Creative Air Fryer Recipes For Quick, Healthy Meals

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods with less oil and mess than traditional frying methods. From appetizers to desserts, there are numerous dishes you can make in an air fryer. You can cook proteins like chicken, steak, salmon, and tofu, as well as sides such as vegetables and potatoes. It's also great for heating frozen foods and making from-scratch dishes like chicken wings, potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies.

Characteristics	Values
Breakfast	Hard-boiled eggs, omelets, avocado toast, pancakes, muffins, crispy bacon, French toast, breakfast tacos
Lunch/Dinner	Chicken, steak, salmon, tofu, shrimp, pork chops, meatballs, fried chicken, chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, chicken Parmesan, hamburgers, hot dogs, Cornish hen, halloumi, crab cakes, spinach, roasted red pepper, goat cheese omelet, drumsticks, orange chicken, beef & broccoli, cauliflower tacos, beef joint, sausages, ham & cheese toastie, veggie sausage casserole, harissa sausage & veg traybake, zucchini fries, zucchini skins, avocado fries, stuffed Tuscan mushrooms, deviled eggs, garlic bread, egg rolls, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, tater tots, jalapeño poppers, mini calzones, tortilla chips, potato chips, sweet potato chips, buffalo cauliflower, zucchini chips, eggplant sticks, loaded fries, French fries, fish and chips, steak frites, grilled cheese, Cornish hen, chicken drumsticks, turkey meatloaf, beef burgers, pork tenderloin, fish, spaghetti squash parm, turkey breast, Cornish hen, chicken thighs, green beans, asparagus, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, carrots, baked potatoes, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, potato wedges, sweet potato fries, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, bagels, hot pockets, toasted ravioli, garlic-parmesan chicken skewers, pork chops, gammon, beef joint, smash burgers, ham, cheese & egg bagel, mince pies
Dessert	Chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts, apple cider donuts, Oreos, apple chips, beignets, berry crisp, vegan zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, s'mores, arancini, crab cakes

Breakfast foods

Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast, as they can cook a wide variety of foods with little to no oil, making breakfast healthier and quicker to prepare.

If you're looking for a sweet breakfast, you can make French toast, French toast sticks, or French toast cups with raspberries. You can also make apple fritters, apple turnovers, apple pie egg rolls, apple Danish, apple chips, apple crisp, apple donuts, apple cinnamon crescents, or even apple-filled churros. If you're a fan of cinnamon, you can make cinnamon rolls, cinnamon breakfast bites, or cinnamon doughnuts. Other sweet options include banana bread, banana cake, donuts, pop tarts, toaster strudel, monkey bread, breakfast cookies, and even baked apples.

For a more savoury breakfast, you can make eggs in a variety of ways, including fried eggs, poached eggs, soft-boiled eggs, and egg cups. You can also make breakfast burritos, breakfast pizzas, breakfast sausages, breakfast potatoes, breakfast egg rolls, breakfast pockets, and breakfast toad-in-the-hole tarts. For a lighter option, you can make hash browns, home fries, or breakfast bowls.

If you're short on time in the mornings, you can also make breakfast in your air fryer the night before. Some options for this include breakfast cookies, breakfast egg rolls, and breakfast burritos.

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Appetizers and snacks

Air fryers are a great way to make appetizers and snacks, as they can cook a wide variety of foods with less oil and mess. Here are some ideas for tasty treats you can make in your air fryer:

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are a classic choice for game-day favourites or a juicy midweek meal. They come out with a crispy texture and juicy flavour in under an hour, without the mess of deep-frying.

Mozzarella Sticks

These crispy, gooey snacks are made entirely from kitchen staples, so you can whip them up whenever the craving strikes.

Onion Rings

Onion rings are a great example of how breading and an air fryer can transform a few humble ingredients into a fun and impressive snack.

Chicken Tenders

For the crispiest chicken tenders, look no further than your air fryer. Don't forget your favourite dipping sauce!

