Air Fryer Cooking: Best Foods To Start With

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture and golden-brown colour without deep-frying. When using an air fryer for the first time, it is recommended to preheat the appliance and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed. Additionally, it is important to prepare the air fryer by cleaning all parts and accessories, placing it on a level surface, and lightly coating the basket with oil to prevent sticking. While air fryers can be used to cook a variety of dishes, some popular first-time recipes include French fries, chicken wings, and hard-boiled eggs. It is also important to note that air fryers should not be used to cook foods with wet batters or delicate leafy greens.

Vegetables

Preparation

Before placing vegetables in the air fryer, spritz or brush them with a light coat of oil and your desired seasonings. This will help ensure even browning and enhance the flavour. You can also lightly coat the basket of your air fryer with oil to prevent sticking. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Cooking

Most vegetables will cook quickly in the air fryer, so keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. Depending on the vegetable, cooking times can range from 5-30 minutes. Be sure to shake or flip the basket at least once during cooking to ensure even browning.

Recipe Ideas

• Broccoli: Air-fry slender stalks of broccoli for a tender and crispy-tipped side dish.
• Carrots: Season carrot sticks with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs, then air fry until tender and blistered.
• Green Beans: Cook blistered, crisp-tender green beans (fresh or frozen) in the air fryer.
• Cauliflower Florets: Season with dried herbs and garlic powder, then air fry until tender and lightly browned.
• Sweet Potato: Experiment with various toppings, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, to enhance the flavour of your sweet potatoes.
• Brussels Sprouts: Cook until crispy and lightly charred.
• Butternut Squash: Cut into cubes or slices and air fry for a crispy and tender result.
• Asparagus: Trim the ends and air fry for a quick and easy side dish.
• Potato Wedges: Season with Old Bay seasoning or your favourite spices for crispy and flavourful wedges.
• Zucchini Chips: Slice zucchini into thin, crispy Parmesan-coated chips and serve with an herb-yogurt dipping sauce.
• Eggplant Fries: Cut eggplant into fry shapes and air fry for a crispy and delicious side.
• Beets: Air frying is a quick and easy way to prepare this nutritious and colourful vegetable.

Other Tips

• If you're cooking starchy vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes, consider parboiling them before placing them in the air fryer. This will help ensure they're cooked through and crispy.
• Get creative with your seasonings and toppings to enhance the flavour of your vegetables. Try different spice blends, herbs, or even a squeeze of lemon juice.
• For a heartier meal, combine your air-fried vegetables with a protein source like chicken, tofu, or beans.

Enjoy experimenting with your air fryer and discovering new ways to prepare and enjoy vegetables!

Meat

If you're a meat-lover, an air fryer is a great way to cook your favourite foods with a fraction of the oil and mess of traditional frying. Here are some meaty dishes you can make in your air fryer:

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are a classic choice. They come out crispy and juicy, and take under an hour to cook. You can also make garlic-parmesan chicken wings, or try a sweet and spicy orange chicken.

Chicken Tenders

For the crispiest chicken tenders, look no further than your air fryer. You can bread them with panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese, or simply season with salt and pepper and coat in olive oil.

Chicken Parmesan

You can also use your air fryer to make chicken Parmesan. Bread chicken breasts with Parmesan, smother with mozzarella, and serve with tangy marinara sauce.

Chicken Thighs

Season chicken thighs with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, garlic salt, pepper, and a touch of cayenne. Spray lightly with avocado oil and cook until the interior temperature reaches 165°.

Pork Chops

Breaded pork chops cooked in an air fryer come out crisp and juicy. You can also make pecan-crusted pork chops, or Korean-inspired pork tenderloin lettuce wraps.

Bacon

The air fryer transforms any type of bacon into crispy perfection.

Steak

Cooking steak in an air fryer creates a crispy crust on the outside and keeps it tender and juicy on the inside. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

You can make juicy, flavourful meatballs in your air fryer. Try serving them with pasta or on a sub.

Cornish Hen

Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect for air-frying whole. The skin will be nice and crispy, while the meat stays juicy.

Seafood

Salmon

Salmon is a great option to cook in your air fryer. It stays succulent, but still gets lightly browned on the outside. You can also use canned salmon to make salmon patties, which is a super quick and budget-friendly weeknight dinner idea.

Try a melt-in-the-mouth brown sugar garlic salmon, or a soy ginger salmon. For a spicier option, try salmon cakes with Sriracha mayo. You can also make salmon nuggets, which are crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.

Swordfish

Swordfish is a delicious meaty option that is very quick and easy to make in the air fryer. Try a swordfish steak with mango citrus salsa, ready in just 10 minutes!

Cod

Cod is a light fish that everyone, including kids, will love. It has a slight crispiness on the outside from cooking in the air fryer but stays moist and juicy inside. Instead of breading the cod, simply marinate it in Italian dressing, add some seasonings, and pop it in the air fryer.

Haddock

Haddock has a crispy panko crust with tender, juicy fish in the centre. Serve it with your favourite dip.

Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi is a great option if you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner using fresh ingredients. Try an air fryer lemon dill Mahi Mahi.

Chilean Sea Bass

Try this incredibly tasty and simple Chilean sea bass recipe that is bound to impress!

Shrimp

Shrimp is a healthy dish that is ready in just 8 minutes. The result is juicy, plump, and tasty shrimp that pairs well with pasta, rice, veggies, and many other side dishes. You can also make shrimp and polenta, or shrimp a la Bang Bang.

