23 Air Fryer Recipes We Love

Perhaps you’ve found your way to these air fryer recipes as a neophyte: Eager to learn about your new device but not sure where to start. So before we trudge ahead into our best air fryer recipes, let us take one step back. An air fryer is essentially a countertop convection oven. Its fan furiously circulates hot air, quickly crisping veggies, chicken wings, frozen food—whatever you want to put in it, really. Because of the constant, even heat, most dishes—including a whole chicken—have a significantly lower cooking time when air-fried as compared to oven roasting. Air-frying requires less oil than deep-frying but still produces deeply flavorful food. (Bonus: It’s a safer option for beginners who may be nervous about managing a pot of hot oil.)
You can simply hit your favorite protein with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper to make air fryer pork chops or steak—toss in some frozen fries to crisp up too. But if it’s easy air fryer recipes you’re looking for, you’ve found your happy place. Whether you’re searching for a weeknight main dish or a side of the crispiest brussels sprouts, you may find yourself no longer in need of a stovetop. (Would you like some of our favorite air fryer accessories with that?)
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele1/23
Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts Salad With Spiced Maple Vinaigrette
This healthy air fryer recipe travels well. Make a double batch for dinner and pack what’s left for a not-sad desk lunch tomorrow.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele2/23
Air Fryer Salmon With Sweet Tamarind Glaze
Salmon in the air fryer? Coated in a tamarind glaze and store-bought fried shallots, this restaurant-worthy dinner comes together in less than 40 minutes.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Micah Marie Morton3/23
Tater Tot Chaat
While your tater tots air fry away, you’ll mix up a few chutneys and a yogurt sauce, prep a few garnishes, and go numb with anticipation.
- Photo by Eric Medsker4/23
Air-Fryer Crispy Turkey Cutlets
Boxed stuffing isn’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. Use it to coat turkey (or chicken!) cutlets for instant breading with tons of flavor. Served with an air fryer baked potato with all the fixings.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/23
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Cauliflower can take a while to crisp in the oven. The air fryer tenderizes the vegetable in about half the time. This version is so simply seasoned it’ll go with whichever dinner recipe you were planning to make tonight. (Pork tenderloin, anyone?)
- Photo by Kate Whitaker6/23
Air-Fryer Ham, Cheese, and Leek Bake
Use the last of a holiday ham—or the bits and bobs from leftover deli meat—and stale bread to make this comforting air fried casserole.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Judy Haubert7/23
Lemon-Pepper Artichoke Wings
This riff on Atlanta-style lemon pepper wings swaps the chicken for canned artichoke hearts, which are both tender without needing to precook and relatively inexpensive. Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) ensures the coating stays delightfully crunchy.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley8/23
Crispy Shiitake Imperial Rolls
These shiitake imperial rolls, which come from Ever-Green Vietnamese by Andrea Nguyen, can be “fried” in the oven or the air fryer.
- Photo by Eric Medsker9/23
Air-Fryer Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwiches
Add “crispy fish” to your list of air fryer recipes. Make them sing by adding a few slices of cheddar and some malt vinegar to each sandwich.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/23
Air Fryer Green Beans
This speedy, crowd-pleasing green bean side is just waiting to be showered with Parmesan cheese and plopped on your holiday table. (It would work great with sliced zucchini too!)
- Photo by Eric Medsker11/23
Air-Fryer Fried Chicken
The secret to these air fryer chicken thighs is brining the meat in buttermilk, then coating it in a spiced flour dredge before spritzing each piece all over with nonstick cooking spray and placing it in a hot machine.
- Photo by Denny Culbert12/23
Air Fryer Crispy Herbed Chickpeas
These air fryer chickpeas have main dish energy—pop them in a tortilla with guac for speedy vegetarian tacos or toss them with roasted veg and call it a day. That said, they’re just as welcome atop a salad or pasta for a bit of crunch.
- Photo by Denny Culbert13/23
Air Fryer Memphis-Style BBQ Pork Ribs
You don’t need a smoker—or even a grill—to make these tender ribs. But this soda pop BBQ sauce might be nice.
- Photo by Eric Medsker14/23
Air-Fryer Bagel Chips
Transform any day-old bagels into crunchy bagel chips. They’re sturdy enough to stand up to any thick dip.
- Photo by Danny Culbert15/23
Caramelized Eggplant With Harissa Yogurt
You often have to use a ton of oil to cook eggplant in the oven, but an air fryer can do it well with a minimal spritz. The interior of each bite here is remarkably creamy, and the exterior caramelizes to a golden brown after a quick 15-minutes. This makes a great vegetarian main dish or could be served alongside juicy pork meatballs or your favorite shrimp dish.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich16/23
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Buffalo “wings” can be vegetarian! These cauliflower bites are coated in a simple batter (cornstarch keeps it extra-crisp), with smoked paprika and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco17/23
Air Fryer Chicken Tikka
While the classic version is cooked in a high-heat tandoor oven, this air-fryer chicken recipe comes together thanks to the titular device, which essentially becomes an indoor grill.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks18/23
Spiced Potato Wedge Fries With Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
Frozen fries are excellent in the air fryer, but try these potatoes for a side dish that uses up those spuds that have been sitting in the kitchen for weeks. (It works with sweet potatoes too!)
- Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Cyd McDowell. Prop Styling by Paige Hicks19/23
Air Fryer Chile-Honey-Glazed Fries
These zhuzhed-up fries are an ode to honey chili potatoes from Indian Chinese restaurants. For a spin, you could swap in frozen sweet potato fries.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones20/23
Air Fryer Sesame-Coconut Chicken Tenders
Making these air fryer chicken tenders is far less messy than some other methods. And, once you start coating chicken in this garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne–enhanced spice mix you’ll never go back to just S&P.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Gözde Eker21/23
Air Fryer Garlic-Nori Fries
These seaweed-dusted air fryer French fries rival any restaurant’s hottest appetizers. Rich, slightly sweet Kewpie mayo is perfect for dipping
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks22/23
Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Honey Butter
Just imagine these sprouts, dripping with honey butter, on the table at your next dinner party. How can a gluten-free sprout get so crispy without deep frying? It’s all thanks to the air fryer.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua23/23
Extra-Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
No list of air fryer recipes is complete without chicken wings. A dusting of cornstarch and baking powder keep these extra-crispy then it’s time to bring on the Frank’s RedHot (and the napkins).




