I love cooking. There is just something comforting and relaxing about the process… I can also say there was a time (sometimes, still), I hated cooking.
Why?
I wasn’t very good at it. That’s it. Beginner stage and all that…
Do you know what I said to that? To hell with it. I can do this!
Even though I have become better at certain dishes, I still want to say “No” sometimes.
I need something faster these days…less tedious…more convenient.
Don’t get me wrong…I do still love taking my time with cooking. I absolutely love when my efforts make people take one bite and say, “That’s pretty damn good.”
Love All of that!
I just hate that it takes sooo much time to get that result.
And that’s why I love this little appliance in our house, called an Air Fryer.
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Our Little Kitchen Savior…
The Air Fryer has become quite the little savior, more than once. And for good reason! It can turn an average sandwich into a super gooey melt in no time!
(I do have a thing for sandwiches that entail more than one napkin. If you’re going to eat, why not enjoy every last morsel involved? Yes, that often times involves messy sandwiches for me. True Story.)
When we discovered that the air fryer was so much more than just a nice appliance for quick snacks, we began experimenting with everything. We have now made anything from sandwich melts and pizzas, to entire steak dinners and desserts. This small counter top appliance is quite the convenient little gem in our household.
That having been said, I have compiled a list of air fryer recipes that are all super easy, quick, and delightful! They are listed by meal type, starting with breakfast. From there, you will find lunch recipes, appetizers, dinner entrees, sides, and desserts to finish. Check it out and have fun!
(Tip: Read The Manual for Your specific Air Fryer, for temperature guidance. We have had to learn the hard way, just how long it takes for cheese to melt in this thing. Also, fly away cheese in an actual thing with an air fryer. Pay attention to tips on that one..you will find yourself less disappointed in the end.)
BTW, if you do have questions on certain air fryer recipes, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. We use our air fryer almost every single day. We also learn very valuable lessons each and every single time…
- LED digital display panel with 7 one-touch presets.
- 1700-watt rapid air technology.
- 7 Quart nonstick fry basket.
- Cook, Crisp, Broil, Roast & Bake Settings.
- 4 Quart Family sized capacity.
- Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- 20 Recipe Booklet.
- ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 lbs of French fries.
- Extra-large capacity: fits 2 large pizzas.
- Faster and more powerful fan for a delicious crisp.
- Easy-to-use digital controls.
- 10 versatile cooking functions.
- 3 rack positions.
Breakfast & Brunch
This is a very easy omelette recipe to follow, especially for those of us who aren’t so skilled at making omlettes on the stove top! It is a very basic cheese omelette, yet tasty and perfect for any day of the week, especially those crazy weekdays.
2. Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
When you’re in the mood for a sweeter start to the day, these french toast sticks will do the trick every time. I am a huge fan of french toast, but I don’t always have the time to stand at the stove to make it. This is an easy alternative, perfect for on-the-go, and can even be made/frozen ahead of time! Winner!
There are some days when we want a larger breakfast, as opposed to a quick grab and run sort of meal. That always includes sunny side up eggs, a breakfast meat, and hash browns (sometimes pancakes too!) The best part of this recipe is it gives perfect instructions for cooking hashbrowns in the air fryer, using frozen hash browns from your local grocery store. They come out nice and crispy…just the way they should. Perfect.
Can it get any easier to cook bacon? Nah..don’t think so. Following this recipe, your bacon will come out nice and crispy every time. And you don’t have to overheat the house with the stovetop or oven!
Oh yeah… we have made these beauties in our air fryer a few times over. We won’t mind making them in the oven, but it sure does cut down on the clean up when we make them in the air fryer. Yet another sweet treat to start your day off, with very little effort or time.
As with the bacon, breakfast sausage becomes far easier to cook, when doing it in the air fryer. You don’t have to stand over it and babysit like you would when cooking the sausage on the stove. It comes out nicely browned and absolutely delicious!
7. Soft Boiled Air Fryer Jammy Eggs
Soft boiled eggs are a favorite for my husband and I. We only recently started preferring them more often than any other cooked egg. They are perfect for breakfast or lunch, and can be made very easily in the air fryer. Every single bite is perfect!
