To achieve perfectly roasted frozen vegetables in your air fryer, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

• 12-16 ounces frozen vegetables (no thawing required): The beauty of this method is that you can cook your vegetables straight from the freezer! While you can air fry single vegetables, don’t hesitate to create a vibrant air fryer vegetable medley. In my opinion, the absolute best frozen vegetables for the air fryer are Brussels sprouts, which come out incredibly crispy. Other excellent choices include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, as well as air fryer frozen carrots and frozen butternut squash.
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil: A little oil is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy texture and for helping seasonings adhere. My personal preference is avocado oil or olive oil due to their high smoke points and delicious flavor.
• 1 teaspoon seasoning of your choice: This is where you can truly customize your veggies! Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning is a fantastic choice for an extra boost of savory flavor. Alternatively, a simple blend of onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, along with salt and freshly ground black pepper, works wonderfully. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spice mixes!
• Cooking oil spray: A light mist of cooking oil spray is perfect for prepping your air fryer baking trays or basket, preventing sticking and ensuring even crisping.

As for kitchen equipment, you’ll simply need a spatula for flipping the veggies and, of course, your air fryer or air fryer oven. That’s all it takes to embark on this delicious and healthy cooking adventure!

This method works effectively in various air fryer brands, including the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, and Breville. However, it’s worth noting that cooking times can vary slightly between different models. To ensure optimal results, I always recommend checking your food a few minutes early during your first attempt with a new recipe or appliance.

Prepare Your Air Fryer and Veggies

Begin by lightly misting the air fryer basket or racks with your chosen cooking oil spray. In a mixing bowl, combine your frozen, unthawed vegetables with the cooking oil and sprinkle them generously with your preferred seasoning blend. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the oil and seasoning evenly coat all the vegetable pieces. This initial coating is key to preventing sticking and promoting crispy edges.

Arrange and Load into the Air Fryer

Carefully arrange the seasoned frozen vegetables in a single layer on your air fryer racks or in the basket. It’s crucial to avoid overcrowding, as this can steam the vegetables instead of crisping them. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook your vegetables in multiple batches to ensure proper airflow and optimal results. Once arranged, place your frozen veggies into the preheated air fryer.

Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

What temperature do you air fry frozen veggies? For most frozen vegetables, cook them at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 10-12 minutes. After this time, carefully flip or shake the veggies (or switch the position of the racks if using an air fryer oven) to ensure even cooking and browning. Continue to air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender on the inside and beautifully crispy on the outside. The total cooking time will typically range from 15 to 22 minutes, depending on the vegetable type and size.

Chef’s tip! Do not be tempted to cut back on the amount of oil specified in the recipe! The oil is not just for flavor; it plays a vital role in transforming frozen veggies into those coveted crispy-edged roasted vegetables we all love. While you’re welcome to experiment with oil-free roasting methods, I cannot guarantee the same excellent results without it.

A quick video demonstration is available on our YouTube channel to guide you through the process of making crispy air fryer frozen vegetables!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli:

• 1 lb. frozen broccoli (454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower:

• 1 lb. frozen cauliflower (454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts:

• 12-16 ounces frozen Brussels sprouts (340-454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Spinach:

• 1 lb. frozen whole leaf spinach (454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Okra:

• 12-16 ounces frozen okra, chopped (340-454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash:

• 12-16 ounces frozen butternut squash, chopped small (340-454 grams; do not thaw)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Zucchini:

• 1 lb. frozen zucchini, sliced (454 grams; do not thaw; ideally sliced in half lengthwise and cut into ½-inch/1.27 cm thick half moons)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or other seasoning blends)
• cooking oil spray of choice

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray. If any of your frozen broccoli florets are particularly large, cut them into smaller, more uniform pieces. This ensures that the air fryer frozen broccoli cooks evenly and crisps up beautifully.
2. Drizzle the frozen broccoli with the oil and sprinkle with your chosen seasoning. Toss thoroughly until all the broccoli pieces are well coated.
3. Spread the seasoned broccoli in a single layer across two air fryer racks, or place it directly into your air fryer basket. For air fryer ovens, I typically utilize both racks. If you have a compact air fryer, you might need to cook the broccoli in multiple batches to prevent overcrowding.
4. Ensure the drip tray is correctly positioned in your air fryer oven. Insert the racks into the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 10-12 minutes.
5. After the initial cooking, switch the position of the trays in the oven (if applicable) or gently shake the air fryer basket to redistribute the broccoli. Continue to air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and has developed deliciously browned, crispy edges. Enjoy!

