Air Fryer Recipes For A Quick, Tasty Dinner

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of dishes, from mains to sides, snacks and desserts. They're a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as they use super-hot air to cook food with a crispy, fried texture and golden-brown colour, without the need for lots of oil.

So, what should you make tonight in the air fryer?

If you're after a quick, healthy meal, air fryers are ideal. You could cook chicken tenders, wings, breasts, or perhaps some fish, like salmon, crab cakes or fish tacos.

If you're a vegetarian, you could try roasted vegetables, cauliflower wings, tofu, or veggie burgers.

For a hearty breakfast, you could air fry bacon, eggs, pancakes or muffins.

And don't forget about dessert—air fryers can make chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, apple pie, s'mores and even churros!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• Neutral oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
• White pepper
• Baking powder
• Chicken wings
• Kosher salt
• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for serving
• Ranch dressing for serving

Method:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket with cooking spray.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder, and oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.
• Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer, making sure they are not touching.
• Air fry the wings for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings and air fry again for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve the wings with your favourite sauce or enjoy them as is!

Tips:

• Ensure the wings are as dry as possible before seasoning to ensure the skin puffs up and blisters in the air fryer.
• Increase the temperature of the wings during the last few minutes of cooking for extra crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed.

Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Ingredients:

• White fish (e.g., cod, pollock, haddock, or halibut)
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder (optional)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Beer (or a non-alcoholic alternative)
• Cornflakes (or panko breadcrumbs)
• Parmesan cheese
• Cayenne pepper
• Olive oil
• Tartar sauce (optional)
• Ketchup (optional)

Method:

• Soak potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes, changing the water if soaking for longer.
• Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a towel.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
• Place the potatoes in the basket, spray the tops with oil, and air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes. Toss, then fry for another 7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
• In a shallow bowl, mix flour and cornstarch (if using). In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder (if using), salt, pepper, and baking soda. Pour in the beer and stir.
• Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel and season with salt.
• Dredge each piece of fish in the flour mixture, then dip into the batter, and place back into the flour mixture, ensuring a full coat.
• Place parchment paper in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil. Place the coated fish inside, ensuring the pieces do not overlap.
• Spray the tops of the fish with cooking oil and air fry at 390°F for 12 minutes. Open the basket halfway through and spray again.
• Serve the fish and chips with tartar sauce and ketchup, if desired.

Tips:

• Soaking potatoes helps achieve crispy French fries by removing starch.
• Blot fish fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which is crucial for crispy fish.
• Use the beer batter immediately after making it to prevent thickening.
• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the breading from dripping.
• Be generous with the cooking oil spray to ensure even cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer to ensure the proper temperature is reached.
• For best results, eat the fish and chips immediately after cooking.

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you're craving something sweet, why not try making chocolate chip cookies in your air fryer? They're quick and easy to make, and you'll have freshly baked, warm, and gooey cookies in just a few minutes. Here's a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter (softened)
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or bittersweet)

Optional:

Walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
• Add the egg, vanilla, salt, baking soda, and half of the flour. Mix until the dry ingredients are combined with the wet mixture.
• Add the remaining flour and mix on medium speed until the cookie dough is thick and creamy.
• Stir in the chocolate chips and optional nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to shape the dough into balls. Place the dough balls into the air fryer basket on top of parchment paper, leaving about an inch between each cookie.
• Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes. The cookies are done when they are golden brown.
• Let the cookies sit in the air fryer basket for an additional 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Tips:

• You can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand. Just add a pinch of salt to the cookie dough.
• If you don't have pre-made parchment paper with holes, you can make your own by cutting holes in regular parchment paper. This is important to allow air circulation.
• Never preheat your air fryer with just parchment paper in it. It must be weighted down with cookie dough or it can be a fire hazard.
• Depending on your air fryer and desired doneness, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
• For gooey cookies, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. For crispy cookies, add an extra minute.

Enjoy your freshly baked air fryer chocolate chip cookies!

Air Fryer French Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 large or 3 medium russet potatoes (you can also use Yukon gold potatoes)
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (or vegetable/canola oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Optional: fresh herbs, chili powder, paprika, or chipotle powder for extra seasoning

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Cut the potatoes into even 1/4-inch thick strips. Leaving the skin on is preferable as it helps the fries crisp up nicely. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and pat them dry.
• Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. You may need to work in batches. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, or until crispy and golden brown. The exact timing may vary depending on your air fryer, so check on them periodically.
• Once all batches are cooked, put them all back into the air fryer together (no need for a single layer this time) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp up any that may have cooled down.
• Serve with your desired seasonings and dips. Some popular options include ketchup, mustard, mayo, chipotle sauce, chimichurri, or even vegan cheese!

Tips:

• Work in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Taste a fry from each batch to ensure it's tender on the inside and crisp on the outside before moving on to the next batch.
• Toss all the fries together at the end for a minute or two to reheat and crisp up any that may have cooled.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthier French fries!

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

If you're looking for something to cook in your air fryer tonight, there are plenty of options. Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with some extra tips and tricks to make it perfect:

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (8 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan (not grated)
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Method:

• Set your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. It will need about three minutes to preheat.
• Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and trim any excess fat.
• Pound the chicken breasts into thin slices to ensure they cook evenly.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. You can add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder for extra flavour.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs.
• Dip the chicken breasts in the egg mixture and then coat them evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the chicken for six minutes, then flip and add the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.
• Cook for an additional three to four minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check.
• If you're cooking in batches, repeat the process with the remaining chicken.

Tips:

• Use shredded Parmesan cheese instead of grated for a crispier texture.
• If using plain breadcrumbs, add 1-2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to add flavour.
• You can serve this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with steamed vegetables, zoodles, or pasta.
• To reheat leftovers, use the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.

Frequently asked questions