So, you find yourself the proud new owner of an air fryer! Now what? To help get acquainted with your new kitchen gadget, here are 40 Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners that keep things simple and oh-so-tasty. Try out your favorites, and you’ll be an air frying whiz in no time!
What is an Air Fryer & How Does it Cook Food?
An air fryer is a kitchen countertop appliance that is essentially a cross between a deep fryer and a convection oven. It doesn’t actually “fry” food, in the sense that there is no oil or deep frying involved. Instead, air fryers work by circulating hot air around food in a basket. This cooks the food from all sides and creates a nice, crispy layer much like frying would.
Is Air Fried Food Healthier?
Since the food isn’t submerged in oil, air fryers are generally a healthier way to enjoy recipes that taste fried without actually deep frying. In some cases, air frying food can cut the calories by 70-80%! Less fats and oil are absorbed into the food while air frying, which means less saturated fats and inflammation – and potentially less risk of chronic diseases down the road.
Of course, at the end of the day, what really makes air fried food healthier is the kinds of food you’re air frying! An air fryer isn’t a free pass to eat loads of calorie-laden foods, or to add excess oils to a recipe simply because it’s air fried. Vegetables, fish, whole grains, and lean meats, however, are just about as healthy out of the air fryer as they’ll be out of the oven!
Easy Air Fry Recipes to Try
These easy recipes are just the ticket to get warmed up to your air fryer! From savory dinner ideas and snacks, to air fryer desserts and sweet treats that even a beginner can “fry” up in minutes!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are packing loads of flavor thanks to a special brine: pickle juice! An easy, family-friendly recipe for juicy air fryer chicken that won’t disappoint.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Skip the oven and make easy, crispy cauliflower in the air fryer instead! Seasoned with a simple yet flavorful blend of common pantry spices, this healthy veggie recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Air Fryer Truffle Fries
Make delicious fries from scratch that are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside with this easy air fryer recipe. Bursting with truffle flavor, these homemade fries are upping the game when it comes to side dishes!
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Juicy, tender hamburgers are so easy to cook in the air fryer! Try a healthier alternative to your favorite drive thru burgers that’s just as delicious. And just as quick!
Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli [+VIDEO]
You’ll never roast broccoli in the oven again after you’ve tried this air fryer version! Tender broccoli florets are cooked to a satisfying and flavorful crispiness, for an easy vegetable side dish.
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer
Learn how to cook meatballs from frozen quickly and easily in the air fryer with this handy guide. Your juicy meatballs will be ready to serve with your favorite dishes in just 15 minutes!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Hone your air fryer skills with these easy air fryer chicken drumsticks! This bone-in BBQ chicken recipe stays super moist and tender, with a delicious and sticky, saucy coating that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer in 25 minutes.
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
The perfect introduction to cooking chicken breast in your air fryer! This easy method is healthy and quick to prepare, and will leave you with the juiciest, most tender chicken that’s ready to pair with all kinds of sides.
Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Making hard boiled eggs in the air fryer is super easy to do, and ideal for breakfast and meal prep. This simple method for hard boiled eggs is a game changer!
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Make perfectly succulent and saucy homemade orange chicken with only 5 ingredients! This is a delicious 15 minute weeknight dinner that you can easily make in the air fryer, no matter your skill level!
Air Fryer Pork Chops
A lighting-quick pork chop recipe that you can make in the air fryer in under half an hour. These chops are so juicy and tender, once you’ve mastered them in the airy fryer, you’ll never want to prepare them another way again!
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
This classic dinner recipe made from crispy chicken breasts smothered with tangy marinara and melted mozzarella comes out perfectly tender in the air fryer! Chicken parmesan is easier to make than you’d think!
Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Fries
Classic pub grub gets a healthier upgrade with these not-so-greasy, ultra crispy parmesan crusted zucchini fries! The whole family will be hooked on these air fryer zucchini fries!
Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash
Delectably roasted butternut squash comes out so insanely tender in the air fryer! These savory chunks of butternut are seasoned with herbs and spices, for an impressive and easy beginner’s recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Make your next batch of sweet potato fries in your air fryer! You won’t regret it. A light and easy snack or side dish tossed in garlic seasoning that’ll definitely become a repeat offender in your kitchen.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
If there’s one recipe that will earn you your air fryer equivalent to sea legs, it’s these outrageously tender, easy air fryer chicken nuggets! Make a batch of these in minutes for a fun and tasty culinary confidence boost.
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu (How to Make Crispy Tofu)
Vegetarian air fryer hopefuls, this one’s for you! Make crispy, flavorful tofu that you can toss into countless veggie-friendly recipes. This is destined to become your new favorite way to cook tofu!
Epic Air Fryer Honey BBQ Cauliflower Wings
Try this easy game day appetizer for crispy battered cauliflower wings tossed in a sweet n’ sticky, hot n’ spicy honey BBQ sauce! Wow guests with your newfound air frying skills, and all that finger-licking flavor!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Another wing recipe you can make in minutes using your new favorite kitchen appliance. Air fryer buffalo wings are made with a handful of ingredients while packing all the delicious heat!
Easy Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts in the air fryer are a game changer, and you’ll see why with this easy recipe. These crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts make a perfect beginner’s side dish that tastes and looks like it was made by a pro!
Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas
Family-friendly chicken enchiladas are so easy to cook in the air fryer! Great to make for dinner and bursting with craveable Tex-Mex flavor.
Crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
If you’re looking for the ultimate beginner’s air fryer recipe, classic homemade French fries are a good place to start! These super simple but uber-delicious fries crisp up in minutes. You won’t be able to eat just one!
Air Fryer Chicken Fingers
This healthier spin on chicken fingers should come with a warning: once you have a bite of this satisfyingly crunchy, juicy air fryer chicken, you won’t be able to stop!
Air Fryer Honey Sesame Salmon
A beginner-friendly air fryer fish recipe that’s super flavorful and so easy to make. Asian-inspired flavors of honey and sesame come together in this 10-minute salmon recipe that’s perfect for a last-minute weeknight dinner.
Air Fryer Beef Taquitos
Get your air fryer skills on a roll with these easy air fried beef taquitos! A homemade taquito recipe that’s full of flavor and the best finger food for game day.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
A classic and hearty side dish, these baked potatoes couldn’t be any easier to make thanks to the air fryer! Tender, soft and buttery baked potatoes with a delightfully crispy exterior.
Air Fryer Asparagus
A veggie side that you can make for almost any occasion, air fryer asparagus is super tender on the inside and just the right amount of crispy on the outside. Plus, this recipe is ready in 12 minutes!
Air Fryer Smores Hand Pies
You’ll definitely be s’more comfortable with your air fryer once you’ve whipped up a batch of these incredible sweet hand pies! All the best flavors of a classic s’mores recipe – Graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows – wrapped up in one delicious package!
Air Fryer Blueberry Cheesecake Wontons
This easy air fryer dessert is a fusion of Asian wontons and classic all-American blueberry cheesecake. These sweet wontons are not your ordinary bite-sized dessert, but this recipe is an absolutely must-try!
Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie
Another classic dessert, simplified in the air fryer! You’ll be air frying this delightful version of pumpkin pie for many occasions to come, from Thanksgiving to Christmas!
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Make these air fryer French toast sticks as a kid-friendly breakfast or easy after school snack! They’re quick to make in less than 20 minutes and the perfect size for little hands to dip into maple syrup.
Air Fryer Donuts
These are the most cheerful donuts that you’ll ever make, and they’re super quick and easy in the air fryer! Frosted pink and covered in rainbow sprinkles for a delightful dessert.
Air Fryer Donuts
Try these buttery, sugary air fryer donuts on for size. You don’t need beginner’s luck for this air fryer recipe – only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or kitchen newbie, you’re guaranteed to find loads of recipe inspiration using the recipe finder!