ir fryers have become all the rage over the past few years. Whether you are considering this life-changing purchase or you’ve already jumped on the air fryer bandwagon, you’re going to want to read on for some of the easiest (and most delicious) air fryer recipes around.
A fun fact about air fryers is that just about anything you throw in there is bound to taste absolutely amazing. Plus, it’s a somewhat healthy alternative to using a conventional oven -- as delicious as oils and fats (like butter) may be, you don’t need those to cook air fryer meals, making them much better for you than meals using the traditional oven. That’s not to suggest that you stop using your oven altogether, but maybe every now and then you can find some healthy air fryer replacements to try. Let’s start here.
Despite the relative ease of such meals, an air fryer truly elevates each and every at-home dining experience, so it is time to learn these simple yet divine recipes. Some air fryers don’t even need to be preheated, which makes for easy, efficient, and non-time consuming meals after long days of class or work. Did we mention how easy it is?
Air Fryer French Fries
Let’s start off simple… well, they’re all simple. But french fries are a classic and versatile dish that everyone should know how to make! If you like crispy french fries, you have come to the right place. Plus, air fryer french fries offer the perfect opportunity to put your own homemade spin on a classic dish.
Servings: 3
Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 medium potato scrubbed and peeled (if you prefer them peeled)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Directions:
- Slice the potatoes into french fry shape, about ¼ inch thick. Soak the cut potato pieces in cold water for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Drain potatoes, pat dry, and place back in a dry bowl to drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place fries in your air fryer in a single layer, cooking for 10-15 minutes, or until they’ve reached the desired crispiness.
- Serve immediately!
This recipe is very easy to increase if you’re cooking for a large group, or just simply in the mood for more french fries. If you want to spice up the recipe, there are many ways to make it your own, too! Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, grated parmesan cheese, truffle oil, or some fresh herbs -- or some sort of combination of any of these flavorful add-ons! The world -- or the air fryer -- is your oyster here.
With the same ingredients and just a few alternative steps, you can also conquer homemade air fryer potato chips! They take a little bit longer, but they are just as easy, crispy, and delicious.
Recipe courtesy of Rachel Cooks.
Crumbed Chicken Tenderloin
Goodbye frozen chicken nuggets (even though they are an amazing, classic snack!), hello Crumbed Chicken Tenderloin! With just four simple ingredients and four simple steps, you will have restaurant-esque breaded chicken tenderloin in no time.
Servings: 4
Time: 27 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- ½ cup dry bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 8 chicken tenderloins
Directions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk egg in a bowl.
- Mix bread crumbs and oil together in a second bowl until mixture is crumbly.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg, then into the crumb mixture -- make sure it is fully covered. Lay the tenderloins in the air fryer, cooking until no longer pink in the center, or for about 12 minutes. A meat thermometer inserted into the center should read 165 degrees F.
These are sure to be a huge hit with anyone you are cooking for if they enjoy chicken. You can serve with sides of fruit, veggies, salad, or maybe even the air fryer french fries that you now know how to make.
Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.
Prosciutto Wrapped Veggies
If there’s one way to make any vegetable even better, it is by wrapping it in something as delicious as prosciutto and throwing it in the air fryer. It’s time to add prosciutto wrapped veggies to your cooking repertoire. Today we’re talking about asparagus, but it’s just as easy to make this with any of your favorite vegetables.
Servings: 6
Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 12 asparagus spears (woody ends removed)
- 24 pieces of prosciutto
Directions:
- Wrap each piece of asparagus with 1-2 slices of prosciutto.
- Spray your air fryer basket or tray with non-stick cooking spray and place half the batch in to cook for 4 minutes. Repeat.
- Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
There you have it -- an elegant, nearly instant side dish or appetizer for your next gathering. No one will even know that it only took you ten minutes to throw together. These prosciutto wrapped veggies are even recommended by a registered dietitian nutritionist, so you really can’t go wrong here!
If you like this recipe, we recommend trying something similar using brussel sprouts and prosciutto, peppers and prosciutto, or even with avocado wedges and bacon, or jalapeños with bacon. Make it your own, using your favorite veggies!
Recipe courtesy of Dana White Nutrition.
Air Fried Pickles
With air fried pickles, it’s so easy to bring your favorite sports bar appetizer and atmosphere into your own home.
Servings: Makes 32 slices
Time: ~35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 32 dill pickle slices
- ½ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- Cooking spray
- Ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Let pickles stand on a paper towel for 15 minutes, or until excess liquid is absorbed.
- Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, pickle juice, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a separate bowl. Combine panko bread crumbs and dill in a third bowl.
- Dip pickles into flour mixture, coating both sides. Then, dip in the egg mixture, and then finally into the bread crumb mixture. Place pickles in the air fryer in a single layer (make sure to grease the tray or basket first). Cook for 7-10 minutes or until crispy. Flip, spray lightly with cooking spray, and cook for 7-10 additional minutes.
- Serve immediately, with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce!
The crispy pickle goodness can’t be beat! Plus, making them in the air fryer is much better for you than deep frying them.
Try a similar recipe using ravioli or zucchini slices! You can’t go wrong with deep fried snack replacements, right? With all these appetizers, your next movie or game night is bound to be an instant hit -- you can have a whole array of snacks!
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home.
Cinnamon Roll Bites
Meet the healthy(ish) dessert that you are going to fall in love with. And it is SO easy! You probably already have all the ingredients on hand. What are those ingredients, you ask?
Servings: 8
Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the icing:
- 4-oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
Directions:
- Place 8-inches of parchment paper in the air fryer.
- Cut each cinnamon roll (separated) into 4 equal pieces.
- Fry at 325 degrees F for 3 minutes, then flip with tongs and fry for 2-3 more minutes.
- In a resealable plastic bag, mix cinnamon and granulated sugar. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add in the powdered sugar, milk (for dipping consistency), and icing that comes in the cinnamon roll can.
- Shake warm, crispy bites in cinnamon sugar mix. Serve with icing.
Dessert for the whole family just got way easier -- and way faster!
Recipe courtesy of Pillsbury.
Bonus Air Fryer Hack!
Okay, so this is not exactly a homemade recipe, but it is a little air fryer hack that you should tuck away somewhere in your brain for the next time you want to treat yourself. Think of your favorite donut shop -- maybe it’s the classic Dunkin’ Donuts or a local spot you love.
Next time you stop in, pick up a cream or frosting filled donut. Stick it in your air fryer for just a few minutes, and you will have the perfect, gooey-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside snack. The trend was making waves on social media this past Valentine’s Day with Dunkin’ Donuts’ Brownie Batter donut, but this treat is so delectable, it’s time to make it an all year round thing.
If you have an air fryer, it’s time to make your grocery list and stock up on ingredients for these simple yet delicious recipes. If you don’t have an air fryer yet, maybe we’ve convinced you to invest in the game-changing appliance -- what are you waiting for? Let us know what your favorite air fryer recipes are.
