Ella Walter
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods with less oil and mess than traditional frying methods. They work by circulating super-hot air, quickly and evenly cooking food to a crispy, golden-brown texture. Air fryers are great for preparing frozen foods and from-scratch meals, and can be used to make anything from appetizers and sides to mains and desserts. So, what can you make with an air fryer?
Things you can make with an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert |
| Proteins | Chicken, steak, tofu, shrimp, salmon, Cornish hens, turkey breast, pork, hot dogs, whole chicken, meatballs, eggs |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, corn, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas |
| Snacks | Chocolate chip cookies, zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie, French fries, sweet potato fries, potato chips, cinnamon-sugar donuts, taquitos, tortilla chips, halloumi, grilled cheese sandwiches |
| Other | Reheating food, frozen foods |
| Benefits | Less oil, less mess, healthier, quicker, crispy texture, golden-brown color, energy-efficient |
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What You'll Learn
Appetizers and snacks
Air fryers are a great way to make appetizers and snacks with less oil and mess. Here are some ideas for tasty treats you can make at home:
Chicken Nuggets/Tenders
Chicken nuggets are a classic snack and can be made healthier in an air fryer with less oil. You can season them with herbs or spices of your choice, or keep them plain. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dip.
Sweet Potato Fries
For a delicious and healthier alternative to regular fries, try making sweet potato fries in your air fryer. Toss them in smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, or BBQ seasoning for extra flavor.
Zucchini Skins/Fries
Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be turned into a tasty snack in your air fryer. Try loaded zucchini skins or fries with a side of ranch dressing or aioli for dipping.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a traditional appetizer, but the air fryer gives them a unique texture and flavor. They're a quick and easy snack that's sure to impress.
Grilled Cheese
The air fryer is perfect for achieving that crispy, golden-brown exterior on your grilled cheese sandwiches. Experiment with different fillings like fig jam, pesto, or thinly sliced apples for a gourmet twist.
Crispy Chickpeas
Chickpeas are not just for hummus. Season them with your favorite spices and air-fry them for a crunchy, healthy snack.
Pumpkin Seeds
Making homemade pumpkin seeds is easy with an air fryer. Season them to your liking and enjoy them as a nutritious snack.
Breakfast Tacos
Make unique breakfast tacos by using an air fryer to cook the tortillas into crispy taco shells. Fill them with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your favorite toppings for a tasty morning treat.
Shrimp
Air-fried shrimp is a quick and delicious option for appetizers or snacks. Season them with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend, and serve them in a rice bowl with diced tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro.
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Main meals
There are a variety of main meals that can be made in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:
Chicken
Chicken is a popular option for air frying. You can make chicken tenders, wings, nuggets, or chicken Parmesan. For chicken tenders, you can add a sweet-tart essence and a ruby hue by using pomegranate molasses as a base for a fruity glaze. For chicken Parmesan, the key to getting juicy and tender chicken is to use thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts cut in half horizontally.
Tofu
Air-fried tofu is another option, with the cooking method giving it those amazing crisp edges that make fried tofu so delicious. Before cooking, be sure to remove as much moisture from the tofu as possible by slicing it into planks, wrapping it in a clean dish towel, and pressing it under something heavy for at least 30 minutes.
Salmon
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is ideal because the fish's higher fat content makes it better insulated and, therefore, harder to overcook. For a weeknight dinner or special occasion, try a pomegranate glaze with a relish of pomegranate arils, cilantro, and spicy serrano chiles. You can also season it with garlic, lemon, fresh dill, and oregano to add tons of flavor.
Steak
You can use an air fryer to cook steak, which will turn out crispy and tender.
Shrimp
Shrimp cooks quickly in an air fryer, freeing up your hands to prepare other elements of a rice bowl. You can use any seasonings and toppings, but one suggestion is to toss the shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Meatballs
You can cook sausage and beef meatballs in an air fryer and serve them with tomato sauce and pasta or enjoy them in a meatball sub.
Pork
Air fryers can be used to cook pork chops or an entire pork joint. For the pork joint, serve it with apple sauce and your favorite sides.
