Here’s my go-to air fryer stir fry vegetables recipe, with a quick and simple method that gives you perfectly cooked veggies every time, seasoned with a mix of garlic, ginger, and a light soy sauce coating.
I make these stir fry vegetables at least twice a week in my air fryer because they’re so easy and turn out great. My kids even ask for seconds, which is pretty much a miracle when it comes to vegetables. And the best part? There’s hardly any cleanup involved.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Stir Fry Vegetables
- Quick and effortless – Ready in just 20 minutes with almost zero prep work – just toss the frozen vegetables with oil and seasonings, then let your air fryer do the rest.
- Budget-friendly – Using frozen vegetables keeps the cost low while still giving you a healthy side dish that tastes fresh and delicious.
- Minimal cleanup – With just one air fryer basket to clean and no chopping board needed, you’ll spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
- Healthy cooking method – This recipe uses just a tablespoon of oil to create crispy, perfectly cooked vegetables that maintain their nutrients and natural flavors.
What Kind of Frozen Vegetables Should I Use?
Most grocery stores carry several brands of frozen stir-fry vegetable mixes, and any of them will work well in this recipe. These mixes typically include a combination of broccoli, carrots, snap peas, water chestnuts, and sometimes baby corn or mushrooms. If you can’t find a specific stir-fry mix, you can create your own blend using individual frozen vegetables – just make sure they’re similar in size so they cook evenly. While Asian-style vegetable mixes are traditional for stir-fry, you can actually use any frozen vegetable mix you prefer, though I’d suggest avoiding ones with softer vegetables like zucchini or cauliflower as they might get too mushy in the air fryer.
Options for Substitutions
This simple air fryer recipe is super adaptable and easy to customize:
- Frozen stir-fry veggie mix: Feel free to use any frozen veggie mix you have on hand, or make your own fresh mix! Good options include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, snap peas, bell peppers, or green beans. Just cut fresh veggies into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Olive oil: You can swap olive oil with any neutral cooking oil like avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even coconut oil. If using coconut oil, melt it first for easier coating.
- Seasonings: While salt and pepper are great basics, try mixing it up with garlic powder, onion powder, sesame seeds, or your favorite Asian-inspired seasonings. A dash of soy sauce or teriyaki sauce added after cooking works great too!
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest mistake when air frying frozen vegetables is overcrowding the basket, which leads to steaming instead of that desired crispy texture – make sure to spread them in a single layer and cook in batches if needed. Another common error is not preheating your air fryer, but taking just 3 minutes to heat it to 375°F before adding your veggies will help achieve better browning and prevent sticking. To get the most flavor from your stir-fry, don’t skip tossing the vegetables with oil before cooking, as this helps seasonings stick and promotes even cooking – but remember that a little goes a long way, just one tablespoon is plenty for a full batch. For the crispiest results, give the basket a good shake every 4-5 minutes during cooking, and consider patting the vegetables with paper towels before seasoning to remove excess moisture.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Stir Fry Vegetables?
These crispy air fryer veggies make a perfect side dish, but they can easily become the star of a complete meal with the right pairings! For a filling dinner, serve them over a bed of steamed rice or noodles with your favorite protein – chicken, tofu, or shrimp all work great here. I like to whip up a quick stir fry sauce (just soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of honey) to drizzle over everything, which brings all the components together nicely. If you’re keeping things simple, these veggies also taste great alongside a basic grilled piece of fish or even mixed into scrambled eggs for an easy lunch.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These air fryer veggies stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re perfect for meal prep – I often make a big batch on Sunday and add them to different meals throughout the week!
Pack: For lunch prep, portion the cooled vegetables into individual containers. They’re great cold in salads or can be warmed up for a quick side dish. Just remember that the longer they sit, the softer they’ll become.
Warm Up: When you’re ready to eat your leftover veggies, pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F to crisp them up again. You can also microwave them for about 45 seconds, though they won’t be as crispy this way.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 17-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 150-200
- Protein: 5-7 g
- Fat: 7-10 g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25 g
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen stir-fry veggie mix (10 ounces, roughly 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: salt and black pepper for seasoning
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
In a large mixing bowl, combine your choice of frozen vegetables and drizzle them with olive oil.
Toss the vegetables thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil, which will help them cook and crisp up perfectly in the air fryer.
Step 2: Air Fry the Vegetables
Transfer the oiled vegetables into your air fryer basket, spreading them out in an even layer for consistent cooking.
Set the air fryer temperature to 375°F and the cook time to 12 minutes.
Step 3: Shake and Monitor
Partway through the cooking process, open the air fryer to stop and shake the basket.
This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the vegetables from sticking together or burning.
Keep an eye on the vegetables to ensure they become crisp on the outside while being cooked through.
Adjust the cook time slightly, if necessary, depending on your air fryer’s performance.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the vegetables are a little crispy on the outside and cooked through, carefully remove them from the air fryer.
Serve hot as a tasty and healthy side dish or snack.
Enjoy the delightful crunch and flavor!