Hot Fryer Creations: Delicious Ideas For Your Next Meal

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook food without the mess and health concerns of deep-frying. They work by circulating super-hot air, which cooks food evenly and leaves it with a crispy, golden-brown texture.

You can make practically anything that you would fry in an air fryer, from chicken wings and potato chips to chocolate chip cookies and even an entire turkey crown!

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to deep-frying, or simply want to try out a new kitchen gadget, an air fryer is a great option.

Appetizers and snacks

Air fryers are a great way to make appetizers and snacks, as they can cook a wide variety of foods with less oil and in less time than traditional frying methods. Here are some ideas for appetizers and snacks that you can make in your air fryer:

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are a popular choice, as they come out crispy and juicy. You can make them in a variety of flavours, such as buffalo or honey garlic, and they take under an hour to cook.

Mozzarella Sticks

Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a great snack or appetizer, and they're made entirely from kitchen staples. The air fryer gives them a crispy, gooey texture that's hard to resist.

Onion Rings

Onion rings are a classic appetizer that can be easily made in an air fryer. Breading and air frying onions give them a fun and impressive crispy texture.

Chicken Tenders

The air fryer is perfect for making crispy chicken tenders. You can experiment with different breading options and dipping sauces to find your favourite combination.

Tater Tots

Air fryer tater tots are a delicious snack or side dish. They come out hot and crispy, tasting just like the ones from your favourite burger joint.

Jalapeño Poppers

These air fryer jalapeño poppers are the perfect game-day snack. They're crispy and spicy, and sure to be a hit with your guests.

Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are a healthy and tasty option for your air fryer. Cut zucchini into batons, coat them with a crunchy panko and Parmesan coating, and air fry until golden and crisp.

Sweet Potato Chips

Air fryer sweet potato chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips. They require less oil to make, but still deliver that crispy texture and sweet potato flavour.

Mini Calzones

These mini calzones are perfect for parties or after-school snacks. Use prepared pizza dough to make delicious pockets filled with cheese and pepperoni.

Tortilla Chips

You can easily turn store-bought tortillas into crispy, restaurant-style chips with your air fryer. Cut tortillas into triangles, air fry until crispy, and serve with your favourite salsa or dip.

Potato Chips

Making crispy and perfectly salted potato chips at home is easy with an air fryer. No hot oil is required, and you can season them however you like.

Falafel

Falafel is a tasty vegetarian option that can be made in your air fryer. Serve it with a simple dipping sauce, and enjoy the crispy edges that the air fryer creates.

Pumpkin Seeds

Preparing homemade pumpkin seeds is easy with an air fryer. You can season them with your favourite spices and have a healthy and delicious snack ready in no time.

Chickpeas

Air-fried chickpeas are a great snack option, and they're a fun way to add variety to your hummus-making routine. Simply season and air fry until crispy.

Desserts

Air fryers are great for making desserts, from cakes to cookies, and can even be used to make individual servings. Here are some dessert ideas to make in an air fryer:

Cookies

Air fryers are great for making cookies, especially if you only want to make a small batch. Some cookie ideas include:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Peanut butter cookies
• Raspberry, almond, and oat cookies
• Giant chocolate chip cookie (a "pizookie")

Cakes

While air fryers may not be ideal for perfectly even cakes, they are perfect for fuss-free cakes such as brownies and loaf cakes. Some cake ideas include:

• Brownies
• Lemon drizzle cake
• Molten lava cake
• Angel food cake

Fruit-Based Desserts

Air fryers can also be used to make fruit-based desserts, such as:

• Apple crumble
• Baked apples
• Apple crisp
• Roasted pineapple
• Banana bread
• Apple fritters
• Banana pancake dippers
• Air fryer s'mores

Other Desserts

In addition to the above, air fryers can be used to make a variety of other desserts, such as:

• Donuts
• Churros
• Cinnamon rolls
• Bread pudding
• Cheesecake
• Peach cobbler
• Beignets

Breakfast

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide range of breakfast foods, from savoury to sweet options. Here are some ideas for what you can make for breakfast using an air fryer:

Savoury Breakfast Ideas

Bacon

Bacon is a perfect match for the air fryer, as it limits the splatter and makes the bacon crispy. You can cook it on a flat tray or use a wire rack to allow the excess fat to drip away, resulting in even crispier bacon.

Sausages

The air fryer is great for cooking breakfast sausages, as it helps to reduce the amount of excess fat and grease. Placing the sausages in a perforated or mesh basket allows the fat to drip away, helping them crisp up faster. You can also add a bit of extra crispiness to vegetarian or vegan sausages by giving them a light spray of oil before air frying.

Eggs

The air fryer is excellent for cooking eggs, whether you prefer fried, boiled, or scrambled. You can make mini egg frittatas, egg cups, or even Scotch eggs. You can also make "eggs in a basket" by making indentations in slices of bread, cracking an egg into each indent, and air frying.

Hash Browns

The air fryer is perfect for making hash browns, as it crisps up the potatoes without the need for a lot of oil. You can also make sweet potato hash by adding bacon, smoked paprika, and other seasonings.

Home Fries

Home fries are a must-try in the air fryer. Be sure to season chopped potatoes with herbs and spices before cooking them.

Sweet Breakfast Ideas

French Toast

The air fryer is a game-changer for making French toast. It gives you a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior in under 10 minutes. You can make French toast sticks or cups, which are perfect for dipping in maple syrup or strawberry syrup.

Doughnuts

Air-fried doughnuts are a tasty treat without the added mess of deep-frying. They are light and airy, and the air fryer reduces the amount of oil needed. You can also make jelly doughnuts or apple pie egg rolls.

