Recipes Methods Air Fryer The 50 Air Fryer Recipes Our Readers Make on Repeat (and You Will, Too) Jesse Szewczyk Jesse Szewczyk Contributor Jesse Szewczyk is a food editor based in New York. He is th
The 50 Air Fryer Recipes Our Readers Make on Repeat (and You Will, Too)
Jesse Szewczyk
Jan Valdez
published2 days ago
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Countertop air fryers are an incredibly time-saving kitchen gadget. They work by circulating super-hot air, which quickly and evenly reaches all the surfaces of the food. In other words, it gives food that crispy-fried texture and golden-brown color without having to actually deep-fry anything.
If you’ve joined the air fryer club and need some ideas for meal essentials, we’ve got you covered. You can make practically anything that you would fry in an air fryer. It’s great at heating frozen foods, but it’s also fantastic for from-scratch foods like chicken wings, flaky salmon, potato chips, cinnamon-sugar donuts, and extra-crisp chocolate chip cookies. Here, we’ve rounded up 50 of our very best air fryer recipes to show just how versatile the appliance can be.
- Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
- Air Fryer Appetizer and Snack Recipes
- Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Main Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
From hard-boiled eggs to crispy bacon, these breakfast staples are the perfect way to start your morning.
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Credit: Meghan Splawn
Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
The air fryer transforms any type of bacon — from skinny strips to thick-cut slabs — into crispy perfection.
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Credit: Laura Manzano
Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
The surprising value of cooking hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer is not having to deal with a big pot of water at all!
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Credit: Tara Holland
Air Fryer French Toast
Air frying French toast guarantees a crispy exterior and an irresistible, evenly cooked interior.
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Air Fryer Appetizer and Snack Recipes
It wouldn’t be a party without appetizers and snacks. Make game-day favorites like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeño poppers in your air fryer.
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are some of the crispiest, juiciest wings you'll have outside a restaurant, and they take under an hour to cook.
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Credit: Laura Manzano
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Onion rings are a classic example of how breading just about anything can transform a few humble ingredients into a fun and impressive appetizer or snack.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Tater Tots
These hot and crispy air fryer tater tots taste just like the ones from your favorite burger joint.
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Credit: Renae Wilson
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
For the crispiest chicken tenders, look to the air fryer. Don't forget your favorite dipping sauce!
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air fryer mozzarella sticks are made entirely from kitchen staples, meaning you can you can have this crispy, gooey snack anytime you like.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Pickles
This any-occasion recipe is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that's sure to get devoured in record time.
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Credit: Laura Rege
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These air fryer jalapeño poppers scream "perfect game-day snack."
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Frozen Fries in Air Fryer
PSA: Your air fryer is the absolute best way to cook frozen french fries at home.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips
These easy air fryer potato chips are crispy and perfectly salted — hot oil not required.
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Mini Calzones
These mini calzones use prepared pizza dough to make delicious pockets filled with cheese and pepperoni that are perfect for parties or after school snacks.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Turn store-bought tortillas into crispy, restaurant-style chips with an air fryer.
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Credit: Photo: Danielle Acken | Food Styling: Aurelia Louvet
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
This plant-based bar-style snack is unbelievably crispy, thanks to one smart step.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Bite-size zucchini batons in a crunchy panko and Parmesan coating and air fried until golden and crisp.
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Credit: Tara Holland
Air Fryer Tofu
Air fryer tofu has those amazing crisp edges that make fried tofu so delicious, but there’s no actual frying with this method.
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Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
It you need quick and delicious vegetable sides, the air fryer has you covered.
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Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
All veggies in the air fryer are so good — thanks to the super-hot circulating air, they’re sweeter, crunchier, and more flavorful than roasted vegetables — and Brussels sprouts are no exception.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Duncan Fitzpatrick
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air-fry slender stalks of broccoli for a tender and crispy-tipped side dish to serve all year long.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Turn to your air fryer for this impossibly crispy and easy side dish.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Cooking corn in the air fryer results in the most tender-crisp kernel with some lightly charred edges in every sweet bite.
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Credit: Photo: Erik Bernstein; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Air-Fryer Zucchini
Air-fryer zucchini fries are always a favorite, but for an easier side dish, skip the three-part breading and try this new zucchini recipe.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Carrots
Slender carrot sticks seasoned with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs air fried until tender and blistered.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
The high fan speed and concentrated heat of the air fryer makes baked potatoes that are fluffy and tender on the inside and shatteringly crisp on the outside.
