Cody Casey
Air fryers are a versatile and healthy way to cook your favourite foods. They can be used to cook anything from appetizers to desserts, with the added benefit of using less oil and fat than traditional frying methods. You can cook a wide range of foods in an air fryer, including proteins such as chicken, steak, tofu, and salmon, as well as vegetables like Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and broccoli. You can even make desserts like chocolate chip cookies, berry crisp, and s'mores. The possibilities are endless with an air fryer, and it's a great way to create crispy and juicy dishes without the mess and cleanup of traditional deep frying.
What all can I cook in my air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, eggplant |
| Proteins | Chicken, chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, steak, tofu, crab cakes, shrimp, salmon, halloumi, swordfish steaks, seared tuna steaks, beef, lamb shank, duck breast |
| Carbs | Bread, muffins, chips, French fries, sweet potato fries, pasta, rice, pizza, waffles |
| Desserts | Chocolate chip cookies, berry crisp, zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie, s'mores, arancini |
| Other | Breakfast tacos, eggs, avocado fries, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, bagels |
| Health Benefits | Less fat and oil, healthier alternative to deep frying |
| Other Benefits | Faster cooking, easy to use, versatile, efficient, convenient, less mess and cleanup |
| Disadvantages | Small capacity, potential for uneven cooking |
Recipes
Here are some specific recipes that you can cook in your air fryer:
- Chicken Parmesan: Use thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts, coat in flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Air fry for about five minutes per side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add a spoonful of marinara sauce and a few slabs of fresh mozzarella to each piece. Cook for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Spicy shrimp rice bowl: Toss shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Cook large peeled and deveined shrimp for about five minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve over white or brown rice with diced tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro.
- Crispy zucchini: Cut zucchini into fries, coat generously with olive oil, and air fry. Serve with warm marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or aioli.
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What You'll Learn
Appetizers and snacks
Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to make a wide range of appetisers and snacks. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Crispy Veggies
Air fryers are perfect for cooking vegetables, and the results are crispy and delicious. Try Brussels sprouts, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, or green beans. Season with your favourite herbs and spices, or try chilli and bacon for an extra kick. You can also make veggie-based snacks like loaded zucchini skins.
Meat and Seafood
For meat lovers, air fryers can cook chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, and chicken drumsticks. You can also make juicy steak, shrimp, crab cakes, and meatballs. For a healthier option, try cooking tofu in the air fryer. It's also great for reheating pizza and cooking frozen snacks like spring rolls and mozzarella sticks.
Carbs and Breads
Air fryers are perfect for toasting bread and making sandwiches. You can also make tacos, using the air fryer to cook the tortillas and eggs simultaneously. For a more indulgent snack, try making French fries or sweet potato fries with your air fryer, using less oil than traditional deep frying.
Creative Options
Think outside the box with creative snacks like arancini, made from leftover risotto, or crispy chickpeas seasoned with za'atar. You can even make muffins or cookies in your air fryer! For a sweet treat, try air fryer s'mores, or get creative with your grilled cheese fillings.
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Main dishes
Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of main dishes, including proteins and vegetables. You can cook chicken in a variety of ways in an air fryer, including chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, and chicken Parmesan. You can also cook salmon fillets, tofu, steak, pork chops, and meatballs in an air fryer. For a vegetarian option, halloumi can be sliced, sprayed with cooking spray, and air-fried for a crispy exterior and gooey interior.
You can also cook vegetables in an air fryer, including Brussels sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, and potatoes. For a healthier alternative to deep-fried options, you can make crispy French fries, sweet potato fries, or zucchini fries with very little oil.
- Chicken Parmesan: Use thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts, dip them in flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Air fry for about five minutes per side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and cook for a few more minutes.
- Salmon fillets: Season the salmon with fresh lemon wheels or a dry spice rub. Air fry for seven to nine minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the fish is flaky and firm in the centre. You can also add a quick-cooking vegetable like broccoli or cauliflower to the air fryer basket alongside the salmon.
- Crispy tofu: Remove as much moisture from the tofu as possible by slicing it into planks and wrapping them in a clean dish towel. Press the tofu under something heavy, like a can of tomatoes, for at least 30 minutes. Then, air fry the tofu for a delicious and crispy dish.
