50 Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

From homemade chicken tenders and crispy Brussels sprouts to complete meals in minutes, you won’t believe all the things you can cook in this handy countertop appliance.

February 09, 2023

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: KATE MATHIS

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: KATE MATHIS

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: KATE MATHIS

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: KATE MATHIS

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: KATE MATHIS

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Spoon Fork Bacon LLC

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Make the Most of Your Air Fryer

When we think about all of the reasons to love the air fryer, versatility is always at the top of our list. You can use it to make easy appetizers, dinnertime mains, veggies to serve alongside and even chocolate chip cookies for dessert. And, although not everything made in the air fryer is automatically healthy, plenty of your favorites can be made with less fat and oil by utilizing this smart countertop appliance. You’ll be surprised at how many different foods you can make in it. You can’t go wrong with any of the recipes in this roundup but these kid-friendly chicken fingers are a good place to start. They’re a healthier alternative to the ones you order from your local pizzeria — and guaranteed to please young and old alike.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Fillets with Broccoli

The perfect one-pot meal: Salmon is brushed with a simple teriyaki glaze and cooked to perfection atop broccoli florets. And thanks to the air fryer, it's ready in a snap, with no lingering fishy smell.

Get the Recipe: Ginger and Soy Salmon Fillets with Broccoli

Air Fryer Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter

That thicker cuts, like sirloin, are best in an air fryer — they turn nice and browned on the outside without overcooking.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Skip the deep-fryer and forget soggy oven chicken wings. The air fryer offers the best of both worlds for crispy wings without extra fat!

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air Fryer French Fries

Forget the frozen fries! These homemade French fries come out perfectly golden and crisp and only use 1 teaspoon of oil...just another reason to love your air fryer.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer Crab Cakes with Chipotle Sauce

These deliciously crisp cakes are loaded with sweet crab. Not overmixing and allowing the mixture to rest before cooking helped the crab cakes hold their shape better, as did cooking them in an air fryer. Serve these hearty morsels with creamy chipotle sauce and you'll have a decadent dinner in no time.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crab Cakes with Chipotle Sauce

Air Fryer Fried Rice with Sesame-Sriracha Sauce

No need to stand over a screaming hot wok to get perfect fried rice — the air fryer gives you exceptionally crispy fried rice without heating up your kitchen. This simple recipe adds just enough flavor and nuance to the dish, without a million ingredients and prep dishes.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Rice with Sesame-Sriracha Sauce

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Get the crispiest sprouts possible -- without using a lot of oil.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Roast Chicken

We love the air fryer for all sorts of items, but we love it best for cooking a whole chicken. The skin renders and gets perfectly crispy while the inside stays incredibly moist and flavorful.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs

Your air fryer can make perfect soft, medium or hard cooked eggs — no boiling water required!

Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs: Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs

Air Fryer Mini Swedish Meatballs

If you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer that serves a crowd, this is it! Delicious Swedish meatballs take less than 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer and come out juicy and tender for irresistible party bites.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mini Swedish Meatballs

Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Carrots

Cooked carrots are given a major upgrade with this quick air fryer recipe. Cayenne pepper, black pepper and chili powder give these carrots a little heat, while brown sugar and butter mix to create a sweet caramel flavor. In 10 minutes, you’ll have an impressive side that would have taken 45 minutes in the oven!

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Carrots

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Get crispy, crunchy, county-fair-worthy fried pickles with barely any oil.

Air Fryer Fried Pickles: Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushrooms stuffed with garlicky, cheesy breadcrumbs make a perfect appetizer for parties and gatherings. Best of all, there's no need for pots, pans or an oven!

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

Serve these crispy shrimp with our spicy remoulade, or substitute any of your favorite condiments for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

Air Fryer Bread

We tried all sorts of ways to make bread if you are without an oven — and this was one of our favorites. The crust emerges golden and crisp and the interior is light and airy.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bread

Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey

Want to get a turkey breast on the table in less than an hour, without heating up the house? Cook it in an air fryer. Guaranteed golden, crispy skin and no brining required.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

The ease and speed of an air fryer makes cooking frozen chicken breasts to golden, juicy perfection a breeze, so you can even prepare them in the morning before work or school. You can cook two at a time — just make sure not to stack them.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Baking banana bread is much quicker in an air fryer, thanks to the convection-like heat and the need for less batter. Make this round loaf your everyday breakfast go-to: The wheat germ adds a little extra fiber and whole-grain toastiness to your morning.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Banana Bread

Air Fryer Pork Chops

It's hard to resist this quick, oil-free version of the family favorite.