Scallops

Scallops come out perfectly in just minutes with a slightly seared exterior and tender bite. Serve them with a quick and simple chive, garlic, and lemon butter sauce.

Lobster Tails

Lobster tails cooked in an air fryer are a thing! Serve them with a lemon-garlic butter sauce.

Crab Cakes

Air frying crab cakes means less mess and cleanup but at no sacrifice to taste. They're flavorful, crisp, and lighter than if cooked with oil in a skillet.

Crab Rangoon

This recipe will give you a super crispy exterior with warm and fluffy pillow centres. Serve with sweet chilli sauce for dipping, if desired.

Breakfast foods

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to make a variety of breakfast foods, from savoury to sweet options. Here are some ideas for your first breakfast using an air fryer:

Savoury Breakfast Options:

• Frittatas: Frittatas are a great way to start your day as they are light and customizable. You can load them up with your favourite ingredients such as herbs, ham, cheese, chopped spinach, bell peppers, garlic, and onion. Frittatas are also perfect for busy mornings as they can be prepared in advance and cooked in the air fryer in about 15 minutes.
• Mini Egg Frittatas: For a quick and protein-packed breakfast, you can make mini egg frittatas in cupcake papers. Simply whisk some eggs, add your favourite diced peppers or other vegetables, pour the mixture into the papers, top with cheese, and air fry.
• Breakfast Burritos: Breakfast burritos are a portable and convenient breakfast option. You can fill them with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and other ingredients of your choice. Just remember to avoid adding wet ingredients like salsa or sliced tomatoes to keep the burritos crispy.
• Bacon: The air fryer is perfect for cooking bacon, as it limits the splatter and makes the bacon nice and crispy. You can also twist the bacon strips to fit more in the air fryer and encourage crispy edges.
• Sausage Patties: Air-frying sausage patties is a great way to avoid grease splatter on your stovetop. They come out nicely browned and can be served with eggs, toast, or other breakfast sides.
• Hash Browns: The air fryer is ideal for achieving crispy diner-style hash browns. You can use frozen or fresh hash browns, but be sure to soak the raw grated potatoes in cold water before cooking to improve the colour and texture.
• Scrambled Eggs: Fluffy scrambled eggs are a breeze to make in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to a low temperature, pour in your beaten eggs, and cook for about two minutes. Then, cook in increments until your desired level of doneness is achieved.
• Omelettes: Making an omelette in the air fryer is easier than you think. Preheat the air fryer, pour your beaten eggs into a lined pan, and cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on how well-done you like your eggs.
• Breakfast Sandwiches: You can use the air fryer to heat up frozen breakfast sandwiches, such as the Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich. By cooking it in the air fryer, you'll get a perfectly toasted sandwich without the sogginess that can occur when using a microwave.

Sweet Breakfast Options:

• French Toast: French toast is a classic breakfast dish that can be easily prepared in the air fryer. Dip slices of sturdy bread, such as brioche, into a mixture of egg, milk, butter, and vanilla. Transfer the slices to a perforated parchment paper-lined air fryer basket and cook until golden.
• Cinnamon Rolls: The air fryer is perfect for cooking store-bought canned cinnamon rolls or even homemade ones. Place the rolls in the air fryer and cook until they are crispy and golden. Then, top them with a sweet glaze or cream cheese frosting.
• Doughnuts: Air-fried doughnuts are a less messy alternative to deep-fried ones. You can use canned crescent roll or biscuit dough, shape them with a hole in the centre, and air fry until puffed up. Make a simple glaze or frosting to add once the doughnuts have cooled.
• Fruit: The air fryer can be used to roast fruit, giving it a crispy and caramelized texture. Bananas and pineapple are particularly well-suited for air frying and can be a delicious addition to your breakfast.
• Pancakes: While some people argue against making pancakes in the air fryer due to the batter spreading out, you can use small aluminium tins to contain the batter and prevent mess.
• Frozen Breakfast Pastries: If you're craving a single pastry, the air fryer is a great option for heating up frozen pastries like apple turnovers or pain au chocolat. It will give them a crispy texture without the need to heat up your oven.

With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a delicious breakfast to make in your air fryer!

Desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts, saving time and energy compared to using a conventional oven. Here are some dessert ideas to get you started with your air fryer:

Cookies and Biscuits

Air fryers are great for making cookies and biscuits of various kinds. You can make everything from chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and oatmeal cookies to air fryer Oreos, cannolis, and biscuit donuts. The air fryer gives cookies a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and chewy.

Cakes and Breads

You can also bake cakes and quick breads in your air fryer. Try making a banana bread, lemon drizzle cake, chocolate cake, or carrot cake. For a fun twist, you can also make mini dark chocolate cakes or individual ramekin brownies.

Fruit-based Desserts

Air fryers are excellent for cooking fruit-based desserts. Try making air fryer apple pies, apple fritters, apple chips, or apple crumble. You can also make roasted bananas, air fryer peaches, or air fryer pineapple. For a tropical treat, go for air fryer coconut-mango bread pudding.

Other Desserts

The air fryer is versatile and can be used to make a range of other desserts, including churros, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, and even beignets. You can also get creative and make unique treats like air fryer s'mores, air fryer fried ice cream, or air fryer monkey bread.

So, whether you're craving something fruity, chocolatey, or simply want to experiment with your air fryer, there are plenty of dessert options to choose from!

Frequently asked questions