The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (2024)

Jill Mills

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

From breakfast to dinner and dessert, we’ve uncovered the BEST Air Fryer Recipes. These include the traditional favorites like chicken wings to more unconventional air fryer recipes like blueberry wontons and hush puppies!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (2)

I LOVE my air fryer. It is probably my favorite appliance in the kitchen. It makes recipes quick and easy and, often, healthier than the original recipe. I love discovering and trying new air fryer recipes and am always shocked at the things you can actually make in your air fryer. Everyone seems to automatically think of bar foods but you can even cook dessert!

I use my air fryer several times a week so I’ve rounded up some of those recipes I make frequently to share with you.

What Is An Air Fryer?

Air fryers have become the latest must-have kitchen gadget over the best several years. And, for good reason! Air fryers are like magic in a box. They are essentially small, countertop convection ovens that “fry” your food with little or no oil, using just hot air.

How Do Air Fryers Work?

Air fryers work similarly to a convection oven. You place your food in the basket, which has many small holes, and hot air immediately circulates on all sides of the food. The quick, hot heat crisps the outside while the inside cooks giving you the “deep fried effect” without actually immersing anything in oil.

Some recipes will call for oil just to coat whatever you’re cooking and I do recommend spraying the basket to prevent things from sticking but otherwise, no oil is needed.

What Can I Cook In An Air Fryer?

Oh, so many things! The original idea was that an air fryer could be used in place of a deep fryer for many fried foods but over the last few years the internet has uncovered how to cook basically anything and anything in the air fryer.

You can cook your typical fried foods like chicken fingers, French fries, and onion rings but also things like hamburgers, steak, hotdogs, roasted vegetables, pizza, and even desserts.

Honestly, if you can bake it or fry it, you can likely make it in the air fryer!

Just getting started with your air fryer? Be sure to check out my air fryer tips and cooking times printable!

Air Fryer Pizza

MakeEasy Air Fryer Pizzafor a delicious build-your-own pizza dinner the whole family will love. Biscuit dough crusts topped with sauce, pepperoni, sausage, and cheese, then baked fresh in minutes in the air fryer. Pizza night has never been so fun!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (3)

Air Fryer Donuts

All you need is a can of refrigerated biscuits and 3 other ingredients to make these cinnamon sugar air fryer donuts! And they’re ready in just 5 minutes!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (4)

Air Fryer Pickles

With these Air Fryer Pickles, you can indulge in deep fried pickles whenever the craving hits, with none of the guilt! These easy fried pickles are super crispy even without being fried in oil and are served with the best homemade dipping sauce.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (5)

Air Fryer Pineapple

ThisAir Fryer Pineapplerecipe is perfect for creating sweet caramelized pineapple in less than 20 minutes. Serve with ice cream for a seriously quick and easy dessert.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (6)

Air Fryer Nashville Chicken

This Nashville chicken is absolutely irresistible! Strips of chicken are dipped in buttermilk and seasoned with a splash of hot sauce and pickle juice. And the air fryer cooks them in just minutes!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (7)

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

Tiny little bites of fried apple pie that you can pop in your mouth., these apple pie bombs are absolute perfection when served warm! All of your favorite apple pie flavors with none of the work.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (8)

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Fried chicken that doesn’t require deep frying? Sign me up! My air fryer has helped revamp my dedication to healthier eating and this recipe is one example of why. This fried chicken is so good you won’t even realize it’s not deep-fried!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (9)

Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp (From Skinnytaste)

This fast and easy Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp recipe is a meal-in-one, made with shrimp, sausage, and lots of colorful vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers. Customize it to your family’s preferences for a fast and healthy weeknight dinner.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (10)

Air Fryer Steak Fries (From Kleinworth & Co)

Air Fryer Steak Fries are loaded with garlic & parmesan cheese. This quick & easy recipe is ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for game day, race day, or as a bbq side dish. Delish!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (11)

How To Make Bacon In The Air Fryer

Bacon in the air fryer? Why yes, yes it is possible! And so darn good! Air fryer bacon is just as crispy as fried bacon, without all of the mess and grease.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (12)

Air Fryer Jalapeno Cheese Balls

For a fun, cheesy appetizer with a little kick of heat, try these jalapeno bacon cheese balls! They’re like jalapeno poppers but better. Perfect for game day or any party!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (13)

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs are one of my favorite air fryer hacks. Here’s how to make them!

