Air Fryer Recipe

Crispy Vegetable Tempura

Name: Crispy Vegetable Tempura
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 cup of plain flour; 1 cup of ice-cold sparkling water; A pinch of baking soda; A variety of vegetables, such as courgettes, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers; Salt to taste; Vegetable oil spray for air frying

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min
Total: 20 min
Serves: 4
Category: Sides

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A simple, crisp vegetable tempura that’s just right for the air fryer.

Ingredients

1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of ice-cold sparkling water
A pinch of baking soda
A variety of vegetables, such as courgettes, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil spray for air frying

Method

Wash the vegetables thoroughly, then cut your chosen selection into even-sized pieces. Pat them dry with kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
In a bowl, gently mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually pour in the ice-cold sparkling water, stirring lightly as you go.
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F).
Dip each piece of vegetable lightly into the batter until evenly coated. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. Spray a light coat of vegetable oil over the pieces.
Air fry the tempura for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crisp, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Once cooked, move the tempura to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess oil. Serve straight away with a dipping sauce on the side.

Why this works in an air fryer

The air fryer uses rapid hot air circulation to mimic deep frying, creating a crispy exterior by quickly evaporating surface moisture while the batter's baking soda helps with lightness.

Equipment notes

Assumes a standard 3.5-litre basket. In a dual-zone air fryer, cook in one zone and use the other for keeping batches warm if needed.

Common pitfalls

Batter not sticking? Ensure vegetables are dry; moisture repels batter.
Tempura not crisping by minute 8? Reduce batch size; overcrowding limits air circulation.
Batter too thick? Add more sparkling water; thick batter prevents even cooking.

Variations & substitutions

Use rice flour instead of plain flour for a gluten-free option, which results in a lighter texture.
Replace sparkling water with beer for a richer, more complex flavour.
Add a pinch of curry powder to the batter for a subtle, aromatic twist.

Storage & reheating

Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C for 3-4 minutes. Best consumed within 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 250