How to choose the best air fryer for vegans according to the 7 points
If you are a vegan, an air fryer is one of the best appliances you can have in your kitchen. It allows you to cook healthier, 100%-vegan but still quite tasty meals. Also, they speed up your cooking and ensure you make even more fantastic recipes.
But not just any air fryer will work for a vegan. You need something that does not use any animal products. Also, it should be able to cook typical vegan recipes and make the meals tasty.
We have a Facebook forum of air fryer enthusiasts, several of whom are vegans. We asked for their views on the best air fryers for vegans and did some additional research. And we use the data and information gathered to bring you a roundup of the best vegan air fryers.
Also, we will tell you the best air-fried vegan recipes to try. And at the end, we give you tips to make your vegan dishes even tastier. So make sure you read to the end!
Let’s start our 6,000 words ultimate guide, keep scrolling!
Best Air Fryers for Vegans – Reviews
Picture | Why it is Good for Vegan | Key Features |
Makes the tastiest and crispiest snacks Check The Price Instant Vortex 4-in-1 2-QT Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo | EvenCrisp technology 4-in-1 cooking functions Smart cooking programs | |
Cooks with up to 98% less oil Check The Price Chefman Large Air Fryer Max XL 8 Qt | LED shake reminder Large 8-quart capacity Stainless steel finish | |
Includes a dehydrate function for fruit and veggie chips Check The Price Ninja AF101 4QT Air Fryer | Wide temperature range Dehydrate function Ceramic coated basket | |
Air fries food super fast Check The Price COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo 58QT | Enhanced heating technology Personalized shake reminder Customizable cooking functions | |
Cooks two dishes independently Check The Price Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer | DualZone cooking technology 6-in-1 cooking functionality Wider temperature range | |
Powerful with multiple presets Check The Price Nuwave Brio 8-Qt Air Fryer, Powerful 1800W | 1800W heating element Integrated smart thermometer 100 pre-programmed presets | |
Supports more cooking functions Check The Price Ninja OS301 Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer | 10 cooking functions Tender Crisp technology Stainless steel build | |
Bakes the best vegan desserts Check The Price Aria Teflon-Free 7 Qt. Premium Ceramic Air Fryer | Eco-friendly ceramic basket Powerful AriaFlow technology One-tap presets | |
Cooks food evenly and titans maximum flavor Check The Price NutriChef Convection Countertop Air Fryer | 18-quart glass bowl Simple rotary controls No preheat required | |
Super fast cooking with no pre-heat time Check The Price CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer | No preheat required Easy-view window Capacitive user interface |
1. Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo
The Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer is a perfect air fryer for vegans that want to make their meals quickly. It heats up super fast and often does not require any preheating. This cuts your total cooking time significantly.
Pros
- Heat up super fast
- Cooks with little oil
- Clean easily
- Easy operation with smart programs
- Highly affordable
Cons
- The basket is quite shallow
Key Features and Unique Benefits
The Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer is a small air fryer but with a powerful performance. One of its key features is the EvenCrisp technology. This technology allows you to cook with up to 95% less oil. Also, it ensures more even crisping for more delightful dishes.
The 2-quart vegan air fryer is also built to speed up cooking. It hardly requires any preheating. You can make your air-fried French fries in as little as 15 minutes. Most other air fryers take up to 20 minutes.
The operation should also be hassle-free. The air fryer has simple one-touch buttons for the 4 functions. There is nothing much to do, whether you want to air fry veggies or bake a small cake. Simply push the right button, and the appliance will do the rest.
You should also have an easy time with the cleanup. The nonstick surfaces and dishwasher-safe part make cleanup hassle-free.
One thing that you might not like is that the basket is shallow. It will be hard to use accessories like a grill plate. But it is still fine for its price and size.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
This Instant Vortex air fryer makes some of the best french fries. It is the appliance for you if you are a vegan looking for a healthier way to make fries. The fries get super crunchy while remaining tender on the inside. They are also quite tasty if you pair them with nice seasoning.
