My Plant-Based Family

Eating Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet recipes, On a Budget.

Air Fryer

Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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Oven roasted sweet potatoes are more than just a side dish; they’re a canvas for creativity. Their natural sweetness, vibrant color, and versatility make them a must-have in any kitchen. Whether you’re preparing a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive holiday spread, roasted sweet potatoes add a touch of warmth and flavor to every meal.

Sweet potatoes are available year-round, making them a staple ingredient you can count on. Their vibrant orange flesh is not only visually appealing but also a source of beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder sweet potatoes are a favorite in kitchens worldwide.

The Magic of Oven Roasting

Oven roasting is a transformative cooking method that brings out the best in sweet potatoes. The high, consistent heat of an oven caramelizes their natural sugars, creating a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the interior soft and creamy. Unlike boiling, which can dilute flavors, roasting intensifies them, making each bite a burst of rich, earthy sweetness.

Roasting also allows for endless customization. You can season sweet potatoes to complement almost any cuisine, from smoky paprika and cumin for a Southwestern flair to cinnamon and nutmeg for a hint of sweetness. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Flavor Profiles

One of the joys of oven roasted sweet potatoes is their versatility. Here are some plant-based flavor combinations to inspire your next creation:

  • Savory Herb Blend: Toss with rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder.
  • Spicy-Sweet Fusion: Use chili powder, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
  • Mediterranean Flair: Add a touch of za’atar and lemon zest.
  • Sweet Indulgence: Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and coconut sugar.
  • Asian-Inspired: Mix tamari and a pinch of ginger.

Pairing Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Oven-roasted sweet potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. I like to use them in my Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowl. Serve them alongside roasted vegetables, marinated tofu, or a hearty lentil stew.

They’re also a fantastic addition to grain bowls, salads, or tacos. For a simple snack, dip roasted sweet potatoes into Oil-Free Hummus or Homemade Ketchup (No Sugar Added).

Elevated Dishes

Once you’ve mastered the basics of oven roasting, consider incorporating roasted sweet potatoes into more plant-based dishes. Here are a few ideas:

  • Sweet Potato Salad: Toss roasted cubes with arugula, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Breakfast Hash: Combine with roasted bell peppers, onions, and a tofu scramble.
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos: Use as a filling with black beans, avocado, and a spicy cashew crema.
  • Casserole Upgrade: Layer roasted slices in a gratin dish with a plant-based cheese sauce for a decadent treat.

How to Make Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • salt

Step 1 – Preheat Oven

Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2 – Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Then wash, peel and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces.

Step 3 – Season

Now spread out the sweet potato cubes on a parchment-covered baking sheet so that they are not touching. Sprinkle them with salt or other seasoning, if desired.

Step 4 – Bake

Bake for 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before eating.

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

As with all my recipes, I don’t use oil. Cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer will dry out more than baking them in an oven, but they all taste delicious!

To use an air fryer, preheat to 400 degrees and cook for 12 minutes, shaking them around at the half-way point.

Storage

If you find yourself with leftovers (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, spread them on a baking sheet and warm in a 375°F (190°C) oven until heated through. This helps retain their crispiness, unlike microwaving, which can make them soggy.

More Plant Based Side Dishes

If you like this recipe, you’ll love these dishes too:

Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Discover the transformative power of oven roasted sweet potatoes. Enhance their natural sweetness, achieve perfect caramelization, and explore endless flavor combinations.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Wash, peel, and cube sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
  3. Spread out sweet potato cubes on a parchment-covered baking sheet and sprinkle with salt or other seasoning if desired.
  4. Bake for 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before eating.

Notes

Alternate cooking instructions for air fryer. Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees, cook for 12 minutes, shaking them around at the half way point.

Did you make this recipe?

We'd love to see it! Tag us and use #MyPlantBasedFamily!

© Holly Yzquierdo

Pineapple and Tofu Kabobs

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These Pineapple and Tofu Kabobs are the perfect introduction to tofu!

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

When we first went plant-based I was a little afraid of tofu. I had never tried it and didn’t know what to expect. Years later, I’m happy to say that we love tofu. We don’t have it often but when we do it’s a crowd pleaser.