  • Preheat the air fryer to 250.
  • Add all the eggs to the basket and cook according to your preference, between 13 minutes for soft-boiled eggs and 17 minutes for hard boiled eggs.
  • Remove the eggs from the basket, and plunge them into an ice bath. Peel when cool and enjoy!
The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (14)

Strawberry Air Fryer Cheesecake

Strawberry Cheesecake is one of my favorite air fryer desserts to share with friends and family. It has a sweet and creamy flavor that’s perfect for summer when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen with the oven!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (15)

Air Fryer Bagels

Enjoy homemade bagels in 15 minutes with this easy recipe. All you need is simple ingredients like flour, Greek yogurt, and your favorite bagel toppings.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (16)

Air Fryer Pasta Chips with Dipping Sauce

Have you seen the new TikTok craze,Pasta Chips? Guess what…they’re made in the air fryer! If you’ve been curious about this crispy crunchy snack, this recipe is going to blow your mind.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (17)

Air Fryer Doritos Chicken Tenders

These Dorito air fryer chicken tenders are my kids’ new favorite meal. And I absolutely don’t mind making it for them a little too often because the crispy chicken tenders aren’t soaked with grease.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (18)

Air Fryer Apple Fries

These apple fries are coated with graham crackers and sugar then air fried until crispy. Dipped into a caramel dipping sauce, they’re like a caramel apple but better!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (19)

Air Fryer Garlic Knots

TheseAir Fryer Parmesan Garlic Knotsare crispy and crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. All you need to do is make the knots, add your butter concoction, and pop them into the air fryer.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (20)

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Crispy chicken wings in less than 15 minutes with no grease? Yes, it’s possible! These air fryer wings use a dry rub for a crisp outside and incredible flavor.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (21)

Air Fryer Blackberry Hand Pies

Hand pies are always a super fun dessert because who doesn’t love a personal-sized pie?! Now with the air fryer they’re easier to make than ever and still have that crisp, flaky outer crust.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (22)

Air Fryer Avocado Fries

If you like avocados you’re going to totally try your hand at these air fryer avocado fries. They are breaded in Panko bread crumbs and seasoned with cajun spices for a delicious snack idea. We like making these as a dinner side dish or as an appetizer when we have company!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (23)

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Another favorite chicken wing recipe, these air fryer BBQ wings are coated in a delightful BBQ sauce while still getting perfectly crunchy on the outside. Not a fan of BBQ? Sub your favorite wing sauce!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (24)

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (from Berry Maple)

These easy air fryer jalapeno poppers are stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon. In addition to being delicious, these poppers are keto, low carb, and weight watchers friendly. Perfect for your next party!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (25)

Air Fryer Reuben Egg Rolls (from Plum Crazy about Coupons)

One of the more unique air fryer recipes, these Reuben egg rolls take the typical sandwich ingredients and roll them up in an egg roll wrapper. The end result is surprisingly crisp and flavorful!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (26)

Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets

If you love Chick-Fil-A then you have to try these air fryer copycat nuggets! With just a few simple ingredients, they taste so close to the fast food favorite!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (27)

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

When it comes to a full meal in the air fryer, this chicken parmesan recipe is one of my favorites. The chicken is cooked in less than 10 minutes and the flavor is exactly what you’d expect from your favorite Italian restaurant.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (28)

Air Fryer Blueberry Cheesecake Wontons

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s a little unique, you can’t go wrong with these blueberry cheesecake wontons! This bite-sized dessert is stuffed with your favorite blueberry pie and cheesecake fillings in an easy-to-grab format. Perfect for sharing with friends and family!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (29)

Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Salmon

This lemon pepper salmon tastes like something straight out of a restaurant but it’s ready in just minutes! The air fryer makes the salmon extra flaky without drying it out. Perfect for a nice dinner with friends and family!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (30)

Coca-Cola Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Marinated in Cherry co*ke and a few other ingredients, these Coca-Cola air fryer wings are just what you need for your next game day party! They’re perfectly sticky and sweet with just a bit of warmth. Dip in ranch for the perfect party appetizer.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (31)

Air Fryer S’mores Hand Pies

When you can’t roast s’mores over the campfire, the air fryer is the second-best option! These fun s’mores hand pies have all the elements of the classic campfire dessert with no fire necessary. Enjoy s’mores year-round with this fun dessert.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (32)

Air Fryer Mashed Potato Cakes

These mashed potato cakes are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Stir in some bacon, cheese, and chives then coat with panko crumbs before air frying to crisp, cheesy perfection.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (33)

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers (from This Old Gal)

A twist on the classic appetizer, these jalapeno poppers are stuffed with cream cheese then wrapped in chicken and bacon. Top with some BBQ sauce for a delightful dinner or party appetizer! You can even make these low carb and keto.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (34)

Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

Toasted ravioli in the air fryer is super crisp and dippable. Enjoy it as an appetizer before an Italian entree or make it the star of the show itself.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (35)

Air Fryer Frosted Donuts (from Fluster Buster)

All you need to make these donuts is refrigerated biscuits, coconut oil, and 5 minutes of time! Add chocolate frosting and sprinkles or your other favorite donut toppings for a healthier alternative to this typically oily breakfast treat.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (36)

Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Enjoy these air fryer hush puppies alongside your seafood dinner (maybe even one on this list!) or as a snack. You’ll likely be surprised at the flavor in this traditionally deep-fried recipe!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (37)

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating: 4.7 from 26 votes

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

The Best Air Fryer Recipes - Delicious Fried and Crispy Recipes with Less Guilt. (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 6202

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.