Air Fryer Snacks: Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treats

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make a wide variety of snacks, from savoury to sweet, crunchy to crispy. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried snacks, using little to no oil and producing a fraction of the fat and calories.

Some popular air-fried snacks include sweet potato fries, chicken wings, zucchini chips, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and even desserts like cookies and cake doughnut holes. You can also get creative and make your own unique snacks in an air fryer, such as cinnamon apple chips, Brussels sprout chips, or even avocado fries.

So, whether you're craving something salty, sweet, or just looking for a quick bite, an air fryer is a handy appliance to have in your kitchen.

Air fryer mozzarella sticks

Ingredients

• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (a combination of seasoned and Panko for flavour and crunch)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Non-stick spray oil
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Method

• Cut the mozzarella sticks in half.
• Whisk the eggs in a bowl.
• Combine the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper in a separate bowl.
• Dip each mozzarella stick into the whisked egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 6 months).
• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
• Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with non-stick spray oil.
• Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy and golden.
• Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

Tips

• For extra crispy mozzarella sticks, dip them in the egg and breadcrumb mixture twice, increasing the amount of breadcrumbs to 1 1/4 cups and the eggs to 3.
• Be sure to preheat the air fryer and keep in mind that different brands of air fryer may vary in cooking time and temperature.
• Check the mozzarella sticks early to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer at 390°F for about 5 minutes.
• Breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks can be frozen for up to 6 months. Cook directly from frozen without thawing.

Air fryer kale chips

Air fryers are a great way to make snacks, and kale chips are a delicious, healthy, and low-calorie snack option. Here is a detailed recipe for making air fryer kale chips:

Ingredients:

• Kale (any variety)
• Olive oil or avocado oil (a spray can be used instead)
• Salt
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, nutritional yeast, parmesan cheese, etc.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F (180-190°C).
• Wash and dry the kale leaves. Remove the leaves from the stems and tear them into bite-sized pieces.
• In a bowl, massage the oil into the kale leaves, ensuring each piece is coated thinly.
• Sprinkle salt and any desired seasonings over the kale and toss to coat evenly.
• Place the kale in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap. You may need to work in batches.
• Air fry for 4-6 minutes at the set temperature, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep a close eye on the kale after 3 minutes to prevent burning.
• The kale chips are done when they are crispy and lightly browned.
• Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations!

Air fryer chicken wings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drums and flats)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

• Prep the chicken wings by separating them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted and pat them dry to ensure they get crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to completely coat the wings.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer, making sure they are not touching.
• Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings and cook for another 8 minutes at 400°F, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your favourite dips or sauces.

Tips

• You can use your favourite seasoning blend instead of the spices listed above.
• To fit more wings in the air fryer, line them up standing upright along the sides of the basket.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary.
• To reheat, place the wings back in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.

Air fryer zucchini chips

Ingredients

You'll need zucchini (any size will do, though smaller zucchini might be better for dipping), olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. If you want to get creative, you can also add some Italian seasoning, Cajun or jerk seasoning, ranch seasoning, or grated parmesan cheese.

Method

• Slice the zucchini into thin slices, around 1/8 inch thick.
• Pat the zucchini slices with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
• Toss the zucchini slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper, making sure all slices are evenly coated.
• Place the zucchini slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will make the chips soggy. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook until golden brown, flipping halfway through. The time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices, but it should take around 8-12 minutes.
• Remove any slices that are browning/crisping around the 8-minute mark, and continue checking every couple of minutes.
• Let the zucchini chips cool to crisp up.

Tips

• Use a mandoline to get thin, even slices.
• Don't use too much oil, as this can prevent crisping.
• Air fryer zucchini chips will shrink, so go easy on the seasoning.
• If your air fryer tends to blow the chips around, use a rack or mesh mat to weigh them down.
• The chips will get softer when stored, so pop them back in the air fryer at a low temperature to crisp them up again.

Serving Suggestions

These zucchini chips are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a dipping sauce. Try ranch dressing, tahini sauce, salsa, guacamole, crab dip, spinach dip, or cold crab dip.

They also go well with marinara sauce, pesto, or romesco sauce.

Variations

For an Italian twist, add Italian seasoning and garlic powder. For some heat, add Cajun or jerk seasoning, or a light dusting of cayenne pepper. If you like ranch, toss the chips in some ranch seasoning before or after air frying.

Air fryer pizza pockets

Ingredients

• Pie crust (premade or homemade)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning
• Pepperoni (optional)
• Marinara sauce
• Milk
• Egg

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 °F.
• Roll out the pie crusts and cut into 6 circles, about 5 inches wide. Gather the excess dough, roll out again, and cut into 2 more circles.
• In a bowl, mix the mozzarella, parmesan, and pizza seasoning. If using, add the pepperoni.
• Divide the cheese and pepperoni mixture between the circles. Top each with a tablespoon of marinara sauce.
• Using a brush, dab the edge of each circle with milk. Fold the circles in half and crimp the edges with a fork or empanada press.
• Brush the tops with a beaten egg.
• Place the pizza pockets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.
• Serve with the remaining marinara sauce.

Tips

• You can use refrigerated pizza dough instead of pie crust.
• If you prefer a meatless option, simply omit the pepperoni.
• You can also add other pizza toppings, such as vegetables, bacon, or pineapple and ham.
• Remember to let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before using it.
• Always let the pizza pockets cool down before serving, as they will be very hot straight out of the air fryer.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the pizza pockets in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
• To prevent sticking, spray the bottom of the pizza pockets or use air fryer liners.

Frequently asked questions