Air Fryer Meal Prep: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to speed up your meal prep and are especially useful if you're cooking small batches of food or want to avoid heating up your kitchen. They work by circulating hot air around the food using the convection mechanism, which cooks it and produces a crispy layer. You can make everything from chicken wings and tenders to sweet potato fries and even pizza in an air fryer.

Air fryer chicken recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, and they can be used for meal prep too. Here are some delicious air fryer chicken recipes to try:

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner and is also great for meal prep. The chicken is coated in a simple seasoning blend and cooked in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. The total cook time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, with small breasts taking 14 minutes, medium breasts taking 16 minutes, and large breasts taking 18 minutes. It is important to let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.

Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken

A tasty and healthy option for meal prep, this recipe is sure to be a hit. The chicken is coated in a firecracker sauce made with honey, chilli flakes, soy sauce, and garlic, and then cooked in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

This recipe is perfect for those who love crispy and juicy chicken. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, coated in a simple breading, and cooked in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

A delicious and indulgent option, this recipe takes chicken to the next level. The chicken is coated in a simple breading, fried in the air fryer, and then topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. It is then returned to the air fryer for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

These chicken wings are perfect for those who love sweet and savoury flavours. The wings are coated in a honey garlic sauce and cooked in the air fryer for 25-30 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, or until crispy and golden.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

For those who love spicy food, this recipe is a must-try. The chicken is coated in a blackening spice rub and cooked in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The spice rub gives the chicken a delicious flavour and helps to keep it juicy.

Air fryer salmon

Air fryers are a great way to cook salmon, resulting in a tender, flaky, and restaurant-quality piece of fish. Here is a guide on how to make delicious air fryer salmon:

Ingredients

• 4 6-ounce salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving
• Tartar sauce for serving

Method

• Cut the salmon fillets into even sizes and preheat your air fryer. You can also purchase pre-cut fillets. Removing the skin is optional.
• Season each fillet with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, and drizzle olive oil on top. The paprika gives the salmon a beautiful brown colour. Make sure to rub the spices in for the best flavour.
• Depending on the thickness of the salmon and your air fryer model, the cooking time will vary. On average, the salmon will be cooked within 7-10 minutes. It is ready when it flakes off easily with a fork.
• Serve with a fresh salad, grains like rice or couscous, or vegetables. You can also cook the vegetables in the air fryer.

Tips

• Ensure the salmon fillets are of comparable thickness so they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Preheat your air fryer to allow the salmon to cook evenly and speed up the cooking time.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure the salmon gets crispy. Cook in batches if needed.
• Air fryer salmon is great for meal prep. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Air fryer for vegetarians

Air fryers are a great addition to your kitchen, especially if you're cooking small batches of food or want to avoid heating up your house. They are a healthy alternative to frying, using little to no oil to create crispy, crunchy foods.

Air fryers are a great option for vegetarians, as they can be used to cook a wide range of vegetables, proteins, and meat substitutes. Here are some ideas for vegetarians looking to use an air fryer for meal prep:

Vegetables

Air fryers are perfect for roasting vegetables, giving them a crispy texture while retaining their flavour. You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer, including:

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Asparagus
• Sweet potatoes
• Eggplant
• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Carrots
• Butternut squash
• Green beans
• Cauliflower

Proteins

Air fryers are also great for cooking proteins such as tofu and halloumi. You can marinate and season these proteins to your liking and cook them in the air fryer for a crispy texture. Here are some specific ideas for cooking tofu:

• Cube a block of extra-firm tofu, mix with oil, salt, and pepper, and air fry for 15-20 minutes. Toss with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame seeds after cooking.
• Coat tofu batons with sesame seeds and serve with quinoa and a salad.
• Bread tofu with breadcrumbs flavoured with garlic and paprika for a crispy snack.

Snacks and Appetizers

In addition to meals, air fryers can be used to make healthy snacks and appetizers, such as:

• Sweet potato fries
• Apple chips
• Potato chips
• Crispy sesame tofu
• Air fryer crisps
• Air fryer popcorn
• Air fryer spring rolls

Reheating Leftovers

Air fryers are also great for reheating leftovers. They maintain the texture of food better than a microwave and are faster than a traditional oven.

Air fryer for quick meals

Air fryers are a great way to speed up your meal prep and are particularly useful if you want to cook without heating up your house or if you're cooking small batches of food. They can be used to cook almost any protein or vegetable, and they're also great for cooking up small batches of proteins and veggies.

• Chicken breasts or thighs: Season with olive oil, lemon juice, and your choice of spices. Cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4-9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Salmon: Coat with a bit of butter and lemon juice, or dredge with eggs, flour, and panko crumbs. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes.
• Tofu: Cube a block of extra-firm tofu and mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes, gently shaking the basket occasionally.
• Sweet potato fries: Cut a sweet potato into fry shapes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, flipping once.
• Brussels sprouts: Halve the sprouts and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
• Hard-boiled eggs: Place cold eggs in the air fryer (don't crowd them) and cook at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Remember, air fryers are essentially small, fast convection ovens, so you can use them for a wide variety of meals. Just adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly.

Air fryer for desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts, and they can be used to make a variety of sweet treats, from cookies and cakes to more elaborate creations. Here are some ideas for air fryer desserts:

Air Fryer Cookies

Air fryers are perfect for baking cookies, and you can make a variety of different types. Some options include peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and even fried Oreos! For a more elaborate treat, you can make lemon Oreos by coating them in a batter made from buttermilk pancake mix, lemon yogurt, and milk, and then air frying them.

Air Fryer Cakes and Pies

Air fryers can also be used to make cakes and pies. You can make classic treats like brownies and chocolate cupcakes, or try something more unique like pineapple upside-down cake or air fryer cookie pie. This is a giant toffee chocolate chip cookie that can be baked in an 8-inch cake pan and is sure to impress.

Air Fryer Bread Pudding

This is a classic dessert that can be easily made in an air fryer. All you need are a few simple ingredients like bread, eggs, milk, and sugar, and you can customize it with toppings such as ice cream, honey, raisins, or chocolate.

Air Fryer Apple Treats

Air fryers are great for cooking apples, and you can make a variety of treats with them. Some ideas include apple fritters, apple pie egg rolls, and apple crisp. You can also make air-fried apple Danish, which uses canned crescent rolls and chunky apple sauce to create a tasty treat.

Other Air Fryer Desserts

In addition to the above, there are many other dessert options that can be made in an air fryer. Some examples include cheesecake, churros, doughnuts, banana bread, and even bacon-peanut butter cornbread muffins!

So, if you're looking to make some delicious desserts without heating up your entire kitchen, an air fryer is a great option. With its ability to quickly cook and crisp foods, it's perfect for creating sweet treats that will satisfy your cravings.

Frequently asked questions