Air Fryer Snacks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make your favourite fried snacks with a fraction of the oil. They're a small countertop convection oven that circulates hot air at high speeds to create crispy snacks, sides, and mains. Here are some tasty snack ideas to get you started:

- Sweet potato chips

- Avocado fries

- Crispy French fries

- Kale chips

- Chicken and vegetable wontons

- Mozzarella sticks

- Pita bread cheese pizza

- Buffalo cauliflower

- Apple chips

- Chicken wings

- Mini breakfast burritos

- Coconut milk beignets

- Chickpeas

- Egg rolls

- Potato wedges

- Zucchini fries

Sweet potato fries

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of paprika (regular or smoked)
• Black pepper to taste

Method:

First, peel the sweet potatoes and cut off the skinny ends. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch thick slices. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they will be. Try to cut the fries evenly so they cook at the same time.

Next, toss the sweet potato slices with the oil and your chosen spices. Mix well to ensure all fries are coated.

Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Place the fries into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook in 2-3 batches.

Cook for around 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They are done when golden brown and crispy.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the basket as this will create a steaming effect instead of crisping the fries.
• Turn the fries halfway through cooking. You can shake the basket or use tongs.
• You can experiment with different spices. For a smokey flavour, use smoked paprika, or add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
• For extra crispy fries, soak the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and ice cubes for 30 minutes before cooking. Then, pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
• For best results, always preheat your air fryer.

Enjoy your sweet potato fries with your favourite dipping sauce!

Crispy chicken wings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken wings
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil)

Method:

• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder, and neutral oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.
• Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the chicken wings and air fry again for 8-12 minutes at 400°F (depending on the size of the wings) or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your favorite wing sauce or eat as is.

Tips:

• Ensure the wings are as dry as possible before seasoning. This will ensure the skin puffs up and blisters in the air fryer basket during air frying.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings. If the skin isn't crispy enough, add a few more minutes until it reaches the desired crispness.
• To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

Mozzarella sticks

Ingredients:

• 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
• 1/4-1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2-3 large eggs
• 1-2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning/garlic powder/salt/black pepper
• 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Method:

• Beat the eggs in a shallow dish and set aside.
• Add the flour to a large freezer bag or bowl and set aside.
• Pour the breadcrumbs into another shallow dish, drizzle with olive oil, and toss until coated.
• Add the Italian seasoning/garlic powder/salt/parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs and whisk to combine.
• Unwrap the mozzarella sticks.
• Toss the sticks in the flour/egg mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Transfer the sticks to the breadcrumbs and roll and press until evenly coated.
• Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating process for a double breaded stick.
• Place the breaded sticks in a single layer on a baking dish/sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes-1 hour.
• Preheat the air fryer to 390º for 5 minutes.
• Spray the fry basket with cooking spray and place 4-6 sticks inside (depending on the size of your fryer).
• Cook for 5-8 minutes until golden brown and serve with marinara sauce.

Tips:

• For extra crispy sticks, dip them again in the egg and breadcrumb mixture.
• Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Check on the sticks several times as all air fryers cook at different paces.
• Serve with warm marinara sauce for maximum enjoyment.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 5 minutes.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.

Crispy French fries

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients:

• Fresh herbs, chili powder, chipotle powder, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika
• Ketchup, mustard, mayo, chipotle sauce, chimichurri, or vegan cheese

Method:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks.
• Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. You will need to work in batches.
• Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, or until crispy. If your fries are not crispy, air fry them for a little longer.
• Once all batches are finished, toss them all back into the air fryer (no need to place in a single layer this time) for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any that got cold from the first few batches.
• Serve with desired seasonings and dips.

Tips:

• Work in batches to ensure the potatoes are spread in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. If they are too crowded, they will steam instead of crisping up.
• Check your first batch at the 12-minute mark and adjust the timing based on how they look. If they are still not crispy, continue cooking until they crisp up.
• Taste a fry from each batch to ensure it is tender on the inside and crisp on the outside before moving on to a new batch.
• When you finish cooking the last batch, add all the fries back into the air fryer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and crisp up the earlier batches.

Chicken tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of chicken tenders
• 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• ½ – 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon of dried basil

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to ensure they are completely coated.
• In a small bowl, mix all the seasonings together.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken tenders, ensuring they are evenly coated.
• Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.
• Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time. They are ready when they are golden on the outside and have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can serve these chicken tenders with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch, BBQ sauce, honey sriracha sauce, or ketchup. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions