Air Fryer Cooking: Creative, Quick, And Tasty Ideas

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods with less oil and mess than traditional frying methods. From mains to sides, snacks to desserts, the air fryer is a convenient and healthy way to cook. You can make anything from chicken wings and tenders to French fries and onion rings, as well as less obvious foods like salmon, roast chicken, burgers, and even desserts such as chocolate chip cookies and apple cider donuts. It's also great for reheating leftovers like pizza, getting them crispy without drying them out. If you're short on time or want a healthier alternative to deep-frying, the air fryer is a fantastic option.

What to Make in an Air Fryer

Chicken wings, tenders, breasts, and parmesan

Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are super crispy and juicy and only take a few minutes to make. The key ingredient is baking powder, which reacts with the chicken skin to create a golden brown and crispy exterior. First, pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, season the wings with kosher salt, white pepper, baking powder, and a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring sufficient space for air circulation. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip, and then air fry for another 8-12 minutes at the same temperature, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are golden, juicy, and perfect for weeknights. Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then dip them in beaten eggs, and coat them with a mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs and panko. Spray both sides of the tenders with olive oil spray, and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and golden.

Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts can be juicy and tender if you don't overcook them. Brining the chicken for 30 minutes beforehand also helps keep it moist and evenly seasoned. For two small chicken breasts, season with kosher salt, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Place the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-8 minutes.

Chicken Parmesan

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is a healthier alternative to the traditionally fried version, with a crispy Parmesan coating. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound them into thin slices. Combine shredded Parmesan cheese and Italian-style breadcrumbs in one bowl, and whisk eggs in another bowl. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Enjoy experimenting with these chicken recipes in your air fryer!

Breakfast foods like bacon, eggs, and avocado toast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not try making it in an air fryer? Here are some ideas for breakfast foods like bacon, eggs, and avocado toast that you can make in your air fryer.

Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is a simple yet delicious breakfast option. Using an air fryer, you can achieve a crispy, golden crust without the need for added oil, making it healthier. To make avocado toast in an air fryer, start by placing your bread of choice (recommendations include sourdough) into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 330 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minutes. While the bread is toasting, mash an avocado in a small bowl until creamy. Once the toast is done, spread the avocado onto the bread. You can also add some spices to the avocado, such as cilantro, parsley, cumin, or paprika, for extra flavor.

Next, prepare your eggs. You can fry, scramble, hard-boil, or poach them according to your preference. Place the eggs on top of the avocado toast and season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Enjoy your avocado toast immediately while it's still hot and crispy!

Bacon

Making bacon in an air fryer is not only easy but also results in crispy and evenly cooked bacon in under 10 minutes. The air fryer method is quicker and less messy than stovetop or oven baking, and there's no need to preheat the oven. Cut the bacon strips in half if needed to fit them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For regular-cut bacon, air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes for softer bacon or 8-9 minutes for crispy bacon. If you prefer thick-cut bacon, air fry at the same temperature for 9-10 minutes for softer bacon or 10-12 minutes for crispy bacon.

No additional oil is needed, as the bacon will release grease during cooking. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Now you have perfectly cooked bacon that can be used in BLT sandwiches, omelets, wraps, or even crumbled over salads.

Eggs

You can make hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer in just 15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place room-temperature eggs in the air fryer basket. Cook the eggs for 15 minutes, then transfer them to a cold-water bath to cool them down completely, which takes about 8-10 minutes. And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs without having to wait for water to boil or wash any pots.

Frozen foods like fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza

For frozen fries, you can expect a much crispier texture than if you cooked them in the microwave, and they will be done in half the time it would take in the oven. You can also make sweet potato fries in the air fryer, which come out irresistibly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Chicken nuggets are another great option for your air fryer. They will come out with a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. You can also make chicken tenders or chicken cutlets in the air fryer, which will be less messy than pan-frying and will produce less oily chicken.

Finally, if you're looking to reheat leftover pizza, the air fryer is a great option. It will give your pizza a crispy crust and heat it evenly, and it's much quicker than using the oven.

Vegetables like broccoli, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables like broccoli, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Here are some tips and recipes to get you started:

Broccoli

Air-fry slender stalks of broccoli for a tender and crispy-tipped side dish to serve all year long. You can also try air fryer beef and broccoli, a classic Chinese-American dish that's ready in just 30 minutes. Simply cook tender strips of beef and broccoli florets in the air fryer and toss in a savory-sweet sauce.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile in the air fryer. You can make sweet potato fries, chips, or baked potatoes. For fries, cut sweet potatoes into thin strips and season with a simple mix of spices. For chips, slice them into thin rounds and air fry for a crispy, healthy snack. You can also make a classic baked sweet potato in the air fryer—the high fan speed and concentrated heat will give you a fluffy and tender inside with a shatteringly crisp outside.

Butternut Squash

For a quick and easy side dish, try making butternut squash in the air fryer. It will come out crispy and tender in a fraction of the time it would take in an oven. You can also experiment with different toppings to find your favorite flavor combinations.

Other Vegetable Ideas

In addition to the above, air fryers are great for cooking a wide range of vegetables. Some other ideas include zucchini fries or chips, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, carrot sticks, French fries, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, potato wedges, and eggplant fries. You can also use your air fryer to reheat leftover vegetables, giving them a crispy crust and even heating.

Reheating leftovers like pizza, fried chicken, and grilled meats

Reheating leftovers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy your favourite meals again. It is also a healthier option than using a microwave, as foods tend to go soggy when reheated in a microwave.

Pizza

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy leftover pizza. It is a great alternative to heating up the entire oven for just a few slices. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the pizza is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Fried Chicken

The air fryer is a great way to reheat fried chicken and return it to its original crispy state. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fried chicken in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the chicken is heated through and crispy.

Grilled Meats

Grilled meats, such as steak, can also be reheated in an air fryer. It is important to note that the timing and temperature may vary depending on the type of meat and your air fryer model. As a general guide, preheat your air fryer to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit and place the meat in the basket. For steak, cook for 3-5 minutes for medium-rare or adjust the timing according to your desired doneness. For other grilled meats, such as chicken, cook until heated through and adjust the timing as needed.

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