As the popularity of using air fryers to cook delicious food fast has increased, so has the number of recipes at your disposal. In this guide to our best air fryer recipes, you will find over 20 recipes to cover all the bases, from hearty mains to light sides, savoury snacks to sweet treats, and everything in between. For ease, we have divided this comprehensive recipe catalogue into sections focusing on the most popular ingredients as well as different dish types. This way, you can quickly find the recipe you are looking for.
You can also check our collections of vegetarian air fryer recipes, air fryer breakfast ideas, and air fryer baking and desserts.
Top 4 air fryer chicken recipes
Chicken is undoubtedly mentioned on any list of recipes to cook in an air fryer. The versatile ingredient, with its many different cuts and seasoning possibilities, allows for a lot of delectable air-fried options.
Air fryer chicken nuggets
An option that will certainly appeal to children as well as adults is air fryer chicken nuggets. The golden delights have a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior that hits all the marks. Made with a seasoned cornflake crust the result is even crispier. The combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder ensures a flavourful treat with depth and a gentle heat that is not overly spicy, allowing everyone in the family to enjoy them.
Air fryer chicken
Love a classic oven-roasted chicken dinner? You will be happy to know that air fryer chicken is just as good and quick to make. With butter, salt, and pepper, you can cook a whole chicken to perfection, complete with tender, succulent meat and crispy skin. The rapid heat circulation browns the skin without burning it, and the simple seasoning allows the natural savouriness of the chicken to shine.
Air fryer chicken thigh fillets
If you enjoy the flavours of Asian cuisine, you should try our crispy yet tender air fryer chicken thigh fillets. It is included in our selection of the best air fryer recipes because it perfectly showcases how the kitchen marvel can be used to cook marinated chicken, too. Flavoured with Japanese soy sauce, five-spice powder, honey, and garlic the chicken thigh fillets are packed with flavour and savoury goodness. Serve them with a creamy Gochujang chilli dressing and Jasmine rice with spring onions and toasted sesame seeds to highlight the Asian notes.
Air fryer chicken thighs
The best air fryer recipes include good cooking tips, like how baking powder can be used to make incredibly air fryer chicken thighs. Cooked with a homemade rub of baking powder, salt, and paprika as well as onion and garlic powder, these flavourful thighs are beautifully golden and crunchy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. They truly shine when served with a smooth, rich dip, potato wedges, and a fresh salad to create a multifaceted meal with plenty of texture.
Top 4 air fryer recipes with egg
Boiling, frying, poaching, baking; eggs can be made in a myriad of ways, including air-frying. Beneath, we have listed the best air fryer recipes with eggs, giving you a variety of different ways to break some eggs and make delicious meals.
Air fryer omelette
The best recipes allow for ample experimentation, which is perfectly encapsulated by omelettes. Our air fryer omelette is made with aged Havarti for a rich, savoury twist. The simple cheese omelette seasoned with salt and pepper is perfect when you do not have much time to cook but still want a delicious dish. It can be served with a vast range of toppings. Fresh, crunchy ones highlight the eggs' fluffiness, creating a delightful contrast.
Air fryer frittata
With a few well-selected ingredients, you can use your new kitchen gadget to make a delicious frittata with a golden-brown surface and a fluffy interior. Our hearty air fryer frittata features slightly bitter, earthy spinach and nutty, savoury cheddar. The simple flavour profile created by these ingredients as well as soured cream allows the natural richness of the eggs to shine. The frittata can be enjoyed any time of day to great satisfaction.
Air fryer boiled eggs
It might sound counterintuitive, but you can use the frying technique to make boiled eggs. It allows you to cook boiled eggs exactly how you prefer them without using any water. Air fryer boiled eggs taste just like the regular kind, so whether you prefer soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, you can use the air fryer to cook them. Sometimes, the best air fryer recipes are the simplest ones.
Air fryer egg toast
Air fryer egg toast makes for a delicious breakfast treat on busy and leisurely mornings alike. The classic combination of eggs on toast is taken to a new level with the addition of mozzarella, melted to gooey perfection. The rich eggs and cheese are complemented by crispy toast and punchy Dijon mustard, garlicky chives, and peppery radishes.
Top 9 air fryer snacks and sides
The air fryer’s ability to craft delightfully crispy treats becomes very apparent when snacks and sides are on the menu. To illustrate, we go through the best snacks and sides below to inspire you to take your cooking to the next level.
Air fryer beans
If you have never considered beans snack-worthy, allow our air fryer beans to change your mind. The machine can turn tender beans deliciously crispy, perfect for snacking. They are infused with cayenne pepper and fresh rosemary for an herbaceous flavour profile with a subtle heat. Serve the beans with a salty, tangy salad cheese dip with fresh herbs for a delectable snack or special side dish packed with savoury goodness.
Air fryer cauliflower
Discover how air frying can take humble vegetables to new heights with our recipe for air fryer cauliflower. The machine gives the mild garlic-infused vegetable a golden, caramelised exterior, enhances its nutty flavour, and ensures a good crunch. When served with a creamy yoghurt dressing, this crispy outside is beautifully juxtaposed and highlighted. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and brightening fresh dill for a final touch.
