In short: The best vegetarian air fryer recipes are built around a protein — paneer, chana, tofu, soya or eggs — plus vegetables, cooked with ½ tsp to 1 tbsp of oil. Boiled chickpeas give about 8.9 g protein per 100 g and firm tofu about 17.3 g (USDA); paneer varies by brand, so check the pack. Below are our tested Indian vegetarian air fryer recipes by meal.
Indian vegetarian cooking and the air fryer are a natural fit: tikkas, pakodas, cutlets and dry sabzis all want a crisp, browned outside, which is exactly what hot circulating air does. This page gathers every vegetarian recipe on the site, with a protein angle so a snack can become a meal. It’s part of our air fryer recipes collection.
Vegetarian protein sources for the air fryer
| Ingredient | Protein per 100 g | Best air fryer use |
|---|---|---|
| Firm tofu (raw) | 17.3 g | Tikka, crispy cubes, 200°C 12–15 min |
| Chickpeas (boiled) | 8.9 g | Masala chana, 200°C 15–18 min |
| Paneer | Varies by brand — check the label | Tikka, pakoda, curry cubes, 200°C 8–12 min |
| Peanuts (raw) | High — check the pack | Roasted, 180°C 10–12 min |
| Eggs (for eggetarians) | — | Hard-boiled in shell, 140°C 15–17 min |
Tofu and chickpea values: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy FDC 172475 and 173757).
High-protein vegetarian air fryer recipes
- Paneer tikka — tandoori-style in 10–12 minutes at 200°C
- 5 high-protein paneer snacks — tikka bites, paneer popcorn and more
- Roasted chickpeas (masala chana) — crunchy, high-fibre snack
- Roasted peanuts — no oil needed
- Paneer pakoda — besan-coated, no deep frying
Vegetarian sabzi and curries
- Aloo gobi — dhaba-style dry sabzi
- Matar paneer — air-fried paneer, no shallow-frying
- Paneer butter masala — roasted gravy, less butter
- Air fryer vegetables — times for 25 vegetables incl. bhindi and baingan
- Green beans — poriyal-style tadka version
- Dal chawal in the air fryer? — what works and what doesn’t
Vegetarian snacks
- Samosa — crisp and flaky, brushed with oil
- Veg cutlet — low-oil tea-time snack
- Green chilli kalonji — stuffed chillies
- Banana chips — Kerala-style
- All air fryer snacks — with times and oil for each
Vegetarian breakfast and baking (eggless)
- Indian air fryer breakfasts — poha cutlets, toast and more
- Eggless cake — soft vanilla sponge
- Eggless brownies — fudgy, small batch
- Eggless cookies — butter and atta-jaggery
- Eggless banana muffins — soft, naturally sweetened
A sample high-protein vegetarian day
| Meal | Air fryer dish | Pair with |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Paneer bhurji toast or hard-boiled eggs | Fruit, chai |
| Snack | Masala chana | Buttermilk |
| Lunch | Aloo gobi | Dal, roti, salad |
| Evening | Roasted peanuts or makhana | Green tea |
| Dinner | Paneer or tofu tikka | Dal makhani, laccha paratha |
Tips for vegetarian air frying
- Soak air-fried paneer in warm water for 5 minutes before adding to curry — it stays soft.
- Press tofu for 15 minutes to remove water before marinating.
- Dry boiled chana thoroughly — damp chickpeas steam rather than crunch.
- Use hung curd for tikka marinades; watery curd drips and slides off.
- Use parchment for marinated paneer — curd and lemon marinades are acidic, so foil isn’t ideal. See foil in an air fryer.
Frequently asked questions
What vegetarian food can you cook in an air fryer?
Paneer and tofu tikka, pakodas, samosas, cutlets, dry sabzis like aloo gobi and bhindi, roasted chana and peanuts, fries, and eggless cakes, cookies and muffins.
How do I get more protein in vegetarian air fryer meals?
Build each meal around paneer, tofu, chana, soya chunks or eggs, and pair snacks with dal or curd.
Can I cook Indian vegetarian curries in the air fryer?
Not the gravy itself — that’s better on the stove. Air-fry the paneer, vegetables or roasted base, then finish the curry in a pan.
Part of our Air Fryer Recipes collection