Despite being a small air fryer, it also makes tasty pizzas. While you can only make small pizzas, they always come out perfectly. The air fryer crisps the crust without burning or making it too hard.
There is also little to do when cooking. The controls are straightforward and clearly marked. Even an absolute air fryer newbie should have an easy time with this model.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
Buy this air fryer if you cook for 1 or 2 people. It is also the perfect choice if you want an appliance for making small batches of crispy vegan snacks.
2. Chefman Large Air Fryer Max XL 8 Qt
The Chefman Large Air Fryer Max XL 8 Qt is all about healthy cooking. It cooks with up to 98% less oil, making it perfect for a vegan. This air fryer also has a sleek look. It will hence be perfect for complementing your kitchen, check the full list of best 10 Chefman air fryers here.
Pros
- Ensures even cooking with shake reminder
- Sleek-looking finish
- Enough capacity for the entire family
- Cooking presets make cooking easier
Cons
- Can be quite loud
- Strong plastic smell
Key Features and Unique Benefits
Chefman Large Air Fryer Max XL 8 Qt is built to cook food for an entire family of vegans. It can easily fit 6 to 8 portions of your favorite veggies or half a dozen muffins.
Besides the large capacity, it is also feature-rich. One of its main features is the LED shake reminder. The shale reminder alerts you when it is time to toss the food. This way, it will ensure your food cooks faster and more evenly.
The air fryer also has 4 dedicated cooking presets. There is a preset for everyday dishes, including french fries. You can cook most of your vegan dishes at the push of one button.
The stainless steel finish is also a fantastic feature. It gives the air fryer an elegant look and makes cleaning easier. Other things like the dishwasher-safe accessories also make cleanup a breeze.
The few quirks are that it can be loud and has a strong plastic smell. But both do not affect how well it cooks, so they should not stop you from giving it a try.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
The most outstanding element of this air fryer is its speed. It will cook most vegan meals in under 15 minutes. Most vegetables like brussels sprouts and broccoli cook perfectly in under 10 minutes.
You will also love how easy it is to set up when cooking. For instance, if you want to make sweet potato fries, you only need to season them and push the air fry button. You can also pair them with tasty veggie burgers, which you can make in the same way.
This air fryer also does a fantastic job reheating foods. It brings back the crunchy flavor days after you cook the food. Some dishes like pizza and veggies will even taste better than before.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
Buy this air fryer if you want to make your vegan foods healthier, as it hardly needs any oil. The air fryer is also a good choice if you prefer something sleek.
3. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a space-saving air fryer. This model will not take up any significant space in your kitchen. It is also a versatile appliance that supports a wide temperature range. And it has many cooking functions. You can hence use it to make all your vegan air fryer meals, check the best 10 Ninja air fryer list here.
Pros
- Wide temperature range for more versatile cooking
- Easy cleaning with dishwasher-safe parts
- Takes up little counter space
- Can cook two different dishes at a go
Cons
- Strong plastic smell
Key Features and Unique Benefits
Ninja makes some of the best-selling air fryers in the market. Their AF101 Air Fryer is quite popular with vegans. Most love that it makes it easy to air fry various vegan dishes. Its versatility stems from the wide temperature range (between 105 and 450°F).
The wide temperature range means you can go low enough to dehydrate food. It will hence be perfect for making your apple or kale chips. It can also dehydrate almost any other food you want.
The temperature also gets high enough for crisping foods. You can crisp your veggie pizzas or make some crunchy french fries.
Ninja also provides some dishwasher parts for this air fryer. And so things like the basket and multi-layer rack will take less time and effort to clean.
The strong plastic smell is the only notable gripe about this air fryer. But this is typical of most models, and the smell goes away after a few uses.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
This air fryer makes some fantastic veggies. It cooks all kinds of veggies to perfection in less than 10 minutes. And you hardly have to use any oil. A slight drizzle of your favorite vegan-friendly oil is enough. The oil will make your broccoli delightful.