Tater Tots

These hot and crispy tater tots will taste just like the ones from your favourite burger joint.

Jalapeño Poppers

These jalapeño poppers are the perfect game-day snack and can be made in your air fryer in no time.

Mini Calzones

These mini calzones are made with prepared pizza dough and filled with cheese and pepperoni. They are perfect for parties or after-school snacks.

Tortilla Chips

With an air fryer, you can turn store-bought tortillas into crispy, restaurant-style chips.

Potato Chips

Make your own crispy and perfectly salted potato chips at home without the need for hot oil.

Sweet Potato Chips

These sweet potato chips have the same deep-fried taste and texture but require much less oil to make.

Buffalo Cauliflower

This plant-based bar-style snack is unbelievably crispy, thanks to a smart air-frying technique.

Stuffing Hushpuppies

Your air fryer can make these near-instant 2-ingredient hushpuppies, which are easier and less messy than the traditional deep-fried version.

Deviled Eggs

These texture- and flavour-packed eggs are a unique take on a traditional recipe. They are crispy and delicious, and you'll never want to make deviled eggs any other way again.

Avocado Fries

Try these air fryer avocado fries with everything bagel seasoning for a fun and tasty snack.

Pumpkin Seeds

Preparing homemade pumpkin seeds is easy, but your air fryer makes it even simpler and quicker.

Chickpeas

There's a whole world beyond hummus for chickpeas, and it can start as easily as putting them in your air fryer.

Zucchini Fries

These bite-sized zucchini batons, coated in crunchy panko and Parmesan, are air-fried to golden perfection.

Zucchini Skins

Loaded zucchini skins are another tasty snack option you can make in your air fryer in half the usual time.

Blooming Onion

If you love Outback's blooming onion, you'll enjoy this air fryer version, which is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Crab Cakes

Crab cakes give you all the deliciousness of crab without the tedious, messy work of shell-pulling. With your air fryer, you can get a crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.

Toasted Ravioli

Breaded and "fried" ravioli is more fun to eat as an appetizer. Serve it with lots of marinara sauce for dipping!

Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are dripping with a buttery sauce made from fresh herbs, Parmesan, and garlic. The air fryer ensures they are super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and ready in just 30 minutes.

Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, and Goat Cheese Omelet

This veggie-packed omelet highlights the versatility of the air fryer. You can customize the fillings to your liking, and it will look set on top before it's fully cooked, so keep that in mind.

Crispy Chilli Beef

Use your air fryer to whip up this tasty dish in just 30 minutes. It's a perfect crowd-pleasing midweek meal.

Cheese & Ham Toastie

Make a classic ham & cheese toastie in your air fryer. Try using gruyère instead of cheddar or sourdough bread for a twist.

Veggie Sausage Casserole

This vegetarian option uses borlotti or cannellini beans and roasted red peppers from a jar for a quick and easy meal.

Harissa Sausage & Veg Tray Bake

This budget-friendly dinner takes only 15 minutes to prep, making it an excellent choice for a midweek meal.

Bacon

Cooking bacon in an air fryer achieves a crispy texture with less fat. It's the perfect way to start a bacon sandwich or a side for breakfast.

Sausages

You can cook sausages quickly and easily in an air fryer without the need for additional oil.

Bagel with Gammon, Mustard, and Maple Syrup

Try this unique bagel sandwich with gammon, mustard, and maple syrup. Enjoy it with pineapple salsa for a tasty treat.

Loaded Bagels

Air fryers are also great for making loaded bagels with egg, ham, and cheese. Serve them with chilli jam or red onion chutney for added flavour.

Loaded Baked Potatoes

The high fan speed and concentrated heat of an air fryer make baked potatoes fluffy and tender on the inside with a shatteringly crisp exterior.

Sweet Potato Fries

These sweet potato fries are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and kissed with a simple seasoning mix. They're ready in just 15 minutes.