We haven’t yet actually tried this particular recipe, but we plan to. Banana bread is another favorite in our home, so if we can make it with very little stress right in the air fryer…I’m game! Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Lunch
1. Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich {Copycat Recipe}
I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who doesn’t like the chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A. They really do know what they are doing with that sandwich. Our problem is we always end up in the area of a Chick-fil-A on the one day a week they are closed. I love the fact that we can make an awesome copycat version of the sandwich right at home, any day of the week.
2. Air Fryer Chicken Quesadilla
My son is a huge fan of chicken quesadillas, as am I. I have made them in the air fryer as well as on the stovetop. Both cooking methods produce the same delicious outcome. I do still make them on the stovetop if the air fryer is being used for something else. Either way, this recipe is super easy to follow and the perfect alternative for a quick lunch.
French Dips are yet another favorite of mine when it comes to sandwiches. I enjoy the fact that I can make a wrap version of it right in the air fryer, with virtually no time or effort involved. Yummy every time!
4. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Buffalo cauliflower bites have become quite the thing in recent years. I have noticed it popping up on more and more restaurant menus, over the last couple of years. This air fryer recipe is easy to follow and the result so satisfying. Perfect for a snack or lunch any day of the week!
We make personal pizzas for our son on a fairly regular basis. It’s the perfect after school snack, without taking any real time. It involves virtually no clean up and it doesn’t distract from other things you might be trying to get done around the house. Great recipe!
We have made cheeseburgers in the air fryer on a handful of occasions within the short time we have owned one. In fact, I just had one for lunch today. They always come out juicy…just as good as they would come out on a grill. It’s a wonderful alternative for those days you don’t feel like firing up the grill.
- Magnetic (10.5 x 6.5").
- 100 most common foods.
- Vegetables, Frozen Foods, Beef, Chicken, etc.
- Show the Cooking Time, Temperature, Type, Size of food.
Appetizers
Crab stuffed mushrooms are one of my favorite meals of all time. Why do I say meal, as opposed to appetizer? Because, I have literally had a plate of these babies for dinner before and loved every single bite. (No, I did not share.) The fact that we can make them in the air fryer with less clean up, takes this dish up yet another notch in my book. Delicious!
2. Red Lobster (Copycat) Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Ah, yes…Red Lobster cheddar biscuits. Is there actually anyone on earth, who isn’t addicted to these guys? Probably not. This recipe is super easy, requires no real clean up, and the results are exactly as you would expect…Yummy!
Easy homemade onion rings? Yes, Please! These onion rings involve only a handful of ingredients and they come out nice and crisp every time. Perfect snack or side dish any day of the week!
Fried pickles are always a yummy treat. The only difference in the way we make these air fryer pickles, is that we leave the cajun seasoning out. We instead pair the pickles with a side of spicy aioli. Perfect result either way, every time.
5. Easy Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Oh My, Chicken Wings! These little guys are absolutely delicious and come out juicy every time. The recipe is super easy to follow and the clean up is minimal. We have cooked them this way, as well as barbecue style before. Neither version is to be passed by!
These air fryer meatballs take no time to cook and come out perfect every time. They can even be precooked and frozen for later, which is what we have done from time to time. Whenever we have wanted pasta and meatballs, or even a gooey meatball sandwich, the work is practically done already. Delicious!
Main Course Dinner
While my meatloaf recipe is slightly different than this one, the outcome is still the same. The meatloaf comes out nice and juicy without being overcooked, and the clean up is virtually non existent! I love the fact that I can make the main part of dinner right in the air fryer with less time. Awesome!
2. Easy Unbreaded Pork Chops (Bone-in or Boneless)
When you’re not in the mood for breading and you’re just looking for a nice dry rub pork chop, this is a yummy alternative recipe. These chops take no time at all to cook and they come out moist every time. Perfect for even the busy weeknight!
This chicken recipe is ridiculously good. Parmesan crusted anything will always catch my attention. It will catch my attention even more if it can be cooked in the nifty air fryer! It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and the clean up is minimal. Serve with mashed potatoes and a bit of squash…mmm…good.
I’m not always in the mood for salmon, but when I am, this is my style. This recipe is easy to follow, the cook time is minimal, and the results are perfect every time. This is a really good, easy to make salmon dish.