Cinnamon Rolls

The air fryer is a quick and easy way to make decadent cinnamon rolls. Simply roll out the dough, brush it with butter, sprinkle on some cinnamon sugar, form the rolls, and let them rise before popping them into the air fryer. Finish them off with a sweet glaze or cream cheese frosting.

Fruit-Based Treats

You can make apple fritters, apple turnovers, or even baked apples stuffed with a crumble filling. For a fruity breakfast on the go, try making strawberry pop-tarts using pre-made pie crusts, strawberry jam, and a sweet glaze.

The air fryer is great for making breakfast cookies and biscuits. You can make banana bread, breakfast bombs, or even bacon-wrapped avocados.

Main dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of main dishes, from proteins to vegetables, and are especially useful for achieving a crispy texture without the need for deep-frying. Here are some ideas for main dishes that you can make in an air fryer:

Proteins

• Chicken: Air fryers are perfect for cooking chicken wings, tenders, breasts, sandwiches, drumsticks, and parmesan-breaded chicken breasts. You can also make buttermilk fried chicken with a crunchy skin and a juicy, tender interior.
• Fish: Try air-frying salmon, fish sticks, or crab cakes. For a vegan option, go for air fryer cauliflower "fish" tacos.
• Meat: Cook pork chops, pork tenderloin, hamburgers, steak, or meatloaf in your air fryer. You can also make meatballs, which come out juicy and flavorful.
• Others: Try making tofu, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs in your air fryer.

Vegetables

• Potatoes: Air fryers are great for making crispy roasted potatoes, French fries, potato wedges, or baked potatoes.
• Other vegetables: Try air-frying broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, asparagus, or eggplant. You can also make vegetable sticks or chips, such as zucchini or eggplant fries.

Side dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook side dishes, especially if you're looking for something crispy and golden without the grease and calories of deep-frying. Here are some ideas for side dishes you can make in an air fryer:

Potatoes

Air fryers are excellent for cooking potatoes, whether you're making wedges, fries, baked potatoes, or something more creative. Here are some specific ideas:

• Potato wedges: Seasoned with paprika, parsley flakes, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper, these potato wedges come out crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
• Baked potatoes: Rub potatoes with olive oil and kosher salt, then cook in the air fryer for a perfectly crispy skin and fluffy interior.
• Smashed potatoes: Try this variation on the classic baked potato for a fun side dish.
• Crispy garlic potatoes: These potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious garlic flavour.
• Fingerling potatoes: Try this variety of small, thin potatoes in your air fryer for a unique side dish.
• Truffle polenta fries: For a more gourmet option, try making these polenta fries with truffle flavouring.
• Cheesy bacon ranch French fries: Take French fries to the next level by adding cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing.
• Red potatoes: Try this variety of small, round potatoes in your air fryer for a colourful and tasty side dish.
• Hasselback potatoes: This unique preparation method makes for an impressive-looking side dish.

Vegetables

In addition to potatoes, there are numerous vegetables that can be cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

• Broccoli: Air-fried broccoli stays tender and retains a nice crunch. Try it with lemon or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
• Brussels sprouts: Air-fried Brussels sprouts are a great way to get a crispy texture without the oil of deep-frying. Try them with garlic and Parmesan or with bacon.
• Green beans: Air-fried green beans are a tasty and healthy side dish. Try them with garlic or with a spicy Asian-inspired flavour profile.
• Cauliflower: Cauliflower holds spices well and gets insanely crispy in the air fryer. Try it with turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Carrots: Air fryers can make both sweet and savoury carrots. For a savoury option, try them with butter, brown sugar, and salt.
• Asparagus: Air-fried asparagus is crispy and tender and can be ready in just a few minutes. Try it with Parmesan cheese.
• Corn on the cob: Air-fried corn on the cob has a wonderful roasted, grilled flavour. Just add a bit of butter, salt, and pepper.
• Okra: Air-fried okra is a healthier alternative to deep-fried okra, with the same yummy crunchiness.
• Eggplant: Try air-frying eggplant for a unique and tasty side dish.
• Cabbage: Cut cabbage into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and air-fry for a simple and tasty side dish.
• Jalapeños: Stuff jalapeños with cream cheese and bacon for a spicy and indulgent side dish.
• Spinach: Crispy sautéed spinach is a delicious and healthy side dish. Just toss with a small amount of oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, and air-fry for a few minutes.
• Radishes: Air-fried radishes make a colourful and tasty side dish.
• Sweet potatoes: Cut sweet potatoes into fries or bake them whole in the air fryer for a tasty and healthy side dish.
• Butternut squash: Try making "fries" out of butternut squash for a fibre-full, lower-carb alternative to French fries.

Other Sides

In addition to potatoes and vegetables, there are numerous other types of side dishes you can make in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

• Onion rings: Air-fried onion rings are crispy and golden without the extra oil of deep-frying.
• Dumplings: Frozen dumplings can be transformed into a tasty side dish in just a few minutes in the air fryer.
• Apple chips: For a sweet and healthy snack, try making apple chips in your air fryer. All you need are apples and cinnamon.
• Pizza puffs: These bite-sized pizzas are a fun and easy side dish or appetizer.
• Stuffed tomatoes: Try air-frying medium tomatoes stuffed with cooked brown rice, Parmesan cheese, goat cheese, toasted walnuts, basil, garlic, and Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs.
• Mushrooms: Bacon-wrapped mushrooms are a tasty and indulgent side dish. Alternatively, try air-frying mushrooms with Parmesan cheese and fresh garlic.
• Plantains: Air-fried plantains are a delicious Caribbean side dish without the calories of deep-frying.
• Samosas: These crispy dough pockets stuffed with potatoes and peas are a perfect side dish or appetizer.
• Egg rolls: Air-fried egg rolls are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones and taste just as good.

Frequently asked questions