Air Fryer For Dinner: A Complete Meal Solution?

Air fryers have become a countertop staple in many homes, and for good reason. They are versatile, convenient, and can cook a wide variety of foods to crispy, golden perfection. But can you cook a complete dinner in an air fryer? The short answer is yes. From main courses like chicken, steak, and fish to sides such as vegetables and potatoes, air fryers can handle it all. They can even be used for dessert, with recipes for cookies and muffins that can be cooked in this handy appliance. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook a full dinner, an air fryer might be your new best friend.

Cooking a steak dinner with fries and cookies

Yes, you can cook a complete dinner in an air fryer! Here is a guide to cooking a steak dinner with fries and cookies using an air fryer.

Steak

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. Then, season both sides of your steak with salt and pepper. You can also add a dry rub to the steak to improve the colour. A simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika works well. Make sure your steak is at least 1 inch thick, as thinner steaks may cook too fast and not brown properly. If you like, rub a little oil onto the steak to improve browning. Place the steak in the preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, for a medium-rare steak. For a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. When the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil, for 5 minutes before slicing.

Fries

Chop your potatoes into fries, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4-1/2 inch. Keep the size of the fries consistent so that they cook evenly. You don't need to peel the potatoes, as the skin will help them crisp up nicely. Toss the fries with olive oil and salt, then spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each fry. Cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket, which can cause them to steam instead of crisp up. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but check your first batch at the 12-minute mark and adjust the timing as needed. When all the fries are cooked, toss them back into the air fryer together for 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp up.

Cookies

Preheat your air fryer to 330°F and line the basket with parchment paper. You can use store-bought cookie dough or make your own. If you're making your own dough, it's recommended to let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before air frying. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart in the basket and bake for 12 minutes. Your air fryer cookies will turn out gooey on the inside and crisp on the outside.

Chicken Parmesan with garlic bread

Air fryers can be used to cook a complete dinner, and you can even make dessert in them too! They use high-speed hot air to cook food, and you can achieve the same results as you would with an oven or stove.

Chicken Parmesan is a great option to cook in an air fryer, and it can be paired with garlic bread as a side dish. Here is a recipe for both:

Chicken Parmesan:

First, prepare your chicken breasts by butterflying them to create four thin pieces. Then, mix flour, salt, and pepper in one bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine panko, Parmesan, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder in a third bowl. Next, coat each piece of chicken in the flour, followed by the eggs, and finally, the panko mixture. Ensure the chicken is well-coated. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes on each side. After the chicken is cooked, top it with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and cook for another 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

Garlic Bread:

Slice a loaf of bread in half, or into pieces that fit in the air fryer. Mix softened butter, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic in a bowl. Brush the garlic butter mixture on the bread. Place the bread in the air fryer, and cook for 6-7 minutes at 350°F. If you want to add cheese, do so in the last 1-2 minutes.

Your Chicken Parmesan and garlic bread will be ready to serve in under 20 minutes!

Salmon fillets with veggies

Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can cook a complete dinner, including protein and veggies, in a short amount of time.

One such dinner option is salmon fillets with veggies. This is a healthy, delicious, and easy weeknight meal that can be prepared and cooked in the air fryer with minimal prep work.

To make salmon fillets with veggies, you can follow these steps:

First, wash and pat dry the salmon fillets to ensure there is no moisture, as this will help the sauce stick to the fish. Then, create a sauce or seasoning for the salmon. A simple sauce can be made by mixing olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add other ingredients like honey, brown sugar, or soy sauce to the sauce for a sweeter or more savory flavor. Brush the salmon fillets generously with the sauce, making sure to coat the sides.

Next, prepare the veggies. You can use a variety of quick-cooking vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, beans, or celery. Cut the veggies into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. If you're short on time, you can use pre-chopped bagged vegetables. Toss the veggies with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings or herbs, such as dill.

