23 Simple Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners (2024)

It’s easy to say to people that you will eat healthy and provide a healthy meal for your family, but what if your children don’t like what you’re making? I’ve seen some kids straight up refuse to eat most foods and you’re caught between a rock and a hard place to get them to eat.

However, what if you could provide some foods that taste like your fried foods, are fried foods, but are prepared in a healthier manner? Enter the air fryer. You’re using less oil in preparing your food than traditional fried foods, and you are free to use much healthier oils like coconut oil.

With that in mind, here are 23 simple air fryer recipes that I found to get you started.

Please enjoy these Air Fryer Recipes. To view the full recipe, please click the links under the images.

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

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There is a quaint little restaurant in our city that serves fried brussel sprouts. I was not a brussel sprouts fan at all but one night when we were out to dinner, we decided to give them a try. Fabulous and delicious!!!! So I thought there must be a way to make these tasty morsels healthier, yet taste just as good.

From: Coupons for the Family

Cinnamon Honey Glazed Air Fryer Sweet Potato Bites

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These Cinnamon Honey Glazed AIr Fryer Sweet Potato Bites are a super quick, easy side that goes with any meal! Toddlers love them too!

From: The Millenial Sahm

Easy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

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If you’re needing an island getaway but can’t quite make it there, bring the islands to you with this coconut shrimp recipe. These coconut shrimp are anair fryerrecipe which means shrimp perfectly cooked to crispy coconut perfection. And, it’s so easy that it’s like having a mini vacation in your kitchen.

From: Easy Peazy Mealz

Perfect Air Fryer Salmon

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I would have never guessed making salmon in an air fryer would have produced the most tender and juicy salmon every time. I promise this Perfect Air Fryer Salmon will become your new way to conquer salmon in the kitchen.

From: Noble Pig

Air Fryer Bacon

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I am not even that big of a bacon eater, but this is sooooo good. After you try this method for cooking bacon, you may never do it any other way.It’s a total game-changer, people.

From: A Pinch of Healthy

Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

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If you’re a mushroom lover you will really enjoy thiseasy air fryer mushrooms recipewith garlic. Overall, it’s a quick and easy way to cookair fried mushroomsin the air fryer without a lot of fuss.

From: Best Recipe Box

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

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If you’re in the mood for a delicious melted cheese snack, you’ve gotta try making breaded mozzarella sticks in theair fryer! They’re super easy and fun to make, and they’re such a yummy snack or appetizer.

From: Hip 2 Save

Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

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These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are the perfect healthy game day snack. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just serve them with your favorite ranch sauce and you can’t stop eating them!

From: Father and Us

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

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Air Fryer Truly Crispy Baby Potatoes.Truly crispy, addictive, perfectly seasoned, Mediterranean baby potatoes cooked in the air fryer. Quick prep and a perfect Mediterranean side on the family dinner table.

From: Recipe This

Air Fryer Personal Pizza

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Surprisingly low in calories and amazingly satisfying these Perfect Personal Pizzas (in an Air Fryer) will be your new favorite snack.

From: Foodtastic Mom

Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini

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If you’re looking for a super simple side dish to make in the air fryer, you’ve come to the right place. Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini is the recipe for you! Especially when you have garden fresh zucchini growing like crazy!

From: Cooks Well With Others

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

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Today we’re making homemadefried pickles! These are crisp breaded dill pickle slices made with no deep fryer required. I’ve also included a simple zesty dipping sauce in the recipe!

From: Sugar Spun Run

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

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Juicy crunchy perfect air fryer corn on the cob recipe. Easy and ready under 10 minutes! I promise, this will become your go to recipe for a sweet side dish corn for your air fryer.

From: Berry Maple

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

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I’m potato obsessed! I could eat potatoes with every meal if that was a healthy option just to eat potatoes,ALL DAY EVERYDAY!

My husband and our daughter also share a love for potatoes, so we have our fair share of them throughout the week. We love ourAir Fryer Baked Potato, but thisAir Fryer Baked Sweet Potato recipe is just as good!

From: Courtneys Sweets

Air Fryer Onion Rings

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The other day we made this homemade air fryer onion rings recipe and they turned out pretty tasty, so now I’m sharing it with you! The recipe is pretty easy but takes a few minutes to prepare the ingredients and to cut the onion. It’s well worth the work, though! Enjoy!

From: Thrifty Nifty Mommy

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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These air fryer chicken thighs are easily the best chicken thighs I’ve ever made or tried. The flavoring sauce on them is pure delight. It’s slightly sweet and tangy, with a little bit of savory coming from soy and Worcestershire sauces and garlic. The maple syrup in the sauce, combined with high heat air frying, makes the skin beautifully caramelized and very tasty. Even addictive. Trust me, you will be running for seconds.

