14 of our best air fryer recipes for crispy, crunchy meals
But it is not only suitable for fried foods such as mozzarella sticks, chicken and french fries. It’s also an easy alternative to roasting vegetables like potatoes or Brussels sprouts in the oven. Not only do they get crispier than they do in the oven, but they cook in about half the time. Whether you live in a small apartment with an unwieldy oven or love to experiment with new gadgets and cookware, the air fryer will change the way you cook. There is a wide variety of air fryers on the market, ranging from $50 to $350. Start small and if you fall in love, invest in a sleek model. (Spoiler alert: you’ll fall in love). Not convinced? Take a peek at 12 recipes below and try to give us one good reason why you should pass on the air fryer lasagna nachos. That’s what we thought.
Kevin Curry’s Air-Fried Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls
No takeout is complete without a side of egg roll. Make this favorite at home using just a few healthy ingredients—grilled chicken, avocado, cilantro, onion, and egg roll wrappers—and an air fryer. They are perfectly crunchy without the greasy feel of fried foods.
4- Salmon Air Fryer by Jocelyn Delk Adams
Baked salmon can get a little boring. Cook it in an air fryer, glaze it with honey, soy sauce, and garlic, and it’s a whole new ballgame.
Air-Fried Lasagna Nachos by Will Colman
Instead of the usual tortilla chips, these nachos start with lasagna noodles. They’re seasoned with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic, then cooked in an air fryer until crispy.
Crispy Chicken Tenders from Guy Fieri from Guy Fieri
This is the best recipe for chicken tenders. It’s a bold yet honest statement and here’s why: To make it, you’ll sweeten chicken tenders in a mixture of lemon butter and pickle juice. For added flavor, the chicken is coated in a seasoned flour mixture and panko breaded with paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, and oregano. It is a far cry from fast food tenders.
Air-Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookie By Jennifer Smith, Grace Lake Rain Blogger
No need to turn on the oven! Use the air fryer to bake nine-ingredient cookie dough. Instead of forming individual cookies, make an oversized cookie in a brownie pan for an easy-to-share dessert.
Jernard Wells’ Air-Fried Tequila Wings
Deep frying chicken wings can make a mess, but baking them doesn’t always result in a crispy exterior. By “frying” them in an air fryer, you’ll get a crispy, crunchy texture without the need for cups of oil. Toss it in a salsa made with tequila, agave, and chipotle in adobo salsa and pineapple juice for a sweet and spicy bite.
Robin Arzon’s Bananas by Robin Arzon
Inspired by the traditional recipe for fried bananas, these crunchy best-for-you bananas are baked in an air fryer. “If you’re baking a lot, you’ll only need to put one layer in the basket, not stack it and cook it in batches,” adds Robin Arzone.
Air-Fried Cajun Sweet Potatoes from Gernard Wells
While getting a bag of frozen french fries from the grocery store is pretty easy, making your own is much more satisfying. By baking them in an air fryer, they will become just as crispy as if they were fried.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs by Donatella Arbia
When you’re craving pasta and meatballs but want a leaner bite, switch to the better-for-you turkey meatballs. Ground turkey mixed with soft whole wheat bread, garlic, fresh parsley, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Calabrian chili paste. “The air fryer achieves that golden crust on the outside and moist inside without adding fat,” explains Donatella Arpaia.
Tebasaki Wings by Leah Cohen
Crispy chicken wings are tossed and fried in a sauce made of soy sauce, sake, grated garlic, fresh ginger and black vinegar added. It’s such a delicious, umami-filled bite that you’ll definitely want seconds of it.
Lettuce wraps and chicken satay with peanut sauce from Gina Homolka
Recreate this popular Southeast Asian-inspired dish using the air fryer. To save time, season the chicken a day in advance so it’s dinner time, all you have to do is fry the chicken and serve.
Jimmy Fallon Air-Fried Chicken by Jimmy Fallon and Questlove
Ground chicken is known for its dry and mild taste. The way to fix that is with this really tasty recipe for chicken burgers, cooked in an air fryer. Jimmy Fallon mixes the meat with a mixture of jalapeños, chili peppers, and bread crumbs for a great bite.
Air-fried cauliflower tots by Kevin Curry
We’ll never say no to the classic Tater Tots, but these Parmesan Cauliflower Sticks are just as tasty as the real deal. Air fried for only 10 minutes until crispy.
Sesame Broccoli Poppers by Mia Rigden
This gluten-free recipe for sesame broccoli gets its flavor from coconut and tamari acids, both of which are gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce, a touch of sesame oil, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice and white miso paste. It completely turns broccoli into an appetizer or side dish that everyone will be excited about.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com