Air fryer recipe · Starters
Vegetable Tempura
Lacy, light-battered seasonal vegetables that crackle at every bite.
- 22 minTotal time
- 190°CAir fryer
- 6Serves
- VegetarianDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 90kcal
- 2.2 gprotein
- 18.8 gcarbs
- 0.2 gfat
- 0.6 gfibre
Per serving, about 6 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- Mixed veg300 g, sliced
- Plain flour1 cup
- Cornstarch2 tbsp
- Ice-cold water3/4 cup
- Baking soda1/4 tsp
Method
Prep the vegetables
Slice the mixed veg into thin, even pieces so they cook through quickly in the light coating. Pat every piece dry before battering, because a dry surface grips the batter while a wet one makes it slide straight off.
Mix a cold batter
Whisk the flour, cornstarch and baking soda, then stir in the ice-cold water just until barely combined. Leave the lumps and do not over-mix; cold, lumpy batter fries up light and lacy instead of thick and bready.
Dip and drain
Dip each piece into the batter and let the excess drip back off so the coating stays thin. A thick, heavy batter never crisps properly in an air fryer and turns gummy and pale on the vegetable.
Spray and space
Mist the battered pieces well with oil and lay them apart so air moves around each one. Where pieces touch, the batter stays pale and soft, so keep clear gaps between them for an even golden finish.
Air-fry until crisp
Air-fry at 190°C for 10 min, spraying once more midway for an even colour, until the batter sets into a delicate, crackly shell. Serve them straight away while the coating is at its crispest.
