If you own an air fryer or are thinking about investing in one (the countertop appliance is wildly popular right now), it’s time to break out the cookbooks and start cooking. With a little planning, this modern kitchen tool will help you meet your New Year’s resolution of eating healthier while still enjoying the comfort of classic fried foods. Plus, you’ll be using less oil, which is good news for your heart and waistline. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best air fryer recipes for appetizers, healthy snacks, easy weeknight dinners and even breakfast.
The key to air frying is that the machine doesn’t actually fry the food but cooks it through the use of hot, dry air and a convection effect. Because of this, the food ends up crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with very little grease or fat. You can achieve this with a wide variety of ingredients and even reheat leftovers without a lot of fuss. Starchy foods like frozen fries and tater tots work great in the device, as do breaded items like chicken nuggets and fish sticks. For the most successful results, be sure to cook foods in batches and not overcrowd the basket so hot air circulates evenly around each item. Also, gently shaking smaller items like these butternut squash mac and cheese bites or these Trader Joe’s pumpkin-forward fall products halfway through cooking (or every 10 minutes) will help ensure they don’t stick together or become soggy.
Aside from being healthier than deep-fried versions, these air fryer recipes are quick to make and require a minimal amount of hands-on time. You can whip up a whole meal in about 15 minutes, such as these easy fish tacos with avocado crema and shredded cabbage slaw. Or, keep it simple and serve a whole roasted chicken with herbs and lemon juice for a weeknight dinner that rivals any deli roast you’ve had in a sandwich shop.
These air fryer recipes are also a good way to add some flavorful, vegetarian options to your meals. This katsu chicken, for instance, is coated in whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, stuffed with chicken, cream cheese and cheddar, then fried to perfection for a lightened remake that still delivers the same flavor and crisp texture as a typical fried version.
Even more hearty main dishes can be cooked in the air fryer. This shrimp pops recipe, for example, features a simple breading of whole wheat panko and spices that gives the seafood a crispy, flavorful crust without the fat-laden coating of a deep-fried dish. You can also use the device to whip up a more savory charcuterie board, as shown here. This air fryer hack makes creating a perfectly poached egg for Eggs Benedict a breeze by simply placing slices of this rosemary-infused prosciutto in the device and heating them for just a few minutes.
The most exciting part about this collection of air fryer recipes is that the recipes are as versatile as your own imagination. You can turn a box of frozen chips into air fryer pickle chips, for instance, or cook up some sweet potato wedges with caramelized onions and a hint of curry. Or you can create a dessert in the air fryer, as this simple pie does. The possibilities are endless, and with these recipes, you’ll quickly be wondering why you never used your air fryer before.