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F-400°F. Spread the vegetables in the basket of the air fryer and arrange the salmon fillets on top. If you prefer crispier veggies, place the salmon alone in the air fryer for the first 5 minutes, then add the veggies for the remaining time. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired doneness and the thickness of the salmon fillets.

Once the timer goes off, remove the veggies and salmon from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can enjoy this dish as is, or pair it with a fresh salad, grains like rice or couscous, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

This air fryer salmon and veggies recipe is a quick, tasty, and healthy option for a complete dinner that can be prepared and cooked in under 30 minutes.

Grilled cheese sandwiches

Air fryers are a versatile cooking appliance that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including complete dinners. They use high-speed hot air to cook food, bringing it to the desired temperature just like an oven or stove.

Now, who doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? It's a classic comfort food that can be made even better in an air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide to making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Bread (thicker slices work best, such as Texas toast, Sara Lee Artesano, sourdough, or multi-grain)
• Butter (unsalted)
• Cheese (a combination of sharp cheddar and a melting cheese like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella)
• Optional spreads and add-ins: fig jam, pesto, thinly sliced apples, hot sauce, or asparagus

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set the temperature to between 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. If using, add spreads or add-ins to the non-buttered side of the bread. Place a slice of bread, buttered-side down, in the air fryer basket. Top with cheese and any additional fillings. Close the sandwich with another slice of bread, placing it buttered-side up. Secure the sandwich with a toothpick to prevent the top slice from flying off during cooking.
• Air fry: Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket, cooking them in batches if needed. Air fry for 2-4 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning.
• Flip and continue cooking: After the first side is golden brown, flip the sandwiches and air fry for an additional 1-3 minutes, or until the bread reaches your desired level of toastedness.
• Serve: Remove the toothpicks and serve the grilled cheese sandwiches. They pair well with tomato soup for a complete meal.

By following these steps, you'll end up with perfectly crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, made with ease in your air fryer!

Crispy chilli beef

Air fryers are a great way to cook a complete dinner. They use high-speed, hot air to cook food, bringing it to temperature just like an oven or stove. You can cook a variety of foods in an air fryer, from mains to veggies and even desserts like cookies.

Now, for the star of the show: Crispy Chilli Beef. This dish is a Chinese takeaway classic that you can easily make at home with a healthier twist using your air fryer. The key to getting that perfect balance of tenderness and crunch lies in choosing the right cut of beef and slicing it thinly into uniform strips against the grain.

Here's the recipe:

• Thinly slice your chosen cut of beef into strips, ensuring you cut against the grain for tender pieces of meat.
• In a bowl, coat the beef strips with an egg.
• Spray your air fryer basket with oil or line it with baking paper/foil to prevent sticking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for about five minutes.
• Place a few strips of beef at a time into a bowl of cornflour/cornstarch, ensuring each strip is coated.
• Heat the air fryer to 190°C.
• Toss pepper, onion, and chilli in half a tablespoon of vegetable oil and cook for 10 minutes.
• Mix the sesame seeds with the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables and return them to the air fryer for 2 minutes.
• Increase the air fryer temperature to 200°C.
• Add the Chinese five-spice and remaining vegetable oil to the marinated beef mixture, ensuring it's well-coated.
• Lay the coated beef slices in the air fryer in a single layer with space around them for air circulation. You may need to do this in batches.
• Cook for about 7 minutes until the beef strips are crispy, shaking the tray halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• While the beef is crisping, make the sauce. Combine sweet chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, Sriracha sauce, and minced garlic in a saucepan.
• Add sliced red peppers/bell peppers to the sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Once the beef is ready, toss it into the pan with the sauce and peppers, stirring until each strip is coated.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds and spring onions over the top before serving.

This dish is versatile and can be served with plain steamed rice, egg-fried rice, or noodles. It's best enjoyed fresh to maintain the beef's crispiness, but leftovers can be stored and reheated in the air fryer for a quick, tasty meal later.

Frequently asked questions