The air fryer is a great tool to speed up home-cooked meals, while also making your food extra crispy and delicious. Try one of these five recipes to get you started.
The air fryer has quickly become a favorite tool for home cooks looking to save time without sacrificing flavor. By circulating hot air at high speed, this compact appliance can deliver crispy, golden results in a fraction of the time it takes to use a traditional oven.
Beyond speed, the air fryer offers several other benefits. It uses little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying while still producing a satisfying texture. It also preheats quickly, reduces cooking times by up to 25%, and won’t heat up your entire kitchen like an oven can.
For best results, avoid overcrowding the basket, give your food a shake halfway through cooking, and adjust oven-based recipes by reducing the temperature by about 30°F (or 15-20°C) and checking for doneness early. With a little tweaking, nearly any oven recipe can become air fryer–friendly.
Here are five recipes you can easily make in your air fryer.
These salmon and zucchini skewers are a fresh, vibrant meal perfect for warmer months or whenever you’re craving something light yet satisfying. Marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, lemon, maple syrup, and Italian seasoning, the salmon gets a sweet-savory glaze that pairs beautifully with the charred zucchini.
To make this recipe air fryer–friendly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Assemble the skewers with the seasoned salmon and zucchini, then place them in a single layer in the basket (you may need to work in batches). Cook for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and lightly crisp on the edges.
The high heat of the air fryer mimics the intensity of the broiler (the original recipe directions), giving the skewers that satisfying char without overheating your kitchen. Serve with the fresh dill sauce and arugula for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
These crispy chicken tenders served with a vibrant herbed yogurt dip and sautéed green beans make for a well-balanced and flavorful meal. The tenders are marinated in a lemony, garlic-infused yogurt with fresh dill and mint, then coated in seasoned whole grain breadcrumbs and baked until golden
To adapt this recipe for the air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). After coating the marinated chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, lightly spray or brush both the chicken tenders and trimmed green beans with olive oil.
Arrange them in the basket in a single layer, with the green beans on one side and the chicken on the other (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches).
Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping the chicken and shaking the green beans halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature) and the beans are tender with lightly crisped edges. Serve hot with the reserved herbed yogurt dip and enjoy this easy, satisfying meal.
This sweet potato avocado “toast” is a healthy, gluten-free twist on a classic favorite, perfect for breakfast or a light lunch. The sweet potato slabs are lightly toasted until tender, providing a naturally sweet and savory base for creamy avocado slices.
To make this recipe air fryer–friendly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch slabs, then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are tender and lightly crispy on the edges.
While the sweet potatoes cook, prepare the avocado and lemon. Once the sweet potatoes are done, layer the avocado slices on top, sprinkle with lemon zest, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Enjoy this quick and healthy alternative to traditional toast!
This honey and red pepper flake cottage cheese on sourdough is a unique, savory-sweet snack or appetizer that combines creamy, soft cottage cheese with a kick of heat.
To make this recipe air fryer–friendly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spread the cottage cheese over the sourdough slices, then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 3–4 minutes, or until the cottage cheese begins to brown and the bread is toasted. After cooking, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Enjoy this quick and flavorful treat with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness!
This salmon with an apple-walnut crust and roasted broccolini is not only a delicious combination of savory, sweet, and crunchy flavors, but it’s also quick to make. It’s ready in about 15 minutes when using the air fryer, compared to the 30 minutes it would take in a traditional oven.
With 44 grams of protein in this meal, it’s a nutritious, balanced dish that’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
To prepare this recipe in the air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Rub the salmon with the paprika-oil mixture and toss the broccolini with olive oil and salt.
Place both in the air fryer basket and cook for about 7–9 minutes. Then, top the salmon with the apple-walnut mixture and return it to the air fryer for an additional 5–7 minutes, until the salmon is flaky and cooked through.
This method gives you a fast, flavorful meal without sacrificing any of the taste!
These five recipes highlight the air fryer’s incredible versatility, showing how it can transform traditional oven dishes into faster, healthier alternatives without compromising flavor.
Whether you’re making crispy chicken tenders, savory salmon, or even creative twists on “toast,” the air fryer cuts cooking time significantly, while reducing the need for excess oil.
Best of all, you can adapt almost any oven recipe to the air fryer with just a few simple tweaks to temperature and timing.
This makes the air fryer a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their cooking routine, enjoy delicious meals in less time, and make healthier choices without sacrificing taste.