An air fryer has been one of the best investments I’ve made in my kitchen. With this magic little appliance, I can whip up a batch of French fries or roast veggies in half the time and without using more than a drop of oil. If you’re looking for more ways to use your air fryer, I have 25 delicious air fryer recipes you’ll wonder how you lived without.
25 Delicious Air Fryer Recipes That Will Make You Wonder How You Lived Without Them
1. Air Fryer Potato Rosti
Looking for a unique potato side dish? You’ll love this one. You’re essentially making potato pancakes, and the air fryer makes it SO easy to enjoy this dish without making a sticky mess of your pans. From start to finish, it takes just 20 minutes to make this dish. Perfect for serving with chicken or any other main dish.
2. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Who doesn’t love cheesy garlic bread? Wait until you try it cooked in an air fryer. This recipe makes the crispiest and most delicious cheesy bread. We love serving it with chicken or pasta. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients, and it takes about 5 minutes to cook up a batch.
3. Air Fryer Focaccia
This focaccia is a labor of love, but it’s worth the time and effort. You’ll need to let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator. Once the dough is ready, it only takes 12 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, sage and dill to the top. Sometimes, we add tomatoes and olives.
4. Peach Crisp
Are you looking for dessert air fryer recipes? This peach crisp is to die for. We love to make this in the summer when peaches are the freshest. All you need is some peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, cornstarch and butter. In 30 minutes, you’ll have a deliciously sweet dessert to serve.
5. Chicken and Vegetables
A delicious and healthy dinner with tender chicken and zesty roasted veggies, like broccoli, peppers, zucchini and onion. A blend of Cajun and Italian seasoning makes this dish so flavorful. The best part? Everything is ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. You can serve this with rice or just on its own.
Related: 25 Chicken Air Fryer Recipes That Will Change The Way You Meal Prep
6. Thai Chicken Satay
A super simple recipe that’s loaded with flavor and is keto, paleo and Whole30-friendly. Chicken thighs are spiced with turmeric, coriander, cumin, fish sauce, coconut aminos and ginger. Try serving this with gently steamed bok choy or whatever veggie you like.
7. Air Fryer Apple Fritters
A sweet treat for fall – or whenever you can get your hands on fresh apples. But this recipe is much healthier than its deep-friend cousin. The batter features pumpkin spice for an extra kick of flavor. The rest of the ingredients are pantry staples. Just air fry each side of the fritter for 3-4 minutes and you’re ready to eat!
8. Sponge Cake
Your air fryer can do so much more than just fry food. It can also bake cakes! And you’ll love this super easy sponge cake topped with powdered sugar. Five ingredients are all it takes to make this cake, and it all comes together in about 30 minutes.
9. 5 Cheese Lasagna Fritta
Fried lasagna? Sign me up! This Olive Garden copycat recipe features pieces of fried lasagna with layers of ricotta cheese, Parmesan, Romano cheese, mozzarella and asiago cheese. Serve with fresh marinara sauce or alfredo. You can also find directions for deep frying these if you want to be adventurous.
10. Pork Belly Bites
There are plenty of air fryer recipes for pork belly, but I love the simplicity of this one. You need just a few tablespoons of canola oil, brown sugar and some spices. This dish is ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
11. Halloumi Fries
Fried or grilled halloumi is delicious. It’s a great source of protein, too, so if you’re a vegetarian, you can enjoy it virtually guilt-free. To make this, just cut the halloumi into fry shapes, coat it with flour and spices, and fry it in the air fryer. It takes just 8 minutes to cook a batch. Serve with veggies or enjoy it as a snack.
12. Chicken Fajitas
We love to make chicken fajitas on weeknights when we have less time to cook. This dish takes just 30 minutes to cook and is bursting with flavor. Tender chicken breasts paired with a rainbow of bell peppers, onion and a plethora of spices. Serve with guacamole, cilantro, sour cream and tortillas.