Vegetables
You can cook a variety of vegetables in an air fryer, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, and asparagus. For potatoes, you can make them crispy and fluffy, or turn them into potato chips. For zucchini, the secret to making it super crispy is to use a generous amount of olive oil in the breading.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they can be used to make a variety of veggie dishes. Here are some ideas for what you can make with an air fryer, focusing on vegetables:
Broccoli
Air-fried broccoli is a delicious and healthy option. It comes out tender and crispy, making it a perfect side dish. You can season it with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs to add extra flavour.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are another vegetable that can be made crispy and tasty in the air fryer. You can season them with your choice of flavourings, such as chilli or bacon.
Zucchini
Zucchini can be made into a super crispy side dish in the air fryer. Breaded zucchini with olive oil creates a crunchy crust without the need for deep-frying. You can serve it with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Potatoes
Air fryers are perfect for making crispy potato dishes, such as fluffy roast potatoes, chunky chips, or sweet potato fries. You can season the sweet potato fries with smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ seasonings.
Carrots
Carrot sticks can be seasoned with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs, then air-fried until tender and blistered.
Corn
Air-fried corn results in tender-crisp kernels with lightly charred edges, adding a sweet and crispy element to your meal.
Asparagus
Asparagus can be cooked in the air fryer alongside other vegetables, such as salmon.
Tofu
Air-fried tofu gets those delicious crisp edges without the need for frying in oil.
In addition to these vegetable-focused dishes, you can also use your air fryer to cook veggie sides like mushrooms, onions, and cauliflower. You can even get creative and make vegetarian meals like veggie sausage casserole or a sausage and veg traybake.
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Desserts
Air fryers are a great way to make desserts, especially if you want to reheat something without turning on your oven. You can pop in some leftover pie, a brownie with ice cream, or any other baked good and it will taste as good as fresh.
If you're making something from scratch, you can try a berry crisp, vegan zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie "baked" apples, or GF peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. You can also make s'mores, with or without fun toppings like caramel or sliced fruit.
For a quick snack, try making pumpkin seed snacks, or air-fried chickpeas. You can also make a whole range of sweet treats with fruit, like cinnamon-sugar donuts, or apple pie "baked" apples.
If you're after something more substantial, you can even cook a 4-pound turkey breast in your air fryer, or try Cornish hens, which are the perfect size to air-fry whole.
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Reheating leftovers
There are some foods that are not recommended for reheating in an air fryer, such as leafy greens, whole roasts, cheese without a coating, and soups or stews. However, there are plenty of foods that are perfect for reheating in an air fryer. These include:
- Pizza
- French fries
- Mozzarella sticks
- Corn
- Garlic knots
- Donuts
- Biscuits
- Waffles
- Tacos
- Quesadillas
When reheating leftovers, it's important to note that different foods may require different temperatures and timings. A good starting point is to preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) as this works well for most foods. However, if you're worried about drying out your food, it's best to reheat at a lower temperature. For example, steak, chicken wings, and chicken breasts should be reheated at 360°F (80°C) or lower. On the other hand, if you want to crisp up your leftovers, a higher temperature of 390°F (200°C) or higher is recommended. Smaller items, such as French fries or thin slices of steak, can be reheated at higher temperatures, while thicker foods like whole steaks or chicken breasts are better suited for lower temperatures. It's also important to remember that leftovers should be reheated to at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
To get the best results, it's recommended to avoid overcrowding the basket and to check on your food regularly to prevent overcooking or burning. Additionally, spraying the basket with a non-stick cooking spray before adding your food can be helpful.
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Frequently asked questions
Some easy meals you can make with an air fryer include tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, steak, grilled cheese, chicken parmesan, salmon, and shrimp.
Some side dishes you can make with an air fryer include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and cauliflower.
You can make breakfast tacos, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, and grilled cheese sandwiches with an air fryer.
Some desserts you can make with an air fryer include berry crisp, zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie baked apples, and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Some snacks you can make with an air fryer include sweet potato fries, pumpkin seeds, and halloumi.
