Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a great addition to any kitchen. They can cook a wide variety of foods, from appetizers to desserts, and are perfect for quick, healthy meals. They can cook foods faster than an oven and achieve crispy edges with little to no oil. Here are some ideas for what to cook in your air fryer tonight:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meals | Chicken, Salmon, Steak, Pork, Sausages, Shrimp, Tofu, Vegetables, Eggs, Oatmeal, Cookies, Cake, Chips, Pizza, Bread |
| Benefits | Quick, Easy, Healthy, Crispy, Tender, Juicy, Less Oil, Easy to Clean, Energy-efficient, Versatile |
| Use Cases | Breakfast, Dinner, Dessert, Reheating, Appetizers, Snacks |
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Appetizers and desserts
Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to make a variety of appetizers and desserts. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Appetizers
- Deviled Eggs are a classic appetizer that can be made in your air fryer. Try the Air Fryer Deviled Eggs recipe for a unique take on this traditional dish.
- Loaded zucchini skins are a great option for a tasty and healthy appetizer.
- Air fryer mushrooms are a delicious and healthy option that can be made in minutes. Try the Air Fryer Stuffed Tuscan Mushrooms recipe for a tasty and elegant appetizer.
- Air fryer arancini are a great way to use up leftover risotto. These crispy, cheesy, peppery snacks can be dipped in marinara or pesto sauce.
- Roasted vegetables make a great appetizer and can be made in your air fryer with minimal oil. Try asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower for a tasty and healthy option.
- Tofu can be transformed into delicious tofu batons coated in sesame seeds and served with quinoa and a salad.
- Crispy chilli beef is a tasty and speedy appetizer that can be whipped up in your air fryer.
- Air fryer falafel is a healthier alternative to traditional fried falafel. Serve with a crisp cucumber salad for a light appetizer.
Desserts
- Chocolate chip cookies are a classic dessert that can be made in your air fryer. Try the Air Fryer Red Velvet Cookies recipe or the Air Fryer GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe for a gluten-free option.
- Molten chocolate cake is a decadent dessert that can be made in your air fryer.
- Strawberry-thyme mini scones are a delicious and elegant dessert that can be made in your air fryer. The concentrated heat of the air fryer creates a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside buttery and fluffy.
- Vegan zucchini chocolate cake is a moist and delicious dessert that can be made in your air fryer.
- Apple pie "baked" apples are a unique and tasty dessert that can be made in your air fryer.
- Reheating desserts like leftover pie or brownies with ice cream in your air fryer will make them taste fresh out of the oven.
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Healthy alternatives
If you're looking for some healthy alternatives to traditional fried foods, then look no further than your air fryer! Using an air fryer is a great way to cook your favorite foods with less oil and fat, and it's easy to clean. Here are some tasty and nutritious options to try in your air fryer tonight:
Salmon with Extra-Crispy Skin
Salmon is an excellent choice for the air fryer as its higher fat content makes it harder to overcook. For a healthy and flavorful dish, try a sweet mustard topping or a pomegranate molasses glaze. You can also serve it with Swiss chard and onion for a one-pan meal in under 30 minutes.
Chicken Breasts
The air fryer is perfect for achieving juicy and tender chicken breasts. For a healthy and tasty option, coat the chicken with a light layer of panko and Parmesan before air-frying to get that extra crunch. Serve it with charred broccoli and a tangy yogurt sauce for a complete and nutritious meal.
Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles
For a wholesome and delicious meal, try making fork-tender turkey meatballs in your air fryer. Pair them with zoodles (zucchini noodles), your favorite jarred tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Shrimp Rice Bowl
Shrimp cooks quickly in the air fryer, leaving you hands-free to prepare a rice bowl. Toss the shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. While the shrimp cooks, dice up some fresh tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro to pile on top of your rice bowl.
Grilled Cheese
For a lazy dinner option, the air fryer is perfect for achieving that gooey grilled cheese without the hassle of flipping and babysitting. Get creative with your fillings - try spreads and add-ins like fig jam, pesto, thinly sliced apples, hot sauce, or asparagus. Don't forget to add plenty of your favorite melty cheese!
Vegetables
The air fryer is an excellent way to cook vegetables to the next level. Try extra crispy "fried" cauliflower, zucchini, Brussels sprouts with hot honey, or broccoli florets as a healthy and tasty side dish or main course.
With so many healthy alternatives, you can enjoy your favorite foods without all the extra oil and still achieve that perfect crispiness!
