Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables + Best Harvest Salad Recipe

I love roasted vegetables and have found an easy way to roast them quickly in the air fryer. 

And then… I throw them all together in the most delicious harvest salad. 

This healthy side dish is super easy, and most of it can be made a day ahead. Not only is it delicious, but it is a pretty dish that would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table. 

If you do not own an air fryer, I may have you convinced to buy one by the time you are done reading this post. I was very leery initially, as I did not want another large appliance on the counter like the instant pot. 

But Christmas came, and so did the air fryer, and I am in love. This little machine is a powerhouse and the perfect way to whip up a meal on those busy weeknights. 

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Today is our Pinterest Challenge, and we are having our own Thanksgiving feast, and you are invited. We are sharing recipes that are easy to make and will be great additions to your Thanksgiving table.

Thank you to my dear friend Cindy @countyroad407 for hosting us. If you have come over from my friend CoCo’s @thecrownedgoat, I am sure you are still dreaming of her delicious gooey bars.

What is Air Frying?

Air frying is a cooking method that involves circulating hot air around food at a high speed to cook it. It is considered healthier than traditional deep-frying for several reasons:

• Reduced Oil Usage: Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying. In traditional deep frying, food is submerged in a large quantity of hot oil, which can make it high in calories and unhealthy fats. Air frying typically requires only a light coating or spray of oil on the food’s surface, which reduces the overall fat content.
• Lower Calorie Content: Because of the reduced oil, air-fried foods generally contain fewer calories than their deep-fried counterparts. This makes air frying a better option for reducing calorie intake.
• Less Saturated Fat: Deep-fried foods often absorb a lot of oil during cooking, making them high in saturated fats and harming cardiovascular health. Air-frying results in foods that are lower in saturated fats, making them a better choice for heart health.
• Crispy Texture: Despite using less oil, air frying can still produce foods with a crispy and golden-brown texture, similar to deep-fried food. This is achieved by circulating hot air that creates a Maillard reaction, browning the food’s surface.

Is it Better to Roast Vegetables in an Oven or Air Fryer?

Whether it’s better to roast vegetables in an oven or an air fryer depends on your preferences and priorities. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

I have roasted vegetables both ways, and my vote is for air fryer vegetables. 

Oven-Roasted Vegetables :

1. Even Cooking for Large Batches: Ovens have larger cooking capacities, making them suitable for roasting larger quantities of vegetables at once, which is ideal for family gatherings or large meal prep.
2. No Special Equipment Needed: Most people already have ovens in their kitchens, so you don’t need to invest in an additional appliance.
3. Minimal Supervision: Roasting vegetables in the oven often requires less hands-on attention once in the oven, as you can set a timer and let them cook.

Air Frying Vegetables:

1. Faster Cooking: Air fryers cook faster than ovens using high-speed convection heating. This can be a time-saver, especially for smaller batches of vegetables.
2. Crispy Texture: Air fryers produce crispy vegetables, so an air fryer is a good choice if you prefer your roasted vegetables to be very crispy.
3. Energy Efficiency: Air fryers generally use less energy than ovens, making them more energy-efficient for smaller cooking tasks.
4. Less Heat Generated: If you’re cooking in hot weather or want to avoid heating up your kitchen, an air fryer generates less heat than a conventional oven.

What Types of Vegetables are Good in the Air Fryer? 

You can air fry almost any variety of vegetables. Here is a list of my favorites. Be sure to choose fresh, firm vegetables from your local farmers market or grocery store. 

• Root Vegetables
• Squash, yellow squash, and zucchini.
• Brussels sprouts 
• Sweet potatoes
• Baby potatoes
• Red onion
• Green beans
• Butternut squash
• Carrots
• Vegetable Medley
• Red bell peppers
• Beets
• Broccoli Florets

For my Harvest Salad, we will roast beets, carrots, butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts. 

How do you Air Fry Vegetables?

Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipe

• Remove the air fryer basket and line it with foil. 
• Place vegetables in the fryer basket in a single layer. 
• Sprinkle a little oil (I like Olive Oil) or use a cooking spray with vegetable oil. 
• Season vegetables with salt and black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or Herbs de Provence.
• Add fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme or tarragon. 
• We added a few teaspoons of brown sugar to the butternut squash. 
• I added honey and a few drops of orange flavoring to the carrots. 

