Frozen food is a convenient way to end up your hectic day in an effortless manner and if it is frozen vegetables then relax some more as the feeling of good nutrients will make you fall asleep in peace.
Vegetables are one of the healthiest foods you can ever include in your diet; cooking them in an air fryer gives the dish another edge.
Air fryers are also one good way of keeping those vegetables crispy. If you are someone who likes your veggies more crispy and crunchy then switch to cooking them in an air fryer from whatever method you are using now. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
Some vegetables can be cooked better than others in an air fryer but that is a discussion for later.
For now, know that frozen vegetables are a good fit for an air fryer on your hardest days. You have to do very little to get your food at the dinner table and that too is filled with taste and health.
For a more in-depth discussion, keep on scrolling!
Is it okay to put parchment paper in the air fryer?
Yes! Just make sure that you warm the air fryer WITHOUT the parchment paper inside.
After you’ve preheated the air fryer and are ready to add the vegetables, add the parchment paper.
Frozen vegetables are an excellent option to prepare a quick and easy side dish. You can also add more flavor by using any of your favorite seasoning blends or dipping sauces.
What can I make using frozen air fryer vegetables?
Healthy vegetables make an excellent side dish for air-fried steak, air fryer chicken, air fryer pork tenderloin, or even to serve with pasta.
For fresh produce, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes and check on the vegetables after five minutes.
Can you put frozen vegetables in an air fryer?
YES, YOU CAN!
Just like frozen meat, frozen vegetables can also be put in an air fryer without doing anything extra.
People often confuse themselves with thawing and defrosting their frozen vegetables before putting them in an air fryer but they often do not like what comes out of the air fryer as a result.
Frozen vegetables that are placed in an air fryer directly from the freezer are crispier than the defrosted ones.
For thawing and seasoning, you can always do that before freezing your vegetables in your freezer. How about that?
There are days when we have energy and time in hand, so take the best advantage of it. On such days, thaw and season your vegetables and freeze them. On days you have no time or energy, this effort of yours will surely pay off.
For already bought frozen vegetables, season them after air frying them. But try not to defrost them if you like your veggies to be crispy. If you like them chewy, do the defrosting as it all depends on your preferences.
Air fryer rotating hot air makes it possible to get that desired crispy exterior of the frozen vegetables and cook them to perfection.
How long should you air fry frozen vegetables?
Air frying vegetables require a certain temperature and time like every other food item but this temperature and time can variate from air fryer’s brand to brand and model to model.
Air frying frozen vegetables at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes can be enough for most models but the time can variate for your appliance so make sure you know your air fryer before setting the time.
Other than this, keep a check on your vegetables while they are still in the air fryer, and flip them in the mid-way if necessary. This makes the vegetable evenly cooked.
All you have to do is take frozen vegetables out of your fridge, spray your air fryer basket, place the vegetables making sure they are not overcrowded, spray oil on your veggies and add some seasoning if not done before. And VOILA you are good to air fry.
Check out this video for an amazing frozen vegetable recipe in an air fryer.
Which frozen vegetables are best?
We all shop for groceries and vegetables in bulk for a week at least.
The only problem that occurs with our vegetables is that they go bad real soon and to prevent that we have an amazing option of freezing them.
Check out this table to know which frozen vegetables are best to be used.
Frozen Vegetables
Best with
Spinach
Spinach can go with pizzas, pasta, and whatnot.
Broccoli
Just spray some olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon juice, and if you like some butter for a creamy texture.
Kale
Can be a great fit for a smoothie.
Butternut squash
Can be a good alternative to mashed potatoes.
Asparagus
Is a good fit for almost every main course’s side dish.
Frozen food that can be put to best use.
Which one is better; frozen vegetables or fresh ones?
Vegetables are so healthy that we often overlook nutrient facts when choosing between frozen vegetables and fresh ones.
There is no doubt in the fact that frozen vegetables are convenient to cook but there is one more fact that fresh vegetables have more nutrients even if there is just a slight difference between them.
The main consideration that has to be given is the added sugar, salt, preservative chemicals, and artificial flavors.
Fresh vegetables can also lose some of their nutrients and that depends on how long the vegetable was used after its harvesting. The same goes for frozen vegetables. If vegetables are frozen soon enough after harvesting then they seem to lose fewer nutrients.
Summary
Vegetables in an air fryer, ever heard of a better and healthier combination than that?
In this article, you have read that you can put frozen vegetables in an air fryer without hesitation. If anything, putting frozen veggies in is better than fresh ones because frozen vegetables turn out to be crispier.
Frozen vegetables take about 20 minutes to get completely done. All you have to do is check the veggies in between that time.
Every air fryer brand and model takes different times and temperatures to get things done.
Frozen vegetables may have fewer calories than fresh ones but the difference is so minimal that it is almost not important to consider the difference.
Also, nutrients in frozen vegetables depend upon the time you took to freeze them after harvesting.
Among other vegetables, spinach, broccoli, kale, butternut squash, and asparagus are some vegetables that help loads when you have them frozen.
Vegetables go bad quickly and to make the most out of them and save yourself some money, it is better to freeze them rather than leave them to rot.
I'm Shanila Wasi, a home cook passionate about modern kitchen gadgets, especially air fryers. At yumfryer.com, I share tips, tricks, and recipes for creating healthier, delicious meals with ease. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, join me in exploring the endless possibilities of air frying. Let's cook and savor together!