The frustration of trying to balance your family’s health with the demands of daily life can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Meal planning and prep used to take the wind out of my sails with how much I needed to balance on our busy days!
Enter the air fryer—your new best friend in the kitchen. This magical appliance has transformed meal times, making it easier and faster to prepare delicious, healthy dishes with minimal effort.
Whether you’re whipping up a quick breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a comforting dinner, the air fryer is here to save the day.
I found 50 air fryer recipes that are perfect for multiple meals in your day. Let’s take the stress out of cooking and put the joy back into mealtime!
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Key Takeaways: Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryers offer a versatile and convenient way to prepare meals for every occasion.
- You can make everything from breakfast to dessert in an air fryer, saving time and effort.
- Air fryers are a healthy swap to get crispy food- no deep frying reduces calorie intake while maintaining flavor.
- Quick and easy clean-up makes air fryers a great option for busy moms.
- Try making French toast for breakfast, pizza bagels for lunch, BLTs for dinner, and so much more!
Air Fryer Breakfasts
1. Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
French toast sticks make a quick and easy breakfast that kids and adults will love. Take your favorite bread, dip it in a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, and air fry until golden.
2. Air Fryer Breakfast Burritos
Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of veggies or meats, then air fry for a crispy finish.
3. Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Making cinnamon rolls in the air fryer is simple, whether you make them from scratch or use store-bought dough. Either way, you get a flaky, delicious treat to start your day!
4. Air Fryer Bagels
Make homemade bagels using Greek yogurt and flour—simple ingredients you probably have right now! Air fry these bagels for a healthier alternative to traditional bagels.
5. Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
Dice potatoes and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then air fry until crispy. These potatoes are the perfect side dish or mixed into a breakfast hash.
6. Air Fryer Avocado Toast
Who doesn’t love avocado toast? Using the air fryer, you can quickly get a nicely toasted slice of bread with avocado and whatever toppings you like!
7. Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins
Whip up a batch of blueberry muffins and air fry for a quick and healthy breakfast.
8. Air Fryer Pancakes
Cook fluffy pancakes without the mess in the air fryer. My tip: Use a thicker batter and silicone molds to keep them from “running” in the fryer.
9. Air Fryer Egg Cups
Pour beaten eggs into silicone muffin cups, add your favorite veggies and meats, and air fry for a portable breakfast.
10. Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Combine diced apples with a cinnamon batter, then air fry for a sweet and satisfying morning treat.
Air Fryer Lunches
11. Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Lightly butter two slices of your favorite bread, add your favorite cheese, and air fry until the cheese is ooey-gooey and the bread is golden.
12. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Making breaded tenders is much easier with the air fryer and takes less time than the oven when your kids are eagerly awaiting their lunch.
13. Air Fryer Quesadillas
Fill up a tortilla with cheese and your choice of fillings, fold it in half, and then air fry for a quick and easy lunch.
14. Air Fryer Tuna Melt
Make a simple tuna salad, throw in some cheese, and use it to make a great sandwich- make it better by popping it into the air fryer to get that gooey cheese ready for lunch.
15. Air Fryer BLT
Cook bacon in the air fryer, and assemble your BLT with fresh lettuce and tomato on toasted bread with that fresh, crispy bacon.
16. Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Top mini bagels with marinara sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, and pop them into the air fry until the cheese is melted.
17. Air Fryer Veggie Wraps
Fill a wrap with hummus and fresh veggies, then air fry for a warm, satisfying lunch.
18. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
For a simple dinner, stuff bell peppers with rice, ground beef, and cheese and air fry until tender.
19. Air Fryer Fish Tacos
You can make some fish sticks crispy in the air fryer and make homemade fish tacos in less than 30 minutes with almost no effort!
20. Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Form turkey patties and air fry for a healthier alternative to beef burgers.
Air Fryer Dinners
21. Air Fryer Salmon
Lightly season salmon fillets with your favorite spices and cook them in the air fryer for a healthy dinner. I love how quickly it cooks, and it doesn’t heat up the house like the oven does.
22. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Bread chicken cutlets, air fry, then top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
23. Air Fryer Meatloaf
I love making these little meatloaf in the air fryer. It uses classic meatloaf ingredients and requires less cook time.
24. Air Fryer Pork Chops
The air fryer makes cooking pork chops quick and easy, and the seasoning in this recipe makes it perfect for any side dish.
25. Air Fryer Shrimp
Season shrimp with garlic, paprika, and a few others, and air fry them until they turn pink and tender for a simple dinner.
26. Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are an easy weeknight dinner and give us a little variety on Taco Tuesday; I highly recommend trying these in the air fryer.