Cooking Tofu

There are a few different ways I like to eat tofu; we eat it crumbled in a tofu scramble, diced and cooked in a skillet, or cooked in my Air Fryer.

When I bought my GoWiseUSA Air Fryer I had two things I wanted to make, crispy fries and Tofu Kabobs.

Grilling isn’t an option for us. Our grill is pretty old and since we stopped cooking meat, we stopped using it and it fell into disrepair. Broiling and roasting in the summer is out because we live in Arizona and it’s too hot. In the summer, I don’t use my oven because it heats up the house.

You can definitely make these on the grill or in the oven if you don’t have an Air Fryer. I’ve even cooked them in a skillet but they don’t cook as evenly since the individual veggies and tofu pieces don’t all touch the surface of the pan at the same time.

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

When I came up with this recipe, I really wanted to mimic the kabobs we used to make on our grill. Those had meat but the tofu was a great replacement. I also wanted to add my favorite veggies! Grilled bell peppers and onions are my favorite veggies to grill! Turns out, they are also great in the Air Fryer.

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

If you are new to making tofu there are a few things to know.

First, tofu will take on the flavors of the other things you are cooking, so season your food well.

Second, tofu is packed in water and absorbs it like a sponge. You’ll want to squeeze it out. I used to put it between two plates and put heavy books on top. I recently bought an EZ Tofu Press and it’s much easier to use.

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

Pineapple and Tofu Kabobs

Get your wooden skewers ready for these easy and delicious kabobs.

Ingredients for Tofu Kabobs

  • 1 block firm tofu
  • 1 pineapple, cubed
  • 1 onion, chopped into large chunks
  • 1-2 bell peppers, chopped into large chunks

Ingredients for Marinade

  • 1/2 cup tamari (or soy sauce or Braggs Liquid Aminos)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Optional sriracha

Do

  1. Press tofu to remove excess water. This will take about 10 minutes. While the tofu is pressing, soak wooden skewers in water. I broke mine in half so they would fit in my Air Fryer.
  2. Mix up the marinade in a shallow bowl or baking dish.
  3. Cube the tofu, then place the tofu in the marinade to soak for about 10 minutes.
  4. Chop veggies and pineapple and set aside.
  5. Build the kabobs by alternating veggies, tofu, and pineapple on the skewers.
  6. If cooking in Air Fryer, at 320° for 15 minutes, shaking after 10 minutes. If cooking in a skillet, stir or turn tofu, pineapple, and veggies until lightly browned on all sides.
These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

Use these spices and ingredients as a starting point, add your favorites like mushrooms, grape tomatoes, zucchini, and more!

You should know that the veggies cook way faster than the tofu. If you use small chunks of veggies and big chunks of tofu the veggies will dry out if you cook them longer than 15 minutes.

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

One last tip! Use the leftover marinade to cook your quinoa, rice or noodles! If you are sauteing the veggies in a pan instead of making kabobs, use the leftover marinade in the skillet. The photo below is pineapple, tofu, and veggies that were sauteed in a skillet. No oil was used, just the marinade or a little water to keep it from sticking.

What are your favorite (plant-based) kabob ingredients?

Pineapple and Tofu Kabobs

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

These easy Tofu Kabobs are a great way to introduce your family to tofu!

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm tofu
  • 1 pineapple, cubed
  • 1 onion, chopped into large chunks
  • 1-2 bell peppers, chopped into large chunks
  • 1/2 cup tamari (or soy sauce or Braggs Liquid Aminos)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Optional sriracha

Instructions

  1. Press tofu to remove excess water. This will take about 10 minutes. While the tofu is pressing, soak wooden skewers in water. I broke mine in half so they would fit in my Air Fryer.
  2. Mix up the marinade in a shallow bowl or baking dish.
  3. Cube the tofu, then place the tofu in the marinade to soak for about 10 minutes.
  4. Chop veggies and pineapple and set aside.
  5. Build the kabobs by alternating veggies, tofu, and pineapple on the skewers.
  6. If cooking in Air Fryer, at 320° for 15 minutes, shaking after 10 minutes. If cooking in a skillet, stir or turn tofu, pineapple, and veggies until lightly browned on all sides.