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Sliced acorn squash, roasted in the air fryer and drizzled with garlicky honey butter.
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Credit: Kristina Vanni
Air Fryer Green Beans
Cook blistered, crisp-tender green beans (fresh or frozen!) in an air fryer.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman - Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets are seasoned with dried herbs and garlic powder, then air-fried until tender, crispy, and lightly brown on the tips.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Sweet Potato
Even better than the air fryer recipe are the many toppings you can experiement with.
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Credit: Sara Tane
Air Fryer French Fries
An easy way to make crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside fries, no deep-frying required.
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Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez
Quick & Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus comes out perfectly tender and crisp every time, with just the right amount of char at the tips. Plus, it's ready in less than 10 minutes.
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Credit: Shilpa Uskokovic
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Old Bay seasoning is the star of this crispy air fryer potato wedge recipe.
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Credit: Tara Holland
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Cooked in the air fryer, these sweet potato fries are irresistibly crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and kissed all over with a simple seasoning mix. Best of all, they’re ready in just 15 minutes.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Thin and crispy Parmesan zucchini slices served with an herb-yogurt sauce is summer's answer to chips and dip.
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Air Fryer Main Dish Recipes
Classic main dishes like fried chicken, hamburgers, and steak are easy to make in your air fryer. Give your stovetop a break with these tasty dinner recipes.
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda
Air Fryer Salmon
Salmon fillets spiced with a mixture of mayonnaise, garlic, smoked paprika, and coriander and ready in 15 minutes.
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Credit: Olive & Mango
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
The air fryer yields flawless buttermilk fried chicken — crunchy skin, a cracker-crisp coating, and juicy, tender meat.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Air Fryer Steak
Air frying combines the ease of baking with all the deliciousness of pan-searing. The hot, circulating air quickly browns the outside of the steak, resulting in golden-brown edges that mimic a hard sear.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
The air fryer is your answer for always juicy, always tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Thanks to the convection heat of the air fryer, these breaded pork chops cook up crisp and juicy every time.
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Air Fryer Halibut
Halibut fillets take mere minutes to cook in the air fryer before they're ready to be served with your favorite simple vegetable side dish.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Tilapia
Crispy air fryer Parmesan- and panko-crusted tilapia is perfect for busy weeknights.
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Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Air Fryer Brats
Making golden and juicy bratwurst can't get any easier thanks to the air fryer.
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Credit: Renae Wilson
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Skip the hassle of the grill and make an extra-juicy hamburger right in the air fryer.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich
The chicken is brined in pickle juice and dredged in a seasoned coating for a tender, spicy, juicy sandwich.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Stylist: Jesse Szewczyk
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
Here's how you can create crispy, crunchy shrimp at home with your air fryer — no hot oil required!
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Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Air Fryer Pizza
The air fryer comes in handy when everyone wants a different pizza topping.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Ben Weiner
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Smoky Broccoli
This easy family dinner is the ultimate choice for meatless Monday. Serve the nuggets with ketchup for the kids and sweet chili sauce for the adults.
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Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Styling: Kristina Vanni
Air Fryer Fish and Chips
The air fryer perfectly cooks fish with a crunchy coating that is sure to satisfy that pub-food craving. Served along with some thick-cut steak fries, also prepared in the air fryer (from frozen), dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.
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Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Don’t forget dessert! The air fryer does that too. If you haven’t made dessert in your air fryer yet, give these recipes a try.
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Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks to the high fan speed and concentrated heat of the air fryer, these chocolate chip cookies are crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey on the inside.
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Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
These air fryer cinnamon rolls, which start with a tube of crescent roll dough, are ready in a fraction of the time.
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Easy Air Fryer Donuts
When it comes to desserts, it doesn’t get much easier than these donuts. They have a super smart-shortcut: Take canned biscuit dough, slice it into rounds, and cut the center out. Top them with a cinnamon-sugar mix or your favorite icing, and voilà!
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Because the classically fried dessert is made with a pâte à choux batter that can either be baked or fried, it’s perfectly suited to the air-fryer.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Air Fryer Oreo
The best, easiest way to get your fried Oreo fix at home.
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