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray. If necessary, cut larger pieces of frozen cauliflower into more uniform sizes for even cooking.
2. Drizzle the frozen cauliflower with oil and then sprinkle with your preferred seasoning. Toss thoroughly to ensure every floret is coated.
3. Spread the cauliflower in a single, even layer on two air fryer racks, or place it in the air fryer basket. For air fryer ovens, I use both racks. If your air fryer is small, consider cooking in batches to prevent overcrowding.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place. Place the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 10-12 minutes.
5. Switch the position of the trays in the oven or shake the air fryer basket. Continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender inside and nicely browned and crisp on the outside.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray.
2. Drizzle the frozen Brussels sprouts with oil and sprinkle with your chosen seasoning. Stir well to ensure even coating.
3. Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on the racks or in the air fryer basket. I usually use both racks in my air fryer oven. If you have a small air fryer, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place. Put the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 10 minutes.
5. Switch the position of the trays in the oven or shake the air fryer basket. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are deeply browned and crispy.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Spinach:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray.
2. Place the frozen spinach in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with seasoning. Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning truly elevates the flavor here. Toss to coat evenly.
3. Spread the spinach across two air fryer racks or in the basket. For a mix of tender and crispy textures, leave some spinach in frozen clumps. For extra crispy spinach, break up any large clumps before air frying.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place. Place the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
5. Flip and stir the spinach pieces. They might be done at this point. If not, switch the position of the trays (if applicable) and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until desired crispiness is reached.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Okra:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking oil spray. I typically use cut frozen okra for this recipe.
2. In a bowl, combine the frozen okra with cooking oil and your chosen seasoning, such as Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Toss well to coat.
3. Divide the okra between two air fryer racks, ensuring it forms a single, even layer without overcrowding. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place. Place the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes.
5. Flip and stir the okra pieces, then switch the position of the racks in the air fryer. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes at 400°F, or until the okra is crispy and its characteristic sliminess has diminished.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash:

1. The success of air frying frozen butternut squash often depends on the size of the pieces. For best results, ensure your squash is cut relatively small. Mist your air fryer racks with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, combine the frozen butternut squash with oil and seasoning. Toss well to coat each piece evenly.
3. Spread the butternut squash in a single layer on an air fryer rack. Avoid overcrowding to allow for optimal crisping.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place in your air fryer oven. Place the rack in the top position and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, stirring and flipping the squash after 12 minutes to ensure even browning.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Zucchini:

1. Lightly mist your air fryer baking racks with cooking spray.
2. Drizzle the frozen zucchini slices with oil and sprinkle with seasoning. Toss everything together to ensure an even coating.
3. Spread the zucchini in a single layer on two racks or in the air fryer basket. I prefer to use both racks in my oven-style air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, cook in batches to prevent overcrowding.
4. Ensure the drip tray is in place. Place the racks in the oven and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes.
5. Switch the position of the trays in the oven and flip the zucchini pieces. Bake for an additional 10 minutes.
6. For extra browning, switch the position of the trays one more time and roast the zucchini at 400°F (200°C) for an additional 3 minutes. Zucchini, being very watery, often benefits from this extra time to achieve optimal browning and crispiness. Always keep checking and stirring if using an air fryer basket until desired crispness.

💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule

This is a level 1 recipe, ideal for supporting fat loss goals. Non-starchy vegetables are an excellent low-calorie addition to any meal, particularly when you moderate high-calorie sauces and oils. To create a full, satisfying meal that aids in weight loss, consider pairing these delicious roasted veggies with a lean protein source and perhaps another vegetable.

Recently, I served a batch of air-fried frozen broccoli alongside perfectly oven-roasted potatoes, cauliflower, and a succulent pork chop. For a meal with higher energy demands, I adjusted by increasing the portions of pork chop and potatoes. Regardless of your personal dietary preferences or health objectives, this air fryer roasted vegetables recipe is incredibly versatile and likely to be a fantastic fit for your lifestyle.

Here are some additional benefits you’ll enjoy with this simple recipe:

• • Boosts your vegetable intake: Many people struggle to meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables. This easy air fryer method makes it simple and enjoyable to give your veggie consumption a significant boost!
• • Rich in phytonutrients and fiber: Beyond essential vitamins and minerals, vegetables are packed with beneficial phytonutrients, often indicated by their vibrant colors, which can help optimize your health. They also provide crucial dietary fiber, which is vital for digestive health and helps you feel fuller and more satisfied after meals.
• • Effortless preparation: Seriously, this is one of the most straightforward and effective techniques for preparing frozen vegetables. Minimal effort, maximum flavor!
• • Accommodates various diets: Depending on the specific vegetables and seasonings you choose, these air-fried veggies can seamlessly fit into vegan, keto, gluten-free, low-calorie, dairy-free, and low-carb eating plans.
• • Extends time between shopping trips: By incorporating more frozen vegetables into your meals, you can reduce the frequency of your grocery store visits, saving both time and gas!

Please note: The nutrition information provided is for one serving of the air fryer broccoli recipe. Nutritional values can vary based on your choice of vegetables and specific ingredients.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli: Florets to Perfection

For ideal air fryer frozen broccoli, begin by lightly misting your air fryer racks or basket with cooking spray. It’s often helpful to quickly check your frozen broccoli florets and cut any particularly large pieces into more uniform sizes. This small step ensures that all the broccoli cooks evenly, preventing smaller pieces from burning while larger ones remain undercooked. Uniformity is key to consistent crispiness.

In a mixing bowl, combine the frozen broccoli with your chosen cooking oil and then sprinkle generously with seasoning. Toss everything together vigorously to ensure that each floret is thoroughly coated. This layer of oil and seasoning is what transforms them into flavorful, crispy morsels.

For this recipe, I used cut frozen okra. Begin by giving your air fryer racks or basket a light spritz of cooking oil spray. In a mixing bowl, combine the frozen okra with cooking oil and your preferred seasoning, such as Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure an even coat.

Divide your seasoned okra between two air fryer racks or spread it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s essential to avoid overcrowding to allow the air to circulate properly and facilitate crisping. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 12 minutes.