Store-Bought Frozen Veggies Will Never Turn Soggy Again With Your Air Fryer

While some canned veggies are among the most flavorful preserved options available, frozen vegetables have an unfortunate tendency to turn out limp when cooked. What we know about grilling frozen veggies is that it can be difficult to get right, plus, grilling isn't an option for all times of year in all climates. So where does this leave us, considering that frozen veggies are often more affordable and less perishable than fresh, and we really want to make them work for us? What if we told you that there is a convenient, effortless answer to the soggy veggie problem, and it was already sitting on your counter?

Air-frying frozen vegetables is a valid, easy option for crispy roasted veggies that will knock your socks off. High-heat convection cooking is the key here to crispy frozen vegetables. Just drizzle with the oil of your choice before they go in the air fryer. To roast them to a toasty golden hue, remove the excess water from the air fryer halfway through the cycle so that they can crisp up. Choosing whether or not to add additional seasonings is up to you. We've previously had great success with dusting veggies with dehydrated buttermilk powder for tangy deliciousness, but butter, olive oil, and regular ol' salt and pepper are all options as well.

Some veggies in particular make excellent freezer specimens and will taste extra delicious after cooking in your air fryer. Asparagus, for instance, is a freezer superstar. Get those stalks crispy in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for between 8 and 10 minutes, depending on thickness. Drizzle them with olive oil before cooking, and when they come out, squeeze on some lemon juice and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese... ooh-la-la!

Bell peppers are another veggie that can be just as good frozen, to say nothing of the convenience factor. Trimming, deseeding, and slicing peppers is a major pain, but frozen ones are a faster way to whip up a stir-fry or add to fajitas. Cook them at 400 degrees for up to 20 minutes. 

Frozen broccoli will get crispy after 20 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees. Try tossing it first in a spice blend made from garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. And who doesn't love Brussels sprouts? Air fry at 400 degrees (that seems to be the magic number) for around 16 minutes then garnish with lemon zest, garlic, and spring onions for a side dish that's swoon-worthy. Air frying frozen veggies really encourages creativity, so don't be afraid to experiment.