Air Fryer Pork Chops: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

These air-fryer coconut shrimp are the perfect combination of savory and sweet. Serve with a sweet chile sauce, for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bake right on your countertop! Your air fryer can make more than just French fries. These chocolate chip cookies are small, sweet and cakey. Make the dough, roll into balls and freeze—then thaw and air-fry a few as needed for easy after-dinner treats.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

This easy ham is perfect for Easter dinner, but why wait for a holiday? The brown sugar glaze--made savory-sweet with apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard and allspice-- takes just a few minutes to mix up. And cooking a spiral cut ham in an air fryer produces a delectable, caramelized exterior. Some would say that the leftovers are the best part!

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Air Fryer Spinach, Pepper and Havarti Frittata

You may not have thought to make a frittata in your air fryer, but you can! You'll get a gorgeous brown crust with a creamy interior—and clever use of a cake pan makes it a cinch to unmold. We used Havarti for its mild flavor and superior melting qualities, but substitute another good melting cheese such as Cheddar, jack or fontina if you like. Serve the frittata warm or at room temperature.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spinach, Pepper and Havarti Frittata

Air Fryer Veggie Chip Medley

Sweet, earthy beets and crispy, salty potatoes come together in this easy air-fryer chip medley that's inspired by the favorite store-bought variety. It will take a couple batches to complete, but the final result is a super satisfying snack you can enjoy any time of the day.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Veggie Chip Medley

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Salsa Verde and Lemony Kale Salad

An air fryer practically guarantees crispy, juicy chicken thighs. Seasoned simply with lemon zest, salt and pepper, they make a satisfying meal with an Italian-inspired salsa verde and bright kale salad (that's easy to make ahead). Air fried panko is the final crunchy touch.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Salsa Verde and Lemony Kale Salad

Air Fryer Breakfast Tacos

This clever recipe uses silicone ice cube stick molds to quickly create the components for breakfast tacos in an air fryer. One mold holds corn tortillas in a U-shape so they transform into hard taco shells while they cook. Another mold holds beaten eggs, which cook at the same time as the tortillas. Pop the finished "scrambled" eggs out of the mold, then stuff them into the cheese-filled taco shells. Add some spicy mayo, tomatoes and avocado and the result is an extra-crispy, extra-tasty breakfast treat.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Tacos

Air Fryer Biscuits

Want homemade biscuits, but it’s too hot for baking or you don’t have room in the oven for one more thing? These simple, classic ones cook to flaky perfection in your air fryer--no oven (or pan) needed. Try them with the easy honey butter for a perfect pairing.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Biscuits

Air Fryer Arancini

If you've ever had arancini in a restaurant, you know how incredibly delicious they are. Here the round balls of risotto and cheese are rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs and air fried to crispy perfection for an easier, lighter spin on the classic. We even put a cube of mozzarella inside each one, for a melty, gooey surprise.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Arancini

Air Fryer Potato Chips

These crunchy air-fryer potato chips are a salty, satisfying snack that’s a cinch to cook up. A mandoline makes fast work of slicing the potatoes paper thin. Rinsing the sliced potatoes before cooking will remove most of the natural starch and prevent the chips from sticking together — don't skip this step.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Chips

Air Fryer Spareribs

We used an air fryer to turn spareribs into a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Separating the ribs helps them to fit in the fryer, cook quickly and get an even, golden crust all over. Make sure you dip them in the warm barbeque sauce immediately after they are done cooking — they'll absorb more flavor while still hot.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spareribs

Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

You can make crispy tofu without a cauldron of bubbling oil. Turns out, an air fryer does a stellar job of cooking up cubes of marinated tofu into perfectly browned and crispy bites. Toss them into stir fries, noodle dishes and salads, or eat them as a protein-packed snack with a simple dipping sauce such as the one here.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

Air Fryer Flower Fries

Made with a thin apple slicer and a melon baller, these cutie flower-shaped potatoes perfect for kids cook entirely in the air fryer until they’re tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. For best results, use potatoes that are similar in size, at least 1 1/4 inches wide. Once they’re done cooking, fill each flower with ranch dressing and a cherry tomato half. Or mix things up and add a different dip, like hummus or guacamole.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Flower Fries

Air Fryer Croutons

Homemade croutons are incredibly simple and quick to make, thanks to the air fryer! We added a touch of dried oregano and granulated garlic for a boost of flavor to complement a variety of salads, soups and other dishes. Feel free to remove the oil and seasonings altogether and follow the same method to dry out bread for stuffing, dressing, bread pudding and more--in less than half the time it would take with an oven.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Gluten-Free Croutons

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a revelation. You can achieve a crispy crust and juicy interior without all the steps of deep-frying. A soak in seasoned buttermilk adds extra flavor—as little as 1 hour will make a difference, but overnight is even better. Because of the capacity of a standard air fryer, we cook the chicken in batches. You can rewarm the first batch in a 250-degree oven for 10 minutes if you'd like to serve it all hot at once.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Oreos

This carnival treat is easy to replicate at home with your air fryer. We doctored up pancake mix to create a sweet batter that gets light, golden and crisp. The key to a perfect coating is to get the batter's consistency right—so adjust as needed with extra mix.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Oreos

