Air Fryer Fajita Vegetables (Copycat Chipotle, Ready in 15 Minutes)
Description
Crispy-tender air fryer fajita vegetables in just 15 minutes. This copycat Chipotle fajita veggies recipe uses bell peppers, red onion, and a homemade 7-spice seasoning blend to deliver smoky, restaurant-quality flavor at home. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and endlessly versatile — pile them into tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or breakfast burritos.
Ingredients
For the Vegetables:
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced into 1/4-inch strips (mix of red, yellow, orange; or 2 green for copycat Chipotle)
- 1 large red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 small white onion, sliced into 1/4-inch strips (optional)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, or avocado oil
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving
For the Fajita Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika, smoked or sweet
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 2 minutes.
- Slice the bell peppers and onions into 1/4-inch strips. Keeping the strips a consistent width is the key to even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk to blend.
- Add the sliced peppers and onions to the bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss until every strip is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Transfer the vegetables to the air fryer basket in as close to a single layer as possible. Air fry at 390°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 to 4 minutes for even browning.
- Check for doneness at the 10-minute mark. The vegetables should be tender with slightly charred edges. Add 1 to 2 more minutes if you prefer them softer.
- Transfer to a serving plate, squeeze fresh lime juice over the top, and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- For a true copycat Chipotle version: use only 2 green bell peppers and 1 red onion. Skip all spices except the oregano, salt, and pepper. Chipotle's actual recipe is that simple.
- Air fryer model matters: a Cosori or Ninja Foodi cooks at the listed time. Air fryer ovens (Cuisinart, Breville) run hotter — drop to 380°F.
- Make ahead: slice vegetables up to 24 hours in advance. Toss with oil and seasoning just before cooking.
- Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Do not freeze: texture turns mushy on thaw. Use frozen pepper-and-onion blends if you want a freezer option — cook from frozen at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Big-batch seasoning: mix 2 tablespoons of each spice and store in an airtight jar up to 6 months. Use 1 tablespoon per 4 cups of sliced vegetables.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 44kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 201mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1786IUVitamin C: 76mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg