Air Fryer Dinner Ideas For Quick, Easy Meals

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of dishes, from appetizers and snacks to full meals. They are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as they use less oil and create less mess. Here are some ideas for what you can make for dinner using your air fryer:

- Chicken: wings, tenders, breasts, sandwiches, nuggets, parmesan, or drumsticks

- Fish: fish and chips, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, or tuna steaks

- Meat: pork chops, steak, hamburgers, meatloaf, or ribs

- Vegetables: broccoli, potatoes, carrots, green beans, or asparagus

- Others: pizza, taquitos, eggplant parmesan, or tofu

Air fryer chicken recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are super easy to make and crunchy like the deep-fried kind. You can serve them with a sticky sauce and jasmine rice for an easy family meal.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a healthier alternative to the ones you order from your local pizzeria and are guaranteed to please young and old alike.

Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Schnitzel

Chicken thighs are more flavourful than chicken breasts, and this schnitzel is a perfect example. It is delicious, lower in calories, and oil and grease-free.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Turkey and Swiss Cheese

Chicken thighs are stuffed with turkey and Swiss cheese, breaded, and then air-fried. They are juicy with a crispy crust and are reminiscent of chicken cordon bleu but with turkey instead of ham.

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

This recipe is for juicy, tender chicken breasts with no brining. The chicken is coated in a dry rub and cooked in the air fryer. You can also add a creamy sauce like mushroom sauce, white BBQ sauce, or Peruvian creamy green sauce.

Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They are dripping with a buttery sauce made from fresh summer herbs, nutty Parmesan, and punchy garlic. They are ready in just 30 minutes.

Air fryer vegetarian options

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetarian food. They can be used to make easy appetizers, mains, and even desserts. Here are some delicious vegetarian options that you can make in your air fryer:

Green Goddess Bowl with Crispy Sesame Tofu

This tasty dish consists of tofu coated in sesame seeds and served with quinoa, edamame, white cabbage, and apple salad. It is a great option for a light and healthy dinner.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

A vegetarian take on chicken wings, these cauliflower wings are full of flavor and can be enjoyed as a main course or a spicy side dish.

Halloumi

Cooking halloumi in an air fryer instead of a grill or frying pan helps lower the fat content. Season with smoked paprika or mixed herbs for added flavor.

French Fries

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries as they require less oil than deep frying and are healthier than the restaurant version. You can also make sweet potato fries in the air fryer.

Roast Potatoes

Air fryers can be used to make irresistibly crispy roast potatoes that are fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. They are a perfect side dish for a Sunday roast or any other meal.

Sweetcorn Fritters

These sweetcorn and spring onion fritters are a great option for lunch, a starter, or a side dish. They are easy to make and energy-efficient.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips

These crispy pasta chips are a delicious and budget-friendly snack.

Air Fryer Mushrooms on Toast

This is a speedy option for brunch or lunch and can be served on its own or as part of a bigger breakfast spread.

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

These spring rolls are an easy and fun vegetarian option for the family. Serve them with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

These air fryer baked apples are a great treat for the family or for a fall party. They are easy to make and the filling is irresistible.

Air Fryer Shishito Peppers

Air fryer shishito peppers are a simple yet flavorful appetizer. They are charred and crispy and can be served as a tasty snack.

Air Fryer Avocado Fries

Avocado fries are a light and crispy side dish made with creamy avocado and light, airy panko breadcrumbs.

Air Fryer Carrot Fries

Carrot fries are a healthy side dish that is sure to be a family favorite. Sprinkle them with parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Air Fryer Samosas

These air fryer samosas have a crispy, flaky pastry shell and a flavorful potato and green pea filling. They are a perfect vegetarian snack or appetizer.

Air Fryer Vegetable and Tofu Egg Rolls

These egg rolls are a delicious and healthy vegetarian option for a snack, appetizer, or meal. They are packed with veggies and ready to eat in less than 10 minutes.

Air fryer seafood ideas

Air fryers are a great way to cook seafood, locking in flavour and moisture while producing a delicious crispy crust. Here are some tasty air-fried seafood ideas for a quick and easy dinner:

Salmon

Salmon fillets are a great option for air frying, cooking in under 10 minutes. Try a Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick or a sweet mustard topping for a tasty glaze. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of salad or grains, or go for rice or whole grains as a side. You could also make salmon cakes or croquettes, or shape into salmon nuggets for a fun, bite-sized option.

Shrimp

Shrimp is a versatile seafood that works well in an air fryer. Try a simple lemon pepper seasoning, or go for a spicy bang bang shrimp dish. For a more indulgent option, coconut shrimp with a honey-lime dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. For a quick and easy meal, throw together a shrimp boil in your air fryer with your favourite veggies.

Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are a delicious, crispy option for the air fryer, and much less messy than pan-frying. Serve with a tangy tartar sauce or a zesty aioli for a refreshing kick.

Scallops

For a fancy, restaurant-quality dish, try cooking sea scallops in the air fryer. Bread the scallops lightly for a crunchy texture, or season with spices like in this spicy bay scallop dish.

White Fish

White fish is a great option for air frying, staying moist and tender on the inside while getting a crispy crust. Try a fish po' boy sandwich with chipotle slaw, or keep it simple with a lemon-garlic butter sauce.

Seafood Medley

For an easy, fuss-free option, go for a frozen seafood medley in the air fryer. Simply season and cook for a tasty, plump, and juicy mix of your favourite seafood.

Air fryer breakfast ideas

For a tasty, quick and convenient breakfast, an air fryer is a great option. Here are some ideas for breakfast dishes you can make using an air fryer:

Pancakes

You can cook light and fluffy pancakes in your air fryer without the usual hassle of having to flip them.

French Toast

French toast cooked in an air fryer turns out extra crispy. Try French toast fingers with a sweet and creamy condensed milk sauce on top for a special breakfast treat. Or, for a fruity twist, make French toast cups with raspberries, cream cheese, eggs and milk.

Bacon

You can cook crispy bacon in your air fryer without the need for additional oil. Try Bourbon Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, or Bacon and Egg Cups, for a delicious breakfast.

Eggs

Air fryers are great for cooking eggs. You can make fried eggs, poached eggs, soft-boiled eggs, or even hard-boiled eggs. Try a frittata, or an egg and sausage breakfast burrito.

Omelettes

Omelettes are a breeze in the air fryer. Try a spinach, roasted red pepper, and goat cheese omelette, or a classic English fry-up with sausages, bacon, mushrooms, beans, and an egg muffin.

Hash Browns

The air fryer is perfect for making tasty, crispy hash browns.

Sausage

You can cook juicy sausage patties from fresh or frozen in your air fryer.

Breakfast Cookies

Believe it or not, you can even make cookies for breakfast in your air fryer. Try banana breakfast cookies, packed with fruits, oats, and whole wheat flour.

Muffins

Make banana muffins in your air fryer—they're super fluffy and moist, and make great lunchbox fillers.

Tarts

Try air fryer French onion tarts, or croissants Lorraine, for a tasty breakfast treat.

Air fryer dessert recipes

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts with less fat and oil. They can be used to make individual servings of desserts, such as cookies or personal-sized ramekins of brownies, without having to share or do a lot of dishes. Here are some dessert ideas that can be made in an air fryer:

Chocolate chip cookies

You can make soft, gooey chocolate chip cookies in an air fryer. If you only want to make one or two cookies without turning on your oven or cleaning a baking sheet, an air fryer is a great option.

Peanut butter explosion cakes

These cakes have a perfectly creamy centre and can be made in an air fryer or an Instant Pot.

Air fryer brownies

You can load these up with ice cream and dig in while they're still warm.

Air fryer donuts

Skip the pot of hot oil and make healthier air fryer donuts. If you've ever had a baked donut, these are even better.

Air fryer s'mores

You can make s'mores in your air fryer and add things like fruit or caramel sauce.

Air fryer cinnamon rolls

The secret to this recipe is using a can of crescent dough.

Air fryer French toast sticks

You can make French toast sticks in an air fryer without having to stress over how hot the skillet is getting.

Air fryer molten lava cake

This decadent dessert has a gooey, warm centre and only requires five ingredients.

Air fryer fried Oreos

A take on deep-fried Oreos without the excess oil.

Air fryer apple crisp

This easy dessert has perfectly roasted apples and a golden-brown streusel topping and is ready in just 30 minutes.

Air fryer banana bread

This easy air fryer banana bread is ready in under 45 minutes and each slice turns out incredibly moist.

Frequently asked questions