Ratatouille originates from French cuisine, but has gained popularity in a lot of locations. Thatโs because itโs a delicious way 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 This Recipe Works
Ratatouille is, at its core, roasted seasoned vegetables. Thatโs something that your air fryer is actually really good at doing!ย
It takes less time to cook and heats up your house far less than turning on your range oven. Thatโs important, since ratatouille is best with fresh summer vegetables (meaning itโs hot outside).

You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand as well, though, making it super versatile. Eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onions are most traditional. However, Iโve seen potatoes, carrots, beets, and other veggies swapped in for variations!
If you love those vegetables and want an alternative to french fries, then try making these Aldi eggplant fries in the air fryer.
What Youโll Need

- 1 Eggplant
- 1 Zucchini (courgette)
- 1 Summer squash
- 1 Beefsteak tomato (or 2 small ones)
- ยฝ Medium sweet onion (such as Vidalia) โ or about ยฝ cup diced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ยฝ Tsp salt
- ยฝ Tsp black pepper
- 1 Tsp oregano
- 2 Tsp basilย
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Special Equipment Note: Youโll 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.
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, 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 youโd 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 ยผโ thick slices

- Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC)
- 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. Youโll 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 400ยฐF, 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 Ratatouilleย
- Rice or risotto
- Gnocchi or dumplings
- Grits
- Polenta
- Pasta
- Couscous
- Focaccia and other breads
- Eggs
- Red wine
- Chicken
- Steak
- Porkย
- Lamb
- Italian sausage
- Falafel
Try your ratatouille with our Air Fryer Arancini, these easy Air Fryer Polenta Cakes, atop a bowl of cheesy Microwave Grits, as a side to Trader Joeโs Air Fryer Frozen Falafel, or with a simple side of Air Fryer Focaccia.ย
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.ย 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 doesnโt 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 donโt need to salt and let eggplant sit ahead of time.
Recipe Pro Tips
- If you use sliced vegetables, you do not need to flip during cooking. If youโve 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 Iโve 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 doesnโt have a nonstick coating on it

More French Inspired Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Mini Quiche With Crust
- Air Fryer Chicken Croquettes
- Eggs Benedict
- Air Fryer Frozen Croissants
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer ratatouille recipe is the perfect way to make roasted vegetables. Use whatever you like or whatever is in season for a 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, no one is going to stop you!
Pair with a protein for a complete meal, or add to starches, pasta, or similar for a vegetarian friendly option.
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, cake pan, or other oven safe dish that fits in your air fryer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Cutting board
- Vegetable knife
Ingredientsย ย
- 1 Small eggplant
- 1 Small zucchini (courgette)
- 1 Small summer (yellow) squash
- 1 Large Beefsteak tomato (or 2 smaller ones)
- ยฝ Medium sweet onion (such as Vidalia) or about ยฝ cup diced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ยฝ Tsp salt
- ยฝ Tsp black pepper
- 1 Tsp oregano (dried)
- 2 Tsp basil (dried)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructionsย
- Finely dice your onion using a sharp knife on a cutting boardยฝ 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 ยผโ thick slices1 Small eggplant, 1 Small zucchini, 1 Small summer (yellow) squash, 1 Large Beefsteak tomato
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC)
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, stirring to combine3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 ยฝ Tsp salt, ยฝ 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. Youโll 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 400ยฐF, 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 wellย
- 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 youโd 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 youโre using sliced vegetables. If youโve 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 Iโve 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
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition

- Air Fryer Pumpkin Hand Pies w/ Puff Pastry: Fall Delight! - November 19, 2023
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Muffins: Baked in 15 Mins or Less! - November 18, 2023
- Air Fryer Smashed Brussel Sprouts: Crispy Garlic Parmesan - November 17, 2023