Air Fryer Oven: Creative, Quick, And Tasty Treats

Air fryers are a popular kitchen gadget, and for good reason. They can cook a wide variety of foods, from chicken wings and mozzarella sticks to chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. They're especially good for achieving a crispy, fried texture without the need for lots of oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-frying. You can also use them to reheat food, and they're great for cooking frozen foods.

If you're new to using an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you have the right equipment, including an air fryer basket, parchment paper or foil, and heat-resistant tongs. You'll also want to position your oven racks so that the air fryer basket is in the centre of the oven, and preheat your oven before cooking. When preparing your food, a light coating of oil can help vegetables crisp up and give foods with natural fat, like skin-on chicken, a beautiful browned finish. Be sure to space out your food in the air fryer basket to allow for proper airflow, and shake the basket occasionally for even cooking. Finally, remember that air fryer ovens may vary slightly by model, so always check the instructions for your specific appliance.

Breakfast foods

Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast, as they are quick, easy to use, and versatile. Here are some delicious breakfast foods you can make in an air fryer:

Crispy Bacon

Bacon cooks up perfectly in an air fryer, with less grease and mess than traditional frying methods. The air fryer limits splatter and makes the bacon nice and crispy. You can cook it on a flat tray or use a wire rack to allow the excess fat to drip away.

French Toast Sticks

French toast sticks are a fun breakfast treat that you can easily make in an air fryer. Cut bread slices into fingers, soak them in a French toast egg mixture, coat them in crushed cornflakes or other cereal flakes, and air fry until crispy. Serve with maple syrup, Greek yogurt, or berries.

Air Fryer Doughnuts

Air-fried doughnuts are just as tasty as their deep-fried counterparts but with less mess. You can use canned biscuit dough or make your own dough from scratch. Air fry until golden, then dip in a glaze made from powdered sugar, water, or milk.

Mini Frittatas

Mini egg frittatas are a quick, easy, and protein-packed breakfast option for your air fryer. Simply whisk some eggs, pour them into cupcake papers or a cake liner tin, add your favourite toppings like diced peppers or cheese, and air fry.

Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are a portable and convenient breakfast option that can be easily made in an air fryer. Fill flour tortillas with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese, then air fry until crispy. Avoid adding wet ingredients like salsa or sliced tomatoes before cooking to prevent the burritos from becoming soggy.

Hash Browns

You can make delicious hash browns in an air fryer with less grease and mess. Cut potatoes into small cubes or shred them, season with your favourite spices, and air fry until crispy and golden.

Breakfast Bombs

Breakfast bombs are a fun and indulgent breakfast option. They are made by stuffing biscuits with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and cheese. Air frying them cuts down the cooking time by more than half compared to baking in an oven.

Breakfast Quesadillas

Breakfast quesadillas are a tasty and adaptable breakfast option. Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat or vegetables. Spray with oil and air fry until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.

Air Fryer Pancakes

Making pancakes in an air fryer is incredibly easy and mess-free. Simply pour your pancake batter in layers on top of greaseproof paper in the air fryer, cook for a few minutes, and enjoy. No flipping required!

Air Fryer Fruit

Air fryers can also be used to cook fruit, enhancing its natural sweetness and juiciness. Cut your favourite fruit into slices or cubes, brush with maple syrup or another sweet glaze, and air fry until caramelised. Try stone fruits like peaches, plums, or nectarines for a delicious treat.

Snacks and appetisers

Air fryers are a great way to make snacks and appetisers with minimal oil and mess. Here are some ideas for snacks and appetisers you can make in an air fryer:

Mozzarella Sticks

You can make mozzarella sticks from scratch with string cheese, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Freeze the sticks after coating them with flour and breadcrumbs, and then air fry for a crispy, gooey snack.

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are crispy and juicy and take less than an hour to cook. You can season them with a spice rub for an extra kick.

Onion Rings

Bread some humble onions and air fry for a fun and impressive snack.

Chicken Tenders

For the crispiest chicken tenders, use an air fryer. Don't forget your favourite dipping sauce!

Tater Tots

Air fryer tater tots are crispy and taste just like the ones from your favourite burger joint.

Mini Calzones

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

Tortilla Chips

Turn store-bought tortillas into crispy, restaurant-style chips with an air fryer.

Potato Chips

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

Sweet Potato Chips

Air fryer sweet potato chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips and require much less oil.

