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13 in oil · 12 in the air fryer

Frying vegetables

Onion rings, tempura, okra and other vegetables can be battered, breaded or cooked bare. Match the preparation on the food page before using its starting time.

Before you cook:Dry the surface as the recipe directs and leave room for steam to escape.Fix a soggy crust →

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Oil or air?

Open a food page for piece size, preparation, steps and the original source.

Oil and air fryer starting points for vegetables
FoodIn oilIn the air fryerDoneness check
Onion rings375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 1–1½ min per side392°F (200°C)about 10 mingolden brown
Vegetable tempura320–356°F (160–180°C)Deep fry · 1–2 min (root vegetables 3–4 min)No sourced air fryer entrylightly golden
Okra375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 1½–2½ min per side425°F (220°C)20–25 min whole, 15–18 min slicedgolden brown
Green tomatoes375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 2–3 min400°F (205°C)5–6 min, flip, then 5 min morebrown on both sides but still firm enough to hold their shape
ZucchiniMedium heatPan fry · 1–2 min per side375°F (190°C)6–8 min, flip, then 3–5 min moregolden brown on both sides
Eggplant350–375°F (175–190°C)Shallow fry · 5 min375°F (190°C)4–5 min, turn, then 4–5 min moregolden brown on both sides
Pickles375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 2–3 min per side400°F (205°C)5–7 min, flip, then 5–7 min moregolden brown
Mushrooms350°F (175°C)Deep fry · 2–3 min390°F (200°C)10 min, turn, then 3–5 min moregolden and crisp
Cauliflower375°F (190°C)Deep fry · 8–10 min350°F (175°C)8–10 min per batchthe cauliflower is tender and the coating light brown
Tostones325°F (165°C), then 375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 3–4 min + 2 min420°F (215°C)about 6 min, smash, then 5–7 min morecrisp and golden on both sides
Maduros (sweet plantains)Medium-high, then medium heatPan fry · 2 min + 2 min + 4–8 minNo sourced air fryer entryvery tender and deeply browned
Falafel375°F (190°C)Deep fry · 2 min350°F (175°C)14 mingolden brown
Chickpeas375°F (190°C)Shallow fry · 8–10 min per batch385°F (195°C)12 minbrowned and crisp

Times and settings are starting points from the linked source recipes, not guarantees for every piece or machine. Check the food page for its size and method. Safe internal temperatures come from FoodSafety.gov where applicable.

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Quick vegetable tempuraDeep fry · 30 minProper crunchy onion ringsDeep fry · 35 minZucchini frittersShallow fry · 25 minLemon-herb air fryer cauliflowerAir fryer · 30 minSmoky crispy air fryer chickpeasAir fryer · 20 minAir-fryer zucchini friesAir fryer · 25 min