Air Fryer Oven: Easy, Quick, Delicious Meals

what to make in air fryer oven

Air fryers are a popular appliance for those seeking a healthier alternative to deep-fried food without compromising on taste and texture. They work by circulating hot air around food, cooking it evenly and quickly with minimal oil required. You can make almost anything in an air fryer, from chicken wings and tenders to salmon, steak, and even cookies and cinnamon rolls. Air fryers are also great for cooking frozen foods like chicken nuggets, fish sticks, and french fries.

If you're looking to use your oven with a built-in air fryer, you'll need to make some adjustments to your cooking times and temperatures. Most recipes for countertop air fryers will need to be adapted for larger, full-size ovens with air fryer settings.

Characteristics Values
Preheating Preheat for 5 minutes
Pans/Trays Use a special air fryer crisper tray or a normal baking sheet
Food arrangement Lay food flat in a single layer
Turning food Turn food halfway through cooking
Oil Baste or mist food with oil to help it get crispy
Alarms Use an alarm thermometer to know when meats are done
Convection A convection oven cooks with a fan that circulates hot air
Air fryer oven benefits More space, healthier meals, larger quantities of food
Air fryer oven downsides May take longer to cook certain foods, more expensive

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Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

This recipe is perfect for a quick, easy, and juicy chicken dinner. It is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, and cooked in an air fryer for a tender finish.

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Method:

Combine the salt, spices, and oil in a small bowl to create a paste. Coat the chicken breasts with the paste. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

A spicy and juicy option, this chicken breast is coated in a flavourful spice rub.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, brown sugar, and any other desired spices)

Method:

Thinly slice the chicken breasts and coat them with the spices. Preheat the air fryer and place the chicken in a single layer. Air fry at 415 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air Fryer BBQ Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

A delicious and indulgent option, these chicken breasts are stuffed with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits, and wrapped in bacon.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Bacon bits
  • Bacon slices

Method:

Butterfly the chicken breasts and stuff them with the cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits. Wrap each breast with a slice of bacon. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook until done.

Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

A classic Italian-American dish, Chicken Piccata is made with a flour and parmesan dredge, and served with a lemon butter sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Flour
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Parsley
  • Salt
  • Lemon
  • Butter

Method:

Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, parmesan, parsley, and salt mixture. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook until done. Meanwhile, make the lemon butter sauce by melting butter and mixing it with lemon juice. Serve the chicken with the sauce drizzled on top.

Air Fryer Coconut Chicken

A crispy and crunchy option, these coconut chicken strips are double-dipped in egg and a coconut-panko mixture.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Eggs
  • Coconut flakes
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Oil

Method:

Cut the chicken breasts into strips. Dip the strips first in egg, and then in the coconut-panko mixture. Place the strips in the air fryer and cook until golden and crispy. Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.

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Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They're quick, easy, and produce a delicious, healthy side dish with a tender texture and crisp, caramelized edges. You can cook a wide variety of vegetables in an air fryer, from zucchini and peppers to broccoli and potatoes. Here are some recipes and tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer:

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

For this recipe, you'll need:

  • Brussels sprouts
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Clean and halve the Brussels sprouts, then toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss them halfway through for even cooking.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

You can make delicious, crispy zucchini chips in your air fryer. Simply cut zucchini into thin slices, toss them in olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, or until browned and crispy.

Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

This recipe is perfect for a mix of firm and tender vegetables. You'll need:

  • Firm vegetables: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower (cut into small florets)
  • Tender vegetables: zucchini, peppers (sliced into thin strips or rounds)
  • Olive oil
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Toss the vegetables in olive oil and seasonings, then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and browned.

Tips for Air Frying Vegetables:

  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate around the vegetables, so cook in batches if necessary.
  • Size matters. Cut firm vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
  • Use oil. A light coating of oil will help your vegetables crisp up without using too much.
  • Shake the basket. Give the air fryer basket a shake halfway through cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

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Air Fryer Breakfast Ideas

Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast, and they can cook everything from eggs to pancakes. Here are some air fryer breakfast ideas to get you started:

Air Fryer French Toast

For a tasty breakfast treat, try making French toast in your air fryer. You can make French toast sticks or go for a more traditional approach and serve it with a side of bacon or sausage. For an extra special touch, try making French toast cups with raspberries, cream cheese, and eggs.

Air Fryer Eggs

Eggs are a breeze to make in the air fryer, and you can cook them in a variety of ways. Try making Scotch eggs, a UK dish of hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep-fried. You can also make poached eggs, soft-boiled eggs, or fried eggs with crispy edges and runny yolks.

Air Fryer Pancakes

Say goodbye to the days of messing up the first pancake. Air fryers are great for cooking pancakes, and you don't even need to flip them!

Air Fryer Breakfast Burritos

These breakfast burritos are a tasty and filling option, packed with egg, sausage, potato, and cheese. They can also be frozen for easy future breakfasts.

Air Fryer Hash Browns

The air fryer is perfect for making crispy hash browns, and they can be made from fresh or frozen potatoes. Serve them as a side dish with your favourite breakfast meats and eggs.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

For a sweet breakfast side dish, try making air fryer baked apples. They're like a crumble for breakfast inside an apple!

Air Fryer Banana Bread

This is a quick and easy way to make banana bread, and each slice turns out incredibly moist. It's a great option if you're looking for something sweet but not too indulgent.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a classic breakfast treat, and they can be cooked in the air fryer in just a few minutes. For an extra indulgent touch, try making bourbon bacon cinnamon rolls by marinating bacon in bourbon overnight and rolling it into the cinnamon roll dough.

