These Air Fryer Recipes Will Change The Way You Cook Forever
I’ll be honest: I was late to the air fryer trend, but once I started using this compact countertop oven, it quickly became one of my favorite kitchen tools. It speeds up meals, crisps foods beautifully, and often produces better results than a traditional oven. Below are the best things I’ve found to cook in an air fryer, with simple, dependable instructions and tips to help you get great results every time.
From crispy Brussels sprouts to juicy chicken breasts, these easy air fryer recipes will revolutionize your cooking. No more waiting for the oven to preheat!
1. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A grilled cheese in the air fryer gets perfectly crunchy bread and gooey melted cheese. Spread butter on each side of the bread for the best toasting, or use mayonnaise for a tangy, extra-crispy exterior. If the top slice shifts during cooking, a toothpick through the center will keep it in place.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook at 375°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use a generous amount of butter or mayonnaise and plenty of cheese for a rich, melty center and crisp exterior.
- Check after a minute to ensure the sandwich is intact; secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Optional: sprinkle the outside with seasoning or grated parmesan before cooking.
2. Juicy Chicken Breasts
The air fryer keeps chicken breasts juicy inside while developing a nicely browned exterior. Pound breasts to an even thickness, oil and season them, and monitor temperature to avoid overcooking.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pound chicken to an even thickness, brush with olive oil, and season (salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder work well).
- Preheat to 375°F for 3 minutes. Cook breasts 6 minutes, flip, then continue 2–10 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cooking time varies with size—avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
3. Perfect Onions
Air-fried onions can be lightly sautéed, golden and caramelized, or extra crispy depending on time. Toss with oil and salt and adjust cooking time to your preferred texture.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice onions and toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread in an even layer in the basket.
- Cook at 350°F for 12–25 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes. Shorter time yields sautéed onions; longer time gives crispy, caramelized results. Around 18 minutes is a good middle ground.
4. Crispy Bacon
An air fryer delivers consistently crispy bacon without splatter. Lay strips in a single layer and cook until they reach your preferred crispness.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place strips in a single layer; air fry at 350°F for 7–12 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness.
- Drain on paper towels and cook in batches if needed—avoid stacking slices.
5. Crispy Hash Browns
Frozen hash browns crisp up quickly in the air fryer. Add oil and seasonings, stir periodically, and you’ll get even, golden results.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place frozen hash browns in the basket and brush with oil.
- Air fry at 370°F for 5 minutes, stir and add more oil and seasoning, then continue for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until evenly crispy.
6. Baked Potatoes
Air-fried baked potatoes have a crisp, seasoned skin and a tender interior. Rub with oil and salt before cooking for best texture.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wash and poke potatoes with a fork, rub with olive oil and salt.
- Air fry at 400°F for 30 minutes, flip, then cook another 5–20 minutes depending on size. Done when a fork slides through easily.
7. Homemade Potato Chips
Thinly sliced potatoes become crunchy chips in the air fryer. Soak to remove starch, dry thoroughly, toss with oil and seasonings, and cook until golden.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice potatoes very thin (about 1/16 inch) and soak in cold water 30 minutes, then dry well.
- Toss with oil and salt, preheat to 320°F, place in the basket (avoid overfilling), and cook about 30 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes until crisp.
8. Frozen Meatballs
Frozen meatballs reheat and brown beautifully in the air fryer—ideal for quick meals or small batches.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place frozen meatballs in a single layer, brush with oil, and air fry at 375°F for 8–12 minutes, shaking halfway through for even cooking.
9. Andouille Sausage
Sausage links cook quickly and develop a nice char in the air fryer. Slice into coins for faster cooking and toss with many dishes for added flavor.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut large links into 1/4-inch coins, preheat to 400°F, and cook 12–15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Serve with rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, eggs, or on its own.
10. Hard Boiled Eggs
The air fryer is an easy way to make boiled eggs without a pot of water. Timings vary by fryer and egg size, so experiment to get your preferred doneness.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat to 250°F, add eggs to the basket.
- Cook about 13 minutes for soft-boiled or 17 minutes for hard-boiled; times may vary by appliance.
- Plunge eggs into an ice bath immediately to stop cooking and make peeling easier.
11. Frozen French Fries
Frozen fries crisp up quickly and free up your oven for other dishes. Toss often for even browning.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Air fry frozen fries at 400°F for 15–25 minutes, tossing often; time depends on quantity in the basket.
- For leftover fries, preheat a few minutes and reheat 2–3 minutes until crisp.