27. Air Fryer Beef Kebabs
Skewer beef chunks and veggies, then air fry for a delicious and customizable dinner.
28. Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast
Chicken breasts cook fast in the air fryer, and though stuffing them is a bit messy, the filling is very much worth the gooey mess.
Have those air fryer liners ready to go!
29. Air Fryer Vegetable Stir-Fry
Toss your favorite veggies in soy sauce and sesame oil and have an easy stir fry made right in the air fryer.
30. Air Fryer Lasagna Roll-Ups
Roll lasagna noodles with ricotta cheese and spinach; then air fry for a quicker version of lasagna.
Air Fryer Appetizers & Snacks
31. Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Bread mozzarella sticks, then air fry until crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
32. Air Fryer Onion Rings
Using the air fryer, you can skip deep frying time and again, and these onion rings will become second nature, whether for appetizers, on top of burgers, or served as a fun side!
33. Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The air fryer can make crispy chicken wings just how you like it, don’t you worry about it!!
34. Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Stuff jalapeños with cream cheese, wrap in bacon, and air fry for a spicy snack.
35. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Bread zucchini sticks with panko crumbs, then air fry for a healthier alternative to fries.
36. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Have you jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon? I’ve always been a fan, but smothering them in buffalo sauce and crisping them in the air fryer has changed my life for the better.
37. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Forget preheating the oven to get sweet potato fries with a crispy exterior and a pillowy-soft inside- the air fryer makes these perfectly, and even the frozen fries from the grocery store cook perfectly in it!
38. Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Roll pizza dough into small bites, boil in baking soda water, then air fry for a chewy snack.
39. Air Fryer Spinach Artichoke Dip
Mix spinach, artichokes, and cream cheese, then air fry until bubbly and golden.
40. Air Fryer Garlic Knots
Roll pizza dough into small bites, boil them quickly in baking soda water, and cook for a chewy, snackable treat.
Air Fryer Desserts
41. Air Fryer Churros
Pipe churro dough into the air fryer, and once cooked, roll in cinnamon sugar to enjoy a simple dessert without deep frying.
42. Air Fryer Brownies
Pour brownie batter into a small pan and cook until perfectly baked for a quick dessert.
43. Air Fryer Donuts
Use biscuit dough to make quick and easy donuts in your air fryer (for breakfast or dessert!); glaze them after cooking.
44. Air Fryer Apple Chips
Slice apples thinly, sprinkle with cinnamon, and air fry for a healthy snack.
45. Air Fryer S’mores
Assemble s’mores with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, then air fry for a gooey treat.
46. Air Fryer Banana Bread
Pour banana bread batter into a small pan and cook until moist and delicious.
47. Air Fryer Cheesecake Bites
Prepare mini cheesecakes and cook them to achieve a rich, creamy dessert.
48. Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
Mix sliced peaches with sugar and spices, top with a biscuit crust, and cook until golden.
49. Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Scoop cookie dough onto a small tray and cook for a quick cookie fix whenever you’re in the mood for a sweet treat.
50. Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Roll biscuit dough into balls, air fry them, and roll them in cinnamon sugar to make a sweet treat for dessert—or breakfast!
FAQs
What are the best foods to throw in my air fryer?
Some of the best and easiest foods to cook in your air fryer include chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, sweet potato fries, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
How do I clean my air fryer?
Cleaning your air fryer is simple. Most parts are dishwasher-safe, but for best results, hand wash the basket and tray with warm, soapy water.
Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth, and use silicone and other basket inserts to prevent food grim on the inside.
Can I cook frozen foods (grocery freezer foods) in my air fryer?
Yes, you can air fry frozen foods without thawing them first. Air fryers are great for cooking frozen items like fries, chicken nuggets, and veggies, making them crispier than if you were to bake them.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
While it’s not always necessary, preheating your air fryer for a few minutes can help ensure even cooking, especially for foods that need a crispy exterior.
Can I use aluminum/tin foil or parchment paper in my air fryer?
Yes, if you don’t have disposable or reusable liners, it’s recommended that you use aluminum/tin foil or parchment paper inside your air fryer.
Place the foil or parchment paper securely to prevent it from flying around and blocking the air circulation.
Final Thoughts
With an air fryer in your kitchen, creating delicious, healthy meals at home has never been easier.
Whether you’re cooking for a family of four or just yourself, the air fryer allows you to whip up fun recipes that are both budget-friendly and lower in calories.
Say goodbye to the hassles of oven roasting and deep frying and hello to a world of quick, easy, and satisfying meals.
Embrace the convenience of the air fryer, and enjoy the extra time you’ll have to spend with your loved ones—without compromising on taste or quality.
