Creative Air Fryer Recipes You Need To Try

Air fryers are a popular kitchen gadget, and for good reason. They can cook a wide variety of foods, from frozen snacks to complete meals, with less oil and mess than traditional frying methods. They're also more energy-efficient than an oven, making them perfect for cooking small batches. You can make anything from chicken wings and French fries to chocolate chip cookies and avocado toast in an air fryer.

Breakfast foods

Air fryers are a great way to make a variety of breakfast foods with minimal oil and grease. They are also a lot faster than traditional frying methods and can cook a range of foods from sweet to savoury. Here are some breakfast foods you can make in an air fryer:

French Toast

French toast is a breakfast classic and can be made in an air fryer with minimal effort. Cut slices of bread into fingers and soak them in a French-toast egg mixture before coating them in crushed cornflakes or other cereal flakes. Air fry the sticks at 400 degrees for eight to nine minutes and serve with maple syrup or Greek yoghurt and berries.

Hash Browns

The air fryer is perfect for making hash browns as it gives them a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior with a lot less grease. You can also add ingredients like red onions, red and green bell peppers, and garlic to elevate the flavour.

Bacon

Bacon and air fryers are a match made in heaven. The air fryer limits the splatter around your kitchen and makes the bacon nice and crispy. You can cook it on a flat tray, but using a wire rack will allow the excess fat to drip away.

Burritos

Breakfast burritos are a great portable breakfast option and can be made in an air fryer. Simply roll up scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese into a flour tortilla and cook it in the air fryer. Avoid adding wet ingredients like salsa or sliced tomatoes before cooking as this can make the burritos soggy.

Eggs

The air fryer is great for cooking eggs, whether fried, poached, or boiled. You can also make mini frittatas by pouring whisked eggs and diced peppers into cupcake papers and topping them with cheese.

Cinnamon Rolls

You can make delicious cinnamon rolls using an air fryer with minimal effort. Roll out the dough, brush it with butter, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. After forming the rolls and letting them rise, pop them in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Finish them off with a sweet glaze or cream cheese frosting.

Appetizers and snacks

Air fryers are a great way to make appetizers and snacks, and they are perfect for when you're cooking for one or two people. Here are some ideas for what you can make:

Chicken

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in many different ways in an air fryer. You can make chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, chicken sandwiches, chicken parmesan, or chicken skewers.

Fish

For fish lovers, you can make crab cakes, fish sticks, or even fry up some shrimp. You can also make tofu nuggets for a vegetarian option.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a healthy and tasty option to cook in an air fryer. You can make everything from French fries, sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, and onion rings to roasted potatoes, broccoli, carrots, green beans, butternut squash, asparagus, and potato wedges.

Other Snacks

If you're looking for something more substantial, you can make tater tots, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, mini calzones, tortilla chips, or even pizza. For a healthier option, you can also make tofu or roast chickpeas.

With an air fryer, the possibilities are endless, and you can create delicious and crispy appetizers and snacks with ease.

Main dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of main dishes, from proteins to vegetarian options. Here are some ideas for main dishes that can be made in an air fryer:

Proteins

• Chicken breasts, tenders, drumsticks, wings, or sandwiches
• Salmon, either plain or with a miso-ginger marinade
• Pork chops
• Tilapia
• Hamburgers
• Bratwurst
• Steak
• Meatballs
• Cornish hen
• Crab cakes
• Shrimp

Vegetarian Options

• Tofu, either plain or as tofu nuggets
• Falafel
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Avocado toast
• Spinach, roasted red pepper, and goat cheese omelet
• Air fryer primavera roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and cauliflower
• Sweet potato fries
• Butternut squash
• Eggplant fries
• Air fryer latkes

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide range of main dishes to perfection. With its ability to circulate super-hot air, it gives food a crispy, fried texture and golden-brown color without the need for deep-frying.

Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they can be used to make a wide variety of veggie dishes. Here are some ideas for what you can make:

Baked Potatoes

A classic side dish, baked potatoes are a great option for your air fryer. The high fan speed and concentrated heat of the air fryer will give you potatoes that are fluffy and tender on the inside, with a shatteringly crisp exterior. You can also make sweet potatoes in your air fryer, experimenting with various toppings.

French Fries

For crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside French fries, the air fryer is a perfect choice. You can make traditional potato fries or opt for sweet potato fries, which come out irresistibly crispy and fluffy.

Roasted Vegetables

The air fryer is excellent for roasting a variety of vegetables. Try broccoli, carrots, green beans, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. You can also make roasted butternut squash in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven.

Chips

In addition to French fries, you can make a variety of chips in your air fryer. Try potato, sweet potato, or zucchini chips. They'll come out crispy and perfectly salted without the need for hot oil.

Zucchini Fries

For a fun twist on traditional fries, try making zucchini fries in your air fryer. Cut zucchini into bite-size batons, coat them with a crunchy panko and Parmesan coating, and air fry until golden and crisp.

Eggplant Fries

If you're looking for something different, try making crispy eggplant fries in your air fryer. It's a unique way to enjoy this versatile vegetable.

Tofu

The air fryer is excellent for cooking tofu, giving it those amazing crisp edges without the need for frying. You can also make tofu nuggets, a great option for a meatless meal.

Corn on the Cob

Air fryers aren't just for chopped-up veggies; you can also cook corn on the cob in your air fryer. It will give you tender-crisp kernels with some lightly charred edges in every sweet bite.

Beets

The air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook beets. You'll end up with a nutritious and colorful side dish.

Mushrooms

Try making bite-sized garlic butter mushrooms in your air fryer. They'll come out savory, with crispy edges, thanks to the super-hot circulating air.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless with an air fryer!

Desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without deep-frying them. They can be used to make anything from cookies to cakes, and they're a more energy-efficient alternative to using an oven. Here are some dessert ideas you can make using an air fryer:

Cookies and Biscuits

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Peanut butter cookies
• Shortbread cookies
• Raspberry, almond and oat cookies
• Lemon Oreos
• Chocolate oatmeal cookies
• Chocolate chip skillet cookies
• Giant pan cookie
• Chocolate Oreo cookies
• Chocolate Oreo cookie bites
• Chocolate walnut cookies
• White chocolate and lime macaroons
• Chocolate cherry cobbler cookies
• Pumpkin pie cookies
• Apple cider donut bites
• Cinnamon sugar doughnuts
• Easy biscuit donuts
• Chocolate donut holes
• Peanut butter cookies

Cakes

• Chocolate brownies
• Banana cake
• Lemon drizzle cake
• Carrot cake
• Chocolate cake
• Molten lava cake
• Butter cake
• Bread pudding
• Blueberry crumble coffee cake
• Raspberry crumble coffee cake
• Apple Danish
• Cookie pie
• Mocha cupcakes
• Banana bread
• Pineapple upside-down cake
• Sponge cake

Fruit

• Roasted bananas
• Air fryer bananas
• Banana bread dippers
• Banana chips
• Air fryer peaches
• Baked apples
• Apple chips
• Apple crisp
• Apple fritters
• Apple pies
• Apple fries
• Apple bombs
• Apple empanadas
• Blueberry hand pies
• Cherry hand pies
• Peach hand pies
• Pineapple
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Bananas
• Bananas

Other Desserts

• Churros
• Doughnuts
• Cinnamon rolls
• S'mores
• Cannoli
• Beignets
• Monkey bread
• Apple crumble
• Blueberry crisp
• Strawberry crisp
• Chocolate pudding cakes
• Bakewell pie tarts
• Scottish shortbread
• Wontons
• Creme brulee banana
• Upside-down tart
• Hand pies
• Turnovers
• Creme caramel
• Empanadas
• Cinnamon bread twists
• Pop-tarts

Frequently asked questions