Also, this air fryer is perfect for making chips. Apple and kale chips come out super crunchy and tasty. But you need to be patient when dehydrating food. It takes at least 5 hours to dehydrate most fruits and veggies. You should avoid the temptation of taking out the food too early. It will not get crunchy enough if you do not give it enough time.
Another thing you will love when using this air fryer is its multi-layer rack. The rack increases its cooking capacity. Also, it can allow you to cook two dishes simultaneously.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
This air fryer is for any vegan that cooks a variety of dishes. It has versatile cooking functions and a wide temperature range. They will allow you to cook almost anything.
4. Cosori Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo
The Cosori Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo is built for speed. It will ensure you spend more time enjoying your food. Its enhanced heating element allows it to cook your air-fried vegan meals up to 20% faster.
Pros
- Cooks meals super fast
- Makes crispier foods
- Highly customizable to suit your specific cooking
- Includes a handy shake reminder
- Basket draw is more straightforward for effortless serving
Cons
- Time and temperature are adjusted with the same button
Key Features and Unique Benefits
Speed is one of the main advantages of using the Cosori Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo. Its enhanced heating element makes it the perfect appliance for quick vegan snacks. Vegetables will cook in under 10 minutes. This is at least 5 minutes faster than most models out there.
Besides cooking food faster, the heating technology also delivers better outcomes. Your air-fried dishes always cook to perfection and get super crispy. This air fryer can make some of the crispiest french fries and crunchiest veggies.
You will also get more personalized cooking. The highly useful shake reminder is customizable. This way, you can control when you get alerts to shake your food. Moreover, you can also customize the cooking presets. You can have a custom time and temperature for each preset.
One annoyance is the time and temperature share one button. It can be a little annoying having to adjust them with one button, especially if you are impatient. But this should not be a big deal once you get used to the appliance.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
This Cosori air fryer will be a game-changer in your kitchen. It will easily take your cooking to a new level, and you do not have to do much. What we like most about it is that it actually cooks as fast as advertised. It can take your vegan foods from frozen to crunchy in under 10 minutes.
For instance, if you love crunchy okra, you can have it ready to serve in as little as 9 minutes. Simply drizzle a little olive oil on the frozen okra and air fry it at 350°F for 10 minutes. The extra minute is for ensuring it comes out super crunchy.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
Get this air fryer if you want something to speed up your air frying. Its highly efficient heating element allows it to cook much faster.
5. Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer
Ninja DZ201 Foodi is your best bet if you have back-to-back cooking. They allow you to cook different dishes together. What’s more, it is a multifunctional model. It will replace several appliances in your kitchen.
Pros
- Allows you to cook two foods independently
- Can cook a wide variety of foods
- Versatile with several cooking functions
- Large cooking capacity
Cons
- Takes up more counter space
- Comes with a learning curve
Key Features and Unique Benefits
You will never have to cook your meals back to back if you own the Ninja DZ201 Foodi. The 2-basket air fryer has independent cooking zones. It allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously. For instance, you can have your sweet potato french fries in one basket and veggies in the other.
The best part is that you can have the dishes ready at the same time. The air fryer has Smart Finish and Match Cook functions. These features ensure everything gets ready at once. This way, you can serve all the food at the same time.
Versatility is also at the heart of the air fryer’s design. It supports at least 6 cooking functions, from air frying to roasting. Hence, you can make all your vegan air fryer meals using just one appliance. You can air-fry french fries, roast your broccoli, and much more.
Like any other air fryer, the model has a few shortcomings. They include the fact that it takes up more space. And it also comes with a learning curve. But both should be expected given its capacity and design.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
There are endless cooking possibilities when using the Ninja DZ201 Foodi. This air fryer can make almost any food to perfection. And it makes the cooking process more straightforward with presets and simple controls.
