Air Fryer Cooking: Best Foods To Try

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can cook a wide variety of foods, from savoury to sweet, and are a healthier alternative to deep-frying. You can make anything from French fries and chicken wings to chocolate chip cookies and avocado toast. They're also great for reheating food and cooking frozen foods like chicken nuggets and fish sticks.

Air fryer chicken recipes

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook chicken to juicy, tender perfection. Here are some mouth-watering air fryer chicken recipes to try:

Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, thanks to the air fryer. The chicken is flavoured with a buttery sauce made from fresh herbs, nutty Parmesan, and garlic. The best part? They're ready in just 30 minutes!

Air Fryer Indian Tandoori Chicken

This air fryer chicken dish will surprise you with its lightly charred exterior and delicious tandoori flavour. For an extra punch of flavour, marinade the chicken up to a day in advance.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Achieve crispy golden chicken without using any oil with this air fryer recipe. This chicken Parmesan tastes just as good as the traditional version but with much less effort and mess.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are a classic, and the air fryer does an excellent job of making them super crispy and juicy. This recipe will give you restaurant-quality wings in under an hour.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

For crispy chicken tenders, look no further than the air fryer. This recipe will give you tenders with a golden, crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Don't forget your favourite dipping sauce!

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

This air fryer recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken breasts with a delicious spice rub. The chicken remains moist and flavourful, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.

Air Fryer BBQ Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Take your chicken game up a notch with this stuffed chicken breast recipe. Stuff the chicken breasts with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits, and wrap them in bacon for a delicious main course.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

These air-fried taquitos are healthier than the deep-fried version, and you can use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick prep. Serve them with sour cream, Mexican tomato sauce, and guacamole for a tasty treat.

Air Fryer Chicken Katsu with Homemade Katsu Sauce

This recipe will give you crispy chicken katsu with a tender, juicy interior. The homemade katsu sauce is the perfect complement to the chicken, with its sweet and tangy flavours.

Air Fryer Honey-Cajun Chicken Thighs

This air fryer chicken dish is marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated in a flour mixture with Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The result is spicy, juicy, and full of flavour.

Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This air fryer chicken breast recipe is a real crowd-pleaser. The thinly sliced chicken pieces are coated with a generous amount of spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch, then air-fried to golden perfection. It's a quick and easy dish that's sure to impress.

Air fryer vegetarian options

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetarian food. They can be used to make everything from stuffed peppers, tofu, tempeh, and veggies to pancakes, avocado toast, and even desserts like apple pie and chocolate cookies. Here are some delicious vegetarian options to try in your air fryer:

Vegetables

Air fryers are perfect for cooking a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and cauliflower. Cut them into small pieces, season with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and air fry until tender and browned. You can also make crispy air fryer broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and carrots.

Tofu

Tofu is an excellent source of protein for vegetarians, and air frying is a great way to cook it. Cut tofu into batons and coat them with sesame seeds, or bread them with garlic and paprika breadcrumbs. Air fry until crispy, and serve with quinoa and a salad or your favourite dip.

Sweet Potato Fries

For a healthier alternative to potato chips, try making sweet potato fries in your air fryer. Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss in a little oil, and season with smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ spices. Air fry until crispy, and serve with your favourite dip.

Fritters

Fritters are a tasty vegetarian option, and air fryers make it easy to cook them. Try making sweetcorn fritters, or zucchini corn and haloumi fritters. You can also make spinach and feta filo parcels, or cabbage fritters (pakoda/pakoras).

Breads and Pastas

Air fryers can also be used to make breads and pastas. Try air fryer pasta chips, or potato pancakes. You can even make avocado toast, or air fryer cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat.

Vegetarian "Meats"

For vegetarian alternatives to meat, try making buffalo cauliflower wings, or breaded cauliflower "tacos". You can also make Beyond burgers, or Impossible burgers, which are plant-based and delicious.

There are endless vegetarian options to explore with your air fryer, so get creative and enjoy!

Air fryer desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without the need for deep-frying, making them healthier and easier to clean up. Here are some air fryer dessert ideas:

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air fryer chocolate chip cookies are a classic dessert option. They come out crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. You can also make them gluten-free or add a twist like peanut butter or Oreo cookies.

Air Fryer Brownies

Who can resist a warm, fudgy brownie? Air fryer brownies are a perfect small batch dessert when you don't want a whole batch or don't want to heat up the oven. You can even add some instant coffee or espresso powder for a deeper chocolate flavour.

Air Fryer Churros

These crispy, golden pastries coated in cinnamon sugar are a fun dessert to make at home. Serve them with a chocolate dipping sauce for an indulgent treat.

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

This is a quick and easy fall dessert with a not-too-sweet oat streusel topping baked inside a cored apple. It's a healthy option that's ready in just 15 minutes!

Air Fryer Cheesecake

Cheesecake in the air fryer? Absolutely! This creamy dessert can be made in ramekins for individual servings without needing to preheat the oven. Top with cherry pie filling or fresh berries for a colourful touch.