Zucchini Chips

These thin and crispy Parmesan zucchini slices, served with an herb-yogurt sauce, are the perfect summer snack.

Eggplant Sticks

Eggplant sticks

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Main dishes

Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to make a wide range of main dishes. Here are some ideas for main courses that can be prepared in an air fryer:
Meat and Poultry
Chicken Parmesan: Using thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts, coat them in flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Air fry for about five minutes per side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella, cooking for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted.
Chicken Wings: Achieve crunchy and juicy wings without the mess of deep frying.
Steak: Prepare a steak dinner with a French bistro feel without the hefty price tag. Air fry your steak to your desired doneness, and don't forget to add some fries to the basket for a complete meal.
Meatloaf: A classic comfort food that can be easily made in your air fryer.
Pork Chops: The air fryer ensures that the outside crisps slightly while the inside stays juicy, avoiding the common issue of dry and flavorless pork chops.
Beef Joint: Cook a beef joint in your air fryer to your desired doneness, whether that's medium-rare or well done.
Cornish Hen: Air fry a whole Cornish hen, keeping the cooking time short to ensure juicy meat and crispy skin.
Seafood
Salmon: Cooking salmon in an air fryer is ideal as its higher fat content makes it harder to overcook. Top with fresh lemon wheels or a dry spice rub and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until flaky and firm.
Shrimp: Season shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend and air fry for a quick and easy addition to rice bowls or tacos.
Crab Cakes: Get the perfect crispy texture without the oil by preparing crab cakes in your air fryer.
Fish and Chips: Satisfy your pub food cravings with this classic dish. Air fry fish with a crunchy coating and serve with thick-cut steak fries for a delicious meal.
Vegetarian
Grilled Cheese: Assemble your sandwich with various spreads, add-ins, and melty cheese. The air fryer eliminates the need for flipping and constant monitoring.
Halloumi: Slice a halloumi loaf, spray with cooking spray, and air fry for a quick and easy vegetarian meal. Toss it into a salad or serve as a satisfying snack.
Tofu: Remove moisture from the tofu, cut into cubes, and toss in cornstarch for extra crispness. Coat with your favorite sauce, such as teriyaki or barbecue, and air fry until crispy and golden.
Falafel: Enjoy this vegetarian treat, either on its own with a dipping sauce or as a filling meal.
Veggie Sausage Casserole: A budget-friendly and time-saving option for a meat-free dinner.
Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, and Goat Cheese Omelet: This veggie-packed omelet showcases the versatility of the air fryer. Customize the fillings to your liking and adjust the cooking time as needed.

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Desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without deep-frying, and they can be used to make a variety of sweet treats—from fruity fillings to pillowy pastries. Here are some mouth-watering dessert options that you can make in your air fryer:
Air Fryer Churros
Churros are a classic dessert option, and they can be made in your air fryer with minimal oil. Pipe and refrigerate the dough before frying to get the perfect shape and texture. Once they're golden and crisp, roll them in cinnamon sugar for a delicious treat.
Air Fryer Brownies
Who doesn't love a good brownie? Air fryers are perfect for making a small batch of fudgy brownies without turning on your oven. You can even add a little instant coffee or espresso to enhance the chocolate flavour. Top with nuts or powdered sugar for an extra indulgent treat.
Air Fryer Cookies
Air fryers are ideal for making cookies, especially if you only want to make a small batch. You can make classic chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, or even peanut butter cookies with just a few simple ingredients. Air-fried cookies are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside—perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Air Fryer Apple Desserts
Air fryers are great for cooking apples, and there are several dessert options you can make. Try air fryer apple crisp, apple fritters, apple fries, or even baked apples with a pecan filling. You can also make apple chips in your air fryer by thinly slicing apples and air-frying them until they're crispy. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a healthy, tasty snack.
Air Fryer Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a creamy and indulgent dessert, and you can make it in your air fryer! Make individual ramekin cheesecakes or a full-sized cheesecake, and top it with fresh fruit or pie filling. Air fryer cheesecakes are a great way to enjoy a creamy, decadent dessert without turning on your oven.
Air Fryer Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a classic comfort dessert, and you can easily make it in your air fryer. This rich, chocolatey dessert is a great way to use up stale bread. Serve it warm with whipped cream for a indulgent treat.
Air Fryer Banana Bread
If you're craving something sweet and moist, try making banana bread in your air fryer. This quick and easy recipe delivers moist and fluffy banana bread thanks to the air fryer's intense heat and air circulation. Add your favourite nuts or chocolate chips to make it your own.
Air Fryer Doughnuts
Doughnuts are usually deep-fried, but you can make a healthier version in your air fryer. They come out fluffy and delicious, with less oil. Top them with a glaze or cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat that's hard to resist.
Air Fryer Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is a classic dessert, and your air fryer can help you make it perfectly moist and full of flavour. Top it with a soft cheese icing and crushed pecans for a delicious treat to enjoy with friends over a cup of tea.
Air Fryer Lemon Drizzle Cake
If you're looking for a zesty treat, try making a lemon drizzle cake in your air fryer. It takes about an hour to bake, but the results are well worth it. Air fryers are more energy-efficient than convection ovens, so you can enjoy your cake without feeling guilty!

