Looking for a new way to add veggies into your meals? This vibrant crispy air fryer veg slaw is a hit with everyone. And it’s a great way to get more vegetables onto the table in a delicious, colourful way. It’s simple, quick to make, and so much more exciting than traditional boiled or steamed vegetables. Gone are the days of soggy, overcooked veg! Even the kids will love this dish with its sweet taste, vibrant colours, and crisp texture.
This veggie slaw is a healthier and more colourful twist on the classic coleslaw. While traditional coleslaw is typically served cold with a creamy dressing, this version is served warm. Making it an entirely different and refreshing experience. The slaw is made from a variety of fresh, crunchy vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage, which are air fried to perfection. Tossed in a honey and vinegar-based dressing, the veggies come out of the air fryer crispy, flavourful, and beautifully vibrant.
I had the pleasure of cooking this air-fried crispy veg slaw on the Channel 5 TV show AIR FRYERS: SUNDAY LUNCH MADE EASY, which first aired on April 3rd, 2024. The vegetables retain their stunning colours, even after being cooked, and they keep a delightful crunch. This simple, healthy dish is perfect for using up your winter vegetables. Providing a great way to make the most of what’s in season. Plus, it’s a fun and creative way to get the whole family eating more veggies without any complaints.
So what will you be serving your crispy veggie slaw with? Whether as a side dish to roasted meats or as a standalone light lunch, it’s sure to be a hit!
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 10 minutes
KIT you will need an air fryer, a vegetable peeler and mixing bowl.
Ingredients for air fryer veg slaw
1/2 a red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 Apple, thinly sliced
2 Carrots, ribboned
For the dressing:
1 tablespoon of runny honey
1 tablespoon of whole grain mustard
A tablespoon of Cider vinegar
To serve:
Chopped hazel nuts
A sprig of fresh parsley
Method
Start by preparing your veggies. Thinly slice half a red cabbage – try to get the slices as fine as possible for that perfect slaw texture. Once sliced, gently separate the cabbage leaves and place them into a large mixing bowl. Then take two carrots, peel them, and use a peeler or mandoline to create long ribbons or thin slices. Then add these to the bowl with the cabbage.
Next, grab one red apple. Peel it and thinly slice it into matchsticks or small strips. This adds a lovely sweetness to the slaw and a crisp texture that balances beautifully with the cabbage and carrot. Once the apple is in the bowl, spray a light coat of olive oil over all the veggies. Give the bowl a good shake or toss everything together so that the oil is evenly distributed.
Before transferring the vegetables to your air fryer, don’t forget to remove the crisp plate from the drawer – this helps the slaw cook evenly without sticking. Then pour the veg mixture into the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for 10 minutes. Be sure to stir or shake the veggies a few times during cooking to help them crisp up on all sides.
While the slaw is cooking, whip up a quick and flavourful dressing. In a small bowl, mix together one tablespoon each of wholegrain mustard, runny honey, and cider vinegar. Stir until smooth and well combined.
So once the vegetables are beautifully crisp and lightly golden, transfer them to a serving bowl. Drizzle your honey mustard dressing generously over the top, then finish with a sprinkle of chopped nuts and a sprig of fresh parsley.
This warm slaw is a vibrant, crunchy side dish – perfect with your Sunday roast!
Catch the full step-by-step video on my YouTube channel.
Tips for Air Fryer Veg Slaw
Air fryer crispy veg slaw is a delicious twist on traditional slaw – warm, crunchy, and full of flavour. It’s the perfect side dish or a unique topping for tacos, burgers, or grain bowls. If you want to nail that crisp-tender texture, here are a few tips to get it just right.
1. Use sturdy vegetables
Choose firm veg that can hold up to air frying. Cabbage (red or green), carrots, bell peppers, and onions work brilliantly. You can shred them yourself or use a bag of pre-cut slaw mix to save time.
2. Toss in oil and seasoning
Lightly coat the vegetables with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or your favourite spice blend. A little oil goes a long way to help them crisp up and caramelise.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket
Spread the slaw mix in a single, even layer. If you’re making a big batch, cook it in stages. Crowding the basket can lead to steaming instead of roasting.
4. Shake halfway through
Give the basket a good shake or toss the veggies with tongs halfway through cooking. This ensures even crisping and prevents any bits from burning.
5. Watch the cook time
Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for around 8–10 minutes, depending on how thick the veg is sliced. Keep an eye on it – you want crispy edges, not burnt bits!
6. Finish with a zesty dressing
Toss the crispy slaw with a splash of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or a drizzle of tahini or yogurt dressing while still warm. It adds brightness and pulls everything together.
Similar recipes
If you love this easy air fryer veg slaw, you might also like my tasty air fryer cauliflower cheese or the air fryer brussel sprouts recipe to accompany your roast dinner.
So for more air fryer inspiration, click here for more of my TV recipes or visit my Amazon shop front to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.
Or check out my brand new Club App, with exclusive calorie-counted recipes added weekly, customisable meal plans, printable shopping lists and many many more useful features to make all your meal prepping so much easier!