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Moist and delicious banana bread is a breeze in the air fryer. Cover the pan with foil for the first stage of baking to prevent overcooking, and feel free to add your favourite mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.

Air Fryer S'mores

The air fryer is perfect for making s'mores without a campfire. You can make them as hand pies or as an ice cream sandwich with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

These cinnamon-apple fritters are a great tea-time or brunch treat. The air fryer ensures they are healthier than traditional fritters, and a browned butter glaze takes them to the next level.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a cinch in the air fryer, especially if you start with a tube of crescent roll dough. They'll be ready in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them!

Air Fryer Donuts

From apple cider donuts to biscuit donuts, the air fryer is a donut-making machine! You can also make churros, which are essentially a type of donut.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

These classic flourless peanut butter cookies are a breeze with just three ingredients and a few minutes in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Fried Oreos

Get your state fair fix anytime with these crispy, sweet, deep-fried Oreos made right in your air fryer. You can also fill them with pie filling or jam for a pop tart-like treat.

There are endless dessert possibilities with an air fryer, so get creative and enjoy!

Air fryer breakfast ideas

Air fryers are a great way to make a variety of breakfast foods, from sweet to savoury. Here are some ideas for your next breakfast:

Savoury

Air fryers are great for cooking eggs, so you could make some hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, or soft-boiled eggs. You could also make an omelette or some scrambled eggs. If you're feeling creative, you could try making egg cups with bacon and cheese, or even some breakfast burritos.

If you're a fan of meat in the morning, try cooking some bacon, sausage, or sausage patties in your air fryer. You could also make some turkey bacon or air fryer ham for a change.

For a hearty breakfast, try making some hash browns or breakfast potatoes. You could also make some potato pancakes or tater tots.

Sweet

If you have a sweet tooth, you can make French toast, French toast sticks, or even some French toast cups with raspberries. For a more portable option, try making French toast fingers or French toast cups that can be dipped in syrup.

If you're craving something bread-based, try making some banana bread, cinnamon rolls, or breakfast cookies. You could also make some apple fritters, apple Danish, or apple cider donuts.

For a fruity option, you could make some blueberry bread or baked apples. You could also get creative and make some pumpkin spice donuts or vanilla bean doughnuts.

There are endless possibilities for breakfast with an air fryer!

Air fryer snacks

Air fryers are a great way to make snacks with less oil and in less time. Here are some snack ideas for your air fryer:

Savoury Snacks

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a classic snack and can be made entirely from kitchen staples. They are a crispy, gooey delight and perfect for game day.

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings made in an air fryer are crispy, juicy, and can be ready in under an hour. They are perfect for a party or a quick snack.

Potato Chips

Potato chips made in an air fryer are crispy and perfectly salted. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips and can be made with way less oil.

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet potato chips made in an air fryer deliver the same taste as deep-fried chips but with less oil. They are a healthier alternative and are ready in just 15 minutes.

Onion Rings

Onion rings are a fun and impressive snack or appetiser. Breaded and air-fried, they are a great vegetarian option.

Tater Tots

Tater tots are a classic side dish and can be made crispy and hot in an air fryer. They taste just like the ones from your favourite burger joint.

Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are a healthier alternative to potato fries. They are air-fried to crispy perfection and served with a zippy marinara sauce or homemade ranch dressing.

Avocado Fries

Avocado fries are a unique and healthy snack. Coat avocado slices in cornmeal and air fry for a crispy treat. They are great on their own or in tacos.

Eggplant Fries

Eggplant fries are a healthier alternative to potato fries and are much healthier. They are coated in Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and garlic salt, and air-fried to perfection.

Okra

Okra is typically deep-fried, but an air fryer does a great job with much less fat. Cook it longer for extra crispiness.

Artichokes

Canned artichoke hearts are a speedy side dish and can be whipped up in under 15 minutes. They are a great snack option, especially for vegetarians.

Falafel

Falafel is a treat, especially for vegetarians. It typically requires standing over a hot pot of oil, but an air fryer skips that step. Serve with a simple dipping sauce.

Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño poppers are the perfect game-day snack and can be made in just six minutes in an air fryer. Stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, they are a spicy, cheesy delight.

Crab Cakes

Crab cakes give you all the deliciousness of crab without the tedious work of pulling meat from shells. Skip the pan fry and use an air fryer for a crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a crowd favourite and can be made extra crispy in an air fryer. Don't forget your favourite dipping sauce!

Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks are a crispy, juicy snack. You can also make a creamy raita dip to go with them.

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are a classic snack and can be made healthier in an air fryer with less oil.

Fish and Chips

Make this pub classic at home in your air fryer. The fish fillets have a crunchy, healthy coating, and the crispy fries are the perfect side.

French Toast

Air-fried French toast guarantees a crispy exterior and an irresistible, evenly cooked interior.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Cooking hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer is a wonderful alternative to boiling them on the stovetop.

Mini Calzones

Mini calzones are

Frequently asked questions