Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. Using rapid air circulation and high heat, air fryers can produce deliciously crispy foods using little to no oil. From french fries to chicken wings, there are many quick and easy meals you can make in an air fryer. Here are 5 of the top things to cook in an air fryer.
1. French Fries
Crispy french fries are one of the most popular items to make in an air fryer. The hot air circulates around the fries, crisping up the outside while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Air fryer fries use little to no oil compared to deep frying, yet come out just as crispy. Here are some tips for perfect air fryer french fries:
- Use a starchy potato like russet or Yukon gold. The starch will help the fries get crispy.
- Cut fries into uniform sizes so they cook evenly. Cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick batons.
- Rinse the cut fries in cold water to remove excess starch, then pat dry.
- Toss fries lightly in oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed or canola oil.
- Air fry at 400°F for 12-18 minutes, shaking halfway, until fries are golden brown.
For even crispier fries, double fry by air frying once at a lower temp to cook through, then again at a higher temp to crisp the outside. Air fryer french fries make the perfect side to burgers, sandwiches and more.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
This simple recipe yields crispy air fryer french fries with just 3 ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Russet potatoes, cut into 1/2″ fries | 2 lbs |
| Olive oil or avocado oil | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Cut potatoes into 1/2 inch thick fries, soak in cold water 5 mins then pat dry.
- Toss fries with oil just until coated, season with salt.
- Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 15-18 mins until golden brown, shaking halfway.
- Remove and season again with salt if desired. Serve immediately.
2. Chicken Wings
Crispy chicken wings are a go-to appetizer for any party or game day. The air fryer does a great job of evenly crisping up chicken wings without the mess of deep frying. The hot air quickly renders out fat and makes the skin super crunchy.
When air frying wings, use a high heat to help crisp up the skin. Coat the wings lightly in oil before air frying rather than heavily dredging in flour. Air fry until the skins are browned and the meat is cooked through. Toss in your favorite sauce after air frying or serve with sauce on the side for dipping. Here are some tips for perfect air fried wings:
- Pat chicken wings dry before seasoning or coating in oil. This helps them get extra crispy.
- Coat wings lightly in oil rather than dredging in flour which can make them soggy.
- Air fry wings in a single layer at 400°F for 20-25 mins until browned, flipping halfway.
- Toss cooked wings in your favorite sauce or serve sauce on the side.
- Check that wings are fully cooked, juices should run clear when pierced with tip of a knife.
Crispy air fried wings are great for any occasion. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces like buffalo, bbq or garlic parmesan.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
This easy recipe for air fryer chicken wings requires just 3 ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken wings, split with tips removed | 2-3 lbs |
| Olive oil or avocado oil | 2 Tbsp |
| Seasoning of choice (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc) | 1-2 tsp |
Instructions:
- Pat chicken wings completely dry with paper towels.
- Toss wings with oil and seasonings in a bowl until coated.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 22-25 mins, flipping halfway through.
- Wings are done when skin is browned and crispy, and juices run clear when pierced with tip of a knife.
- Toss with sauce or serve immediately.
3. French Toast
Believe it or not, you can make perfect french toast in your air fryer! The air fryer evenly crisps and browns the bread just like a griddle would. Using thick slices of bread like challah, brioche or texas toast works best. The key is to let the bread soak up plenty of egg mixture before air frying.
Once dipped in the egg mixture, add the soaked slices of bread to the air fryer basket. Air fry at a high temperature like 400°F until the outside is browned and crispy. Air fryer french toast makes the perfect weekend breakfast or brunch dish. Serve topped with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit or other favorite toppings. Here are some tips for air fryer french toast:
- Use thick slices of bread like challah, brioche or texas toast.
- Let bread soak in egg mixture for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Air fry in batches, spacing pieces out in basket.
- Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes per side until browned.
- Top with butter, syrup, fruit, powdered sugar or other favorite toppings.
Air fryer french toast is a quick and easy breakfast with perfectly crisped edges and custardy centers. You’ll never make it on the stovetop again!
Air Fryer French Toast Recipe
This simple 4 ingredient recipe is all you need for perfect air fryer french toast:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Thick sliced bread (challah, brioche, texas toast) | 6-8 slices |
| Eggs | 3 large |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla extract in a shallow bowl.
- Soak bread slices in mixture, 1-2 mins per side.
- Place soaked bread in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 mins per side until golden brown.
- Top with desired toppings and serve immediately.
4. Vegetables
The air fryer is great for making all kinds of crispy roasted vegetables. From potatoes to broccoli, carrots and more, the hot air circulates around the veggies to quickly roast them with little to no oil needed. Air frying helps concentrate flavors and caramelizes natural sugars in the vegetables.
Cut vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces so they cook thoroughly and crisp up. Toss chopped veggies lightly in oil before air frying. Air fry at a high temp like 400°F, shaking the basket occasionally, until browned and tender. Season with herbs, spices, salt and pepper before or after cooking. Here are some tips for air frying vegetables:
- Chop vegetables small and uniform in size for even cooking.
- Toss veggies in just 1-2 tsp oil before air frying.
- Spread veggies out in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F, shaking halfway, until tender and browned.
- Season with salt, pepper and any other seasonings.
Nearly any vegetable tastes great air fried – potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash, zucchini, peppers, you name it! Air fried veggies make delicious and healthy side dishes.
Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
This easy all-purpose recipe works for any vegetable you want to air fry:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vegetables of choice (potatoes, broccoli, carrots, etc), chopped | 4 cups |
| Olive oil or avocado oil | 1-2 tsp |
| Salt, pepper, other seasonings | To taste |
Instructions:
- Chop vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces.
- Toss vegetables with oil and seasonings.
- Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender and browned.
- Season again with salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy!
5. Fresh Mozzarella Sticks
Crispy, melty mozzarella sticks are a favorite appetizer to order at restaurants. With an air fryer, you can now easily make homemade mozzarella sticks that are just as delicious! Unlike deep frying, air frying uses little to no oil so the mozzarella sticks come out crispy on the outside and oozing with cheese on the inside.
For best results, use block mozzarella cheese cut into sticks and coat lightly in breadcrumbs. Chill the breaded sticks before air frying so the cheese doesn’t melt out. Air fry at a high temp until the breading is crispy and cheese is melted. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping! Here are some tips for perfect air fryer mozzarella sticks:
- Use block mozzarella, not fresh soft mozzarella which may leak out.
- Chill breaded mozzarella sticks before air frying so cheese doesn’t melt prematurely.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes until breading is crispy.
- Let cool slightly before eating so cheese has time to set.
- Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks are crunchy on the outside and ooey gooey on the inside – perfect for any Italian food lover!
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
This easy 5 ingredient recipe makes the best homemade mozzarella sticks:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Block mozzarella | 1 lb |
| Flour | 1/2 cup |
| Breadcrumbs | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Oil for misting | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Cut mozzarella into 1/2 inch thick sticks.
- Coat sticks in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
- Chill breaded sticks 30 mins in freezer.
- Mist mozzarella sticks lightly with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 mins until golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving with warm marinara sauce.
Conclusion
Air fryers are incredibly versatile – as you can see, there are so many quick and easy meals you can make in them beyond just french fries. From chicken wings to mozzarella sticks to french toast, air fryers can produce delicious crispiness without the fat and mess of deep frying. Just add a light coating of oil and air fry foods at a high temp to get that crispy exterior while retaining moisture inside.
Experiment with all kinds of ingredients and cuisines in your air fryer. Just keep in mind smaller pieces cook faster and more evenly. Let your air fryer expand your cooking horizons!