13. Zucchini Fritters
Perfectly seasoned zucchini fritters cooked with zero oil. These little fritters make the perfect side dish for dinner or as a snack. The hardest part? Getting all of the moisture out of the zucchini. Otherwise, it’s a cakewalk to make these, and the whole family will love it.
14. Roasted Chickpeas
The perfect snack! Roasted chickpeas are SO easy to make in the air fryer. Use canned chickpeas to save time. Mix with a little olive oil, salt, paprika and cumin. Pop in the air fryer for 20 minutes, and you have a healthy snack to enjoy anytime.
We love to add these to salads instead of croutons for extra fiber and protein.
Related: 25+ Best Chicken Meal Prep Recipes to Try This Week
15. Sesame Cauliflower
If you’re looking for low-carb air fryer recipes, you’ll love this one. Crispy cauliflower is coated in an irresistible honey, sriracha and Gochujang sauce. It’s the perfect vegan side dish, or you can even serve it as an appetizer at your next gathering.
16. Crazy Easy Calzones
Calzones cooked in an air fryer? Yes! It’s ridiculously easy to make this dish, especially if you can get your hands on premade pizza dough. Just fill one side of the dough with pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni (optional). Fold the other half over the filling (like an omelet), and cook in the air fryer.
17. Sliced Potatoes
Here’s a simple recipe for a delicious side dish. These sliced potatoes are basically thick potato chips, but they’re more chewy than crispy. They’re delicious with fresh herbs and served with sour cream or pimento cheese on the side.
18. Mac and Cheese Bites
Are you in the mood for some comfort food? These mac and cheese bites cook in just 10 minutes. You’ll need leftover mac and cheese for this recipe, along with panko breadcrumbs, spices and some finely chopped bacon. What we love most about this dish is that you don’t need any oil to cook them. But you do have to freeze the bites for about 30 minutes before frying just to make sure everything stays together.
19. Chicken Ham Cheese Wraps
Want a quick and delicious lunch? Make these chicken ham wraps, with melty, gooey cheese. Add mayo and Dijon mustard to the middle for an irresistible and super easy meal everyone will love. We love to use low-carb tortillas for this recipe, but you can use whatever you prefer. It even works with flatbread!
20. Juicy Air Fryer Chicken
Everyone should have a go-to chicken recipe for their air fryer, and this one is perfect. It’s so simple, but so juicy and tender. And you can use it for chicken thighs if you want. Just toss your chicken with a small amount of olive oil, oregano, paprika, garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Follow the directions carefully to ensure your chicken comes out extra juicy.
21. Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Here’s a fresh take on egg rolls. Instead of the usual pork and cabbage filling, this recipe stuffs each egg roll with ground beef and cheese. Be sure to add some relish into the mix and serve with ketchup on the side. Kids will love this meal, and it’s easy to make a big batch to enjoy over several days.
22. Air Fryer Meatballs
This is one of our favorite air fryer recipes for meatballs. Super simple but delicious. They’re perfect for serving with pasta or even making meatball subs. This recipe uses a mix of beef and pork along with a variety of seasonings, fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
23. Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken
Sweet and sticky chicken thighs cooked in a sweet chili, soy sauce with tons of spices. Serve over a bed of jasmine rice and a side of steamed veggies for a complete meal. You’ll need some oyster sauce for this dish, which may not be something you have in your pantry. Otherwise, the ingredients are super simple.
Related: 25 Best Pressure Cooker Recipes to Make in Your Instant Pot
24. Toasted Ravioli
The perfect appetizer or snack. I love this recipe because it’s so easy. Just grab some fresh ravioli from the refrigerated section of the store. Bread each ravioli and pop in the air fryer. These delightful bites are ready in just 6-7 minutes. Serve with marinara or your fave dipping sauce.
25. Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Deliciously zesty steak bites spiced with paprika, chili and garlic. This dish is ready in less than 10 minutes, so it’s perfect for when you need dinner in a hurry. Serve with veggies and rice or potatoes for a complete meal.