12. Frozen Jalapeño Poppers
Most frozen fried snacks convert perfectly in the air fryer—jalapeño poppers, coconut shrimp, mozzarella sticks, corn dogs, and more.
INSTRUCTIONS
- If packaging includes air fryer instructions, follow them. Otherwise, 375–400°F is a good range.
- Shake or flip halfway through, and toss smaller items frequently for even cooking.
13. Frozen Chicken Nuggets & Fingers
Frozen chicken nuggets and tenders become extra crispy in the air fryer—one of the most popular uses in our house.
INSTRUCTIONS
- 400°F usually yields perfectly crispy chicken nuggets. Larger tenders may take closer to 15 minutes; popcorn chicken may take under 10.
14. Crunchy Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas become a healthy, crunchy snack in the air fryer—easy to flavor however you like.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Rinse and drain one 15-oz can of chickpeas, dry thoroughly.
- Air fry at 380°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes until golden and crunchy.
- Toss with a light coating of oil and seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic salt, or cajun spice.
15. Brussels Sprouts
Air-fried Brussels sprouts develop crisp outer leaves and tender centers—one of my favorite vegetable transformations in this appliance.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Toss 1 lb trimmed, halved sprouts with 2 tsp olive oil and seasonings.
- Preheat to 375°F for 5 minutes, then cook 12–18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
- Soaking briefly in warm water can yield a softer interior—dry thoroughly before cooking.
16. Carrots
Baby carrots roasted in the air fryer turn tender and flavorful—great for holidays when oven space is limited.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Toss baby carrots with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp melted butter, season with salt and pepper; optional 2 tbsp brown sugar for sweetness.
- Preheat to 400°F for 5 minutes, then cook about 10 minutes, tossing halfway through.
17. Green Beans
Both fresh and frozen green beans crisp up nicely in the air fryer—frozen green beans from a large bag are especially convenient and rarely turn soggy.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Toss beans with oil and seasonings, then air fry at 400°F for 7–12 minutes, tossing occasionally.
- For frozen beans, steam briefly, pat dry, then oil and season before air frying to finish.
18. Bell Peppers
Air frying peppers imparts a pleasant char and concentrates their sweetness—great to add to eggs, sandwiches, bowls, or salads.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut peppers, toss with olive oil and salt, and air fry at 400°F for about 10 minutes until charred to taste.
19. Asparagus
Asparagus cooks quickly in the air fryer and develops a delightful texture—slightly crisp outside and tender inside.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Trim tough ends, cut to size if desired, toss with oil and seasoning, and air fry at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
20. Caramelized Bananas
Air-fried bananas caramelize nicely and are delicious over yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or toast.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice bananas into 1/2-inch pieces (avoid overly ripe fruit). Place in a single layer, brush with coconut oil and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Air fry at 375°F for about 6 minutes. Optionally add a light pinch of salt and serve with yogurt, ice cream, or toast.
21. French Toast
Air fryer French toast gets crisp edges and a soft center—perfect for a quick weekend breakfast without sogginess.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Whisk 2 eggs, 1/3 cup milk, a dash of vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Dip bread, shake off excess, and place in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6+ minutes, flipping halfway through. Reduce temperature for a softer edge if desired.
22. Store-Bought Cookie Dough
Make a small batch of cookies quickly in the air fryer without heating the whole oven—great for two or three cookies on demand.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place parchment on the basket, roll dough into balls leaving space for spreading, and air fry at 320°F for 6–8 minutes until golden.
- Let cool in the basket for about 5 minutes before removing to finish setting.
23. Leftovers
The air fryer is excellent for reheating leftovers that should be crispy: pizza, fries, wings, garlic bread, and fried foods all come back to life.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Reheat at 350–400°F depending on how crispy you want items and the size of the pieces. Lower temperatures can help heat thicker pieces through without burning edges.
My Personal Fails with the Air Fryer
- Kale – Leafy greens tend to blow around in the basket and can reach the heating element and smoke if not watched closely.
- Potstickers – Foods that should stay soft can become oddly crunchy in the air fryer; potstickers were disappointing in this appliance.
- Steak Bites – It’s hard to achieve a proper sear and char on bite-sized steak pieces; a grill or hot cast-iron pan is preferable.
- Burgers – Patties can dry out and lose juices quickly in the air fryer compared to a skillet or grill.
- Broccoli – Small florets can burn on the edges before the stalks are tender; adding a tablespoon or two of water under the crisper plate can help.
- Cabbage – Cooking a whole head is awkward in most baskets and requires frequent tossing; oven-roasted cabbage can be easier for large pieces.
What are your favorite things to make in the air fryer? I’m sure there are more great uses I haven’t tried yet!
