges. Bonus: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice add tons of great flavor.

How long do vegetables take in the air fryer? ›

Preheat the device to 375 degrees F. Prep the vegetables. Add the desired amount of seasonings and oil. Layer the vegetables into the bottom of your air fryer as flat as possible and allow them to cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

"Frozen vegetables tend to release water quickly and can end up quite mushy if done improperly," says William Goldfield, director of corporate communications at Dole Food Company, Inc. Defrosting frozen vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, peas, carrots, and kale properly can help you avoid this.

Ice crystals inside packages of frozen fruits, vegetables, meats, and even ice cream are actually formed from water leaving the food.

Most of the time, you don't need to thaw frozen vegetables before cooking with them—but it depends on what you're making. For soups, stews and pastas, you can toss still frozen vegetables right into the pot. These dishes can withstand some extra moisture, and the warmth will thaw out the veggies.

Frozen vegetables are just fine on their own with a little time in the air fryer and light seasoning. Steamer bags are great but the vegetables are just a little more tasty when air fried or roasted. Broccoli and cauliflower are perfect choices.

Can I use my air fryer for frozen food? The answer to this question is, yes – anything is possible with these magical machines. We all know the hassle of waiting for something to defrost before you can cook it, but with an air fryer, you can simply pop the item inside, in its frozen state, and start cooking.

First, it's quick and easy. These air fryer veggies cook in half the time it takes to make roasted vegetables in the oven! Second, it's delicious. The air fryer vegetables are perfectly tender, with crisp, caramelized edges.