There is a healthy way to make french fries, wings, wontons, chicken tenders and more! I’ve got 13 Air Fryer recipes that are beyond delicious and easy to make that won't make you feel guilty about eating those "fried food" classics you love most!
Who has an air fryer? I don't. Well, not yet. I mean, I PLAN to get one. I've heard a lot of talk about this air fryer gadget and my interest has been peaked for about a year now. But I haven't bought one yet. I was the same way about my Instant Pot...I was slow to jump on board but when I did, I fell in love and I use my Instant Pot ALL THE TIME! I know I'm going to be the same with my air fryer. But before I buy it, I really wanted to research how this amped up convection oven works. And recipes...oh the RECIPES! Bring me the recipes! But let's start with how the air fryer works first.
How Does An Air Fryer Work?
Apparently, it's just an amped up convection oven that works by circulating hot air up around your food. From there, it transforms the food into crispy yumminess without a bunch of oil. Philips Electronics Company originally patented the air fryer back in 2010. Wow - has it really been around that long? Gosh, I feel like I'm late to the party! I apparently missed the memo! Well, this handy dandy little appliance is supposed to deliver the results of deep frying with only hot air and a tiny amount of oil. Yeah for the simplicity and approach to healthiness!
13 Recipes That Convinced Me To Buy An Air Fryer
So yes, ok...I think I'm to the point to where I'm ready to buy an air fryer. BUT I need some recipes on hand when it's delivered to my house. So I went on the hunt and I found a TON of air fryer recipes. And let me tell you, I found recipes for foods I had no idea I could make in an air fryer. So many options! But these here below sold me...and I'm going to tell you why.
Air Fryer Potato Chip Chicken
The name says it all. Potato Chips. Chicken. SOLD! This recipe comes from Garnished Plate and only calls for 3 simple ingredients: chicken, egg, potato chips. It really just doesn't get any easier than that and oh my goodness who doesn't need some easy in their life! This recipe only takes 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer. I love the quick tips in this post and guess what...this recipe is HEALTHY! Get the recipe here.
Air Fryer Fried Ravioli (Gluten Free)
Who doesn't love a fried ravioli?! And a gluten free version?! YES Please! These air fried ravioli from This Vivacious Life have less fat than the traditional version and only takes minutes to make. 9 minutes to be exact. Dip these lovelies in your favorite marinara, cheese or pesto sauce and you've got yourself a yummy appetizer or snack! Get the recipe here.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Who doesn't love a baked potato? Especially one that is covered in a parsley garlic salt rub. YUM! Courtney's Sweets tell us that all you have to do is put these in the air fryer for 35-40 minutes. Pop them out and you've got yourself a perfectly cooked potato with a crispy flavorful skin! It just really doesn't get much better than that! You can find this recipe here. Oh - and if you want to air fry a sweet potato, she tells you how to do it here.
Air Fryer Orange Turkey Burgers With Orange Aioli
Say what? You can make turkey burgers in an air fryer? I had no idea! This recipe from This Old Gal promises a ton of flavor with its Orange Basting Sauce and Orange Aioli! And only 11 minutes to cook! My son is going to love these burgers! Get this recipe here.
Air Fryer French Fries
Healthy, low fat french fries? No way! Oh...and they aren't just any french fries, they are Parmesan French Fries! Crispy and crunchy, this recipe from Watch What U Eat requires little to zero oil to get the same texture and taste as normal deep fried fries. Only a 20 minute cook time! Get this recipe here.
Wontons 3 Ways
We're talking Stuffed Crab Wontons, Sriracha Chicken Wontons and Mini Wonton “Corn Dogs”! Perfect for a healthier appetizer! I can so see myself making these on game day! I love how Carmy gives step-by-step instructions and pictures on how to make these variations! These are making my mouth water! Go get the recipe here.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Buffalo Sauce
These suckers take less than 35 minutes to make! Low Carb Yum says that an air fryer transforms traditionally deep fried, unhealthy recipes into much healthier options. Step-by-step instructions with pictures in this recipe! Check this one out here.
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
So quick and so easy to make. Did you know you can freeze these French Toast Sticks?! This recipe will come in so handy when you have a rushed morning! Love Bakes Good Cakes tells us we can just pull them out of the freezer and reheat! Mr. Mason loves my French Toast recipe, but I bet he's going to love these! And so will my littles! Only 8 minutes to make these! Get the recipe here.
Healthier Fried Zucchini Chips
We all know that deep fried vegetables are GOOD but not good for you. Sarah from over at Sustainable Cooks provides us with a way healthier recipe for zucchini chips! She provides 3 different ways to make these zucchini chips, but I'm so using my air fryer when it comes time to make these! I LOVE the nutritional value associated with these! For 10 chips, it's only 95 calories, 3 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs and 5 grams of protein. You can also make a gluten free version if you use a gluten free panko crumb like this one. I can't wait to make these!! Get the recipe here.
Air Fried Beef Satay
You can make Beef Satay in your air fryer! This recipe only takes 10 minutes to cook. Over at Two Sleevers, they tell us that all you have to do is marinate the meat, walk away and let that air fryer cook for 10 minutes. Then it's ready to eat! Oh...and she has an air fryer cookbook with 100 air fryer recipes!! I'm so getting that recipe book! Go check all this out over here.
Air Fryer Bow Tie Pasta Chips
This is going to be my new favorite snack, I just know it! These are super crunchy and taste like a cheese cracker! But these are vegan! These take about 11 minutes to air fry and call for 5 simple ingredients. Can't WAIT to try these! Oh...and Healthy Slow Cooking just released a new "Vegan Cooking Air Fryer" cookbook so if you're vegan and want more air fryer recipes, go check it out here.
Low Carb Crispy Chicken Tenders
I am a lover of chicken tenders. I ate them as a kid and I eat them as an adult...just not that often because they are not that good for you...until THIS recipe! These are gluten free because This Mom's Menu uses almond flour in her recipe, along with some of my other all time favorite ingredients such as paprika and garlic powder. These are low carb and keto friendly. Only 231 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs and 37 grams of protein! If you're a macro nutrition kind of person like I am, you're going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! Get the low down on this recipe here.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls
Do you love mozzarella sticks? If you do, then you're going to love these Mozzarella Balls! Let's be honest...traditional mozzarella sticks is the ultimate classic deep fried and unhealthy appetizer! But not anymore, nope! These balls are crispy and full of flavor! And you can freeze these before air frying them! When I get my air fryer, I'm going to bring forth my favorite dipping sauces and make these! Get the recipe from Simply Stacie here.
Air Fryer - Yes or No?
I'm definitely a YES! What about you? I'm going to go ahead and order it this week and pretty soon, you'll see new air fryer recipes from Recipes Worth Repeating!
What Type Of Air Fryer Should I Buy?
That's a good questions...and I'm not sure I know which one I'm going to buy yet. In doing my research, I found this really good article here that talks about how the air fryer works in great detail. They also talk about 11 different types of air fryers. Personally, I'm leaning toward the Phillips Air Fryer because it was the original...but y'all there are so many choices! Which air fryer do you have? Let me know because I'd love to hear what you have and like/don't like about your model. Here's some of the air fryers I'm researching/thinking about getting:
- Philips Airfryer, The Original Airfryer - $149 on Amazon
- Big Boss 16-Quart Oil-Less Air Fryer - $75 on Amazon
- Kalorik 1.6-Liter Personal Air Fryer - $41
- GoWISE USA Air Fryer - $79
- VonShef 3.5-Liter Digital Air Fryer - $69
To Sum It Up
I'm so glad I did this post because I learned a lot and I hope you did too! Here's what I took away from the research I did about air frying food, air fryer recipes and the air fryer gadget:
- It's a healthier alternative to deep frying.
- If you want really crispy stuff without frying this air fryer is excellent!
- You can actually bake in your air fryer.
- Your kitchen stays cool when using the air fryer. (I like to leave my oven off when I can! It's so hot where I live pretty much year round!)
- It cooks meats and vegetables.
- It mocks deep frying with little to no oil and results in crispy textures!
- Fast cooking times.
- Clean up is super easy.
Did you find this blog post helpful? If you’ve bought an air fryer or made any of these recipes, leave me a comment below and let me know how they turned out! I love hearing from you! You can also sign up for my newsletter and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food I’m creating!
