23 Air Fryer Food Ideas
If you’ve got an air fryer, don’t skip these recipes because they’ll give you plenty of tasty ideas without much effort.
We included the best air fryer recipes, such as crispy fries, coconut shrimp, and pork chops, along with fun dishes like donuts, hand pies, and even candied bacon. With this list of air fryer food ideas, you’ll never run out of ways to put your air fryer to good use.
1. Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Game day just became more interesting with these crispy buffalo chicken egg rolls. They pack all that creamy, spicy buffalo chicken flavor into a crispy wrapper you can pick up and eat without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
2. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
When it’s too cold to fire up the grill but you’re craving that smoky BBQ flavor, this recipe comes to the rescue. The homemade spice blend develops good depth of flavor while delivering that caramelized exterior everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
3. Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini
This is a great way to convince anyone that zucchini can actually be exciting. The air fryer transforms zucchini and parmesan into crispy bites that disappear faster than you can make them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan
4. Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
Just four simple ingredients turn into something special when these hand pies come out of the air fryer and get dipped in chocolate. They’re a budget-friendly way to make a crowd-pleasing dessert that feels fancy but won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
5. Air Fryer Fish and Chips
This recipe brings the classic fish and chips experience to your kitchen, minus the deep fryer mess. The fish comes out nicely flaky, while the homemade chips are pure comfort food, crispy outside, fluffy inside.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish and Chips
6. Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Cooked pasta becomes an addictive snack that’s more interesting than regular chips and good for mindless munching during movie night. They’re perfect for dipping in marinara or whipped feta, and you can use any leftover short pasta you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Chips
7. Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These deliver all the jalapeño popper magic without the deep-frying fuss. Hot air circulation produces that nice contrast between the crispy exterior and the smooth, creamy center that makes these so good at parties.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
8. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Sweet potatoes were practically made for air frying, developing caramelized edges while staying tender throughout. They’re versatile enough to work as a side dish, salad topper, or even a healthy snack straight from the basket.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
9. Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
Weekend mornings just became more special with these fluffy, warm donuts that start with refrigerated biscuit dough. The air fryer transforms them into bakery-style treats that’ll have everyone asking if you secretly opened a donut shop overnight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
10. Garlic Parmesan French Fries
These homemade fries prove that sometimes the simple pleasures in life are the most satisfying ones. Fresh-cut potatoes become tasty sides with just the right amount of garlic and cheese to make you forget all about frozen fries.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan French Fries
11. Air Fryer Meatballs
Nicely browned meatballs without standing over a hot stove? Yes, please. Toss them with marinara over pasta, stack them into subs, or freeze a batch so you always have dinner halfway done.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs
12. Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas
Remember those amazing empanadas that Taco Bell discontinued? This recipe brings them back to life in your own kitchen. The combination of sweet apples and rich caramel wrapped in flaky pastry is pure nostalgic comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas
13. Air Fryer Candied Bacon
Bacon strips get coated in brown sugar and a hint of cayenne, then air-fried until crispy. Toss them on a brunch spread, stick them in a Bloody Mary, or add them to a charcuterie board for that sweet and salty crunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Candied Bacon
14. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
These are always the first appetizers to disappear at any gathering. The coconut coating becomes crispy and golden while the shrimp stays tender and sweet inside, creating the kind of crowd-pleasing combination that has everyone asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
15. Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Corn cobs are cut into long rib-shaped strips and tossed with paprika and garlic butter for a fun twist on regular corn on the cob. They naturally curl as they cook, making them perfect for dipping or just eating with your hands at summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn Ribs
16. Air Fryer Salmon
The air fryer handles dinner without heating up the oven or dealing with a greasy skillet, and the fish comes out perfectly cooked every time. Pair it with the homemade tartar sauce from the recipe, or just squeeze some lemon over the top and call it done.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon
17. Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists
These look like something you’d pay good money for at a bakery, but they start with store-bought puff pastry. They come out with those spiral layers, perfect for dipping in marinara sauce at your next party or game day gathering.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists
18. Air Fryer Pork Chops
Finally, a reliable way to cook pork chops that doesn’t leave you guessing whether they’re done. The homemade spice rub develops good flavor while ensuring they come out juicy and cooked properly every time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
19. Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus
Trimmed asparagus is tossed with parmesan, garlic powder, and lemon zest before being air-fried for a simple side dish. They come out crispy on the outside but still tender inside, making them an easy addition to any weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus
20. Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
These have that perfect balance of crispy outside and soft, pillowy inside that makes them absolutely irresistible. The cream cheese dipping sauce takes them over the top in a delicious way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
21. Air Fryer Baked Potato
This clever trick starts potatoes in the microwave, then they hit the air fryer with a brush of oil and seasoning to crisp up the skin. Load them up with butter, sour cream, and whatever toppings you’re in the mood for, or keep them simple with just salt and pepper.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potato
22. Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
These bite-sized snacks disappear fast at parties, with flaky crescent rolls wrapped around smoky little sausages. Serve them with ketchup, mustard, or whatever dipping sauce your crowd loves, and watch them vanish before halftime.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
23. Air Fryer Apples
These cinnamon and maple syrup apples work as a topping for pancakes and oatmeal, or you can pile them over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert. They’re also tasty plain.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apples
