Air fryer frozen vegetables are the ultimate dinner hack! With 2 minutes of prep, you have a quick and perfectly crispy side dish to balance out your meal.
Air frying frozen vegetables will forever be my favorite way to cook veggies. Especially when I don't have 30 minutes to roast them in the oven. They crisp up in a matter of minutes and are my ultimate healthy lazy mom hack.
And it works for almost every vegetable. From air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts, to broccoli, carrots, squash and kale - you can make any bag of frozen vegetables taste good.
If you're looking for more ways to make frozen vegetables that don't suck, check out this guide on How to Cook Frozen Vegetables.
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Ingredients
- frozen vegetables - mostly any frozen vegetable will work. Choose from broccoli or cauliflower to mixed vegetables, carrots, green beans or even brussels sprouts.
- olive oil - you'll need a source of fat to help them and crisp. Olive oil can be substituted with avocado oil or any other neutral flavor cooking oil of choice.
- spices - the key to making frozen vegetables taste good. A little salt and pepper go a long way, but using pantry staples like garlic and onion powder, crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning or oregano will make them even better.
- parmesan - completely optional, but adding fat towards the end or after air frying will enhance the flavor and crisp factor.
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 400F. Once preheated, remove vegetables from freezer and cover in a thin layer of oil.
Add seasoning and toss to coat.
Evenly spread frozen vegetables on air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd!
Air fry at 400F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. If using parmesan, add during the last 2-3 minutes or when finished.
Hint: DO NOT empty water from the drip tray. This actually helps "steam" the vegetables.
Substitutions
- Parmesan - to make dairy-free or vegan, use nutritional yeast or your favorite dairy-free cheese.
- Olive oil - olive oil can be substituted with avocado oil or any other neutral flavor cooking oil of choice. Just be sure to use a source of fat or else they won't crisp!
Variations
There's no right or wrong way to make frozen vegetables in the air fryer! This is a great base recipe, but feel free to switch up the seasoning and vegetable variety with some of these delicious combos.
- Hot honey - add red pepper flakes and honey prior to air frying.
- Garlic and Herb - toss veggies with olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary.
- Lemon or balsamic parmesan - add a squeeze of fresh lemon or tablespoon of balsamic vinegar before serving. Perfect for frozen Brussels sprouts!
- Smoky Paprika - mix in smoked paprika, cumin, and a little chili powder for a bold, smoky flavor profile.
- Asian-Inspired - try sesame oil, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an umami-packed twist.
Equipment
Storage
Air fryer frozen vegetables are best eaten fresh. You can store leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days, but they will continue to lose their crisp texture the longer you keep them. To reheat, air fry at 375F for 2-3 minutes. DO NOT microwave.
Top Tip
I have tons of tips on how to cook frozen vegetables that don't suck whether you're roasting, sautéing, or even microwaving - but here are some things to keep in mind when using the air fryer:
- DO NOT empty any water in the air fryer basket. This helps to "steam" the vegetables, while the circulating hot air of the air fryer keeps them crisp.
- DO NOT let vegetables thaw before cooking. Keep them in the freezer until the last possible second, season, and immediately place on a hot tray.
- DO add salt, fat, and acid. This applies to everything you cook, but super important with frozen veggies! Adding these 3 things can get anything to taste good. Use a little salt + fat (oils & cheese) + acid (vinegar or lemon).
FAQ
Air fryer frozen vegetables are the perfect side dish to build a balanced meal. Just pair with a lean protein like air fryer flank steak, chicken, or tofu and a fiber-rich carbohydrate such as sweet potatoes, instant pot orzo, or rice.
If the air fryer basket is too crowded, the vegetables will steam and soften instead of browning. Make sure to work in batches if cooking a large amount of food.
Absolutely! You can air fry almost any vegetable using this recipe. You may need to increase or adjust the cook time or larger frozen vegetables, like whole Brussels sprouts.
More air fryer vegetable recipes
If you loved this recipe, here are some you can try next!
What to serve with frozen vegetables
These are my favorite dishes to serve with air fryer frozen vegetables:
Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen vegetables, broccoli, medley mix, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- ½ teaspoon onion powder, optional
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoon parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400℉ with the basket inside.
- Wait until air fryer has fully preheated and add frozen vegetables to a mixing bowl. Toss in oil and add seasoning.
- Immediately transfer to hot air fryer basket. Air fry for about 5-6 minutes. Shake the basket and air fry an additional 5-6 minutes. Different model air fryers will cook faster or slower, so be sure to check often towards the end to avoid burning.
- Remove and sprinkle with parmesan.
Did you try this? Let us know!