If you haven’t yet invested in an air fryer, perhaps this recipe round-up can convince you. Seriously, having an air fryer is a total game-changer. Not only can you make so many easy and healthy air fryer recipes, but it works incredibly well for reheating leftovers or making frozen foods taste homemade. In other words, this bad boy can cook just about anything. The air fryer usesair to achieve the same effect as using oil would. So instead of deep frying something, you can pop it into an air fryer and get the same delicious and crispy texture you’d get if you had soaked it in oil. (!!)
Related Stories
How To Watch The Steve Martin Documentary For Free To Celebrate The Beloved Actor’s Career
Why a Dermatologist Wants You to Use This New Acne Gel Cleanser Daily—Especially if You Have Dry Skin
Because of this, almost every air fryer recipe is inherently healthier than others. You can make fried chicken, fries (both regular and sweet potato!), vegetables and more—all without using oil. All your favorite foods to cook just got so much healthier, and you don’t even have to change up the recipes. Just put whatever you’re making into an air fryer, and watch as you get a lighter version of everything you love to eat. Like we said: It’s a game-changer.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Air fryers are available in plenty of different sizes, too, so no matter how big (or small) your kitchen is, you can find the right one for you. There are mini air fryers (which will fit about two servings at a time), and then there are quart-sized air fryers—like the best-selling COSORI air fryer—that can fit enough for the whole family. Choose what works best with your lifestyle, then get cooking!
Of course, if you’re new to the air fryer game, you might want to start out with a few simple recipes to help you master it. Thankfully, there are so many incredible healthy air fryer recipes out there. We’ve gone ahead and rounded up 10 of our favorites for you to try out below. There’s a huge variety of recipes in this list, so whether you’re a vegetarian or meat-lover, hate veggies or adore them, or the type of person who will try just about anything, you’re sure to find your new go-to meal.
1. Air Fryer Falafel
This easy air fryer falafel is crunchy on the outside (!) and soft on the inside (!!). Add them to a pita with tahini sauce or atop a delicious salad. You can’t go wrong either way.
2. Air Fryer Spiced Chicken and Vegetables
If you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner, this air fryer spiced chicken and vegetables recipe is a total game-changer. The spices mixed with all the delicious veggies—and chicken, of course—create the ultimate flavor.
3. Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Not a fan of brussels sprouts? You might change your mind after you find out how delicious the vegetable is when they’re nice and crispy. This air fryer brussels sprouts recipe will blow your mind!
4. Air Fryer Chicken Fajita
Nothing’s quite as delicious as a plate of fajitas, and now you can make them a healthy weeknight staple. This air fryer chicken fajita recipe will forever change your taco Tuesdays.
5. Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus
Veggies have never looked—or tasted—so good. Give this air fryer roasted asparagus recipe a try, and you’ll find out that getting those daily servings of greens can be delicious.
6. Nashville Style Hot Chicken Tenders
Yes, you can make a healthy version of Nashville hot chicken in the air fryer, folks. It’s the spicy treat you’ll want to make over and over again.
7. Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp
Made with just a few ingredients—including lemon, garlic and parsley—this air fryer garlic shrimp recipe is the perfect base for any delicious weeknight or weekend dinner.
8. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Um, yum. These air fryer stuffed peppers are filled with beef, onion, rice, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. It’s the meaty, cheesy and healthy dinner of our dreams.
9. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Whether you’re vegetarian or just want to get a few more veggies in your diet, these air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are truly the tastiest alternative to buffalo wings.
10. Air Fryer Carrots
These air fryer carrots can be made savoryorsweet—so whatever your preference, you’ll end up with the perfect healthy side dish. Yes, please!
Lean into plant foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, legumes and nuts. You can use your air fryer to "sauté" greens like kale and Swiss chard, "roast" vegetables including carrots, asparagus and Brussels sprouts and "bake" lean cuts of protein like boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms & onions, 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.
As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.
Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).
Studies show that using an air fryer can increase the levels of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in fish. COPs are linked to an increase in heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions.
Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.
It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.
Using an air fryer to cook a whole chicken is the way to go. You'll end up with super crispy skin on all sides and even the white meat stays tender and juicy. Don't skip the resting step as this allows the juice to absorb back into the meat.
Taste: Cooking steak in the air fryer preserves the natural meaty flavor of the steak. Your Health: Cooking your steak in a cast iron pan requires a lot of butter or oil. The air fryer method needs just enough oil to coat the steak (a teaspoon or 2).
Make homemade sweetcorn and spring onion fritters in the air fryer for easy, energy-efficient cooking. These would be perfect as a veggie lunch, starter or side.
My experience with air fryers is that most of the foods cooked are not as tasty as deep fried foods; however, there are exceptions and there are health benefits. Tater tots, french fries, and sweet potato fries are very good air fried.
Healthier indulgences – If you crave the flavors of deep-fried goodness without the excessive oil, the air fryer is your culinary savior. Because they require significantly less oil, temperature-adjustable air fryers let you enjoy your favorite fried treats while cutting calories by about 70–80%.
Therefore, there may be exposure to much more than the average amount of acrylamide detected in potatoes cooked in the air fryer in the present study. In order to reduce the adverse effects of acrylamide on health, it is recommended to apply pre-treatments such as soaking potatoes before frying (19).
Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603
Phone: +2366831109631
Job: Sales Producer
Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy
Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.