Air fryer radishes with vegan parmesan

If you think radishes are only for salads, you are in for a treat.

This root vegetable becomes almost potato-like after roasting in the air fryer.

The outside is crusted in vegan parmesan cheese & freshly grated garlic.

Roasting makes the exterior crispy, cheesy, and garlicky. While the inside is beautifully tender.

The fragrant smells emanating from the air fryer make it almost impossible to wait!

It is a dairy-free & low carb side dish that your whole family will enjoy.

In this post:

Radishes: A 12-ounce bag of radishes is what you’ll need for this recipe. I usually pick them up at Trader Joe’s.

Or you can buy loose radishes, and weigh them for the amount you need.

Either standard red or rainbow-style radishes works here.

Avocado oil: This is a good high-heat, neutral-flavored oil. However, feel free to use any high-heat oil that you like.

Garlic: A clove of garlic adds bite & makes this a truly addictive side dish.

Salt: Any type works here, but a coarser salt really stands out.

Vegan parmesan cheese: I recommend making vegan parmesan cheese from scratch. I always have a batch in the refrigerator in a shaker.

But if you’d prefer to make a small batch of just what you’ll need for this recipe, see ingredients & instructions below.

Alternatively, you can also buy vegan parmesan. I recommend a finely ground vegan parm since it sticks to the radishes better.

Avoid the flaky variety or the kind you grate yourself, like Violife.

Scallions: You can finish this dish with a smattering of scallions for color (also called green onions). It’s completely optional.

Step by step instructions

Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

Wash & dry radishes. Remove tops & tails. Then cut them into roughly equal-sized pieces.

Toss them in oil in a mixing bowl.

Cook radishes in a single layer in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 7 minutes.

(For optimum coating, you’ll be air frying in 2 rounds. First without seasoning & then with seasoning.)

While the radishes are air frying, grate garlic into the mixing bowl with a Microplane zester (or finely mince).

Add more oil & a pinch of salt.

Add the radishes to the bowl and combine.

Then sprinkle on vegan parmesan cheese. Shake the bowl to reveal any bare radishes. And sprinkle on more vegan parm.

(Avoid stirring the radishes with the parm, because it tends to clump instead of coat.)

Gently pour the radishes back into the air fryer. Sprinkle on one final dash of vegan parm.

Then air fry radishes at 400 degrees for 4 to 5 more minutes, until the radishes are golden & fork tender.

Put the air fried radishes on a serving dish.

Finish with chopped scallions, if you like.

Small batch vegan parmesan

You can use either homemade vegan parmesan or store-bought.

I always have a batch of my vegan parmesan cheese on hand in the refrigerator, which is perfect for this.

However, if you’d prefer, you can make a small batch of vegan parmesan. It will basically give you just what you need for this recipe.

• 1 Tablespoon hemp hearts
• 1 Tablespoon raw cashews
• 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
• ⅛ teaspoon granulated garlic
• ⅛ teaspoon granulated onion
• Pinch of salt

Instructions: Grind all of the ingredients in a clean coffee grinder or small food processor until fine.

(I don’t recommend using a full-sized food processor on a batch this small, because it won’t grind as nicely & completely.)

You can make this dish your own by varying the ingredients, amounts, or cooking lengths.

• Vary the color of the radishes
• Use daikon radish instead, peeled & cut into 1-inch pieces
• Replace homemade vegan parmesan with store-bought
• Add more or less garlic, to taste
• Replace fresh garlic with ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• Omit or vary the garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Remember air fryer cooking times vary & adjust as needed

This delicious vegan, keto & gluten-free side dish goes with a variety of main courses.

Choose from any of these entrees:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It will keep for 3 or 4 days.

Reheat in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes, until warmed throughout & browned on the outside.

The radishes are a little softer/less crispy after storing in the refrigerator. However, they’re still delicious.

More air fryer recipes

Here are more air fryer vegetable side dishes I know you’ll love.