From: Craving Tasty

Air Fryer Hamburgers

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If you’re like me and you don’t like the mess and hassle of cooking hamburgers on the stove top, you’ll love these Air Fryer Hamburgers. They taste delicious and there’s no greasy mess to clean up.

From: Grace Like Rain Blog

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

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If you’re living in the South, then knowing how to makefried chickenis amust. I tried for the longest to avoid posting a fried chicken recipe on the blog because in all honesty, I didn’t tend to get excited about fried chicken.

Until now.For years, when my Southern husband requested fried chicken, I’d just shrug and make him theseair fried chicken wingscovered in an Asian sauce instead.

From: My Forking Life

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

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This easy air fryer jalapeno poppers recipe stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon is keto, low carb and weight watchers friendly. This peppers will be perfect for your next party as an appetizer, they are filling, crunchy outside and creamy cheesy inside.

From: Berry Maple

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

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Need an easy, kid-friendly, whole family pleasing dinner recipe? ThisAir Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipeis it!

From: Urban Bliss Life

Air Fryer Quesadilla

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Perfect breakfast air fryer cheese quesadilla with leftover chicken! Great quick recipe that is very easy to make , kid friendly and even a beginner can make it. So nice and cheesy! Weight watchers 5 points per serving.

From: Berry Maple

Best Air Fryer Baked Potato

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Our Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe is the ultimate air fryer side dish! Cover your baking potatoes with our parsley garlic salt rub. The garlic parsley potatoes skin is flavorful and crispy! This recipe will make you love your air fryer! The flavor and texture make this the best baked potato ever!

From: Courtneys Sweets

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp αre heαlthy αnd delicious. This is αlso α greαt mαin dish Weight Wαtchers recipe with only 1 Freestyle SmαrtPoint per serving.

From: Healthy Ridz

Pin these Air Fryer Recipes for later!

If you enjoyed this roundup of simple air fryer recipes, don’t forget to pin these to your air fryer board on Pinterest. You can also follow Fluffy’s Kitchen on Pinterest for more recipes and ideas!

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23 Simple Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners (2024)

FAQs

What is the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

Air-fryer chicken breasts

Simply roll oiled chicken breasts in the seasoning and put in the air-fryer to cook for 18-20 mins, then serve with rice, greens or a salad. Mix up the spices for interest or keep it plain, it's up to you.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

Start air frying these 13 foods and watch your cooking time drop and your satisfaction in healthy meals skyrocket!
  • Chicken Breasts. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Zoodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
  • Salmon (chopped) ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Personal Pizzas. ...
  • Frozen Cauliflower.
Feb 18, 2020

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

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.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

How do you use an air fryer for dummies? ›

Air Frying Tips for Optimal Results
  1. Balance Your Basket. Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. ...
  2. Use the Right Basket. Use the perforated basket or pan that came with your appliance. ...
  3. Don't Overdo the Oil. Don't use too much oil. ...
  4. Convert Cooking Time. Adjust cooking time. ...
  5. Avoid Non-Stick Sprays.

Why is Airfryer not healthy? ›

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Can you put raw meat in an air fryer? ›

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.

What ruins an air fryer? ›

Putting a damp basket back into the air fryer can cause damage, such as affecting the time it takes for your air fryer to heat up or damaging the internal components. It is no secret that water and electricity do not go hand-in-hand.

What is the best meat to air fry? ›

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.

What is the best thing you can make in an air fryer? ›

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.

Why do chefs hate air fryers? ›

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.

What are bad things about air fryers? ›

Air fryer health risks

COPs are linked to an increase in heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions. You may have also heard about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogens that are produced as fumes when foods are cooked at a high temperature.

What is the new gadget replacing the air fryer? ›

Ninja has launched a new oven-replacing air fryer that shoppers have hailed the 'best product ever'. The Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker and Oven is one of the beloved brand's latest gadgets and is available from Ninja for £279.99.

What is the first thing you do when you buy an air fryer? ›

Simple Tip! Some manufacturers recommend running the air fryer empty for 10 minutes before you actually cook with it, to let it off-gas. There might be a slightly chemical smell (one manual referred to it as a “new appliance smell”), so have the vents on or windows open. It should be just a one-time thing.

Do you put oil on food before Airfryer? ›

While you would typically add oil to a pan before adding your food, the case is not the same when using an air fryer. In a bowl, toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil along with your seasoning before putting it in the air fryer. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.

What is the general rule for cooking in the air fryer? ›

When taking a recipe from oven to air fryer, the general rule is to reduce the temperature by 20ºC – 30ºC, and cook for 20% less time.

Do air fryers need to heat up first? ›

Yes, you'll need to give your air fryer a chance to warm up before use. The good news is, unlike a traditional oven or hob, it only takes minutes! Preheating times will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the temperature you're cooking at and the programme you want to use.

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