We cook steak in the sir fryer quite often actually. I am not even joking…it comes out moist and perfect every time! You wouldn’t necessarily consider cooking steak in the air fryer, but it really does produce great results. This particular recipe is a good one to follow for beginners especially. Air fryer steak is very easy to prepare and the clean up of course, is minimal.
Cooking shrimp has never been easier or more satisfying, than with this recipe. It requires very little prep or time and the shrimp come out just as good as if you had steamed them. Perfect appetizer or main meal!
- 600 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Quick & Hassle-Free Frying.
- Poultry, Beef, and Pork air fryer recipes
- Quick Snacks and Side Dishes
- Vegetables and Vegetarian recipes
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Sweets & Desserts
Sides
1. Air Fryer Squash or Zucchini
We have squash and zucchini quite often in this house. It is by far the most popular side for dinner around here. I love the fact that it can be easily cooked in the air fryer, and I don’t have to stand over the stove, babysitting it. It finishes nice and brown, and just as delicious as it would be having been cooked on the stove top.
2. Crispy Seasoned Potato Wedges / Fries
Mmm..home made potato wedges, perfectly seasoned and super easy to make in the air fryer. Need I say more?
This is another go-to in our home. We have cooked broccoli in the air fryer, with and without the parmesan cheese. It always comes out tender with just the perfect amount of crisp. Yummy side for any dinner entree.
This air fryer recipe takes asparagus to a whole other level. The parmesan cheese and garlic add just the right touch of flavor and the air fryer adds just the right tenderness aspect. Yummy side for dinner any night of the week!
5. Air Fryer Mac And Cheese Bites
Mac and cheese bites are the perfect side or appetizer any day of the week. The fact that these bites come out with just the perfect crisp, straight from the air fryer, makes them even better! Delicious!
6. Air Fryer Street Corn (On The Cob)
I fell in love with street corn the moment I tried it several years ago. This recipe takes it to a new level all together. It comes out perfectly charred every time and the flavor is spot on. I can not wait until our local sweet corn season gets here!
Desserts
Cinnamon apple dumplings are an addiction of mine, especially during the fall. Holy Batman are they delicious! The idea that we can easily make them using the air fryer, goes beyond my comprehension. If only mama had known about the air fryer before her passing…that would have been fun to watch! She would’ve lost it..lol
2. Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookies do not go to waste in our house. This air fryer recipe for chocolate chip cookies, makes it easier to keep a steady supply around. They come out soft and delicious, just like they are suppose to.
3. Pineapple Upside Down Cake For Two
We tend to go the oven route with most of our cakes. However, on the occasion we are only looking for a smaller portion, this air fryer recipe comes in quite handy. The cake comes out moist and the bake time is a fraction of what it would require for a full size cake. Great recipe.
4. Easy Air Fryer Fudgy Brownies
Mmm…gooey, fudge like brownies. The idea that we can easily make these delicious brownies in the air fryer, is quite exciting. No need for the heat from the oven…just pop your brownie mixture into the air fryer and they are ready to be eaten in no time.
5. Peanut Butter Banana Dessert Bites
We have yet to actually try this recipe, but we plan to. It is different than what would typically come to mind for a dessert, but it looks absolutely delicious! We will certainly have the side of ice cream available when we do make this one 🙂
Churros are just one of those yummy snacks you treat yourself to, whenever you go to a fair or other outdoor event through the warmer months of the year. Being able to make them right at home any time you want, is an even bigger treat. This air fryer recipe is easy to follow and will more than satisfy any sweet tooth around!
Well, this little list should be a good start for any beginner, or even for those of you who just need a little inspiration! I will of course add to the list as I come up with more Air Fryer recipes!
Until next time, Happy Eating!
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Air fryer bacon is my favorite way to cook bacon now! They get crispy, it’s easy to clean, and the smell doesn’t hang in the house as long. Thanks for sharing all of these helpful recipes!
I think the best bacon I’ve ever had was the batch I cooked in the air fryer recently. It came out perfect! Thanks for reading!
Wow, air fryers are so versatile. I cook a lot at home, so thank you for the recipes!
We use ours every single day for certain things and it makes life so much easier! Love the sandwich melts we get from it!