But, it seems to excel when baking. It makes some of the best vegan air fryer desserts. You can quickly make peanut butter cookie bars or whip up blueberry cheesecake pie. You can easily adjust the temperature and time to suit all your vegan desserts. Better still, it does not dry them out.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
This air fryer is a good buy if you want the capability to cook two dishes simultaneously. It also makes a good purchase for those looking for a model with a larger capacity.
6. Nuwave Brio 8-Qt Air Fryer
The Nuwave Brio 8-Qt Air Fryer is a powerful air fryer with an 1800-watt heating element. With all that power, you can be sure of faster and more consistent cooking. Additionally, the air fryer has over 100 cooking presets. The presets to make cooking even more effortless. Check the full best 10 Nuwave air fryer list here.
Pros
- Fast and efficient cooking
- Easy time and temperature adjustment
- Allows for easy monitoring with an integrated thermometer
- Maintains constant temperature when cooking
- Includes more presets and memory slots
Cons
- Looks a little complicated
Key Features and Unique Benefits
Nuwave Brio 8-Qt Air Fryer delivers enough heat to cook all your vegan meals fast and evenly. Its power comes from an 1800-watt heating element and Linear Thermal Technology. The Linear T technology also ensures perfect cooking results by maintaining consistent temperatures.
Monitoring your food as it cooks will be super easy, thanks to a built-in thermometer. The integrated thermometer ensures the air fryer shuts down when cooking is complete. This way, you never have to worry about burning or overcooking food.
You can also make adjustments easily on the fly. Whether you want to increase the temperature or increase time, you can do it at the push of one button. You can increase the temperature to make the fries a little crunchier. Or increase the time to get your veggie burger a little well done.
Another feature you will like is that there are more than 100 presets. There should be a preset for most of your vegan air fryer recipes. There are also 50 memory slots to make cooking even more hassle-free. You can save all your favorite cooking settings.
Although this air fryer looks intimidating and complicated, it is still super easy to use. With the presets and simple controls, anyone can use the appliance.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
This air fryer will allow you to indulge your sweet tooth as it makes some fantastic desserts. Its bake function cooks better than most convection air fryers. It allows you to bake everything from pies to cookies to perfection without drying them out.
You can also make some of the best tater tots on this air fryer. It cooks them perfectly whether they are freshly made or frozen. What we like most is that the tater tots always cook evenly and get crunchy. Moreover, you can also cook over 3 pounds of tater tots in one batch.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
Get this air fryer if you are looking for a more powerful model. The powerful heating element allows it to cook fast. It also delivers consistent cooking outcomes.
7. Ninja OS301 Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
Ninja OS301 Foodi is a versatile appliance that can pressure cook and air fryer foods. It will hence be quite handy in the kitchen. The air fryer eliminates the need to have several other appliances.
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Sleek and durable build
- Reliable cooking technology
- Simple controls
Cons
- The top grate is hard to clean
Key Features and Unique Benefits
The Ninja OS301 Foodi allows you to enjoy the best of both an air fryer and a pressure cooker. It comes with both a pressure and a crisping lid. You can use the pressure cooker function for cooking food fast and locking in all the juices. The crisping lid then allows you to finish them with a nice crisp.
The air fryer also supports 10 different cooking functions. They include yogurt making and sauteing. You can use it to saute your favorite vegan meals, such as veggies, and make yogurt. Also, it has a keep warm function to maintain food temperature before serving.
Ninja equips the air fryer with its unique TenderCrisp technology. This technology ensures your food always gets a crispy golden brown finish. The food will be both tasty and appealing to the eye.
This is also a more solid air fryer. It features primarily stainless steel construction. The stainless steel build makes it durable and gives it a sleeker look.
The top grate can be hectic to clean as it is not removable. But, the manufacturer provides some directions on how to do it in the manual. Also, you can find more helpful resources online.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
You have to try the yogurt function when you get this air fryer. Making yogurt is almost effortless as there is nothing much to do. Simply add your milk and push the yogurt button, and you should get creamy and tasty yogurt in a few minutes.
