Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners (2024)

We’ve got you covered with these delicious and easy Air Fryer recipes!

These are the best recipes for beginners because they are fail proof, easy and help you learn exactly what your air fryer can do!

Simple recipes with great flavor!

Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners (1)
Table of Contents
  1. Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
  2. Tips For Beginners
  3. How to Use an Air Fryer
  4. What Else Can You Cook in an Air Fryer

Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

The collection of air fryer recipes below are great starter recipes. Our beginner recipes are:

  • easy to make
  • fail-proof, these are the tried and true favorites
  • selected to show you exactly what you can do with an air fryer
  • tried, tested, and true so they’ll work perfectly in almost any model

Tips For Beginners

  • Add a touch of oilto get a nice crust on most items.
  • Ensure foods are not wet or they will steam instead of crisp. Use a kitchen towel or salad spinner to dry washed veggies.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket or the air won’t circulate properly.
  • Shake/Flip as needed, this helps to ensure that items cook evenly.
  • Check foods early because air fryers (and even a different shape of meat) can cook at a different rate.

How to Use an Air Fryer

An air fryer is essentially a small convection oven that circulates air. The circulation of the air cooks quickly and creates crispy food and great color in a fraction of the time of baking or roasting. With just 3 easy steps you can have crispy air-fried dishes to enjoy!

  1. Preheat the air fryer if needed.
  2. Prep the food and place it in the air fryer basketensuring there is space for air to circulate each piece.
  3. Set the time and temperature on the air fryer and let it work its magic!

Air Fryers can come in many forms now, from those that are compact countertop versions, to toaster oven-style air fryers, and even new full-sized ranges with an air fryer feature. Find our top air fryer choices here.

How to Preheat an Air Fryer

An air fryer should be preheated if you’d like to get a nice crisp or color on the outside of your food.

  • If your air fryer has a preheat button, press it and you should be able to adjust the temperature. Allow the air fryer to preheat for approximately 5 minutes or until the air fryer indicates it is preheated.
  • If your air fryer has no preheat button, set the air fryer to the desired temperature and let it heat for 5-7 minutes. Add the food and reset the timer to the correct time as indicated by the air fryer recipe.

5 Beginner Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

Side Dishes

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Eggs (Boiled Eggs)

Air Fryer

Frozen Air Fryer Tater Tots

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Hoisin Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer

What Else Can You Cook in an Air Fryer

Almost anything and everything that isn’t liquid! Meats, eggs, casseroles, potatoes, leftovers, muffins, breads. Here are our favorites:

Air Fryer Appetizers

We love cooking air fryer appetizers because they’re easy, quick and come out as crispy as deep fried without the mess. Make appetizers from scratch or buy prepared appetizers and serve with your favorite sauces.

Crispy Popcorn Shrimp

Appetizer Recipes

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Onion Rings

Air Fryer

Fried Wontons

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

Dinner is ready in a fraction of the time in an air fryer. Meats come out tender and juicy with a nice crust, crumbs and coatings crisp up beautifully and clean up is a breeze.

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Pork

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer

Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Chicken

Sides in the Air Fryer Recipes

The air fryer is great for potatoes and fries but we also love it for roasting veggies. If you have meat drippings in the bottom of your air fryer (especially from chicken skin) toss it with your veggies before you cook them for an extra boost of flavor.

Garlic Butter Air Fryer Mushrooms

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Did you know you can brown beef in the air fryer, make nachos, desserts, or even boil eggs? Here are a few things you probably didn’t know you could make in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Nachos

Appetizer Recipes

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Sandwiches

Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Air Fryer

Air Fryer French Toast

Air Fryer

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners (2024)

FAQs

What is the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used to cook a variety of foods quickly and easily. If you're using an air fryer for the first time, it's best to start with something simple, like French fries, chicken wings or vegetables.

What is the easiest thing to cook in an air fryer? ›

Here are all our favourite easy air fryer recipe ideas, from simple scones to the best crispy homemade potatoes.
  • 10Air fryer Caramello danish. ...
  • 11Crispy air fryer Italian frittole. ...
  • 12Air fryer Crunchy Nut French toast. ...
  • 13Air fryer chicken satay. ...
  • 14Air fryer coccoli. ...
  • 15Air fryer little potato pancakes.

What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

Start air frying these 13 foods and watch your cooking time drop and your satisfaction in healthy meals skyrocket!
  • Chicken Breasts. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Zoodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
  • Salmon (chopped) ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Personal Pizzas. ...
  • Frozen Cauliflower.
Feb 18, 2020

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

What cannot be cooked in air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Can you fry an egg in an air fryer? ›

Place it in the fryer basket and preheat it for 5 minutes at 400°F (204 °C). Crack an egg to a small cup and slide the egg to the hot pan. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes for a sunny side over easy fried egg. If you prefer a fried egg with medium egg yolk, add 1 more minute to the cooking time.

Can you put frozen food in an air fryer? ›

Can I use my air fryer for frozen food? The answer to this question is, yes – anything is possible with these magical machines. We all know the hassle of waiting for something to defrost before you can cook it, but with an air fryer, you can simply pop the item inside, in its frozen state, and start cooking.

Can I cook raw chips in my air fryer? ›

Rinse the chips and pat dry with a clean tea towel. Tip the chips into the bottom of an air-fryer (the part with the paddle), add the oil, and toss the chips in the oil so they are evenly coated. Program the fryer to cook for 30 mins using the paddle.

What is the best meat to air fry? ›

As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

What is the most popular food cooked in the air fryer? ›

French fries are arguably the most popular thing to cook in an air fryer. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil as deep-frying, and making French fries in one results in an appreciably crisp exterior and fluffy inside without the greasiness.

Why do chefs hate air fryers? ›

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.

What's better than a air fryer? ›

Versatility: Instant Pots have many capabilities compared to air fryers. Cooking times: Instant Pots can often prepare food more quickly than air fryers. Food choices: Although both small kitchen appliances can prepare a wide range of foods, Instant Pots offer more recipe options.

What are the health cons of air fryers? ›

One example of a negative effect air-frying may have on food, and on your health was illustrated by a study that showed cooking fatty varieties of fish such as sardines in an air-fryer decreased the healthy fat content (poly-unsaturated fats) and slightly increased the cholesterol oxidation products, which may ...

How do you arrange food in an air fryer? ›

If you're using two cooking trays, arrange the food in a single layer on each tray. Place one tray on the top rack and one on the middle rack; if you're using one tray, place it on the middle rack. If you're using the basket, do not fill more than ⅔ full.

Do air fryers need to heat up first? ›

Yes, you'll need to give your air fryer a chance to warm up before use. The good news is, unlike a traditional oven or hob, it only takes minutes! Preheating times will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the temperature you're cooking at and the programme you want to use.

Do you oil before air frying? ›

While your Philips Airfryer does not require oil to cook and fry the food, adding oil directly to fresh ingredients when preparing them, such as freshly peeled potatoes or chicken, can create a crispy layer and improve the overall taste of your dish. Note: never pour oil into the pan of the airfryer.

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