Air Fryer Vegetarian Patties
Air fryer vegetarian patties turn a tin of chickpeas, a carrot and a few storecupboard spices into four golden patties with a crisp outside and a soft, moist middle. A brush of oil is all the fat they need. Chilling the mixture for 20 minutes keeps them in one piece, so you can tuck them into toasted buns or serve them with a salad and a spoonful of yoghurt.
- Total
- 54 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 17 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 195kcal
Getting air fryer vegetarian patties to hold together
Chickpea patties live or die by moisture. Drying the chickpeas, grating the carrot coarsely and mashing only part of the tin gives you a mixture that binds with the egg and breadcrumbs but still has bite. Chilling is the step most people skip, and it is what stops the patties slumping in the basket.
The basket matters too. Four 9cm patties need a basket of about 5 litres to sit in one layer without touching, which is what lets the air crisp the sides. If yours is smaller, cook in two batches and keep the first ones warm under foil.
Air fryer vegetarian patties, step by step
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Dry the chickpeas Drain the chickpeas, rinse them under the cold tap and pat them dry with kitchen paper. Wet chickpeas make a sloppy mixture that will not hold its shape.
- Mash Tip the chickpeas into a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until about two-thirds are broken down. Leave some pieces whole for texture.
- Mix Add the carrot, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and egg. Stir well, then press a little between your fingers. It should hold together without feeling wet. If it does not, add another tablespoon of breadcrumbs.
- Shape and chill Divide the mixture into four (about 140g each) and shape into patties roughly 9cm wide and 2cm thick. Put them on a plate lined with baking paper and chill for to firm up.
- Air fry Heat the air fryer to 180°C for . Brush both sides of the patties with the olive oil and lay them in a single layer in the basket. Cook for , turn them carefully with a fish slice, then cook for another until golden and steaming hot in the middle.
- Rest and serve Leave the patties in the basket for so they firm up, then serve in toasted buns with lettuce, tomato and a spoonful of yoghurt.
Serving and swapping
A toasted bun, crisp lettuce, sliced tomato and cool plain yoghurt with a squeeze of lemon is the easiest way to serve them. They also work sliced into a wrap, or on a plate with a green salad. To change the flavour, swap the cumin for smoked paprika or ground coriander.
If you fancy a different pulse, air fryer lentil patties follow the same method. For a hearty bowl alongside, a pot of vegetarian chilli can be made while the patties chill.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Vegetarian Patties
- The patties crumble when you turn them.
- The mixture was too wet or not chilled. Dry the chickpeas well, add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs if it feels sticky, and give the shaped patties the full 20 minutes in the fridge.
- The outside is pale rather than golden.
- Brush the oil right to the edges of both sides, and keep the patties apart so the hot air can reach them. Add 2 minutes at the end if they need more colour.
- The middle is still soft and damp.
- The patties were thicker than 2cm. Press them flatter next time, or cook for 3–4 minutes longer until the centre is steaming hot.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Vegetarian Patties
Can you freeze air fryer vegetarian patties?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Freeze the shaped, uncooked patties on a tray, then bag them with baking paper between each one. Cook from frozen at 180°C, adding about 4 minutes to each side, until steaming hot in the middle. Cooked patties keep in the fridge for 2 days and should be reheated until steaming hot.
How many vegetarian patties fit in the air fryer?
Four patties fit in one layer in a basket of 5 litres or more. In a smaller basket, cook them two at a time and allow another 14 minutes for the second batch.
What can I use instead of egg in vegetarian patties?
Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, leave it for 5 minutes until gloopy, and use it in place of the egg. That also makes them vegan, as long as your breadcrumbs contain no milk or egg.
Can you cook vegetarian patties in the oven instead?
Yes. Bake them on a lined tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 25 minutes, turning them halfway, until golden and hot all the way through.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 76 ratings