Air Fryer Taquitos and Charred Salsa

Taquitos are the ultimate finger food—mini rolled tacos that are warm, cheesy and super crunchy! An air fryer makes this crowd-pleasing snack (or appetizer) surprisingly easy to cook up at home. We fill them with chunks of chicken and melty Colby Jack, but you can customize the ingredients to please even the pickiest of eaters with different proteins and cheeses. And while you have the air fryer fired up you can make a delicious charred salsa to serve alongside.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Taquitos and Charred Salsa

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Soup

The high heat of an air fryer quickly caramelizes vegetables, giving this creamy soup deep flavor. The addition of a few dried spices adds warmth and seasoning. Drizzle the finished soup with creme fraiche or plain yogurt and sprinkle with pepitas and chopped chives for a delicious vegetarian meal that’s particularly weeknight-friendly.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash Soup

Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is a classic for good reason. Fresh shrimp, cooked until tender in garlic butter and served over pasta--what more does one need? Perhaps a dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup!

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

Air Fryer Beignets

This pillowy New Orleans classic is easy to make at home in your air fryer and uses far less oil than the original. As a bonus, you can use the same sweet yeasted dough to make air fryer doughnuts — just cut into rings and air fry at the same temperature as the beignets. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a quick glaze.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beignets

Healthy Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken with Broccoli

This chicken gets incredibly crunchy, thanks to a light coating of panko and Parmesan and a quick cook in the air fryer! Serve it with charred broccoli and a tangy yogurt sauce for a healthy and complete meal you can throw together any day of the week.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken with Broccoli

Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans

Air fryers aren't just for French fries, and this recipe showcases their versatility with a stir-fry-like dish that uses just a fraction of the typical amount of oil. Cleanup is a breeze since any splatters are kept in the fryer, and everything is cooked in about 30 minutes. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the warming chili sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans

Air Fryer Gnocchi and Squash with Brown Butter and Sage

Gnocchi in an air fryer? This recipe will make you a believer! After testing several methods, we found that cooking the gnocchi first resulted in the soft pillowy centers we expect from gnocchi, while still giving the exterior a nice golden crunch. Paired with roasted squash, toasted walnuts, brown butter and sage, this dish is cold weather comfort at its best.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Gnocchi and Squash with Brown Butter and Sage

Spicy Air Fryer Pork Belly with Kabocha Squash

In Korea there are many versions of tong sam gyup goo yi (literally "whole pork belly"), a favorite ingredient that is often grilled, roasted in the oven or fried on the stovetop. Here it is cooked in an air fryer, which is gaining in popularity there, for an easier, splatter-free alternative to traditional versions; it also makes clean-up a breeze. The pork belly is just as browned and crispy on the outside while the interior stays tender and juicy. This update also gets a spicy kick from a streamlined gochujang sauce made with pantry staples. Brush it on in the last few minutes of cooking to create a gorgeous, caramelized coating. Kabocha squash, air fried with the pork belly, rounds out the meal.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Pork Belly with Kabocha Squash

Air Fryer Bulgogi with Zucchini

This version of bulgogi is made with a no-fuss sweet and salty marinade and cooked to perfection in your air fryer, for an ideal weeknight meal. The recipe calls for zucchini but you can make it your own by using other vegetables — like mushrooms and onions! — to switch it up.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bulgogi with Zucchini

Air Fryer Gluten-Free Croutons

Homemade gluten-free croutons add a crunchy layer to salads and soups and are surprisingly easy to make. Grab your favorite supermarket gluten-free bread, toss with oil and some common pantry spices, then air fry until golden and crisp.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Gluten-Free Croutons

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

You can have crispy, salty pumpkin seeds ready in just 30 minutes thanks to the air fryer. They are delicious plain, but also great with your favorite seasonings. Toss the seeds with a generous coating of ranch seasoning, chili powder or sumac, for instance, just before air frying them.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Air Fryer Baked Brie with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts

Thanks to the air fryer, not only does puff pastry get perfectly golden brown and flakey, the overall cook time is a fraction of what it would take in a standard oven. Layered with pesto, sundried tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts, this crowd-pleaser is loaded with flavor and festive charm.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Brie with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts

Air Fryer Hash Brown Egg Bites

The air fryer is a fantastic way to cook bite-sized egg casseroles, which are made even better topped with crispy hash browns.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hash Brown Egg Bites

Air Fryer Biscuit Egg Sandwiches

PSA: You can and should be cooking refrigerated biscuit dough in your air fryer. It’s ready in 10 minutes and the result is much lighter and flakier than the oven-baked version. While you’re at it, put beaten eggs and ham into silicone baking cups and air fry them at the same time. Layer with the biscuits, top with hot sauce, and just like that, you’ll have rich, savory restaurant-worthy egg sandwiches.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Biscuit Egg Sandwiches