Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. By using rapid air circulation and a high-powered heating element, air fryers can produce crispy, fried results using little to no oil. This makes them an excellent option for frying up your favorite foods without all the extra calories and fat.
But which foods work best in an air fryer? Here we’ll explore some of the top options, looking at everything from frozen foods to fresh veggies and proteins. We’ll also provide air fryer cooking tips to help you get perfect crispy, golden results every time.
Frozen foods
Many frozen convenience foods can be easily cooked up crisp and delicious in an air fryer. Here are some great frozen options to try:
- Frozen french fries – One of the most popular air fryer foods, frozen fries will cook up just as crispy and tasty as deep-fried with a fraction of the oil and calories.
- Frozen chicken nuggets – Kid-friendly chicken nuggets cook up quick and crunchy in the air fryer. Just spray with a little oil and cook according to package directions for perfect results.
- Frozen fish fillets or sticks – Frozen battered fish cooks up with a light, crisp exterior in the air fryer. Spray with oil and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Frozen potato skins or tater tots – These potato favorites crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Flip halfway through for even browning.
- Frozen egg rolls or potstickers – You can produce crisp, lightly fried egg rolls without all the oil by using an air fryer. Just spray lightly with oil before cooking.
- Frozen pizza – Reheat leftover pizza slices or cooking frozen mini pizzas in an air fryer. The crispy crust comes out tasting like it just came out of the brick oven.
One of the great things about cooking frozen foods in an air fryer is that you often don’t need to preheat. Simply add your frozen item to the basket and cook. However, you may need to add a minute or two to the package cook time since the air fryer cooks a bit more quickly without all the oil.
Fresh vegetables
Crispy fried veggies are easy to make in the air fryer. Try these fresh vegetable recipes:
- French fries – Cut potatoes into fry shapes, soak briefly in water then pat dry and spray with oil before air frying. Come out crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
- Fried mushrooms – Toss halved mushrooms in oil then cook in air fryer, stirring halfway, until browned and crispy.
- Fried zucchini – Cut zucchini into sticks, coat in breadcrumbs and spray with oil, then air fry until tender-crisp.
- Fried okra – Toss okra in oil and spices, then air fry until browned and slightly crispy outside. Flip halfway through.
- Roasted vegetables – Toss veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, or potatoes in oil then roast in air fryer until caramelized.
When cooking fresh veggies in the air fryer, cut pieces similarly sized so they cook evenly. Spray or toss in a little oil before cooking to help get a nice crisp exterior.
Fresh proteins
Meats and other proteins can also be made deliciously crispy in an air fryer, including:
- Chicken wings – Season wings with spices, spray with oil and cook in air fryer until skin is browned and crispy.
- Chicken fingers or nuggets – Bread chicken strips or nuggets then spray lightly with oil and cook in air fryer until browned and cooked through.
- Bacon – Arrange bacon slices in single layer in air fryer basket. Cook until browned and slightly crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Sausages – Air fry breakfast sausage links or kielbasa until browned all over and cooked through.
- Fish – Coat fish fillets or sticks in breadcrumbs then spray with oil before air frying. Cook until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Shrimp – Toss peeled shrimp in oil and spices then cook in air fryer just until opaque and pink. Don’t overcook.
With proteins, adjust air fryer temperature and cook times as needed to ensure food safety. Use a meat thermometer to test doneness when air frying meats like chicken.
Baked goods
Your air fryer isn’t just for fried foods. It can also bake up a range of tasty treats, including:
- Donuts – Proof and cut yeasted donut dough, spray with oil, then air fry until golden brown.
- Cookies – Drop cookie dough into air fryer to bake crisp, chewy cookies with slightly caramelized edges.
- Pie or pizza pockets – Fill a pie crust or bread pocket with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings then air fry until golden brown and melty.
- Mini quiches – Grease a muffin tin then fill with an egg-based quiche mixture studded with veggies, meat or cheese. Air fry until set.
- Scones or hand pies – Cut out and fill pastry dough then air fry until pastry is cooked through and slightly browned.
When baking in an air fryer, use recipes formulated for air fryers and watch closely, as baking times will likely be shorter than conventional oven recipes.
Tips for air frying
Follow these tips to get the best results when cooking in your air fryer:
- Cut foods to similar sizes for even cooking.
- Toss or spray foods with oil before cooking for crispy texture.
- Flip or toss foods halfway through cooking time.
- Brush or spray oil on foods while cooking if they are not getting crispy.
- Check a few minutes early and extend cook time if needed.
- Let foods drain on a rack or paper towels after cooking to absorb excess oil.
- Clean air fryer basket and components after each use to prevent residue buildup.
Best overall air fryer foods
While almost any food can be cooked in an air fryer, these tend to produce the very best results:
| Food | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|
| French fries | Come out crispy on the outside while fluffy inside with just a quick spritz of oil. |
| Chicken wings | Skin gets perfectly browned and crispy without having to deep fry. |
| Frozen foods | Replicate that crisp, fried texture of frozen convenience foods with a fraction of the fat and calories. |
| Fresh vegetables | From Brussels sprouts to zucchini sticks, vegetables develop a delicious caramelized roasted flavor. |
| Hand pies or pastries | Air fryer’s circulating heat cooks pastry beautifully while fillings heat through. |
Choosing an air fryer
When shopping for an air fryer, keep these features in mind:
- Capacity – Choose an air fryer with enough capacity for your household needs based on batch sizes.
- Temperature range – Look for an air fryer with a wide temp range, generally around 170°F to 400°F.
- Functions – Many new air fryers have functions like roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate, etc. in addition to air fry.
- Settings and smart features – Options like preset cooking programs and app control offer convenience.
- Basket type – Some air fryers have mesh baskets while others have perforated metal. Both work well.
Popular quality air fryer brands include Ninja, Philips, Instant, Cosori, and Cuisinart. Prices range from $50 to $200+ for larger, higher-end models.
Air fryer recipe ideas
Here are some tasty recipe ideas to try in your air fryer:
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks – Coat in spices and cook until crispy.
- Air fryer steak fries – Double-fry for extra crispiness.
- Air fryer shrimp tempura – With a light, crunchy coconut coating.
- Air fryer sweet potato fries – Tossed in oil and spices for a healthier french fry.
- Air fryer salmon – Rubbed with Dijon and browned to a crisp crust.
- Air fryer egg rolls – With crunchy wrappers and savory filling.
- Air fryer pizza pockets – Homemade with sauce, cheese and pepperoni.
- Air fryer scones – Sweet or savory, cook up light and tender.
- Air fryer cauliflower wings – Tossed in buffalo sauce for a veggie take on wings.
- Air fryer apple hand pies – Filled with cinnamon apples for a tasty dessert.
With so many great options, an air fryer is a versatile appliance that can produce all your fried favorites in a healthier way. Try out different foods to find your perfect air fried dishes.
Conclusion
Air fryers can produce amazingly delicious crispy, crunchy results with foods from frozen french fries to fresh fish fillets. Top air fryer foods include frozen convenience items, fresh vegetables and proteins, and baked goods like scones and donuts. Toss or spritz foods with oil before cooking, flip halfway, and adjust temperature and times as needed for your particular model. With a quality air fryer and a little trial and error, you can enjoy all your fried favorites with a fraction of the fat and calories.