The air fryer also has a dehydrate function and reversible rack. The rack makes dehydration easier. You can also have more fruits and veggies in there as it can accommodate two layers. But what you will love most here is that it dehydrates much faster than other air fryers. Depending on the food types and size, you can dehydrate in as little as 2 to 4 hours.
And since this air fryer has a simple control panel with everything clearly marked, it will be super easy to use.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
This model is unbeatable if you want an air fryer that can also pressure cook. Also, it makes a good buy if you prefer something versatile. It supports several cooking functions.
8. Aria Teflon-Free 7 Qt. Premium Ceramic Air Fryer
The Aria Teflon-Free Premium Ceramic Air Fryer is perfect if you love vegan desserts. It has an efficient baking function and comes with an excellent baking pan to allow you to make the best desserts.
Pros
- Comes with a nice baking pan
- Easy for clean and eco-friendly ceramic build
- Cooks fast and with fewer calories
- More practical and versatile
- Convenient and easy to use controls
Cons
- No way to shut it down before it finishes cooking
Key Features and Unique Benefits
The Aria Teflon-Free 7 Qt. Premium Ceramic Air Fryer is one of the best vegan air fryers for you if you love baking. It makes some fantastic brownies and the moistest cakes.
And it does all this super fast as it heats up quickly. The air fryer uses Powerful AriaFlow technology to deliver hot air from all angles. This way, your baked goods cook fast and remain moist and tender.
Since the air fryer comes with a ceramic basket, it will also be safer. Ceramics does not leach any harmful substances into the food. Also, the material makes the basket nonstick to ensure food does not stick. Ceramic is also easy to clean.
You can also cook lots of food or even two dishes, as the air fryer comes with a rack. Moreover, you can use it to make some nice veggie kebabs, as you also get 4 skewers.
The only con is that there is no way to shut it down before it finishes cooking. Even unplugging does not help, as it remembers the previous setting. But this is still not a deal breaker.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
If you are yet to try hot vegan wings, you must do it with this air fryer. It makes some fantastic breaded cauliflower, and you hardly ever have to use oil. Provided you get the breading and seasoning right, they will turn out perfectly.
You will also love the sweet potato fries this air fryer makes. They get super crunchy while still remaining tender on the inside. Also, you do not have to over-season them or use too much oil to make them flavorful.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
You should buy this model if you love baking in an air fryer. Also, buy it if you want to cook fast and with fewer calories.
9. NutriChef Convection Countertop Toaster Oven
The NutriChef Convection Countertop Toaster Oven is a unique-looking glass air fryer. It is safer to use and cooks faster than your regular oven. Also, you will love that it has a massive capacity as it can hold up to 18 quarts of food.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Safer and easier to clean glass bowl
- No defrosting or preheating requires
- Cooks faster than a conventional oven
- Easy to use controls
Cons
- There are no presets
Key Features and Unique Benefits
NutriChef Convection Countertop Toaster Oven allows you to cook large batches of food. The 18-quart capacity can hold several pounds of all your favorite veggies.
The air fryer is made with a glass bowl. Glass is safer than plastic as it will not leak any BPA or phthalates into your food. Also, the glass material makes it easy to watch the food as it cooks without opening it up.
You also never have to waste time preheating the air fryer. It gets to optimal cooking temperature almost instantly. And it gets hot enough to cook almost anything. You can cook your tater tots and fries without even defrosting them.
There are no presets on this air fryer. This can be inconvenient but should not stop you from buying it. It has simple rotary controls that allow you to set the time and temperature quickly.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
This air fryer is perfect for all-around cooking. It can cook anything you throw in there to crispy perfection. For vegans, it makes some of the best-steamed veggies. And the best part is that you can easily watch them as they cook. This ensures you cook them to your preferred doneness.
Its ability to maintain food flavor and texture is also at another level. Your brussels sprouts and broccoli will maintain that natural texture that you love. And there is nothing much to do besides throwing them in and setting the time and temperature.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
Buy this air fryer if you want a large capacity and safer glass model. You should also get it if you hate having to defrost or preheat before cooking.
10. Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer
The versatile Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer will give you endless cooking possibilities. But what truly makes this a fantastic air fryer is that it does not require any preheating. This reduces your total cooking time significantly.
Pros
- Fast cooking with no preheating time
- Simple operation with one-touch functions
- Comes with several accessories
- Allows for easy cooking monitoring
- Fast and simple cleanup
Cons
- Can be quite loud
- Slight plastic smell
Key Features and Unique Benefits
The Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer reduces the time you spend cooking. It cooks super fast and does not need any preheating. You can spend more of your time enjoying your vegan meals.
You can also keep track of the food as it cooks. A large, easy-view window and some interior lights ensure this. You will no longer have to worry about burning your delicate leafy veggies.
The 10-liter capacity makes this air fryer perfect for making family-size meals. You can fit over 5 pounds of french fries and even more veggies. Also, cooking should be more effortless. There are some simple one-touch buttons and presets for everyday dishes.
This air fryer has multiple rack positions. It means you can easily cook more than one dish at a time. For instance, you can have your veggies on the top rack and potatoes at the bottom. And so your entire meal will be ready at the same time.
This model seems to be a little on the loud side. But you get used to the beeps and hardly notice them after a while. Also, the plastic smell disappears after the first few uses.
Actual Cooking Performance and Experience
The 3 rack positions on this air fryer are excellent. You will be surprised at just he much food they allow you to cook in one batch. There is space for your veggies, starch, and a side dish. And in just 15 to 20 minutes, you have the entire meal ready to serve.
The rotisserie function is also an excellent addition. It will allow you to experiment with different vegan air fryer recipes. You can rotisserie tofu skin or some mushrooms to make some delightful meals. It takes little effort to set up the rotisserie spit and forks. The manufacturer provides clear directions to help out.
This air fryer also makes some of the best chips. You can make your banana or apple chips in just a couple of hours. But, there is some learning curve here. You must experiment with the time and temperature until you can make the perfect chips.
Who Should Buy this Air Fryer?
This air fryer is for a vegan who only has a little time to spare for cooking. It speeds up cooking as it does not need preheating. You can fix your favorite vegan treats in minutes.
Why Vegans Should Have an Air Fryer
An air fryer is a handy kitchen appliance every home should have. But, it is even more helpful for vegans, and here is why.
1. Air fryer Cooks with little to no oil
An air fryer allows you to cook with a fraction of the fat you use with other cooking methods. A good model will use up to 90% less oil, making the food healthier. For most vegans, a good meal should also be healthy.
2. Crispier and tastier foods
Air-fried foods tend to be crispier and tastier. Air fryers will crisp the outside of the food and keep the interior juicy and tastier.
3. Can cook more recipes
Being a vegan does not mean you have to eat the same foods every day. With an air fryer, you can make more recipes. Most of these air fryers are multifunctional as they support different cooking functions. You can air-fry french fries or sweet potatoes, bake your favorite pasties, and more. We will explain more about what air fryers can cook later on.
4. Faster cooking
An air fryer cooks in a fraction of the time other appliances take. For instance, most veggies will cook in under 10 minutes. Other things lie crispy air-fried tofu also takes under 15 minutes.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Air Fryers for Vegans
1. Recipes that vegans like
Air fryers support different cooking functions. As a vegan, you must choose a model that can cook the foods you like.
For instance, your air fryer should have a bake function if you want to make the best vegan baked foods. But, if you want to be able to make diverse vegan foods, it is best to go for a model that supports multiple functions.
Here are some cooking functions to look for as you shop for a vegan air fryer:
- Air fry
- Bake
- Toast
- Roast
- Dehydrate
2. Vegan-Friendly Construction
The construction of the air fryer also has to be vegan-friendly. It should not be made with any animal products. For instance, some air fryers will use animal products for lubrication.