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Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they come out incredibly tasty and crispy. Here are some ideas for vegetables you can cook in your air fryer:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a great vegetable to cook in the air fryer. You can cook it until it's tender and crispy-tipped, or you can go for a crispy-tender option. If you're cooking it as a side, you can also throw in some salmon to cook at the same time.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are another vegetable that turns out great in the air fryer. They become super crispy and crunchy, and you can even make them into an impressive weeknight dinner by pairing them with salmon fillets.
Potatoes
Air fryers are perfect for cooking potatoes. You can make fluffy roast potatoes, chunky chips, or crispy baked potatoes. You can also make potato wedges and sweet potato fries.
Carrots
Garlic, lemon, and fresh herb-seasoned carrot sticks are a great option for the air fryer.
Green beans
You can cook green beans in the air fryer, whether they're fresh or frozen.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets can be seasoned with dried herbs and garlic powder and then air-fried until tender and crispy. You can also make buffalo cauliflower wings, which are a great veggie option to accompany your favourite dishes.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great option for the air fryer. You can make sweet potato chips, sweet potato fries, or a baked sweet potato.
Butternut squash
Butternut squash is another vegetable that cooks beautifully in the air fryer. It comes out tender and crispy in a fraction of the time it would take in a traditional oven.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in the air fryer in a few different ways. You can make zucchini fries, loaded zucchini skins, or zucchini chips.
Mushrooms
Garlic butter mushrooms are a tasty option for the air fryer, and they come out with crispy edges.
Beets
Beets are another vegetable that can be quickly and easily cooked in the air fryer.
Eggplant
You can make crispy eggplant fries in the air fryer, or you can make eggplant sticks.
Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus is perfectly tender and crisp, with just the right amount of char at the tips. Plus, it's ready in less than 10 minutes.
Onions
Onion rings are a classic option for the air fryer, and you can also make blooming onions.
Tofu
Tofu is a great protein to cook in the air fryer, and it comes out with those amazing crisp edges. You can make tofu batons, tofu nuggets, or crispy tofu.
Pumpkin
Making a homemade pumpkin seed snack is easy with an air fryer.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are another versatile ingredient that can be cooked in the air fryer.

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Frequently asked questions

You can make omelets, muffins, avocado toast, sausages, bacon, pancakes, and more in an air fryer.

Yes, you can make desserts such as chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts, apple pie "baked" apples, and even reheat leftover desserts.

Air fryers are great for cooking vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and cauliflower. You can also make tofu, chicken drumsticks, and salmon.

Yes, you can cook a variety of meats in an air fryer, including steak, chicken, pork chops, beef, and even a whole chicken.