Air fryer broccoli
Some of the best recipes allow you to turn leftover vegetables into delicious snacks or sides. An example is our air fryer broccoli recipe, which instructs you on how to turn broccoli stalks into crispy fries. A panko breading gives them a nice crunch, while rich cheddar cheese and garlic powder infuse them with savoury goodness and depth. With a velvety dip on the side, these air-fried broccoli bites will keep you coming back for more.
Air fryer fries
Any selection of the best air fryer recipes must include one for air fryer fries. Our rendition of the classic side dish is a flavourful one. Tossed with garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil, paprika, and cayenne pepper, the golden fries are not just deliciously crispy but also herbaceous and aromatic. Even with minimal oil use, you get fries that are crunchy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
Air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts
Our recipe for air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts is good enough to convert any Brussels sprout sceptic. Simply smash the parboiled vegetables and fry them with rich cheese, garlic powder, and paprika for a cheesy snack. The result is a complex flavour profile with nutty undertones, depth, and a hint of heat. Air-frying ensures a crispy treat that works well as a side dish or a snack.
Air fryer potato wedges
With an air fryer, you can make crispy potato wedges without the mess and hassle of deep-frying in hot oil. The circulation of hot air allows the wedges to crisp up with comparatively very little oil. Air fryer potato wedges are crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside – just as they should be – and pair nicely with a range of different mains. They are also great served with your favourite dipping sauce.
Air fryer sweet potatoes
If you want an alternative to classic white potatoes, our air fryer sweet potatoes are just the thing. The colourful, naturally sweet potatoes are flavoured with zingy ginger and zesty lime-infused butter and sprinkled with fresh herbs and tangy salad cheese for a delicious flavour combination. Enjoy the salty treat as a side dish, a snack, or an appetiser, sure to impress and delight.
Air fryer cookies
You should not sleep on the possibility of using your new kitchen gadget to make delicious baked goods like these air fryer cookies. The kitchen marvel allows you to make crisp-edged, melt-in-your-mouth centred cookies. The gooey melted chocolate is rich and bittersweet, offering a delicious contrast to the buttery cookie.
Air fryer s'mores
The modern appliance can also make treats traditionally reserved for the great outdoors. Air fryer s'mores is a delectable dessert that can be made any time of year, without the use of a campfire, and is sure to delight children and adults alike. Use the air fryer to turn milk chocolate and marshmallows into a rich, gooey s'mores dip, perfect for dipping hearty oat biscuits.
Top 5 air fryer meals
Whether you are looking for delicious lunch or dinner meals to cook in your new kitchen appliance, we have you covered. Below, we have listed the best air fryer recipes to cook meals sure to leave you full and satisfied, regardless of whether you prefer meat, fish, or vegetables.
Air fryer quesadillas
If you are a fan of Mexican and Tex-Mex flavours or all things cheesy, you will be delighted to know that you can make air fryer quesadillas. Brushed with a bit of oil, air-frying the tortillas gives them a crunchy bite that complements the tender and gooey filling of hearty cheese, beans, and vegetables. Peppers and spring onions provide freshness, while taco seasoning brings heat and authenticity.
Air fryer fajitas
If you like your chicken dinner with plenty of savoury goodness, you should give our air fryer fajitas a chance. Flavoured with lime juice, smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin, the filling of tender chicken, pepper, and onion is brimming with a depth of flavour. Additional lime juice and fresh coriander can brighten the meal as it is served with tortillas and crème fraiche. Delight in the Tex-Mex flavours and the ease of air frying.
Air fryer cacio e pepe sandwich
Inspired by the popular Italian pasta dish, you can make a grilled cheese sandwich that combines the heat from pepper and the richness of mozzarella and pecorino cheese with crispy toast. Air fryer cacio e pepe sandwich perfectly highlights the combination of gooey cheese and crunchy toasted bread. Garlic butter ensures an aromatic touch, while a bit of lemon zest brightens the sandwich and creates a balanced meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Air fryer salmon
Air-frying salmon is an easy way to ensure it becomes tender and juicy. In our classic air fryer salmon recipe, we suggest seasoning it with fennel seeds and chilli flakes for a simple flavour profile with a subtle heat. Alongside the salmon, tenderstem broccoli and tomatoes are cooked in the air fryer to create a well-rounded meal with earthy notes and acidic freshness. The cold fish roe sauce with chives gives the dish an elegant touch.
Air fryer soy and ginger salmon
If you enjoy Asian-inspired dishes, you will appreciate the flavour profile of this air fryer soy and ginger salmon. The marinated fish is infused with soy sauce, sesame oil, lime juice, chilli, and fresh ginger to give it bold flavours with nutty, salty, and zingy notes with spicy undertones. Its air-fried cornflake crust gives it a deliciously crispy texture. To complement and offset the richness of the fish, it is served with a jalapeño crème fraiche dip and spring onion rice.
Make your own air fryer recipes: Convert your favourite oven recipes
Welcoming an air fryer to your kitchen does not mean that you need to say goodbye to your favourite oven recipes and family classics. All you have to do is fine-tune the temperature setting and cooking time to account for the rapid hot air circulation of the air fryer. The circulation allows you to cook your mains, sides, or snacks at a lower temperature and for a shorter time, resulting in more efficient cooking with delicious results. Learn more about how to convert your tried-and-true recipes with our air fryer conversion chart.
