Air Fryer Cooking: A Comprehensive List Of Delicious Possibilities

what can you cook in an air fryer list

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods with less oil and mess than traditional deep-frying methods. They are perfect for preparing quick and healthy meals, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and desserts. With an air fryer, you can cook everything from chicken tenders and salmon to zucchini and tofu. You can even use it to reheat leftovers, making it a handy appliance for any kitchen.

Characteristics Values
Meat Chicken, steak, meatballs, sausage, beef, pork, shrimp, bacon, halloumi
Seafood Salmon, shrimp
Vegetables Sweet potato, sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus
Fruit Apples
Desserts Chocolate cake, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, brownies
Other Eggs, tofu, grilled cheese sandwiches, avocado fries

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Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

For a simple yet delicious meal, try thinly sliced chicken breast pieces coated in spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Air fry these until golden and juicy. You can also try marinating the chicken in buttermilk for four hours or overnight to enhance its flavour and crispiness.

Spicy Chicken Veggie Rolls

For a quick and easy weeknight dinner, roll vegetables and spices up in chicken breasts and air fry for about 10 minutes. Serve with fresh pico de gallo and tortillas.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Nuggets

Salt and Pepper Chicken

This easy midweek meal can be served with rice, spring onions, and soy sauce. You can use chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe, and a spicy coating can be added for a tasty finishing touch.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

For a tasty weeknight dinner, try making chicken Parmesan in your air fryer. It tastes just as good as the traditional version but with less effort and oil.

Whole Roasted Chicken

Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is a great way to keep the meat juicy. You can create your own spice mix or use your favourite blend to flavour the chicken.

Try making breaded chicken cordon bleu in your air fryer. Serve it with steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, and crusty bread for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Air fryers are perfect for making crispy and juicy chicken wings. Try spicy Korean chicken wings as an appetizer or a main course served with rice and vegetables.

Air Fryer Magic: Stuffed Green Peppers

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Fish

An air fryer is a great way to cook fish, achieving a crispy and crunchy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside soft, moist, and flaky. It is also a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish, requiring very little oil.

The air fryer fish recipe works with any kind of firm, mild white fish fillets. This includes cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, halibut, flounder, whiting, and walleye. The fish can be either fresh or frozen, but it must be completely thawed before cooking. For frozen fish, leave it in the fridge overnight or, for quicker results, submerge it in ice-cold water for an hour.

To prepare the fish, pat it dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Set up three shallow bowls with flour, beaten egg, and panko breadcrumbs. Add a seasoning to the breadcrumbs—Old Bay, Cajun, spicy jerk, or za'atar are all good options. Working with one piece at a time, coat the fish in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip it in the egg, and finally, dredge it in the seasoned breadcrumbs.

Place the fish in the air fryer basket in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can create steam and prevent crisping. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer.

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Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they're super versatile. You can cook frozen vegetables, or fresh, and you can use pretty much any vegetable, from broccoli to pumpkin, and even avocado!

If you're using frozen vegetables, you can add them straight from the freezer to the air fryer basket. Preheat your air fryer to 390F, and add a drizzle of olive oil, and some salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Toss to combine, then air fry for about 7 minutes. Shake the basket and drain any excess water, then air fry for another 7-9 minutes. If you like, you can sprinkle with parmesan and air fry for another minute.

For fresh vegetables, you can use a wide variety of veggies, from peppers and onions to zucchini, squash, and carrots. You can also use firmer vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, but these may require a longer cooking time. Cut your vegetables into small, thin pieces, then preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Add your vegetables to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil and spices, then toss to coat. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, then add the vegetables and cook for 8 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with parmesan if desired.

You can also make some delicious sides with your air fryer, like zucchini fries, cauliflower bites, roasted beets, and even zucchini boats!

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Meat

You can cook a variety of meat dishes in an air fryer, including chicken, pork, lamb, and beef.

For chicken lovers, air-fried chicken breasts are a quick and easy option. Simply season the breasts with your favorite herbs and spices, and cook for around 10–12 minutes at 360°F (180°C) for a juicy, tender result. If you prefer chicken thighs, these can also be cooked in the air fryer; just increase the cooking time to 15–20 minutes, depending on their size. For a crispy coating, try breading the chicken before air frying; this works especially well with chicken tenders or nuggets.

Pork is another versatile option for the air fryer. Pork chops can be cooked in a similar way to chicken breasts; just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the thickness of the chops. For something a little different, try air-frying pork belly slices; these become beautifully crispy and render down during cooking, creating a delicious, juicy treat.

If you enjoy lamb, try cooking lamb chops or cutlets in the air fryer. A few minutes on each side will give you tasty, tender results. You can also cook lamb fillets; these benefit from a quick sear in the air fryer, followed by a rest to ensure they remain juicy and pink in the middle.

Beef is also well-suited to air frying. Whether you opt for steak, beef mince, or beef fillets, this cooking method will deliver tasty results. For steak, season well and cook for 5–10 minutes, depending on the thickness and your desired doneness. Minced beef can be shaped into burgers or meatballs and cooked in the air fryer for a quick, tasty meal. Just be sure to flip the meatballs or burgers halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

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Snacks and appetisers

Air fryers are a great way to cook snacks and appetisers, especially if you're looking for a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods. They can cook a wide range of foods with less oil and mess, and are perfect for everything from quick snacks to elegant appetisers.

For a simple, tasty snack, try cooking halloumi in your air fryer. A light spray of cooking spray and five to six minutes in the air fryer will give you halloumi that's crispy on the outside and gooey in the centre. Toss it on a salad for a fast vegetarian meal.

Chicken tenders or chicken nuggets are another great option for a snack or appetiser. You can make them with a simple breading of flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs, or get creative and add crushed potato sticks, cheese crackers, and crumbled bacon for extra flavour. Air fry for a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken that's still irresistibly crispy.

If you're looking for a more elegant appetiser, try air fryer salmon. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and air fry. It's one of the easiest ways to cook salmon, and it stays succulent while getting lightly browned on the outside. You can also serve it with a bold relish of pomegranate arils, cilantro, and spicy serrano chiles for a special occasion.

Other great options for snacks and appetisers include zucchini sticks, tofu batons, avocado fries, and even desserts like chocolate cake or apple pie "baked" apples. You can also use your air fryer to cook quick and easy bacon, eggs, or even a grilled cheese sandwich for a lazy dinner.

Frequently asked questions

Air fryers are great for cooking healthy foods with less oil, such as chicken breasts, cauliflower steak, and seasonal vegetables like asparagus and carrots.

Yes, you can cook various meats in an air fryer, including chicken wings, chicken cutlets, burgers, steaks, and salmon.

Besides vegetables, you can also air fry tofu, stuffed Tuscan mushrooms, loaded zucchini skins, and even desserts like vegan zucchini chocolate cake.

Yes, you can cook frozen foods in an air fryers, such as frozen chicken tenders, tater tots, and pre-made puff pastry snacks.

Absolutely! You can cook almost any breakfast item in an air fryer, including eggs, avocado fries, and even your morning toast.

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