Ratatouille originates from French cuisine, but has gained popularity around the world. It’s one of my favorite ways to prepare roasted vegetables that make for a perfect side or meal. This air fryer ratatouille recipe makes it even easier to create this vegetable casserole!
Why Make Ratatouille in the Air Fryer
Ratatouille is, at its core, just roasted seasoned vegetables. That’s something that your air fryer is actually really good at doing!
It takes less time to cook and heats up your house far less than turning on your range oven. That’s important, since ratatouille is delicious with fresh summer vegetables (meaning it’s hot outside). However, it’s also good with root vegetables in the fall and winter!
You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, making ratatouille a super versatile dish. Eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onions are most traditional. However, I’ve seen potatoes, carrots, beets, and other veggies swapped in for variations!
Ratatouille is also naturally gluten free, vegan, dairy free, and low in fat, making it suitable for a variety of different dietary needs (but it’s delicious enough that you’ll enjoy it even if you don’t have any restrictions)!
Katie’s tip
If you love those vegetables and want an alternative to french fries, then try making these Aldi eggplant fries in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Ratatouille Ingredients
- 1 eggplant (aubergine)
- 1 zucchini (courgette)
- 1 summer squash
- 1 Beefsteak tomato (or 2 small fresh tomatoes)
- ½ medium sweet onion (such as Vidalia) – or about ½ cup diced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic cloves
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp basil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
special equipment note:
You’ll need a cake pan, casserole dish, or other similar oven-safe baking dish that fits in the basket of your air fryer for this recipe.
If you have a dual zone air fryer like I do, feel free to split it into two smaller casserole dishes or loaf pans!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetables. Honestly, this recipe can be done with any variety of vegetables. I prefer slices for the look, but you can cube them as well. Add or swap in potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, bell peppers, red onion, or whatever else you like
- You can also use canned crushed or diced tomatoes in the bottom of the dish in lieu of fresh slices
- Seasonings. The above list is my preference, but you can add other seasonings such as thyme, rosemary, herbs de provence, or similar
- Cheese variation. If you want to add some cheese, sprinkle with 1 Tbsp grated parmesan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until melted
- If you’d like a bit more acid, add 1 Tbsp white or balsamic vinegar to your oil mix
How to Cook Ratatouille in the Air Fryer
- Finely dice your onion
- Add in minced garlic and mix to combine
- Spread the onion and garlic mixture in the bottom of your casserole dish
- Peel remaining vegetables if desired (optional based on preference). Then, slice them all into approximately ¼” thick slices
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, stirring to combine
- Toss the oil and seasoning mixture with the sliced vegetables to evenly coat them
- Add the vegetable slices over top of the onions and garlic in the casserole dish. You’ll want to alternate different vegetables to create a striped pattern. You can insert them vertically, or lay them down with some overlap (depending on the size and shape of your dish)
- Set the vegetable filled casserole dish into your preheated air fryer basket
- Cook on the air fry setting for 20-30 minutes at 400°F, or until vegetables are browned and pierce easily with a fork
- Rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve
What to Serve With Ratatouille
- Rice or risotto
- Gnocchi or dumplings
- Grits
- Polenta
- Pasta
- Couscous
- Quinoa
- Focaccia and other breads
- Eggs
- Red wine
- Chicken
- Steak
- Pork
- Lamb
- Italian sausage
- Falafel
Try your ratatouille with my Air Fryer Arancini, these easy Air Fryer Polenta Cakes, atop a bowl of cheesy Microwave Grits, as a side to Trader Joe’s Air Fryer Frozen Falafel, next to some juicy Air Fryer Italian Sausage, or with a simple side of Air Fryer Focaccia.
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Ratatouille in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook ratatouille in an air fryer. It will lightly brown the vegetables and cook them to a soft state. It takes less time and puts off less heat than using the standard oven preparation.
Does Eggplant Need to Be Peeled for Ratatouille?
No, eggplant does not need to be peeled for ratatouille. However, you can if you prefer. It does add a slightly tougher texture, but the color contrast with the other vegetables makes it look very pleasing.
How Should I Cut My Vegetables for Ratatouille?
Vegetables can either be cut in thin slices or cubes for ratatouille.
The slices make a more elegant presentation, but generally take longer to make all the cuts. Regardless of the way they are cut, make sure your pieces are as even as possible for uniform cooking.
Do I Need to Salt My Eggplant Before Making Ratatouille?
You do not need to salt eggplant before making ratatouille. That will actually soften it, so it doesn’t retain its shape well when assembling the dish.
That said, salt should be added to all of the vegetables as part of cooking for flavor. You simply don’t need to salt and let eggplant sit ahead of time.
What Is Ratatouille?
Ratatouille is a classic French dish made from stewed vegetables, traditionally including eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It is known for its rich, savory flavor and can be served as a side dish or a main course.
It was originally coined a “peasant dish” due to the rough chopping of vegetables, and that it could be enjoyed just with bread, making it cheap and plentiful. The sliced arrangement is a more “elegant” modern-day presentation.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Ratatouille
- If you use sliced vegetables, you do not need to flip during cooking. If you’ve cubed them instead, I do recommend stirring them once midway to promote even cooking
- For very large diameter vegetables, feel free to cut in half and use half-moon shaped slices. Pack small slices into gaps between larger ones
- I have a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer, so I’ve used two small casserole dishes. However, you can use a singular large one in a one-basket air fryer
- Messy as it is, I recommend using your hands to toss the vegetables in the oil and seasonings. The tomatoes and eggplant are delicate and tend to fall apart if you try and use utensils
- For me, 25 minutes of cooking time was perfect but other air fryers may vary. Thickness of vegetables can make a difference as well
- Make sure to spray your casserole dish with nonstick spray if it doesn’t have a nonstick coating on it
Storage and Reheating
- Store any leftover ratatouille in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer term storage, wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months
- To reheat ratatouille, you can air fry it at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through. Exact time will vary based on size of vegetable pieces and your specific air fryer. You may also microwave it on high for about 1 minute, though this generally produces slightly softer vegetables
- Air Fryer French Onion Soup
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer ratatouille recipe is the perfect way to make roasted vegetables. Use whatever veggies you like or whatever is in season for an air fryer side dish that wows!
The seasonings are versatile, whether you keep them classic or put an Italian twist on them. If you want to add cheese, I’m certainly not going to stop you!
This veggie side is simple to adapt for any season, and I usually choose seasonings that pair with my summer, fall, and winter seasonal vegetables!
Pair ratatouille with a protein for a complete meal, or add to starches, pasta, or similar for a vegetarian friendly option. It’s also great for gluten free, dairy free, and vegan dietary needs (and even if you’re not, it’s delicious) so you can adjust your pairings as needed!
Katie’s tip
Vegetarians may also want to check out my guide on the best microwave steamers to learn what works best for delicious vegetables!
Air Fryer Ratatouille (Roasted Vegetable Recipe)
Equipment
- Casserole dish (or cake pan, or other oven safe dish(es) that fit in your air fryer)
- Vegetable knife
Ingredients
- 1 Small eggplant
- 1 Small zucchini (courgette)
- 1 Small summer (yellow) squash
- 1 Large Beefsteak tomato (or 2 smaller ones)
- ½ Medium sweet onion (such as Vidalia) or about ½ cup diced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ Tsp salt
- ½ Tsp black pepper
- 1 Tsp oregano (dried)
- 2 Tsp basil (dried)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Finely dice your onion using a sharp knife on a cutting board½ Medium sweet onion (such as Vidalia)
- Add in minced garlic and mix to combine1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Spread the onion and garlic mixture in the bottom of your greased casserole dish
- Peel remaining vegetables if desired (optional based on preference). Then, slice them all into approximately ¼” thick slices1 Small eggplant, 1 Small zucchini, 1 Small summer (yellow) squash, 1 Large Beefsteak tomato
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, stirring to combine3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 ½ Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp oregano, 2 Tsp basil
- Toss the oil and seasoning mixture with the sliced vegetables to evenly coat them
- Add the vegetable slices over top of the onions and garlic in the casserole dish. You’ll want to alternate different vegetables to create a striped pattern. You can insert them vertically, or lay them down with some overlap (depending on the size and shape of your dish)
- Set the vegetable filled casserole dish into your preheated air fryer basket
- Cook on the air fry setting for 20-30 minutes at 400°F, or until vegetables are browned, soft, and pierce easily with a fork
- Rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serveFresh parsley for garnish
Notes
- This recipe can be made with any variety of vegetables. Add or swap in potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, bell peppers, or whatever else you like. I prefer to slice my veggies for the look, but you can cube them as well
- You can also use canned crushed or diced tomatoes in the bottom of the dish in lieu of fresh slices
- The seasonings here are my preference, but you can add other seasonings such as thyme, rosemary, herbs de Provence, or similar
- For a variation with cheese, sprinkle with 1 Tbsp grated parmesan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until melted
- If you’d like a bit more acid, add 1 Tbsp white or balsamic vinegar to your oil mix
- You do not need to flip during cooking if you’re using sliced vegetables. If you’ve cubed them instead, I do recommend stirring them once midway to promote even cooking
- For very large diameter vegetables, feel free to cut in half and use half-moon shaped slices. Pack small slices into gaps between larger ones
- I have a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer, so I’ve used two small casserole dishes. However, you can use a singular large one in a one-basket air fryer. For me, 25 minutes of cooking time was perfect but other air fryers may vary. Thickness of vegetables can make a difference as well
- Messy as it is, I recommend using your hands to toss the vegetables in the oil and seasonings. The tomatoes and eggplant are delicate and tend to fall apart if you try and use utensils
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
OMG made this as a side for the angel hair pasta spaghetti and garlic toast I made and it was delicious!!!!
I’m so glad you loved it! You already had me ready to eat with the spaghetti and garlic toast, but roasted veggies do sound like an amazing combination to serve it with as well – what a great meal!