19 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes to Kick-Start Your New Routine
That little machine is handier than you might think!
Whether you just got a brand-new air fryer for the holidays or you've been using one for years, these healthy recipes will help you make the most out of your favorite countertop appliance.
There are a lot of surprising things you can do with an air fryer, but one of the best and easiest is to cook up a quick main or side dish for a fast, easy, and lower-fat weeknight dinner. Below find ten super simple recipes for mains and sides of all kinds. You can use them as a base to build a wide variety of weeknight dinners and healthy meals for yourself and your family.
Air Fryer Cheddar, Bacon and Chive Breakfast Muffins
These tender muffins are a grab-and-go breakfast treat.
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Cheddar, Bacon and Chive Breakfast Muffins.
Air Fryer Roasted Potato-and-Pepper Hash
Prepping the veggies the night before turns this into a 15-minute, hands-free breakfast that can cook while you sip your first cup of coffee.
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Roasted Potato-and-Pepper Hash.
Air Fryer Fajitas
These sizzling fajitas will be a hit with the whole family. Cooking them in an air fryer makes cleanup a breeze. (No oil splatters on the stovetop!)
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Cornflake Topping
Creamy macaroni and cheese has never been simpler. Be sure to press the cornflake topping gently on top of the macaroni so it doesn’t blow around inside the air fryer.
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Cornflake Topping.
Air Fried Bourbon BBQ-Glazed Pork Chops
Whiskey-laced barbecue sauce takes this variation on our bbq grilled pork chops from weeknight to wonderful in 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie
Store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and salsa verde mean you can have cheesy, warm enchiladas faster, and the air fryer cuts the bake time down to just 6 minutes.
Air Fryer Citrus-Thyme Salmon
Cooked directly atop sliced clementines and herbs, the fish is infused with bright flavor.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Mustard, Garlic and Rosemary Sauce
Bone-in chicken thighs are some of our favorite cuts to cook when making a chicken dinner. Because they have more fat and connective tissue than lean breasts they come out moist and juicy every time. Make a double batch of the sauce and use it to dress a simple salad.
Vermouth Air Fried Shrimp
Use your air fryer to make an appetizer guests will remember.
Boneless Pork Chops
Though these standard-bearers of weeknight ease can be quickly pan-seared, the process often involves a lot of cooking oil and the cleanup that comes with it. The air fryer makes it much faster—and less greasy.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
There are dozens of ways to cook potatoes but there's nothing more classic—or delicious—than a simple baked potato split and steaming hot, dressed with sour cream with perhaps a few chives or some Cheddar cheese.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
This may, in fact, be the recipe that justifies the air fryer's name. Crispy and crunchy on the outside, tender and delicious inside, this chicken has it all—except a container of used oil to deal with.
Scampi-Style Air Fryer Shrimp
This air fryer recipe takes just fifteen minutes to cook, so even if you start with frozen shrimp, you can have dinner on the table in about half a hour.
Air Fryer Steak
A lean steak, cooked simply can absolutely be part of a healthy meal. The air fryer lets you cook one up in minutes with a minimum of fuss. Serve it sliced over a hearty salad.
Air Fryer French Fries
From-scratch French fries that aren't drenched in oil? Yes, please!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
If you're looking for a slightly healthier version of everyone's favorite football-night staple, the air-fryer is your best friend. It will help give your wings get a nice, crispy exterior without all the oil that comes from deep-frying. And you can practically cook them faster than it takes most delivery services to ring your doorbell.
Air Fryer Bacon
Bacon is traditionally made on the stove of course, though it tends to splatter, and cleanup can be a big pain. If you're making it for a crowd, it's easiest to just cook it in the oven. But if you're looking to just make a small amount of bacon, and don't want to deal with splatter, then your top-rated air fryer is the way to go.
Incredibly Tender Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
We're big fans of bone-in chicken thighs. With just a little prep work, these chicken thighs can go from the fridge to the table in just about 20 minutes. Though you could cook them straight from the package, we like to make sure they're extra tender and flavorful by tossing together a quick marinade in the morning.
Get the recipe for Incredibly Tender Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
Marinated Air Fryer Salmon
You can air fry salmon with nothing but a little salt, or you can season it with your favorite marinades or rubs. Here, we've put together a very basic combination of maple syrup, lime juice, and soy sauce, which can be cooked down into a delicious glaze in about 5-10 minutes, while the fish is cooking.
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