15 Air Fryer Recipes to Add to Your Rotation  (2024)

Whether you're a new air fryer owner or use it to cook just about everything, you'll appreciate these recipes, which share a taste of the wide variety of dishes you can make with the small appliance. Think gooey, fudgy brownies, miso salmon with baby bok choy, and even Basque cheesecake. And, of course, air fryers are known for getting food crispy without a lot of oil — try it out on chicken Parmesan and these dippable coconut shrimp, and you'll never go back to splattered stovetops and countertops again. Sound good? Read on for even more recipes to make in your air fryer, and start cooking now.

The 7 Best Air Fryers of 2024, According to Our Tests

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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

15 Air Fryer Recipes to Add to Your Rotation (1)

If you haven't made Chicken Parmesan in an air fryer yet, consider this your invitation to get started. This recipe yields crispy, juicy chicken and ultra-melty cheese, which beautifully balances the acidity of the tomato sauce. Before the final cook in the air fryer, be sure to line the inside of the basket with aluminum foil, and coat the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pair the chicken with a salad, such as a classic Caesar, or go for garlicky broccoli, Broccolini, or broccoli rabe.

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Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

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This shrimp scampi recipe has it all — it's buttery, garlicky, lemony, and gets a hint of heat from crushed red pepper and bright herbal flavor from basil. The air fryer makes it especially easy. Start the sauce in a pan in the air fryer, then add the shrimp and remaining sauce ingredients. Once the shrimp is cooked, just toss it with cooked linguine and you're ready to go. For a deeper, sweet seafood flavor in the sauce, leave the shells on the shrimp. You can also serve the shrimp with crusty bread instead of pasta if you'd prefer.

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Air Fryer Fish Tacos

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Golden brown panko-breaded cod fillets and a creamy red cabbage slaw are folded into charred corn tortillas in this recipe for Air Fryer Fish Tacos. The slaw gets a pop of acidity from fresh lime juice, as well as savory notes from Mexican-style hot sauce and grated garlic. Meanwhile, cumin and chili powder mixed into the panko means extra flavor in each bite. Adding a little olive oil to the panko mixture helps ensure even browning while air frying. After the cod is breaded and cooked, assembly is a snap. Just grab a charred corn tortilla, add a piece of cod and a squeeze of lime juice, and top with the cabbage. Thinly sliced radishes add a final crunch and bright color.

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The 5 Best Air Fryer Toaster Ovens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Crispy Salt-and-Pepper Air Fryer Tofu with Asparagus

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This quick meal features tofu that's crispy around the edges and tender on the inside, coated in a sweet and salty marinade including soy sauce, light brown sugar, and ground Szechuan peppercorns. Garlicky asparagus, which also gets flavor from Chinese five spice and toasted sesame oil, makes a perfect partner. Shaking the tofu in a resealable container with the soy sauce mixture is the best way to ensure that it's evenly coated, and reserving some of the mixture for drizzling on the finished dish adds a double-dose of flavor. Any leftover asparagus and tofu can be reheated in the air fryer.

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings with Hot Honey Glaze

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Hot, sweet, crispy, and buttery, these wings are certain to become your go-to recipe for parties or any time you want a hearty snack. The wings are tossed with lemon pepper seasoning then cooked until crispy in an air fryer, then coated with a buttery hot honey glaze and served with more of the glaze for dipping. A garnish of cilantro adds color and more brightness to the dish.

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Air Fryer Meatballs

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These air fryer meatballs get a touch of heat from Calabrian chiles, and herbal flavor from fresh basil and parsley. Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk before mixing them with the meat helps ensure a tender texture. When forming the meatballs, wet your hands first to prevent sticking. After about 10 minutes in the air fryer, they'll emerge deliciously browned and ready to pair with marinara sauce. We call for store-bought here, but feel free to make your own.

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Air Fryer Basque Cheesecake

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Here, we're using an air fryer to whip up a quick version of a Basque cheesecake. Evenly browned with a creamy, silky, smooth center, this cheesecake boasts just the right amount of sweetness to contrast the bitter burnt top. Drizzling honey on top of the cake after baking adds an extra layer of warm sweetness, making this dessert feel that much more luxurious.

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Air Fryer Pork Chops With Maple-Soy Glaze

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Brushing these pork chops with a maple syrup-soy sauce mixture before cooking them in the air fryer results in some delicious charring around the edges. You'll need to cook the pork chops in two batches, so be sure to keep your oven on 200°F so you can keep the first two chops warm while the remaining two are in the air fryer. The pork chops also get a light coating of maple-soy glaze before going in the oven, which has an extra punch of flavor thanks to rice vinegar and Sriracha. Homemade, vibrant pickled red onions top the finished chops — but use store-bought if you'd like to save time. Serve the pork chops over a bed of creamy polenta or mashed potatoes, and top with the remaining glaze and the pickled onions.

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Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

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Air-frying chicken gives you the ease of cooking something in the oven but with the speed of sautéing.Use this chicken in tacos, soup, salads, pasta, or rice.

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Miso Air Fryer Salmon With Baby Bok Choy

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Cooking salmon in the air fryer allows the miso marinade to form a salty-sweet crust on the surface of each fillet. While the salmon rests, quickly cook the bok choy in the air fryer. The edges of the leaves will char a bit, creating a savory contrast to the ginger, soy, and sesame oil sauce that goes on top.

