Air Fryer Oven: Healthy, Quick Cooking Options

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods with a crunchy, crispy texture without the need for deep frying in oil. They are great for cooking frozen snacks like spring rolls and mozzarella sticks, as well as from-scratch foods like chicken wings, potato chips, and even desserts such as chocolate chip cookies. Air fryers are also useful for reheating foods, especially desserts, and can be used to cook almost anything that you would normally cook in an oven or grill, making them a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.

Reheat pizza, pies, and other baked goods

An air fryer is a great way to reheat pizza, pies, and other baked goods. It is a small, powerful oven that can quickly heat up food without drying it out or making it soggy, as a microwave often does.

When reheating pizza in an air fryer, it is best to set the temperature to around 180°C or 350°F for 3-6 minutes. This will ensure the cheese is oozy and the crust stays crisp. It works just as well if you are reheating from frozen.

For pies and other baked goods, such as pastries and quiches, a lower temperature of 170°C is recommended, and they should be heated for 4-5 minutes. This will ensure the pastry remains flaky and doesn't become soggy. It is also recommended to cover the baked good with foil to prevent over-browning.

The air fryer is a convenient way to reheat all kinds of baked goods, keeping them warm all the way through without sacrificing taste or texture.

Make chicken wings, thighs, and tenders

Chicken wings, thighs, and tenders are all great options to cook in an air fryer.

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, and they take less time to cook. They are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. To make them, start by patting the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, season the wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder, and neutral oil. Mix well and place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring space between them for air circulation. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F or 375°F, and spray the basket with cooking spray. Air fry the wings at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip them, and then air fry for another 7-12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings, until they are golden brown and crispy. You can serve them with your favourite sauce or eat them as is.

Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are juicy and tender, with crispy skin. They are quick and easy to make, requiring minimal prep and no marinating. Choose bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs for the best results. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/190°C. Rub the chicken with oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. You can also add a dash of baking powder to the seasoning mixture to make the chicken crispier. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The chicken is ready to serve when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer are crispy and juicy. They are a great option for a quick and easy meal. The exact recipe and cooking time may vary, but a basic preparation method involves dredging the chicken tenders in a seasoned coating and then air-frying them until cooked through and crispy.

Cook frozen foods like spring rolls and mozzarella sticks

Frozen foods like spring rolls and mozzarella sticks are a quick and easy snack that can be made in your air fryer with minimal mess and preparation.

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls can be cooked from frozen in your air fryer in under 10 minutes. Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. While you wait, brush the spring rolls with a light coating of vegetable oil, such as rapeseed or avocado oil. Place the spring rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have room to breathe. Fry for 4 minutes, then turn the spring rolls and place them back in the fryer for another 4 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks can also be cooked from frozen in your air fryer in around 10 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (183°C). Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and improve browning. Place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.

Both of these frozen foods are best served immediately after cooking. Spring rolls can be dipped in a combination of sweet chili sauce and dark soy sauce, or your favorite alternative. Mozzarella sticks can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing.

Bake desserts like cakes, pies, and cookies

Air fryers are great for baking desserts like cakes, pies, and cookies. They can produce beautifully golden brown muffins in half the time. You can also bake golden brown mince pies, crunchy raspberry, almond, and oat cookies, and fluffy blueberry, chocolate chip, or dried fruit muffins.

If you're craving a cake, you can make a lemon drizzle, a carrot cake, or a vegan zucchini chocolate cake. You can even make individual servings of brownies or ramekins of brownies. For a quick breakfast or snack, try air fryer cinnamon rolls, which are ready in a fraction of the time.

If you're a fan of pies, you can make a Bakewell-inspired tart with refrigerated pie dough, lemon curd, fruit jam, and almond paste. You can also make apple "baked" apples, which are similar to apple crumbles, or a berry crisp. For a more decadent option, try making a fudgy, double chocolate brownie with dark and white chocolate chips.

Air fryers are also great for reheating desserts. You can pop leftover pie or a baked good in your air fryer to liven it up, and it'll taste fresh out of the oven.

Prepare vegetables like potatoes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts

Preparing vegetables like potatoes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts in an air fryer oven is a quick and easy way to cook them to perfection. Here's how you can prepare these vegetables in your air fryer:

Potatoes

Air fryer roasted potatoes are a delicious and healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes. They turn out just as crispy as their deep-fried counterparts, but with a fraction of the oil. Cut your potatoes into bite-sized pieces, about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle on your desired seasonings. Toss to combine and coat the potatoes evenly. Place the potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400˚F. Air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping and tossing them halfway through, until the outsides are crispy and golden brown, and the insides are tender. You can also freeze any leftover roasted potatoes in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months.

Asparagus

Air fryer asparagus is a quick and convenient way to cook this delicious vegetable. Simply cut off the woody ends of the asparagus spears (about 2 inches). Place the asparagus in a zip-top bag or bowl and coat them with your desired seasonings and ingredients. Ensure they are well-coated. Place the asparagus in a single layer in your air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F. For thin asparagus, cook for 5-6 minutes, and for thick asparagus, cook for 7-8 minutes. Your asparagus will be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can serve it with lemon wedges, salt, and pepper, or sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.

Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are a healthy and tasty option. You can cook them without soaking them beforehand if you prefer some chew to your sprouts. However, if you want them to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, soak the sprouts in water for about 10 minutes before cooking. Set your air fryer to 375°F and place the sprouts in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Shake the basket several times during cooking to keep the air circulating and promote even crisping. Once they are crispy and tender, transfer them to a bowl and toss with balsamic vinegar, or sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

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