Also, the construction should make it easy to cook typical vegan dishes. For instance, it should come with accessories that make it easy to cook veggies. We will explain more about the accessories to expect with your vegan air fryer later in this article.
3. Size and Cooking Capacity
You also need to consider the size and capacity of the air fryer. Size matters a lot if you do not have a lot of room in your kitchen. Something too large will be inconvenient and hard to use in your small kitchen. A compact and more space-saving model always works best.
Cooking capacity depends on how many people up will be cooking for regularly. A 2 or 3-quart model is perfect for 1 or 2 people. But, if you will be cooking for a family of vegans, you need something that is at least 4 quarts.
Overall, vegan air fryers do not have to be that large. Remember, you will never have to cook a whole chicken or other meat cuts that take up a lot of space.
4. Cooking Technology
The cooking technology determines cooking speed and efficiency. It is vital to check what the air fryer uses before making up your mind.
Look for an air fryer that uses advanced cooking technologies. EvenCrisp and 360° Rapid Air Technology are good examples. These technologies will ensure food cooks fast and get even crispier.
5. Ease of Use and Cleaning
You also need to consider ease of use and cleanup. A model with intuitive control and a digital display will give you the easiest time. Also, presets make an air fryer easier to use. But we will explain more about this later on.
Air fryers with non-stick and dishwasher-safe accessories are the easiest to clean. Also, ensure the manufacturer provides clear maintenance directions in the manual.
6. Cooking Presets
A good air fryer for vegans should include a few cooking presets. These presets simplify cooking. They ensure you can cook the most common foods by pushing one button.
Most models will probably not have a preset for specific vegan foods. Still, ensure you get something with presets for all the cooking functions. A model with at least an air fryer, bake, roast, and dehydrate function should be perfect.
7. Accessories
Your air fryer should include accessories that make it easy to cook vegan foods. Things like an air fryer basket are a must-have.
A rotating rotisserie basket would even be better. Such a basket allows you to cook veggies without having to stop and toss them.
Other accessories like skewers and a baking pan are also handy. The more accessories you get, the more useful the air fryer is.
What Foods Can You Not Cook in the Air Fryer?
Air fryers are one of the most versatile kitchen appliances. But, it still has its limitations. You cannot cook certain foods in an air fryer.
Foods that start with a wet batter will not cook well in an air fryer. The batter will not set well and can be messy. Also, foods cooked in boiled water, like pasta and raw grains, will not cook well.
Anything else that can make a mess in your air fryer, such as cheese, should not be air fried. So if you plan to grill some cheese, you are better off using a different appliance.
You should also not expect to make popcorn in an air fryer. Air fryers will not get the temperature high enough to pop the corn nicely and evenly.
The list of foods you should not air fry is quite long. But you should avoid air frying anything likely to be messy.
Tips for Making your Vegan Foods Tastier
- Spice things up by adding fresh or dried herbs to your vegan air fryer meals.
- Use the right kind of healthy fat – whole food fats like avocado and nut oils are the tastiest.
- Braize and caramelize veggies to infuse more flavor.
- Pay attention to the food’s texture – add nuts or croutons to give it extra crunch and a nice texture.
- Experiment with different ingredients and flavors until you find the tastiest combination.
Wrap up
An air fryer is one of the best kitchen appliances for a vegan. It will allow you to make healthier food and cook meals much faster. But you have to choose the best mode to get these and many other benefits.
A good vegan air fryer should cook all your favorite vegan meals. Also, it should have a vegan-friendly design and hold enough food for you and your vegan family. Our buying guide above explains these factors and others in more detail.
We have also reviewed 10 of the best vegan air fryers out there. So you only need to choose the model that suits your needs and make your purchase today. And remember to come back and share your experience using it.
My love for food was influenced by my brother, a chef at a 2-star Michelin restaurant, and we often exchange food knowledge together. It’s been 12 years since I first stepped into the kitchen, and with my vast experience and expertise, I will share many ideas on how to make dishes more delicious!