This easy, crispy and delicious air fryer veggie tempura is a great spin on your average dinner side. You can even turn this INTO dinner by adding in another heartier option like shrimp! 

It is a bit of a production line to get these vegetables prepared but once you get into the swing it goes by really easy and quickly. Using an air fryer over slow frying stovetop not only is easier and less messy but also more healthy! 

You can choose whatever vegetables are your favorite. Or you can easily have a wide variety to satisfy everyone’s taste buds in the party.

 

Air Fryer Veggie Tempura

Ingredients: 

• 3-4 cups of vegetables, your choice, cut into slices/chunks/small wedges
  • Root vegetables may need to be slightly par cooked before this process to help soften them slightly. 
  • If you are using vegetables that retain a lot of water, simply use a paper towel to squeeze some of the excess water out before frying.
• 1 cup of potato starch
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup club soda
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, optional – (adjust depending on how soft/crunchy you like it) we prefer more crunch so we upped ours to 2 cups worth! 

 

Directions:

1. Mix together potato starch, flour, egg and club soda in a small mixing bowl and panko crumbs in another small dish.
2. Dip your vegetables into the batter, allowing excess batter to drip off, then dip into panko crumbs to coat each side. (This is where you can go lighter or heavier for crunch factor!) Opt out of panko crumbs completely for a classic, softer tempura 
3. Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place your vegetables in a single layer without touching into basket, spray top of vegetables again with a light coat of spray.
4. Cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, use a fork to do a tender poke test if you need to! 
5. Serve warm with dipping sauce!

 

 

Being that tempura is a Japanese dish I wanted to share some lovely homemade Japanese inspired dipping sauces to pair with your tempura experience. 

These dipping sauces may require a trip to the store if you aren’t accustomed to cooking dishes from different regions of the world.

Your average grocery store carries a lot of these products needed. However, if you have an Asian market nearby I highly suggest giving it a visit. You will find top quality ingredients and have knowledgeable authentic cuisine experienced helpers to assist you!

Japanese Dipping Sauces

Tentsuya by Sudachi Recipes

A combination of soy sauce, mirin and dashi broth and pairs perfectly with light and airy tempura pieces. 

Ponzu Sauce by The Daring Gourmet

A Japanese citrus dish this dish brings your palette alive! Bringing this in as a dipping sauce for tempura will add all new flavors to the dish!

Ginger Sauce by Simply Happenings

Have you ever been to a Japanese steakhouse? Or maybe sat around a hibachi table? One of my favorite parts is the ginger explosion in the ginger sauce that they serve. I dip everything into it! This is an easy homemade version that you can whip up right in your own kitchen! Make extra for later!

You Might Also Like…

• Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Spicy Shrimp Tacos
• Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables

Love, light and a little grace…

-Olivia