Forget the Fat With These Easy Air Fryer Recipes

While everyone’s obsessing over instant pots, it might be time to make room in your kitchen for the newest tool in town. Air fryers are fast becoming all the rage and for a good reason. They recreate the crispy results of deep-frying, minus the fat. This means that homemade comfort food just got a whole lot healthier. And, with endless easy air fryer recipes to choose from, you’ll never run out of options. If you’re trying to find ways to eat healthier, an air fryer just might be exactly what you need in your life.

Air fryer rotisserie chicken

No rotisserie required!

Ingredients

• 1 3-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Instructions

1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper.
2. Whisk herbs and spices together in a medium-sized bowl, and rub over the chicken.
3. Add the pieces of dark meat to the air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10 minutes. Repeat this process with the white meat, reducing the time to 8 minutes each side. Check that the chicken is cooked through with a meat thermometer, ensuring that each piece registers at 165°F.

Air fryer tortellini

This classic Italian snack is addictively delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• Marinara sauce, for serving

Instructions

1. Cook tortellini on the stove according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano and pepper flakes in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, add the flour.
3. Coat cooked tortellini in flour, then dredge in the eggs and then the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Place in the air fryer, and fry for 10 minutes at 370°F until crispy.
5. Serve with a side of marinara sauce.

Air fryer sweet potato fries

Quicker to make and crispier than their oven-baked counterparts⁠—what could be sweeter?

Ingredients

• 2 peeled sweet potatoes, cut into ¼ inch sticks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

1. Toss sweet potato sticks with olive oil and seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Lay an even layer of sweet potato fries in the fryer basket, working in batches. Cook at 375°F for 8 minutes, then flip the fries and cook for another 8 minutes until crispy.
3. Serve immediately.

Air fryer pickles

These beloved bar snacks are sure to tickle your fancy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of dill pickle slices
• 1 egg, whisked with 1 tablespoon of water
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Ranch dressing

Instructions

1. Pat pickles dry with paper towels. Combine parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic powder and oregano in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Dip the pickle slices in the egg mixture, then into the bread crumb mixture. Place a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches — Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
3. Serve warm, with ranch dressing for dipping.

Air fryer hot dogs

Let’s be frank⁠—you’ll relish the fact that these are ready in minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 hot dogs
• 4 hot dog buns
• Toppings of your choice

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Add the hot dog buns to the air fryer basket, and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove buns to a plate.
2. Add the hot dogs to the air fryer basket, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
3. Add your favorite toppings, and serve immediately.

Air fryer jalapeno poppers

If you can’t stand the heat, stay away from the air fryer.

Ingredients

• 10 jalapeno peppers, cut in half with seeds removed
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 3/4 cup bread or tortilla crumbs

Instructions

1. Combine cream cheese with half of the crumbs, then add the parsley.
2. Stuff each pepper with the cream cheese mixture, then press the tops of the peppers into the remaining crumbs.
3. Cook in the air fryer at 370°F for 6-8 minutes. Let cool, and serve.

Air fryer pork chops

With a perfect Parmesan crust and quick cooking time, say goodbye to dry chops.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork chops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Dry pork chops with a paper towel, then coat both sides with olive oil. Combine Parmesan and seasonings in a medium-sized bowl, then coat both sides of the pork chops with the Parmesan mixture.
2. Place coated pork chops in the air fryer basket, and cook at 375°F for 9 minutes. Flip halfway through.

Air fryer Avocado fries

These are everything you’ve avo wanted in a healthy snack and more.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 avocados, sliced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• Ranch dressing (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk Panko, paprika and garlic powder together in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, add the flour.
2. Dip avocado slices, one at a time, into the flour, then the eggs, then the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
3. Add to the air fryer, then cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
4. Serve warm with ranch dressing, if desired

Air fryer Thanksgiving turkey

Free up your oven for more important things⁠—like pie.

Ingredients

• 1 2-lb. turkey breast
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Generously season turkey breast with salt and freshly ground pepper, then rub fresh herbs all over.
2. Cook in the air fryer at 390°F for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Check that the turkey is cooked through with a meat thermometer to an internal temperature of 160°F.
3. Whisk together melted butter, maple syrup and dijon in a small bowl.
4. Take the turkey out of air fryer and brush with the maple syrup mixture. Then, return the turkey to air fryer and fry at 330°F for 2 minutes, until caramelized.
5. Let turkey rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Air fryer chocolate chip oatmeal cookies

Air fryer cookies? You betcha!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Line air fryer basket with foil, and preheat to 350°F.
2. Cream the sugars and butter in a large bowl until fluffy and light, then beat in vanilla and eggs. Combine the flour, oats, pudding mix, salt, and baking soda, and add to the creamed mixture gradually, mixing well. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
3. Form dough into slightly-flattened balls, 1 tablespoon-size each, and place on the foil-lined air fryer basket 2 inches apart. Cook 8-10 minutes, then remove to wire racks. Repeat with the remaining dough.