Notes

Veggies cook way faster than the tofu. If you use small chunks of veggies and big chunks of tofu the veggies will dry out if you cook them longer than 15 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

We'd love to see it! Tag us and use #MyPlantBasedFamily!

© Heather Mayes

Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes

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The Vegan Air Fryer: The Healthier Way to Enjoy Deep-Fried Flavors

I’m not a gadget person. Don’t get me wrong, I love tech that makes my life easier but when it comes to kitchen stuff, I don’t rush out to get every new shiny object that comes around. I’ve been in love with my Instant Pot for years but the thing that has my attention recently is my air fryer. This page contains affiliate links. I also received a free copy of this book for review but I had already pre-ordered my copy.

Cooking with an Air Fryer

The air fryer is the latest craze in kitchen appliances and with good reason. It’s like having a mini convection oven on our counter top.

The beauty of the air fryer is its ability to cook foods and make them crispy, without using oil. For those of us in the whole food, plant-based, no oil camp, the air fryer is like a long awaited miracle. Fries without guilt!

I was so excited to get my air fryer months ago. I thought I’d be able to pick it up as easily as I did the Instant Pot but I struggled. In fact, I had a lot of fails in the beginning. I knew I had to go to the experts. I asked friends and many of you on Facebook who the undisputed air fryer guru was and everyone mentioned JL Fields.

I already had JL’s pressure cooking book so I was really excited to see she had a new air fryer book coming out. I preordered The Vegan Air Fryer: The Healthier Way to Enjoy Deep-Fried Flavors from Amazon so I could get it as soon as possible. It’s out now so you don’t have to wait!

The Vegan Air Fryer: The Healthier Way to Enjoy Deep-Fried Flavors

The book is filled with so much helpful information about how to use the air fryer and of course, delicious recipes. I was given permission to share one of the recipes with you!

From the Vegan Air Fryer, ©2017 by JL Fields. Used by permission. Photo by Michelle Donner.

Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes

Try these potato wedges if you love potato skins but want that potato, too. This is a great side dish and also a fun recipe to make for game day!

Potatoes

  • 1 pound fingerling potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil (you can exclude this if you don’t’ eat oil)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Cheese Sauce

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup water

Potatoes

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Wash the potatoes. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the oil (if using), salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the potatoes. Toss to coat. Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer. Cook for 16 minutes, shaking halfway through the cooking time.

Cheese Sauce

Combine the cashews, turmeric, paprika, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice in a high-speed blender. Blend on low, slowly increasing the speed and adding water as needed. Be careful to avoid using too much water, as you want a thick, cheesy consistency. Transfer the cooked potatoes to an air fryer-safe pan or a piece of parchment paper. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the potato wedges. Place the pan in the air fryer and cook for 2 more minutes at 400°F.

Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes

Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes

Try these potato wedges if you love potato skins but want that potato, too. This is a great side dish and also a fun recipe to make for game day!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fingerling potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil (you can exclude this if you don’t’ eat oil)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup water

Instructions

Potatoes

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Wash the potatoes.
  3. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and transfer them to a large bowl.
  4. Add the oil (if using), salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the potatoes. Toss to coat.
  5. Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer.
  6. Cook for 16 minutes, shaking halfway through the cooking time.

Cheese Sauce

  1. Combine the cashews, turmeric, paprika, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice in a high-speed blender.
  2. Blend on low, slowly increasing the speed and adding water as needed. Be careful to avoid using too much water, as you want a thick, cheesy consistency.
  3. Transfer the cooked potatoes to an air fryer-safe pan or a piece of parchment paper.
  4. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the potato wedges.
  5. Place the pan in the air fryer and cook for 2 more minutes at 400°F.

Did you make this recipe?

We'd love to see it! Tag us and use #MyPlantBasedFamily!

© Heather Mayes