15 Vegan Air Fryer Recipes That Taste Better Than Takeout

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Let me paint a picture.

It is Friday night. You are tired. You want something crispy, salty, and deeply satisfying. Your phone is open to a delivery app. You are about to spend $25 on soggy vegan wings and lukewarm fries.

Stop.

Your air fryer is about to change your life.

This magical countertop appliance uses circulating hot air to make foods taste deep-fried with zero to minimal oil. No bubbling pots. No splattering grease. No lingering smell in your kitchen for three days.

And the best part? These 15 vegan recipes taste better than takeout—crispier, fresher, and made exactly how you like them.

Let me show you what your air fryer can do.

Part 1: Why the Air Fryer Is a Vegan’s Best Friend

Bonus: Most of these recipes take 10-20 minutes from start to finish. Faster than delivery. Every time.

Part 2: The 15 Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

1. Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Bites (15g Protein)

Better than takeout because: Restaurant tofu is often greasy and bland. This version is golden, crunchy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with flavor .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Press tofu for 5-10 minutes between paper towels to remove excess moisture .

2. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes.

3. In a bowl, toss tofu with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Sprinkle cornstarch over tofu and toss until evenly coated .

5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

6. Arrange tofu in a single layer in the basket.

7. Lightly spray with oil.

8. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crispy .

Nutrition (per serving, ~100g): 200 calories | 15g protein | 10g carbs | 12g fat 

Pro tip: For extra flavor, toss in teriyaki, buffalo, or BBQ sauce after cooking .

2. Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Better than takeout because: Restaurant buffalo wings are heavy, greasy, and not vegan. These are spicy, crispy, and completely plant-based—with no sacrifice on texture .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Cut cauliflower into 2-inch florets .

2. Whisk flour, almond milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into a smooth batter .

3. Dip each floret into batter, letting excess drip off.

4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

5. Place battered florets in a single layer in basket .

6. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway.

7. While cooking, mix buffalo sauce with melted vegan butter.

8. Remove cauliflower, toss in buffalo mixture, return to air fryer for 3-5 more minutes .

Pro tip: Serve with vegan ranch dressing and celery sticks for the full wing experience .

3. Air Fryer Falafel (No Deep Frying)

Better than takeout because: Traditional falafel is deep-fried and often dry. Air fryer falafel uses minimal oil while staying moist inside and crackly outside .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except oil in a food processor.

2. Pulse until mixture forms a coarse paste that holds together .

3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Form mixture into 1-inch thick patties (about 2 Tbsp each) .

6. Arrange patties in a single layer in basket.

7. Brush tops lightly with olive oil.

8. Air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden brown .

Pro tip: Serve in pita with tahini sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled turnips.

4. Air Fryer Spring Rolls (Crispy Vegetable Rolls)

Better than takeout because: Takeout spring rolls are often greasy and limp. These are light, shatteringly crisp, and you control the filling .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, soy sauce, and sesame oil .

2. Fill a shallow dish with warm water.

3. Dip one rice paper wrapper in water for 5-10 seconds until pliable.

4. Place on a clean surface. Add spoonful of filling to lower third.

5. Fold bottom over filling, fold in sides, and roll tightly.

6. Repeat with remaining wrappers.

7. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

8. Lightly brush or spray rolls with oil .

9. Place in basket in a single layer.

10. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy .

Pro tip: Serve with sweet chili sauce or peanut dipping sauce.

5. Teriyaki Tofu with Broccoli (Sticky & Crunchy)

Better than takeout because: Takeout teriyaki tofu is often soggy from sitting in sauce. This method keeps the tofu ultracrunchy until you toss it in homemade sticky sauce .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Make sauce: In a skillet, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, maple syrup, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Simmer until reduced by one-third. Mix cornstarch with 1 Tbsp water, add to sauce, stir until thickened. Set aside .

2. Tear tofu into 2-inch pieces (tearing creates more surface area for crispiness).

3. Pour boiling salted water over tofu, let sit 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.

4. Toss tofu with 2 Tbsp avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp cornstarch .

5. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Air fry tofu for 16 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.

6. With 7 minutes left, push tofu to one side and add broccoli to basket. Drizzle with remaining oil .

7. Once done, toss tofu in warmed teriyaki sauce.

8. Serve over rice with broccoli and green onions .

Pro tip: This recipe works best with a larger air fryer basket .

6. Vegan Onion Rings (Shatteringly Crispy)

Better than takeout because: Restaurant onion rings are battered and deep-fried. These are just as crunchy with way less oil—and no egg wash needed .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Slice onions into ½-inch rings. Separate into individual rings .

2. Make vegan buttermilk: Combine almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes .

3. In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.

4. Place panko in another shallow dish.

5. Dip each ring first in flour mixture, then in buttermilk, then in panko, pressing gently to adhere .

6. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

7. Arrange rings in a single layer in basket.

8. Lightly spray with oil .

9. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown .

Pro tip: Serve immediately with vegan ranch or BBQ sauce.

7. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Better than takeout because: Restaurant sweet potato fries are often limp and oversalted. Air fryer versions get caramelized edges and a tender interior with minimal oil .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into ¼-inch batons (fry-shaped sticks) .

2. Pat fries completely dry (this is key for crispiness).

3. In a bowl, toss fries with oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper .

4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

5. Arrange fries in a single layer in basket (do not overcrowd).

6. Air fry for 12 minutes, shaking basket vigorously at 6-minute mark .

7. Check for doneness—fries should be golden with tender interiors.

8. Transfer to a wire rack immediately to prevent steaming .

Pro tip: Serve with vegan aioli or chipotle-lime sauce.