What Temperature Do You Air Fry Vegetables?

Roast your vegetables at 375 degrees, and cook for 15-20 minutes. Check the cooking process and remove them when you have tender veggies. 

Harvest Salad Recipe with Air Fryer Veggies

This fantastic recipe is delicious and looks beautiful when you serve it for Thanksgiving dinner or for those warm summer months. 

Providing balance in a salad is crucial to ensure that it is not only visually appealing but also delivers a harmonious combination of flavors and textures Achieving balance in a salad enhances the overall eating experience and makes it more satisfying. Here’s why and how to provide balance when making a salad:

Flavor Balance:

• Sweet: Incorporate elements like fruits (e.g., berries, pomegranate seeds), dried fruits (e.g., cranberries), or sweet dressings (e.g., honey mustard) to add sweetness.
• Salty: Introduce a salty component using ingredients like olives, goat cheese, or feta cheese.
• Sour: Include citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, grapefruits) or vinegar-based dressings to provide acidity.
• Bitter: Add bitter greens (e.g., arugula) or fresh herbs like fresh dill. 

Texture Balance:

• Crispy: Include elements like lettuce, cucumber, or crispy nuts and seeds for a crunch.
• Creamy: Add ingredients such as avocados, cheese, or yogurt-based dressings for a creamy texture.
• Chewy: Incorporate items like dried fruits or croutons.
• Tender: Use cooked vegetables or grilled proteins for a soft and tender texture.

Color Balance:

• Aim for a visually appealing salad by incorporating various colorful ingredients. Different colors indicate diverse nutrients, so a salad full of healthy vegetables is usually very colorful. 

 Salad Ingredients

• 6-8 carrots
• 1 lb. of Brussels sprouts
• 1 lb. of beets
• 1 fresh butternut squash  (or you can purchase cut-up squash). 
• Enough fresh spinach to fill your bowl (I used one lg. and one sm. plastic container from the grocery store).
• 1 Container of crumbled feta cheese 
• 1 Container of pomegranate seeds 
• 1 Fresh peach 
• 1 Fresh pear
• 1 Bag of spicy pecans from Trader Joe’s
• 1 Bunch of fresh dill

If there is something on the list that you do not care for, you can substitute it with an ingredient that you prefer. 

Salad Dressing Ingredients

• ½ cup olive oil  (extra virgin)
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• Two tablespoons honey
• a pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Two tablespoons of Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS FOR MIXING THE DRESSING

• Combine all ingredients and mix well with a whisk.
• Keep dressing in the refrigerator.

Directions for Making Harvest Salad with Air-Fried Veggies

• Roast your veggies (one kind at a time) and set aside. You can do this the day before and store them in an airtight container overnight. 
• Wash and dry your fresh spinach. 
• Place the spinach in a large bowl. 
• Place 1/2 of the feta cheese in the middle of the spinach. 
• Place the vegetables around the cheese.
• Sprinkle the container of pomegranate seeds over the salad. 
• Cut up one fresh bunch of dill and sprinkle on top. 
• Slice one pear and one peach, and place them on the salad. 
• Sprinkle the other half of the feta cheese on the salad. 
• Add one bag of spicy pecans on top. 

Drizzle Salad dressing and serve. 

Roasted Vegetable Harvest Salad

 FAQ’s

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer?

If your vegetables are not turning crispy in the air fryer, there are several potential reasons for this outcome:

1. Too Much Moisture: Excess moisture on the vegetables can prevent them from crisping up. Make sure to pat the vegetables dry before seasoning and air frying them.
2. Overcrowding the Basket: Crowding the air fryer basket can restrict the airflow, leading to uneven cooking. Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate around each piece of vegetable.
3. Too much oil: Air fryers cook with hot air, not oil; too much oil can leave the vegetables soggy and not crispy.
4. Frozen vegetables:  These can contain a lot of moisture, which can cause them not to get crispy.

That about wraps it up for me. Now it is time to move on to Laura’s home @decortoadore for another fabulous recipe with my favorite cranberry compote. You can also see all of my other friends fabulous recipes by clicking the links below.

Bon Appetite!

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