Air Fryer Cooking: Creative, Quick, And Healthy Recipes

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, from savoury to sweet, and healthy to indulgent. They are particularly good for creating a crispy texture and golden-brown colour, without the need for deep-frying in oil.

Some popular foods to cook in an air fryer include chicken wings, chicken tenders, French fries, onion rings, tater tots, mozzarella sticks, and other frozen foods. You can also cook meat, fish, and vegetables in an air fryer, as well as more unexpected dishes like cookies, cakes, and even pizza.

Air fryers are also useful for reheating leftovers, as they can make food crispy again without the sogginess that can come from using a microwave.

Breakfast foods: omelettes, muffins, avocado toast, bacon, pancakes, etc

Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast foods, from omelettes and muffins to avocado toast, bacon, and pancakes. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:

Omelettes and Frittatas

Air fryers are perfect for making omelettes and frittatas, as they cook eggs quickly and efficiently. You can add your choice of vegetables, meats, and cheeses to create a protein-packed breakfast. For something different, try making an egg roll with bacon, eggs, and cheese wrapped in an egg wrapper.

Muffins and Sweet Treats

Believe it or not, air fryers can also bake goods like muffins and sweet treats! Blueberry muffins, banana bread, and even cinnamon rolls are all possible. For a real treat, try making air fryer donuts or churros. They come out crunchy, tender, and super addictive.

Avocado Toast

While avocado toast may seem like a simple dish, the air fryer can take it to the next level. Try using the air fryer to toast your bread to a golden crisp, then top it with perfectly ripe avocado for a delicious breakfast.

Bacon

Bacon and air fryers are a match made in heaven. The air fryer limits the splatter and makes the bacon nice and crispy. You can even make candied bacon by wrapping it in avocado or coating it in brown sugar for a sweet treat.

Pancakes

For a fun breakfast, try making banana pancake dippers in your air fryer. Simply coat slices of banana in a thick pancake batter and cook until fluffy. Serve with your favorite toppings for a sweet and fruity start to your day.

Appetizers: stuffed mushrooms, zucchini skins, avocado fries, etc

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crispier, and quicker versions of your favourite snacks and appetisers. Here are some ideas for appetisers you can make in your air fryer:

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a great appetiser to make in your air fryer. You can make air fryer Tuscan stuffed mushrooms, or try a recipe with Italian sausage and cheese. You can also make a vegan version with a creamy cashew cheese filling.

Zucchini Skins

Zucchini skins are a great appetiser to make in your air fryer. Try making loaded zucchini skins or zucchini chips.

Avocado Fries

Avocado fries are a tasty, filling, and healthy appetiser that can be served with salsa, pico de gallo, or spicy ranch dressing for dipping. You can also serve them with an easy sriracha-ranch dip.

Other Appetiser Ideas

Other appetiser ideas you can make in your air fryer include:

• Mozzarella sticks
• Pigs in a blanket
• Jalapeno poppers
• Potato skins
• Potato chips
• Sweet potato fries
• Zucchini chips
• Crab cakes
• Falafels
• Mac and cheese bites
• Mini calzones
• Buffalo chicken meatballs
• Blooming onions
• Chicken tenders
• Egg rolls
• Samosas
• Mashed potato balls
• Coconut shrimp
• Mozzarella balls
• Baked brie

Lunch/dinner: tofu, chicken, meatballs, pork chops, steak, etc

Lunch/Dinner Ideas Using an Air Fryer

Tofu

Air fryer tofu is a quick, easy, and delicious meal. It takes only 10 minutes to cook tofu that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You will need extra firm tofu, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground black pepper, sea salt, cornstarch, light soy sauce or liquid aminos, and sesame oil or any oil of your choice. Cut the tofu into 1" cubes, add the seasonings, and toss to combine. Place the tofu in a single layer in the air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F, and cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Chicken

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, as they produce crispy, crunchy results with less grease and fat. You can cook chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or chicken wings in an air fryer. For example, you can make air fryer blackened chicken breast, crumbed chicken tenderloins, air-fried maple chicken thighs, air fryer buttermilk fried chicken, or air fryer chicken piccata.

Meatballs

Air fryer meatballs are a fast, healthy, and satisfying dinner option. They are tender, juicy, and can be made with various types of ground meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or chicken. You will need ground meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, eggs, and milk or water. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, shape the mixture into meatballs, grease the air fryer basket, and place the meatballs in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Pork Chops

Air fryer pork chops are a cheap, easy, and delicious dinner option. They come out juicy and flavorful with a slight crisp on the outside. You will need boneless pork chops about 1" thick, olive oil, finely grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the pork chops dry, coat them with olive oil, and then coat them with the seasoning mixture. Place the pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Steak

You can use your air fryer to cook steak and enjoy it with your favorite sauce and sides, such as chips, a seasonal green salad, or roasted vegetables.

Desserts: berry crisp, zucchini chocolate cake, peanut butter cookies, etc

Air fryers are great for making desserts, and they can bake just about anything that's oven-safe. Here are some dessert ideas to make in your air fryer:

Berry Crisp

Air fryers are perfect for making berry crisp. You can make an apple crisp by coring an apple and filling it with a crunchy granola streusel topping. Air fry for 15 minutes, and you'll have a warm, healthy dessert ready to serve. You can also make a berry crumble by using any type of berry and adding dried berries, cherries, or sultanas.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

You can make a delicious, moist zucchini chocolate cake in your air fryer. Simply grate a zucchini and mix it with your favourite chocolate cake batter. Air fry until cooked through, and you'll have a delicious, healthy twist on a classic dessert.

Peanut Butter Cookies

For an easy, classic dessert, try making peanut butter cookies in your air fryer. All you need are three ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and eggs. Portion the dough, smash the cookies slightly, and air fry for a quick, tasty treat.

Other Dessert Ideas

In addition to the above, here are some more dessert ideas to try in your air fryer:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Banana bread
• Brownies
• Apple fritters
• S'mores
• Cinnamon rolls
• Churros
• Donuts
• Apple pie
• Peach cobbler
• Bread pudding
• Cheesecake
• Apple crisps

Reheating: leftover pie, brownies, etc

Reheating food in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make your leftovers feel freshly cooked. Here are some tips for reheating leftover pie and brownies:

Reheating Pie in an Air Fryer

Pie is a great dish to reheat in an air fryer, as it will taste like it's fresh from the oven. You can reheat a slice or a whole pie, but be sure to wrap it in foil to avoid a mess and to keep the crust from going soggy. If you are reheating a slice, set your air fryer to 325ºF and heat for about five minutes. For a partial or whole pie, set the temperature to the same level and start checking on it after ten minutes. Continue heating in five-minute increments until the pie is warmed to your liking.

Reheating Brownies in an Air Fryer

Reheating brownies in an air fryer is a quick and convenient option. Set your air fryer to 350ºF and place the brownies in the fryer basket. Heat for one minute if you are just cooking a single brownie, and add time for multiple slices. Be sure to keep a close eye on the brownies to avoid overcooking.

Other Reheating Options

If you don't have an air fryer, there are several other ways to reheat your leftover brownies and pie. You can use a microwave, oven, toaster oven, stovetop, or skillet. Each method has its pros and cons, and some may work better for certain types of food. For example, the microwave is a quick option but may make the pie crust soggy, while the oven takes longer but can help you achieve a crispy crust.

Converting Oven Recipes to Air Fryer

If you have a recipe designed for the oven that you want to try in your air fryer, you can convert it by reducing the temperature by 25ºF and halving the bake time. Be sure to check on your food regularly to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Frequently asked questions