8. Tempeh Bacon (Smoky, Savory, Addictive)

Better than takeout because: You cannot find good tempeh bacon in restaurants. This homemade version is smoky, crispy, and perfect for sandwiches or breakfast plates .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Slice tempeh thinly (about ⅛ inch thick) .

2. Whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and paprika.

3. Marinate tempeh slices for 10-30 minutes .

4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Arrange tempeh in a single layer in basket.

6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until edges are crispy .

Pro tip: Use in BLT sandwiches, crumbled over salads, or as a breakfast side.

9. Black Bean Burgers

Better than takeout because: Restaurant veggie burgers are often mushy and fall apart. The air fryer gives these black bean burgers a firm, crispy exterior .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mash black beans with a fork (leave some chunks for texture).

2. Add oats, corn, onion, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well .

3. Form mixture into 2-3 patties.

4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

5. Lightly spray patties with oil.

6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until firm and golden .

Pro tip: Serve on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and vegan special sauce.

10. Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Better than takeout because: Restaurant Brussels sprouts are often deep-fried or swimming in oil. Air fryer versions get crispy edges and caramelized leaves with just a spritz of oil .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Trim ends of Brussels sprouts and cut in half.

2. In a bowl, toss with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4. Place sprouts in basket cut-side down (this maximizes crispy surface area).

5. Lightly spray with oil.

6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket halfway .

Pro tip: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with toasted walnuts before serving.

11. Tofu Buddha Bowl

Better than takeout because: This complete meal combines crispy air-fried tofu, roasted vegetables, and quinoa—all made in one appliance .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Make crispy tofu bites according to recipe #1.

2. While tofu cooks, toss broccoli and peppers with a little oil and seasoning.

3. Add vegetables to air fryer basket during last 8 minutes of tofu cooking.

4. Assemble bowl: quinoa, spinach, crispy tofu, roasted vegetables.

5. Drizzle with dressing .

Pro tip: Add avocado, edamame, or pickled vegetables for extra texture and flavor.

12. Pasta Chips (Yes, Really)

Better than takeout because: These are not takeout—they are better. Bow tie pasta transformed into crispy, dippable chips. Trust me on this .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and let cool slightly.

2. In a bowl, toss cooked pasta with garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and salt.

3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4. Arrange pasta in a single layer in basket (you may need to work in batches).

5. Lightly spray with oil.

6. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking basket halfway, until golden and crispy .

Pro tip: Dip in marinara sauce, vegan pesto, or cashew cheese.

13. Air Fryer Apple Crumble (Yes, Dessert!)

Better than takeout because: Restaurant desserts are loaded with butter and sugar. This warm, cinnamon-spiced crumble uses the air fryer to create a crispy topping with far less fat .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. In a small oven-safe dish (that fits in your air fryer), combine diced apples and half the cinnamon.

2. In a separate bowl, mix oats, sugar, flour, remaining cinnamon, and cold vegan butter until crumbly.

3. Sprinkle topping over apples.

4. Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

5. Place dish in basket and air fry for 10-12 minutes until topping is golden and apples are soft .

Pro tip: Serve with vegan vanilla ice cream.

14. Oil-Free Tofu Omelette

Better than takeout because: You cannot find this on any takeout menu. A zero-oil, protein-packed tofu omelette made entirely in the air fryer in 15 minutes .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Crumble tofu in a bowl until smooth .

2. Add besan, onion, tomato, green chili, turmeric, pepper, and salt.

3. Add water gradually, mixing until you have a thick batter .

4. Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F).

5. Line basket with parchment paper.

6. Pour tofu mixture into basket, shaping into a round omelette.

7. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until set and lightly firm .

Pro tip: Use only firm or extra-firm tofu—silken tofu is too watery and will not hold its shape .

15. Cajun French Fry Po’ Boy

Better than takeout because: This New Orleans classic is impossible to find vegan. Here, crispy air-fried fries are stuffed into a baguette with creamy vegan sauce .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Cut potatoes into ¼-inch fries.

2. In a bowl, toss fries with Cajun seasoning.

3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

4. Arrange fries in a single layer in basket.

5. Lightly spray with oil.

6. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking basket halfway.

7. While fries cook, slice baguette lengthwise and spread with vegan mayo.

8. Stuff baguette with crispy fries, pickles, lettuce, and tomato .

Pro tip: Add air-fried tofu or tempeh bacon for extra protein.

Part 3: Air Fryer Tips for Maximum Crispiness

Part 4: Quick Reference Chart

The Bottom Line

Your air fryer is not just for frozen french fries.

It is for crispy buffalo cauliflower that rivals any wing joint. For falafel that stays moist inside and crackly outside. For tofu that actually makes you excited about tofu. For onion rings that shatter when you bite them.

And the best part? Every single recipe on this list is faster than delivery, cheaper than takeout, and healthier than deep-fried.

Your assignment this week:

1. Pick 3 recipes from this list

2. Shop for the ingredients

3. Make them in your air fryer

4. Never order takeout again

Save this post. Share it with a vegan friend who spends too much on delivery. Tag her. She needs to see this.

Want a free printable air fryer cheat sheet (cooking times and temps for all your favorite vegan foods)? Drop a comment or message me. I will send it to you.

And if you loved these recipes: Check out the High-Protein Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss post for more plant-based inspiration. The link is below.