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15 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need in Your Life!

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15 easy air fryer recipes that you need in your life! We've got you covered with recipes for air fryer snacks, sides and mains! Crispy and delicious with a fraction of the oil.

What is an air fryer? It's a counter-top appliance that is basically a small convection oven. It replaces a deep fryer and is a much healthier option, but in my experience it has other benefits as well!

Which air fryer do you recommend?

I’ve been using a Phillips air fryer (similar to this one) for several years and it is still working great. However, if I could do it over again, I would buy the XL model, which fits more food. We also recently purchased the Instant Pot Vortex air fryer, but haven’t used it enough to comment on it.

Pros and cons of an air fryer:

Pros:

  • it cooks crispy food with a fraction of the oil
  • it heats up in just a couple of minutes (compared to 10-15 minutes for my oven)
  • you don't need to heat up your oven (great in the summer)

Cons:

  • it has a large footprint (not great for small spaces)
  • it does not fit a large amount of food at a time and you often have to cook in batches (although it really depends on your air fryer model and the type of food you're cooking)
  • they can be costly

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Sides & snacks

When it comes to side dishes, the air fryer makes things extra easy! Here are my favorite side dish air fryer recipes from around the web.

Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
This air fryer broccoli gets golden and crispy, and is ready in under 10 minutes! Tossed in balsamic vinegar, it is slightly tangy, savory and tender.
Check out this recipe
close up shot of air fryer broccoli in a bowl
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Crispy air fryer cauliflower is tender with golden, crunchy bits! Ready in under 20 minutes, it's oil-free and so simple to prep.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of Crispy air fryer cauliflower in gray bowl
ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Crispy air fryer chickpeas are the tastiest and crunchiest snack you will find. Using the air fryer cuts the cook time down to 15 minutes, and they are so much crispier than in the oven! Vegan and gluten-free, these crispy roasted chickpeas are an awesome healthier snack.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeas
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With five simple ingredients, they can be prepped and on your table in under 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of a bowl of air fryer brussels sprouts
Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
Baked zucchini fries with a crispy parmesan panko breading are kid-friendly and the perfect way to use up summer's zucchini! 
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of crispy baked zucchini fries on gray plate with small bowl of ketchup
Air Fryer Bacon
Air fryer bacon is ULTRA crispy and so easy to cook. No more bacon splatter all over your stove top makes it even easier to clean up after!
Check out this recipe
plate with bacon on it
Seriously Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
Air fryer gnocchi is so crispy, is ready in just 13 minutes and does not need to be boiled! This is a great side dish alternative to potatoes or pasta, and also makes a great snack.
Check out this recipe
gnocchi in air fryer basket
Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Air fryer hard boiled eggs are cooked through in 16 minutes, peel easily, and are perfectly cooked each and every time! This is such a simple way to cook them.
Check out this recipe
overhead view of eggs in an air fryer basket

Main course recipes

The air fryer is so perfect for main courses because it cooks your protein to perfection! From tofu to shrimp, these air fryer recipes for main courses are going to make everyone at the dinner table HAPPY!

Recipe video

Watch the video below to see four of my favorite proteins to cook in the air fryer. You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.

Perfect Air Fryer Salmon
Air fryer salmon cooks quickly and has a slight crust on the outside, but is tender on the inside. With a delicious rub, this salmon recipe can be on your table in 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
overhead view of plate with four air fryer salmon portions and lemon wedges
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air fryer chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and ready in minutes! With a simple spice rub and very little oil, you can use boneless or bone-in thighs. This recipe is gluten-free and low carb!
Check out this recipe
Four chicken thighs on a gray plate
Crispy Seasoned Air Fryer Tofu
This ultra crispy air fryer tofu is super flavorful and cooked through in just 13 minutes! Popular with kids and adults and an easy vegan recipe.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of tofu cubes in air fryer
Thai Salmon Patties
These Thai Salmon Patties can be prepped ahead and frozen for an easy dinner recipe. Thaw and cook in the frying pan or in an air fryer for crispy salmon patties with a punch of spicy Thai curry flavor!
Check out this recipe
stack of thai salmon patties with lime wedge on top
Air Fryer Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos
Air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos are a fresh, flavorful, and healthy dinner to get on your table quickly. Vegan, clean eating and easily made gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
four air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos lined up on blue background with hand grabbing one
Air Fryer Shrimp
Air fryer shrimp give you perfectly cooked shrimp without needing to turn on the oven! Marinated in a simple honey lime marinade, these are perfect for an easy dinner.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of a pile of honey lime shrimp in gray bowl with fresh lime slices
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Crispy air fryer chicken tenders are juicy, flavorful, and so much tastier than store-bought! Simple to prepare, requires very little oil, and devoured by kids.
Check out this recipe
Crispy chicken tenders piled on a plate with fresh parsley
20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast
A quick but flavorful recipe to cook chicken breast in the air fryer- ready in just 20 minutes! With a simple breading that gets crispy and adds so much flavor.
Check out this recipe
pile or air fryer chicken breasts with one sliced
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are the CRISPIEST wings you can get! Cook a whole batch in your air fryer with four simple ingredients. These are keto, paleo and gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
gray plate with pile of air fryer chicken wings and dipping sauce

About Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more. read more