Avocado Fries

Slice up some avocados and coat them in cornmeal to make crispy avocado fries. Great as a snack or on tacos!

Zucchini Fries

Coat zucchini sticks with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then air fry for a healthy snack. Serve with ranch dressing or marinara sauce for dipping.

Buffalo Cauliflower

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

Deviled Eggs

A classic recipe with a twist, air fryer deviled eggs are texture- and flavour-packed.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Try air fryer stuffed Tuscan mushrooms for a last-minute appetiser.

Main dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of main dishes with minimal oil and mess. Here are some ideas for main dishes that you can make in an air fryer oven:

Chicken

Air fryers are excellent for cooking chicken to perfection. You can make buttermilk fried chicken with a crunchy skin and juicy, tender meat. For a spicy kick, try Nashville hot chicken, adjusting the cayenne pepper to your preferred heat level. Chicken parmesan is another tasty option, with parmesan-breaded chicken breasts smothered in mozzarella. Or, go for a classic like chicken tenders or chicken wings.

Fish

Fish cooks beautifully in an air fryer, staying tender on the inside while getting lightly browned on the outside. Try making salmon, tilapia, or haddock/cod fillets. You can also use the air fryer to make fish tacos—breaded fish with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, served with slaw, avocado, salsa, and chilli sauce.

Meat

For meat lovers, air fryers can cook up a variety of juicy and tender options. Try pork chops, which come out perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. Beef joints cooked in an air fryer achieve a seared finish. You can also make meatballs, which are fantastic when paired with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Vegetarian

Vegetarians need not worry, as air fryers can also cook up a storm of meat-free options. Try making tofu nuggets, which are perfect for a meatless Monday, or crispy chilli beef. You can also whip up some veggie sausage casserole or harissa sausage and vegetable traybake.

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 super easy to use. Here are some delicious dessert ideas you can make in an air fryer:

Cookies and Biscuits

Air fryers are perfect for making cookies and biscuits. You can make classic treats like chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and even Oreo cookies. If you're feeling fancy, try making lemon Oreos or raspberry, almond and oat cookies. The air fryer also lets you make individual servings, so you can bake just one or two cookies instead of a whole batch.

Cakes and Breads

While air fryers may not be ideal for perfectly even cakes, they're great for fuss-free bakes like brownies, banana bread, carrot cake, and lemon drizzle cake. You can also make delicious treats like apple Danish, apple crisp, and pineapple upside-down cake.

Fruit-based Desserts

Air fryers can transform fresh fruits into mouth-watering desserts. Try making air fryer peaches, baked apples with pecan filling, caramelized bananas, or even fried ice cream. You can also use the air fryer to make fruit-based snacks like apple chips, banana chips, and blueberry muffins.

Sweet Treats

Indulge your sweet tooth with treats like churros, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and beignets. You can also make creative desserts like apple pie egg rolls, banana bread muffins, and chocolate donut holes.

Cheesecakes

Cheesecakes are a creamy and indulgent dessert that can be made in an air fryer. Try making a classic cheesecake, or get creative with a pineapple upside-down cheesecake or crustless cheesecake.

With so many options, the air fryer is a versatile appliance that will satisfy your sweet cravings without the need for deep-frying or a traditional oven.

Reheating food

An air fryer is a great way to reheat your food and get that crispy texture back. It works by circulating super-hot air, which quickly and evenly reaches all the surfaces of the food, giving it that fried texture and golden-brown color without having to actually deep-fry anything.

• Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 °F.
• Place the food in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Spritz the food with a little bit of oil to help it get crispy again (optional).
• Reheat at 350 °F for 3-5 minutes, or until the food is crispy and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 °F.
• Check the internal temperature of the food with an instant-read thermometer.
• Flip the food halfway through and add any sauces or cheese during the last minute of cooking.

Some foods that are great for reheating in the air fryer include:

• Leftover pizza
• French fries
• Fried snacks like onion rings and chicken nuggets
• Chicken tenders and breasts
• Fried chicken
• Steak
• Burgers
• Roasted or air-fried vegetables

However, there are some foods that are not recommended for reheating in the air fryer, such as leafy greens, whole roasts, cheese without a coating, soups, stews, pasta, and rice.

The air fryer is a convenient and efficient way to reheat your leftovers, making them crispy and delicious again!

Frequently asked questions