- Halloumi: Slice a loaf of halloumi, spray it with cooking spray, and air fry for five to six minutes until the edges are slightly coloured.
- Chicken tenders: Cut chicken breasts into tenders, dredge them in egg and flour, and air fry for six minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip them over and air fry for another six minutes until they are tender and moist in the middle and crispy on the outside.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, with many recipes taking under 20 minutes. They are a quick and easy way to cook veggies, with the added benefit of not heating up your kitchen like an oven would.
When cooking vegetables in an air fryer, it is important to not overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs to be able to contact the vegetables on all sides to get them caramelized and crispy. If the basket is too full, the vegetables will steam and soften instead of browning. It is also important to cut the vegetables into small pieces and thin strips or rounds to ensure even cooking.
A good tip is to preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C) and then place the vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil, and add spices or seasonings such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the vegetables, and then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
There are many different types of vegetables that can be cooked in an air fryer, including:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Squash
- Zucchini
- Onions
- Corn
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Celeriac
- Turnip
- Parsnip
- Pumpkin
- Eggplant
- Beets
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Desserts
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, from cakes to cookies and healthier alternatives to deep-fried treats.
If you're craving something chocolatey, you can make chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or even chocolate-studded coconut macaroons. For a fruity option, try air fryer apples with cinnamon and orange zest, or honeyed pears with a store-bought crust and a spiced whipped topping.
You can also use your air fryer to make healthier versions of classic desserts. For example, air-fried apple fritters, beignets, and churros are delicious alternatives to their deep-fried counterparts.
If you're looking for something more indulgent, try making a lemon drizzle cake, banana bread with pecans and chocolate chips, or even French toast sticks. For a quick and easy dessert, air fry some banana slices with a brush of oil, ghee, or butter, and a dusting of cinnamon.
For those who enjoy a warm, gooey brownie, you can make individual servings in your air fryer, topped with a scoop of ice cream. You can also make other types of cookies, such as raspberry, almond, and oat cookies, or oatmeal-raisin cookies with tahini and walnuts.
If you're in the mood for something more savory-sweet, try making air fryer cannoli or peanut butter explosion cakes. Cheesecake lovers can make mini cheesecakes with a graham cracker crust or experiment with a crust made from crushed shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, or chocolate sandwich cookies.
With an air fryer, you can easily make individual servings of desserts, saving time and energy compared to using a traditional oven.
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Breakfast
One creative recipe is breakfast tacos. Use silicone ice cube stick moulds to shape corn tortillas into hard taco shells while cooking. In another mould, cook beaten eggs, then stuff them into the cheese-filled taco shells. Add some spicy mayo, tomatoes, and avocado for a crispy and tasty breakfast.
If you're a fan of eggs, you can also make hard-boiled eggs in your air fryer. Set the temperature to 260°F and cook for about 20 minutes. For a more indulgent breakfast, try making French toast. Simply dip bread slices in an egg mixture, and cook in the air fryer for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve with your favourite toppings, such as cinnamon sugar, fresh fruit, or maple syrup.
For a savoury breakfast option, cook some crispy hash browns. Grate potatoes and mix with chopped onions, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into patties and air-fry until golden and crispy. You can also add some shredded cheese to the mixture for extra flavour.
If you're a fan of sweeter breakfast options, you can make golden brown muffins in your air fryer. Add your choice of mix-ins, such as blueberries, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. You can even double the batter to make more muffins.
With an air fryer, you can also cook tofu for breakfast. Remove as much moisture from the tofu as possible before cooking. Slice the tofu into planks and season with your favourite spices or sauces. Air fry until crispy, and serve with your choice of sides.
So, whether you're in the mood for a savoury or sweet breakfast, your air fryer has you covered! These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment and create your own delicious breakfast recipes using this versatile appliance.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are great for cooking proteins like tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, and steak. You can also cook vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions.
You can make a range of dishes in an air fryer, including salmon, shrimp, crab cakes, tofu, and even desserts like chocolate cake and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Yes, you can cook frozen foods in an air fryer. Frozen snacks like spring rolls, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders come out better and faster in an air fryer than in a traditional oven.
You can make breakfast tacos, muffins, eggs, and even toast in an air fryer.
