Creative Air Fryer Gardening: What Plants Can You Grow?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods. They work by circulating hot air around food placed in a perforated tray or basket, resulting in crispy and golden dishes without the need for deep frying in oil. This makes air fryers a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as they require minimal or no oil. Air fryers are also known for their convenience and speed, making them ideal for quick, healthy meals. From breakfast to dinner, and even desserts, here are some examples of what you can cook in an air fryer:

- Bacon

- Frozen fries

- Chicken wings

- Mozzarella sticks

- Onion rings

- Chicken tenders

- Tater tots

- Blooming onion

- Jalapeño poppers

- Mini calzones

- Tortilla chips

- Potato chips

- Sweet potato chips

- Buffalo cauliflower

- Stuffing hushpuppies

- Egg rolls

- Falafel

- Zucchini fries

- Tofu

- Pumpkin seeds

- Chickpeas

- Roasted potatoes

- Broccoli

- Corn on the cob

- Carrots

- Baked potatoes

- Green beans

- Cauliflower

- Sweet potato

- French fries

- Brussels sprouts

- Butternut squash

- Asparagus

- Potato wedges

- Sweet potato fries

- Zucchini chips

- Mushrooms

- Beets

- Eggplant fries

- Latkes

- Meatloaf

- Fried chicken

- Hamburgers

- Salmon

- Taquitos

- Chicken sandwich

- Greek chicken and potatoes

- Fried shrimp

- Personal pizzas

- Meatballs

- Chicken drumsticks

- Tofu nuggets

- Grilled cheese

- Pork tenderloin

- Scallops

- Fish and chips

- Spaghetti squash parm

- Turkey breast

- Cornish hen

- Chocolate chip cookies

- Cinnamon rolls

- Donuts

- Honey toast

- Churro bites

- Apple cider donuts

- Fried Oreos

- Apple chips

- Beignets

Breakfast foods

The air fryer is your best friend for effortless, healthy breakfasts. Here are some ideas for breakfast foods you can make in an air fryer:

Crispy Bacon

Air-fried bacon is crispy and less fatty than stovetop cooking. Place the strips in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 5-8 minutes at 400°F. The bacon will be perfectly browned and crunchy, without swimming in grease.

Protein-Packed Egg Bites

Whisk together eggs, chopped veggies, and shredded cheese, then pour the mixture into non-stick, silicone baking cups. The air fryer replicates the texture of fluffy, sous-vide eggs without special equipment. The clean-up is minimal, and there's no oil or butter needed.

Air-Fried Oatmeal

Add oats, bananas, cinnamon, eggs, milk, and chocolate to the air fryer basket and mash everything together. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes for a warming sweet breakfast. Use silicone basket liners for easy cleanup.

Frozen Pastries

Frozen croissants and cinnamon swirls can be cooked in the air fryer in minutes. Preheat to 350°F and cook for about 10 minutes for the crispiest, fresh-from-the-oven texture without heating up your whole kitchen.

Omelets

You can make a veggie-packed omelet in your air fryer. Customize the fillings just like your very own at-home omelet bar.

Avocado Toast

Make your avocado toast in an air fryer for a quick and easy breakfast.

Muffins

Bake delicious muffins in your air fryer for a tasty breakfast treat.

Pancakes

Whip up a stack of pancakes in your air fryer for a fun breakfast.

Sausage

Cook juicy sausages in your air fryer as part of a hearty breakfast.

Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, giving them a crispy, crunchy texture without deep-frying or oven-roasting. Here are some tips and guidelines for air-frying a variety of vegetables:

Tender Vegetables:

Firm Vegetables:

Root vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips, and winter squash like butternut, acorn, and pumpkin fall under the category of firm vegetables. To cook these in an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C). Chop the vegetables into small pieces, as size affects cooking time. Optionally drizzle them with oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking for even results.

Starchy Vegetables:

Starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes can also be cooked in the air fryer. Soak potato or sweet potato fries in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch for crispier results. Then pat them dry and toss with oil and seasonings. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is golden and crispy and the inside is tender.

Frozen Vegetables:

You can also cook frozen vegetables in your air fryer. Determine whether your frozen vegetables are tender or firm, and then add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for thawing. Make sure to give the vegetables space in the air fryer basket to ensure proper roasting.

