Our kitchens are filled to the brim with appliances (slow cookers, waffle irons, stand mixers…), so anything new has to be great. Turns out, the air fryer is TOTALLY worth it. Our top reasons why: We love deep-fried foods (who doesn’t?!), but we are not about all the oil, mess, and cleanup involved. The air fryer solves all of that, in less than half the time. It turns out the crispiest, crunchiest foods with juiciness still locked in, thanks to hot air convection cooking. Check out this list of all 100+ of our favorite air fryer recipes to see how versatile it truly can be—and if you don't have one yet, consider this your sign to take the plunge!
What’s really wild is how often we use ours. It’s become our go-to for everything from breakfast to dessert, and has even edged out our toaster as our on-counter appliance of choice. Speaking of toast, you can make almost every one of your regular breakfasts in your air fryer. We’re talking omelets, muffins, avocado toast, sausage, bacon, pancakes… We know, WILD, right?
It’s just as good at helping you make delicious lunches and dinners too. If you’ve got a main dish you want to spend more hands-on time with, pop your sides in the air fryer and let it do all the work. Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, , and cauliflower all turn out incredible in the air fryer. You can also make your main dish IN the air fryer. It works magic with proteins like tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, fried chicken… even steak.
Need a last-minute appetizer? Stick with your favorites, but make them in your air fryer. Check out our air fryer stuffed Tuscan mushrooms, our loaded zucchini skins, or our air fryer everything bagel avocado fries for ideas—your air fryer can make them in half their usual time.
And we can’t forget dessert. The air fryer can turn out some really killer options, like a berry crisp, vegan zucchini chocolate cake (so moist!), apple pie “baked” apples, or GF peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Also should be noted, the air fryer is great for reheating things, especially desserts. Have some leftover pie, and don’t want to turn on your oven to warm it up? Want to serve a warm brownie with your ice cream? Have a baked good that needs livening up? Pop them in your air fryer briefly and you’ll never guess they’re not fresh out of the oven.
For more air fryer inspiration, check out our bookazine, Easy + Healthy Air Fryer.
1
Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Dripping with a buttery sauce made from fresh summer herbs, nutty Parmesan, and punchy garlic, these flavorful little skewers are made in the air fryer so they’re super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And best of all, they’re ready in just 30 minutes—no grill required.
Get the Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Skewers recipe.
2
Air Fryer Potatoes
We prefer for our potatoes to be seasoned well, extra crispy on the outside, and perfectly soft on the inside. Our secret to nailing them every time? The air fryer. Herby and extra crispy, these potatoes are ready in half the time—no waiting for the oven to preheat!
Get the Air Fryer Potatoes recipe.
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3
Air Fryer French Fries
Want to know the secret to super-crispy French fries? It's air frying! Forget about oil temperature, soaking, and all the other steps associated with the perfect deep-fried French fry. This air-fried version is way better tasting and healthier than anything you’d get in a restaurant too.
Get the Air Fryer French Fries recipe.
4
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
The fact that crispy golden chicken can be achieved without the use of any oil whatsoever is amazing. There's no need to turn on your oven or make a whole oily mess on your stovetop: This chicken Parm tastes every bit as good as the traditional version with much less effort to get there.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.
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5
Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos
To get extra crispy "fried" cauliflower, you gotta use your air fryer. This recipe is basically the vegan version of our favorite fish tacos. The finishing touch? A quick and easy pickled slaw for a bite of freshness and a spicy mayo for a touch of heat.
Get the Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos recipe.
6
Air Fryer Beef & Broccoli
This classic Chinese-American dish features tender strips of beef, perfectly cooked broccoli florets, and a savory-sweet sauce. Bonus: since it only takes 30 minutes, it might be even faster than takeout!
Get the .
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7
S'mores
Whether you keep it to the original 3 ingredients or experiment with fun toppings like caramel or sliced fruit, s'mores are the one simple dessert that never disappoints. Read on for how to make it perfectly, right at home in your air fryer or over a fire for your next summer camping adventure.
Get the S'mores recipe.
8
Air Fryer Salmon
For the fastest seafood dinner ever, turn to your air fryer. This salmon cooks in just 10 minutes and comes out perfectly tender and flaky on the inside with an amazing top crust. The sweet mustard topping takes this over the top, but feel free to swap for your favorite marinade too.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
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9
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are the best because you get all the deliciousness of crab without all of the tedious, messy work of pulling meat from the shells. Since you're already skipping that mess, go even further and skip the pan fry too. In your air fryer, you can get that perfect crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.
Get the Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe.
10
Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice
The best thing about fried rice is that it works better with day-old grains...BUT we found this air fryer recipe works just as well with packaged cooked brown rice. Great news, cheaters!
Get the Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice recipe.
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11
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Fried chicken wings are delicious, but they make a big mess. These air fryer wings are super easy, and they're just as crunchy as the deep-fried kind. We're hooked!
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
12
Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Love Hot Pockets, but can't stomach shelling out $$$ for a box every time a craving hits? This easy crescent dough recipe is for you!
Get the Air Fryer Hot Pockets recipe.
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13
Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
We are obsessed with ravioli, but the four pieces you get as a serving is not filling enough. Breaded and "fried" in your air fryer, it is so much more fun to eat ravioli with your hands as an app. Make sure to serve it with lots of marinara for dipping!
Get the Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli recipe.
14
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Most of the time, we don't get very excited over pork chops. Often overdone, they come out dry, sad, and flavorless. Cooking them in an air fryer changes all that. Due to the intense heat circulation that happens, the outside crisps slightly while the inside stays nice and juicy.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.
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15
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, the option to air fry orange chicken instead saves a ton of calories and fat. Of course, this dish is perfect over rice or whole grains, but if you are looking for a low-carb side, serve this over simple air fried vegetables, letting them soak up the extra sauce.
Get the Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe.
16
Air Fryer GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
You won't believe these little cookies only have six ingredients, not including a pinch of salt (most of which you probably already have on hand!). We made 'em mini for snacking and easier packing in lunch boxes. 😊
Get the Air Fryer GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
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17
Air Fryer Drumsticks
This dish is loosely inspired by two Chinese dishes: fragrant and umami-filled Cantonese soy sauce chicken and a dish that was popular in 80’s and 90’s, Coca Cola wings. Here, you'll get thechicken slightly crispy and perfectly tender in the air fryer, then use the reserved marinade to make a sticky, sweetish sauce. Yum!
Get the Air Fryer Drumsticks recipe.
18
Air Fryer Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, and Goat Cheese Omelet
This veggie-packed omelet really highlights what an air fryer can do. Customize the fillings just like your very own at-home omelet bar. Hot tip: This omelet will look set on top before it’s fully cooked—pop it back in the air fryer for another minute if you need.
Get the Air Fryer Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, and Goat Cheese Omelet recipe.
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19
Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps
Pork tenderloin is the perfect vehicle for the spicy sweet sauce in these lettuce wraps. They’re fun to eat like lettuce tacos, but you could also just transform the whole thing into a rice or grain-based bowl too.
Get the Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps recipe.
20
Air Fryer Primavera Roasted Vegetables
This summery side pairs perfectly with grilled seafood or chicken, but it’s also great simply tossed with pasta, an extra drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Get the Air Fryer Primavera Roasted Vegetables recipe.