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Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

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Cooking this pork tenderloin in the air fryer results in perfectly juicy, tender meat that's nicely flavored with fresh thyme and garlic. For ultra-crispy bacon on the exterior, make sure to use regular-cut bacon instead of thick-cut. If the tenderloin has tapered ends, tuck them under for an even thickness. While the pork rests, air-fry sliced vegetables and fennel to round out the meal.

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Air Fryer Brownies

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With the help of an air fryer, these gooey, fudgy brownies — baked in ramekins and reminiscent of a molten chocolate cake — are less than an hour away. Adding espresso powder to the batter helps bring out the chocolate flavor, as does the crunchy sea salt garnish at the end. Serve them on their own, or with your favorite ice cream. Better yet, top them with berries, whipped cream, chopped nuts, or caramel sauce to make a brownie sundae.

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Air Fryer Fried Chicken with Hot Honey

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Frying chicken in an air fryer is low-fuss and yields wonderfully crispy results. Start with a hot sauce-buttermilk soak, and then coat the chicken thighs with a well-seasoned flour mixture. After a dip in beaten eggs and a final coating in the flour, the air fryer will take it from there. The finished chicken gets an extra level of pleasure from hot honey that's flavored with guajillo chile and apple cider vinegar. Any leftovers will be equally delicious served for lunch the next day.

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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

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Coconut shrimp are well suited to all sorts of dipping sauces, but we keep it simple here and use Thai sweet chili sauce spruced up with a little chopped fresh cilantro. Using an air fryer instead of frying in oil on the stovetop means crispy shrimp without any splatters to clean up afterwards. Serve the shrimp as an appetizer, or turn them into dinner along with rice and baby bok choy sautéed in toasted sesame oil and fresh ginger.

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Air-Fried Buffalo Wings

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Cook these classic Buffalo wings in an air fryer or on the stove, then toss them in a buttery hot sauce and serve with creamy blue cheese sauce.

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15 Air Fryer Recipes to Add to Your Rotation  (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

Start air frying these 13 foods and watch your cooking time drop and your satisfaction in healthy meals skyrocket!
  • Chicken Breasts. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Zoodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
  • Salmon (chopped) ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Personal Pizzas. ...
  • Frozen Cauliflower.
Feb 18, 2020

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

People getting rid of air fryers in favour of kitchen appliance that's cheaper to run. Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What Cannot be fried in an air fryer? ›

8 Things You Probably Shouldn't Cook in an Air Fryer
  • Battered foods. Avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer. ...
  • Fresh greens. Leafy greens like spinach will cook unevenly because the machine uses high-speed air. ...
  • Whole roasts. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Raw grains. ...
  • Hamburgers. ...
  • Toast. ...
  • Popcorn.
Mar 11, 2024

Can you put raw meat in Airfryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Is the tray or basket better for an air fryer? ›

You can use an air fryer without the basket if you want to, but it's not recommended. The air fryer's basket allows for more even cooking so the food will cook faster and more evenly. When you use an air fryer without the basket. You can just place it on a large tray or plate and put some oil in it and fry the food.

Can I bake directly in the air fryer basket? ›

Along with being user-friendly, air fryers also harness the ability to roast, fry, dehydrate and, yes, even bake. Considering air fryers are essentially small convection ovens, it shouldn't be too surprising that you can easily whip up cakes, muffins and bread in the compact appliances.

Why do chefs hate air fryers? ›

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.

What is negative about air fryers? ›

The two biggest concerns are potential carcinogens called acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are created in the process of cooking.

What is replacing an air fryer? ›

TOASTER OVEN. An air fryer is usually limited to the convection-like air frying function, while a toaster oven or countertop oven can offer a wider range of functions such as broil, roast and bake. Some countertop ovens even feature an Air Fry setting, maximizing your appliance's functions.

Why shouldn t you cook hamburgers in an air fryer? ›

According to the USDA, burgers only need to reach 160 F for the harmful bacteria to die. Because most air fryers are so powerful, the burger will reach that temperature rather quickly. However, since most burger patties are relatively small, the burger will cook through in a matter of minutes.

What I wish I knew before I get an air fryer? ›

6 things I wish I'd known before I bought an air fryer
  • Air fryers do not fry. Deep fried foods: not like air fried ones. ...
  • The air fryer parts you use most are easy to clean but the outer parts… not so much. ...
  • There's a war going on in the air fryer community! ...
  • Air fryers can be quite large.

What is the most popular thing to make in an air fryer? ›

French fries are arguably the most popular thing to cook in an air fryer. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil as deep-frying, and making French fries in one results in an appreciably crisp exterior and fluffy inside without the greasiness.

What is the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used to cook a variety of foods quickly and easily. If you're using an air fryer for the first time, it's best to start with something simple, like French fries, chicken wings or vegetables.

What is the best meat to air fry? ›

Ribeye and New York strip steak tastes great when prepared in an air fryer, but many other cuts such as tri-tip, flank steak, and top round also work well. Marinate lean steak cuts prior to cooking, and try to stick with 1-inch-thick steaks for the best results.

What is the best meat to cook in the air fryer? ›

As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

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