Specific Vegetable Recipes:

In addition to the general guidelines, here are some specific recipes for popular vegetables:

• Broccoli and Cauliflower: Toss with oil or cooking spray and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes.
• Zucchini and Yellow Squash: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. Salt and pepper are optional but recommended.
• Onions: Use a bit of oil to prevent burning and air fry in a single layer at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes.
• Bell Peppers: Use a little oil to prevent burning and air fry in a single layer at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes.
• Asparagus: Toss with olive oil and desired seasonings, then air fry at 360°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes.
• Green Beans: Toss with olive oil and garlic powder and air fry at 380°F for 9 minutes.
• Sweet Potato Fries: Cut into fries, soak in water for 30 minutes, pat dry, and toss with oil and seasonings. Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meat and fish

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook meat and fish. They use rapid air circulation to cook food with little to no oil, resulting in crispy exteriors and juicy, tender interiors. Here are some tips and recipes for cooking meat and fish in an air fryer:

Meat

When cooking meat in an air fryer, consider the size and type of meat, as well as the capacity of your air fryer. For larger cuts of meat, such as beef or lamb, a bigger air fryer may be needed. For example, a 1.25 kg beef roasting joint can be cooked at 220ºC for 15 minutes, followed by 45 minutes at 100ºC for a rare finish. Lamb chops can be cooked at 180ºC for 8-10 minutes.

For poultry, the size of your air fryer basket is a key factor. A medium-sized air fryer can typically fit a 1.6 kg whole chicken, which can be cooked at 190ºC for 45-50 minutes. Chicken thighs are a great option for smaller air fryers and can be cooked in around 20 minutes at 200ºC. Turkey crowns should be dry-brined at least a day in advance and cooked for 30-40 minutes at 170ºC.

Pork belly is another delicious option for the air fryer. Start by seasoning a 1 kg slab of pork belly with flaky salt and leaving it uncovered in the fridge overnight. The next day, score the skin, heat the air fryer to 220ºC, and cook for 30 minutes, followed by an hour at 160ºC.

Fish

When cooking fish in an air fryer, it is best to use fillets of equal size to ensure consistent cooking. Frozen fish should be thawed before cooking, and it is important to pat the fish dry and coat it with a light layer of oil or cooking spray to prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket. The ideal cooking temperature for fish is typically between 180-200ºC, and the cooking time will depend on the type and thickness of the fish.

For breaded fish, a double-dipping technique can be used. First, dip the fish in a batter, such as a beer batter, and then coat it with flour. Spray the fish with olive oil and cook in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes. This method results in a crispy, crunchy coating with tender, flaky fish.

For fish tacos or fish and chips, a spicy breadcrumb and cornmeal coating can be used. Cut the fish into strips, dip them in flour and egg, and then coat them with the breadcrumb mixture. Cook in batches at 380ºF for 5 minutes per side.

Air fryers can also be used to cook whole fish, such as sea bass. Simply season the fish, drizzle with olive oil, and cook for 12-15 minutes at 180ºC. It is important to flip the fish halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Snacks and appetisers

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to make a variety of snacks and appetisers. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

For bacon that is crispy and less fatty than stovetop cooking, simply place the strips in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 5-8 minutes at 400°F.

Air Fryer French Toast

Air frying French toast guarantees a crispy exterior and a perfectly cooked interior.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are crispy, juicy, and restaurant-quality. They take under an hour to cook and are perfect for game day or as an appetiser.

Air Fryer Onion Rings

Onion rings are a classic example of how breading can transform a few humble ingredients into a fun and impressive snack.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a crispy and gooey snack that can be made entirely from kitchen staples.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

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

Air Fryer Mini Calzones

These mini calzones use prepared pizza dough to make delicious pockets filled with cheese and pepperoni. They are perfect for parties or after-school snacks.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Bite-sized zucchini batons coated in a crunchy panko and Parmesan coating, air-fried until golden and crisp.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

This plant-based bar snack is unbelievably crispy thanks to one smart step: coating the cauliflower in a batter made from flour, milk, and your choice of hot sauce.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Preparing homemade pumpkin seeds is already pretty easy, but using an air fryer makes it even simpler. Just toss the seeds in your favourite seasonings and air fry until crispy.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

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

Desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without deep-frying them. They are also a good alternative to using an oven, as they are cheaper to run and can cook food more quickly. Here are some dessert ideas that you can make in an air fryer:

Cookies and Biscuits

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Peanut butter cookies
• Raspberry, almond and oat cookies
• Lemon Oreos
• Giant chocolate chip cookie
• Oatmeal-raisin tahini cookies
• Shortbread cookies
• Biscuit donuts
• Chocolate donut holes
• Gingerbread Churros
• Cinnamon bread twists
• Banana chips
• Strawberry Pop-Tarts

Cakes

• Chocolate cake
• Lemon drizzle cake
• Banana bread
• Carrot cake
• Sponge cake
• Molten lava cake
• Red velvet cheesecake brownies

Fruit

• Baked apples
• Apple crisp
• Apple chips
• Apple fritters
• Apple fries
• Air fryer peaches
• Air fryer pineapple
• Air fryer blueberries
• Air fryer pears

Other Desserts

• Cheesecake
• Brownies
• Doughnuts
• Cinnamon rolls
• S'mores
• Apple pie egg rolls
• Banana bread muffins
• Bread pudding
• Hand pies
• Beignets
• Monkey bread

Frequently asked questions