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William Reardon
Talk about noise, Phillips is about the same as vacuum cleaner running! If anyone is sick or sleeping it is a problem, other than that, it's a bomb!!
Amanda Mason
Ha Ha! That is funny!! YEah Phillips makes good stuff, for sure.
Martha
I have three air fryers - a traditional, a combination toaster oven air fryer and the new vortex cover from instant pot. The recipes here look great. I would add one more. Do a whole chicken in the air fryer and youโll never by a supermarket rotisserie chicken again. Embarrassingly easy, you prep you chicken (3-5lbs) as you like it. Put the chicken in breast side down and set the temp for 360 F and 50 minutes. Turn it breast side up for 10 minutes more. Take itโs temperature (160-165F). It can go a little longer if itโs not there yet. Take it out let it rest. While the rest is happening, you can de-grease the lovely drippings and make a pan sauce. Carve, serve and step back for all the raves.
Amanda Mason
Hi Martha!
That chicken recipe does sound so amazing!! I'll have to make it and add it to the list! Thanks for the GREAT recipe idea!! Thank you for following me here on the food blog! I can't WAIT to hear which recipes you try!!
Connie
I recently bought Vortex plus air fryer. Do you ever use the roast or broiler button or just use the Airfry button.
Amanda Mason
I haven't yet...but to be honest I need to play around with it more. I do like my pre-set buttons on my air-fryer but I have not used the roast or broiler button yet.
Jamie
I tried the French Toast sticks from the recipe you shared and they were delicious!
I'm going to try the Mozzarella balls soon too.
I'll share your post with my list, thank-you!
Amanda Mason
I'm so glad you loved them, Jamie!!
Kathryn
Ok you have me convinced!! Now I just need to decide which of these recipes I'm going to try first!!
Amanda Mason
They are all amazing!!
Lizzy
Fried ravioli in the air fryer! So genius! I got one as a gift and had no idea where to start, thank you for all these delicious ideas. I'm going to be using it all the time now
Laurie
I bought my oldest daughter the as seen on TV air fryer 2 years ago and she raved about it. Earlier this year she was telling me it still works but some of the costing was being worn off the basket by the inner basket so I got her the new improved model with the rack and the rotisserie. She says this is even better than the original and she can't wait to try dehydrating fruits and veggies with it.
Amanda Mason
My kids are dying for me to buy a dehydrator! I'll have to find an air fryer that does it! What kind is your daughter interested in getting?
Mily
Hi there. Mouth watering for all 13 Recipes! I'm a new cooker so I think air fryer can make me more comfortable for cooking . Usually, I have only bread with boiled egg for my breakfast, having bread toasted by a toaster oven I bought from here https://www.eathealthyandthrive.com/best-toaster-ovens-under-100/. It's good for smart kitchen. By the way, air fryer is one more good choices for my cooking for breakfast. Thank you for your sharing recipes. I love this.
Amanda Mason
Hi Mily! I'm so glad the roundup was helpful for you and I hope you make some of these recipes!! If you do, take a picture and tag me on social media so I know how they turned out!! Welcome to the world of cooking!! Dont forget to sign up for my email newsletter so you can stay on top of all my latest recipes!!!
Julie
Everything looks so crispy!! So... if it works the same as a convection oven, can you achieve the same/similar results in a convection oven? Is this more of a mini appliance for those who don't already have a convection oven, or does it do something different? (The house we are building will have a convection oven, though I haven't used one before.)
Nancy
I have a convection oven, but also an air fryer. The air fryer seems to be much quicker and better at making things seem "fried". I use it a lot more than the oven. The other advantage is that is preheats and cooks things much quicker. I am glad I have both.
Amanda Mason
Yes - there are perks to having both but I do love my air fryer!!
Kristal
I have the instant pot 6 qt vortex air fryer and it is AWESOME
Amanda Mason
Hi Kristal!! YES!! The Air Fryer is so genius!! I love mine, too!!! Let me know which recipes you end up making in your air fryer!!
Jessica Pinney
Thanks for putting this together. I have been on the fence about getting an air fryer but these delicious looking recipes have helped me decide to pull the trigger.