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Meat and fish
If you're looking for a meaty dish to cook in your air fryer, you're spoilt for choice. Chicken is a popular option, with chicken nuggets, chicken drumsticks, chicken wings, chicken katsu, and chicken thighs all being possible. You could also try a whole chicken, which is easier to cook in an air fryer than in an oven. Simply rub your chosen spices on the chicken, stuff the cavity with herbs and lemon for extra moisture, and cook for around 50 minutes at 350-400°F.
Other meat options include pork chops, pork belly, beef topside roasting joints, and meatballs. For the pork belly, season the skin with salt and leave uncovered overnight. The next day, score the skin, rub in your chosen spices, and cook skin-side up for 30 minutes at 425°F, then turn down to 325°F and cook for another hour. For the beef, rub oil, salt, and pepper on a 1.25kg joint and cook for 15 minutes at 425°F, then turn down to 210°F and cook for another 45 minutes.
If you're in the mood for fish, salmon is a great option, as its higher fat content makes it harder to overcook. You could also try shrimp, seabass, or crab cakes. For salmon, cook individual fillets at 400°F for 7-10 minutes, brushing on a honey soy marinade when cooked. For shrimp, toss with taco seasoning and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F. For a whole seabass, stuff the cavity with lemon and fennel, season, and cook for 12-15 minutes at 350°F. For crab cakes, simply cook in the air fryer for a crispy texture without the need for oil.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, as they can make them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are also a healthier alternative to deep-frying and a quicker option than oven-roasting.
Preparation
Before cooking, chop your chosen vegetables into small, evenly-sized pieces. This will ensure they cook evenly. You can also add frozen vegetables directly to the air fryer, which is a convenient and affordable option.
Oil and Seasoning
Tossing your vegetables in oil and seasoning will add flavour and help them crisp up. Olive oil is a popular choice due to its flavour and high smoke point, but other options include avocado, coconut, or neutral-flavoured oils. For seasoning, a simple combination of salt and pepper will do, but you can also add spices like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or onion powder.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F (180-204°C). Place the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 8-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and browned.
Serving
Air fryer vegetables make a delicious side dish and can be served with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh herbs, or grated Parmesan cheese. They can also be paired with proteins like salmon or chicken for a complete meal.
Vegetable Options
There are many vegetables that cook well in an air fryer, including:
- Zucchini/Squash
- Bell Peppers
- Onions
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Asparagus
- Green Beans
- Brussels Sprouts
- Avocado
- Beetroot
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Breakfasts
Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast, as they are quick, easy to use, and can make a wide variety of tasty dishes.
If you're looking for a protein-rich breakfast, you could try Scotch eggs. This UK dish consists of hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep-fried. For a lighter version, use an air fryer to create a crisp exterior with crushed cornflakes. You can also make eggs in a basket, also known as egg in a hole. Simply make indentations in a few slices of bread, crack an egg into the indents, and air fry. You could also make a frittata by pouring whisked eggs and diced peppers into cupcake papers, topping them with cheese, and air-frying.
For a sweet breakfast, you could try apple cinnamon crescents. Each crescent dough triangle can encase a tablespoon of applesauce. You could also make French toast sticks, which turn crispy in the air fryer for a tasty breakfast. Alternatively, you could make banana bread, which turns out incredibly moist, or pop tarts, which will have an irresistibly golden pastry.
If you're looking for a more savoury breakfast, you could make hash browns, which will turn out delectably crispy in the air fryer. You could also make breakfast burritos with egg, sausage, potato, and cheese, or simply fry up some bacon, which will cook to perfection in the air fryer.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are great for quick and easy meals. Some simple options include:
- Frozen snacks like spring rolls and mozzarella sticks
- Chicken, especially bone-in, skin-on thighs
- Mini potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper
- Salmon
- Asparagus
- Chicken breast
- French fries
- Reheating leftovers
Air fryers are perfect for healthy meals as they require minimal oil. Some healthy meal options include:
- Tofu
- Salmon
- Swiss chard and onion
- Chicken breast
- Roasted vegetables
- Halloumi
- Sweet potato fries
- Brussels sprouts
There are plenty of vegetarian options that can be made in an air fryer. Some ideas include:
- Halloumi
- Roasted vegetables
- Sweet potato fries
- Falafel
- Plantain slices with a cilantro-avocado dip
- Stuffed Tuscan mushrooms
- Loaded zucchini skins
- Deviled eggs
- Avocado fries
While air fryers are typically used for frying and roasting, they can also be used to bake and cook unique meals such as:
- Cookies
- Chocolate cake
- Apple pie "baked" apples
- Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
- Chicken Parmesan
- Steak
- Shrimp rice bowl
