Cody Casey
Air fryers have simplified home cooking, allowing you to prepare dinner in a fraction of the time and with less oil. They are ideal for cooking frozen foods and can handle diverse ingredients, from chicken and salmon to vegetables and potatoes. With an air fryer, you can make delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. So, what are the best foods to cook in an air fryer?
Foods that cook well in an air fryer:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, Salmon, Bacon, Steak, Pork Chops, Cornish Hens, Turkey Breast |
| Seafood | Fish, Shrimp |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Brussels Sprouts |
| Frozen Foods | French Fries, Potato Wedges, Onion Rings, Fish Sticks, Mozzarella Sticks |
| Breakfast | Eggs, Hard-boiled Eggs, Egg Bites, French Toast |
| Dessert | Bananas, Cookies, Donuts, Chocolate, Berries, Apple Pie, Zucchini Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies |
| Others | Tofu, Nuts, Tofu, Taquitos |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken thighs
To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, you can use either boneless or bone-in thighs, with or without the skin. Bone-in chicken thighs are harder to dry out or overcook, and the bone adds extra flavour to the meat. The skin also helps to lock in moisture, and it gets super crispy in the air fryer. If you are using boneless thighs, you will need to reduce the cooking time.
Before cooking, you can season the chicken with a variety of spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, dried parsley, dried herbs, or even baking powder to make the skin extra crispy. You can also marinate the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and spices, or in a master marinade of soy sauce, garlic, oil, and maple syrup.
To cook the chicken, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for 5 minutes. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, skin side down, and cook for 12-15 minutes. Then, flip the chicken thighs so the skin is facing up and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy. The chicken is done when an internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
You can serve air fryer chicken thighs with a variety of sides, such as a big salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or even cauliflower Mac and cheese. They are a delicious and healthy option for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
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Salmon
To cook salmon in an air fryer, you should first pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This is because moisture can make the fish soggy. Then, brush the fillets with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add brown sugar to the seasoning mix, which will give the salmon a subtle sweetness and a crispy exterior. If you are using a seasoning blend that already has salt, adjust the amount you add accordingly.
Next, place the salmon fillets in the air fryer, skin-side down. If you are using skinless fillets, grease the air fryer basket to prevent the salmon from sticking. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 390°F or 400°F for 5 minutes, or 2 minutes at 400°F, before placing the salmon inside.
Finally, air fry the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, until the thickest part of the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the flesh is opaque. The internal temperature should be 145°F for well-done salmon, or 130°F-135°F for medium-rare. If you are cooking frozen fillets, or if your fillets are extra thick, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
You can also add a glaze to the salmon. It is recommended to add the glaze in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, to prevent the salmon from burning. Some glaze options include maple Dijon, teriyaki sauce, smoky BBQ, and spicy honey.
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Burgers
To make the patties, combine beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add in some barbecue sauce and seasoning, such as paprika, onion powder, and garlic salt. Form the mixture into four patties, about 0.5 inches thick, and make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb to prevent swelling during cooking.
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F–400°F (195°C). Place the patties in the basket in a single layer, making sure they aren't touching. Cook for 6–8 minutes, then flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes, or until the beef reaches 160°F. If you're using cheese, add it now and cook for another minute or two. You can also add some butter and bouillon mixture to the patties for a darker grilled colour and a deeper flavour.
Finally, serve your burgers on toasted buns with burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Enjoy!
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Fries
If you're using frozen fries, place them in the basket of your air fryer. Spray them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries.
If you're making your own fries, start by chopping your potatoes into fries of a similar size, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. You can peel the potatoes or leave the peel on, but be sure to wash them well. Once you've chopped the potatoes, toss them with olive oil and salt. Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one so that they cook evenly and get crispy. Cook in batches if needed. Air fry for about 12 to 13 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
You can also experiment with different seasonings on your fries. Try onion powder or garlic powder for extra flavor, or dip your fries in a sauce like ketchup, fry sauce, yum yum sauce, or cheese sauce.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables quickly and healthily. They can cook a variety of vegetables to perfection in minutes, making them tender with crisp, browned, and caramelized edges.
To start, you can choose a mix of colourful, firm, and tender vegetables. Firm vegetables include root vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, and parsnips. Tender vegetables include zucchini, peppers, asparagus, green beans, and Brussels sprouts. You can also include summer squash, butternut squash, and avocado.
Once you have your vegetables, chop them into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Drizzle them with a light coating of olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and onion powder. You can also add some crunch with toasted almond slices or cashew halves.
Next, preheat your air fryer to between 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, shaking the basket occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. Cook for 8-15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Finally, season to taste and serve immediately. You can sprinkle Parmesan cheese or squeeze lemon juice over the vegetables for extra flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken, salmon, steak, burgers, fries, wings, and vegetables are all great options for the air fryer.
Here are some simple air fryer recipes:
- Chicken Parmesan: Cook chicken in the air fryer for 5 minutes per side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add a spoonful of marinara sauce and some mozzarella to each piece. Cook for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Grilled cheese: Assemble your sandwich with your choice of spreads and add-ins such as fig jam, pesto, or thinly sliced apples. Add plenty of melty cheese and cook for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spicy shrimp: Toss shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve over rice with diced tomatoes, avocados, and fresh cilantro.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your air fryer:
- Check your food frequently during cooking, especially for dishes like fries, sausages, goujons, and vegetables, where you'll want to shake the basket to get an even finish.
- For frozen foods, set the air fryer to 400°F and start checking smaller items after about 8 minutes and larger items after about 10 minutes. Give the basket a shake halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Foods cooked in the air fryer tend to be better when eaten hot, as they can harden as they cool.
