Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a great way to cook your favourite foods with less oil and mess. They are versatile and can be used for anything from appetizers to desserts. You can make practically anything that you would fry in an air fryer, from chicken wings, fries and steak to donuts and cookies. They are also great for reheating food, especially desserts. You can even cook a whole chicken or turkey breast in an air fryer!
What can I cook in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, Beef, Pork, Fish, Crab, Turkey, Cornish Hens |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Green Beans, Asparagus, Spring Carrots, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Avocado, Cauliflower |
| Carbs | Bread, Pasta, Pastry, Donuts, Cookies, Bagels, Waffles, French Toast |
| Dairy | Cheese, Butter |
| Fruit | Berries, Apples, Bananas |
| Dessert | Chocolate, Cake, Pie, Brownies |
| Other | Eggs, Bacon, Oreos, Ravioli |
| Dishes | Chicken Parmesan, Beef & Broccoli, Crab Cakes, Tacos, Salmon, Pizza |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken wings, thighs, legs and tenders
Chicken wings, thighs, legs, and tenders are all popular choices for air fryer cooking.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a highly requested recipe for air fryers. They are a quick and easy way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings with less fat than deep-fried wings. The key to getting crispy skin is to dry the wings with a paper towel before seasoning and adding a secret ingredient: baking powder. The baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to create a puffed-up, golden brown, and crispy skin. Wings should be cooked at 400°F for 9 minutes.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are a healthy option packed with protein and other nutrients. They can be cooked with or without the skin, depending on your preference. Season the chicken with lemon juice and your choice of spices, then place them in the air fryer, skin side down. Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
Chicken Legs
Chicken legs are a forgiving meat when it comes to air fryer cooking. They can be seasoned with a simple blend of everyday ingredients, such as brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, ground mustard, and a pinch of cayenne. Add vegetable oil and shake to coat the chicken, then cook in the air fryer at 380°F for 18-22 minutes, turning halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F, but it can go as high as 185°F.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are a great option for weeknight cooking as they are super easy and quick to make. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, and are much healthier than fried versions as they use way less oil. To make homemade tenders, season the chicken with salt and pepper, then dip in egg and breadcrumb mixtures. Spray both sides with olive oil and cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes on each side, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
Air fryer chicken wings, thighs, legs, and tenders are all simple, tasty, and healthy options for your air fryer, offering juicy and crispy results with minimal effort.
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Salmon, crab cakes and other fish
Salmon, crab cakes, and other fish are all great options to cook in an air fryer.
Salmon
Air fryer salmon is a quick and easy way to cook salmon, resulting in seared edges and a tender, flaky centre. It is low-calorie and low-carb, and can be ready in under 10 minutes. To make it, season the salmon fillets with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add olive or avocado oil to help the seasoning stick and keep the salmon moist. If you like, brush the salmon with a glaze, such as maple dijon, teriyaki sauce, or spicy honey. Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook until it is easily flaked with a fork.
Crab Cakes
Air fryer crab cakes are another quick and easy option, with a nice golden crust on the outside and flaky crab meat on the inside. To make them, mix lump crab with red bell pepper, green onion, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and Old Bay seasoning. Form the mixture into cakes and place them in the air fryer with space in between so they cook evenly. Spray the top of the crab cakes with cooking oil, such as canola, vegetable, avocado, or olive oil, and cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
Other Fish
In addition to salmon, you can cook various other types of fish in the air fryer, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, or haddock. To make crispy and crunchy fish fillets, coat the fish with oil and then breading, using dried breadcrumbs and any desired spices. Place the fish in the air fryer and cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it is easily flaked with a fork.
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Burgers, cheeseburgers and beef & broccoli
Burgers, Cheeseburgers, and Beef & Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Air fryers are great for making burgers, including cheeseburgers, and even a dish like beef and broccoli. Here is some more information on how to make these dishes in an air fryer.
Burgers and Cheeseburgers
Air fryer burgers are super easy and quick to make. You can use fresh or frozen beef patties, and add your favourite seasonings and toppings. If you are using fresh beef, simply combine the beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add barbecue sauce if you like. Form the mixture into four equally-sized patties, about 0.5 inches thick, and make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb to ensure even cooking. If you are using frozen beef patties, you will need to add about five to seven minutes to the cooking time, depending on the thickness.
Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't touching. You can preheat the air fryer first, but this is not necessary. Set the temperature to 350-375˚F and cook for about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the patties. You do not need to flip the burgers while they are cooking.
Once the burgers are cooked, you can add cheese and return them to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted. You can also toast the burger buns in the air fryer for a minute or two. Serve the burgers immediately with your choice of toppings and sauces.
Beef & Broccoli
For a tasty beef and broccoli dish, start by whisking together broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and wine in a heatproof bowl. Microwave this mixture until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. In a separate bowl, toss steak, garlic, soy sauce, cornstarch, ginger, and wine together. After five minutes, add broccoli and oil, and toss to combine.
Arrange half of the steak and broccoli mixture in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400° for 8-10 minutes, until the steak is done to your liking and the broccoli is tender and golden. Repeat with the remaining mixture, then toss everything together with the sauce.
There you have it! Delicious burgers, cheeseburgers, or beef and broccoli, all made in your air fryer.
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Cookies, donuts and other desserts
Cookies, donuts, and other desserts are a fantastic use of your air fryer. The air fryer is a great way to make cookies with a crispy exterior and a chewy, gooey, fudgy, or moist interior. You can make the dough yourself or use store-bought, and add chocolate chips, walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips. If you're making the dough yourself, you'll need flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, butter, and milk. You can also make cookie dough pots, which are a little like the warm gooey cookie dough you get from takeaway restaurants. To make these, divide your cookie dough into four or six ramekins and place them in the air fryer basket. Bake at 160ºC for 12-14 minutes.
You can also make brownies, cinnamon rolls, and even cakes in your air fryer. In fact, you can cook anything in an air fryer that you would cook in a conventional oven or deep fryer, so the possibilities for dessert are endless!
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Vegetables, including potatoes and cauliflower
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, including potatoes and cauliflower. Here are some tips and tricks to get the best results.
When cooking vegetables in an air fryer, it's important to cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. For firmer vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and beets, chop them into small pieces. For cauliflower, break it into small florets, and keep the zucchini and squash pieces slightly larger. This will ensure everything cooks at the same rate.
The key to getting crispy, caramelized vegetables is to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Space helps the vegetables roast and brown instead of steaming. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer, giving the hot air access to all sides. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
For firm vegetables, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral-flavored cooking oil, and season with salt and pepper, or a seasoning blend of your choice. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to promote even cooking.
For tender vegetables, follow the same method, but cook at 375°F 190°C for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway through. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice and top with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
You can cook a variety of vegetables in your air fryer, including potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Get creative and experiment with different combinations and seasonings to find your favorite air-fried vegetable creations!
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods, but they can also be used for from-scratch meals. Some easy meals you can cook in an air fryer include chicken wings, fries, burgers, and steak.
Yes, you can cook fish in an air fryer. It will have a crunchy coating and be cooked to perfection. You can also cook salmon in an air fryer.
Some unique air fryer recipes include fried oreos, avocado fries, vegan zucchini chocolate cake, and cauliflower tacos.