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Air Fryer Snacks

Mozzarella Sticks

These are a great snack for any occasion. You can make them in your air fryer and they're even better than the deep-fried version! The key is to double-bread the string cheese so they get nice and crunchy, and to keep the cheese from oozing out.

Avocado Fries

This is a unique and healthy snack option. When you have too many avocados that aren't quite ripe, forget the guacamole and slice them up to make crispy avocado fries! Great on their own with a dipping sauce or even on tacos.

Coconut Shrimp

This is a restaurant-style recipe that tastes just as good when made at home. The coconut flakes and panko crumbs give it a crunchy texture, perfect for an appetizer or a main meal.

Sweet Potato Fries

While it's easy to cook a bag of frozen sweet potato fries in your air fryer, it's also fun to make them from scratch. You can use sweet potatoes from your garden or buy them from the store.

Chicken Wings

The air fryer is perfect for making chicken wings. The skin crisps up perfectly in the high heat, so there's no need to add a breading or batter coating. For this recipe, it's recommended to use fresh wings as frozen wings will take much longer to cook.

Zucchini Fries

These panko-coated sticks take healthy snacking to a whole new level. They are air-fried to crispy perfection and are so flavorful. Enjoy them as an appetizer or a low-carb alternative to french fries.

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Air Fryer Desserts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts without having to preheat your oven. They can be used to make a variety of sweet treats, from crispy churros to gooey chocolate chip cookies. Here are some air fryer dessert recipes to try:

Air Fryer Churros

Coat these golden, crispy treats in cinnamon sugar and dip them in chocolate sauce.

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

A beloved, quick, and easy fall dessert recipe with a crunchy oat streusel topping.

Air Fryer Cheesecake

A creamy dessert for two, served with whipped cream and fresh fruit. No preheating required!

Air Fryer Brownies

Perfect for when you don't want to heat up the whole oven or make a big batch. Test with a toothpick after 40 minutes to ensure a soft middle.

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, these cookies are ready in under 10 minutes.

Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream

Make this restaurant-style dessert at home with no oil and no mess! Coat vanilla ice cream in a crispy cinnamon sugar for a decadent treat.

Air Fryer Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Moist, fluffy, and full of chocolate, these muffins taste like they're fresh from a bakery.

Air Fryer Baked Apples with Pecan Filling

A delightful dessert that will have your whole family asking for more.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie

A classic fall dessert recipe, yielding two tasty pies.

Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies

Each bite is an explosion of sweet and juicy cherry pie filling wrapped in a flaky golden crust.

Air Fryer Doughnuts

Soft and squishy doughnuts without the need for deep-frying. Glaze them or toss them in cinnamon sugar for an extra crunch.

Air Fryer Apple Chips

Thinly slice apples and dehydrate them in the air fryer for a crunchy, healthy snack. Sprinkle with cinnamon for extra flavor.

Air Fryer Monkey Bread

A classic treat made with a soft and fluffy dough, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Air Fryer Chocolate Donut Holes

These homemade donut holes are coated in a sweet glaze and taste just like the store-bought version.

Air Fryer Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

This delicious dessert combines chocolate and cherry in under 15 minutes with just five simple ingredients.

Air Fryer Peach Hand Pies

Filled with juicy peaches, these hand pies are simple to make and irresistibly tasty.

Air Fryer S'mores Dip

Make s'mores without a campfire by melting chocolate and marshmallows in the air fryer and serving them with graham crackers.

Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas

Gooey bananas, similar to creme brulee, that can be topped with ice cream or whipped cream and chopped nuts.

Air Fryer Upside-Down Tart

A viral TikTok recipe adapted for the air fryer, full of flavor and fun to make.

Air Fryer Smores Hand Pies

A combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers in a simple-to-eat hand pie.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

A quick and easy 3-ingredient snack that's ready in minutes.

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Moist and delicious banana bread made with a handful of simple ingredients.

Air Fryer Banana Bread Muffins

Fluffy and easy-to-prepare muffins with chocolate chips and walnuts.

Air Fryer Pineapple

Caramelized pineapple slices served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet and easy dessert.

Air Fryer Bread Pudding

A rich, chocolatey dessert infused with cinnamon and vanilla, served warm with whipped cream.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Sweet and cinnamony treats that are perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast or anytime snack.

Air Fryer Candied Pecans

A delicious fall treat with a sweet and crunchy coating, perfect on their own or as a topping.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Elevate canned cinnamon rolls by making them in the air fryer for a soft and pillowy texture.

There are endless possibilities for air fryer desserts, so get creative and enjoy experimenting with new recipes!

Frequently asked questions

Some easy recipes to make in an air fryer oven include chicken tenders, chicken wings, French fries, and sweet potato fries.

Yes, you can cook meat in an air fryer oven. Popular options include chicken, steak, pork chops, and fish.

Yes, cooking vegetables in an air fryer oven is a healthy and tasty option. You can cook broccoli, okra, potatoes, green beans, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and more.

Yes, you can make a variety of breakfast items in an air fryer oven, such as bacon, eggs, French toast sticks, and cinnamon rolls.

While you can bake some items like cinnamon rolls and cookies, an air fryer oven may not be suitable for larger baked goods like sheet cakes.

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