Looking for inspiration on what to cook in your brand new air fryer? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll share the first 10 things you really should try cooking in your air fryer as soon as you get it, from crispy cucumber chips to juicy roasted chicken wings and everything in between. Let’s begin!
- Air Fried Zucchini
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Roasted Bell Peppers
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Cucumber Chips
- Air Fried Broccoli
- Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
- Roasted Chicken Wings
- Air Fried Shrimp
- All Kinds Of Frozen Ready Meals Done In Minutes!
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1. Air Fried Zucchini
Air fried zucchini is a healthy and delicious snack that is perfect for any time of the day. To make air fried zucchini, start by cutting the zucchini into thin slices. Then, prepare two bowls, one with a small amount of olive oil, and the second one with a mixture of flour, garlic powder, salt and your favorite herb mix. Dip each zucchini slice into the olive oil and then in the newly made flour mixture and make sure that it coats both sides evenly.
Next, the only thing you have to do is to air fry these slices at 400°F for a few minutes. Flipping the slices halfway through will ensure even cooking. Air fry until they are golden brown and crispy.
Serve your air fried zucchini with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, or enjoy them as is for a healthy and satisfying snack. This recipe is also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables in a fun and tasty way.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
If you love fries, then you’ll definitely love sweet potato fries made in an air fryer. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. To make them, peel and cut sweet potatoes into thin strips. Toss them in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, Herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until they are crispy, shaking the basket halfway through the process.
You can also experiment with different seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or cumin to add some extra flavor. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy your homemade fries!
3. Air Fryer Roasted Bell Peppers
Roasted bell peppers are a great side snack that can be made using an air fryer in mere minutes. Start by cutting the bell peppers into quarters or stripes (remove the seeds and stems). Then, lightly coat them with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and herbs.
Place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for around 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result is perfectly roasted bell peppers that are great for salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. As always, you can also experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder or paprika, for added flavor.
Check out our recipe for air fried bell peppers here: Air Fried Roasted Bell Peppers Recipe – Quick & Easy
4. Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
You really should try making roasted potatoes in your air fryer. Simply chop up some potatoes into wedges, toss them in a little bit of olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you like.
Then, pop them in the air fryer and cook in 400°F until crispy, shaking up the basket at least one time to ensure even cooking. The result is flavorful roasted potato wedges that are perfect as a side dish or snack. Plus, you’ll save on calories and fat compared to regular deep-fried potatoes. The cleanup is much easier too!
5. Air Fryer Cucumber Chips
Yes, you read that right! You can make crispy and delicious chips out of cucumbers in your air fryer. This is a perfect snack for those who are health-conscious but still want to indulge in some crunchy goodness.
To make cucumber chips in your air fryer, slice the cucumbers thinly and toss them in a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper and your favorite spices. Then, place them in the air fryer and wait. The cooking time will largely depend on the size of your cucumber chips. Remember that for a perfect result you need to dehydrate your cucumber pieces a bit before beginning the air frying process – for example using paper towels. Enjoy them as a snack or pair them with your favorite dip.
Check out our air fryer cucumbers recipe here: Air Fried Fresh Cucumbers – No Breading! – A Quick Snack
6. Air Fried Broccoli
Air frying broccoli is a great way to cook this nutritious vegetable without losing much of its natural vitamins and minerals. Cut the broccoli into florets and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the florets in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Once the broccoli is all ready, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Be careful as it’s really easy to burn broccoli in an air fryer if you’re not careful! Air fried broccoli is a perfect side dish for any meal and a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. It also goes great with many different sauces and dips!
7. Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Who doesn’t love bacon? With an air fryer, you can make perfectly crispy bacon in minutes. Simply place the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can adjust the cooking time depending on how crispy you prefer your bacon.
Mind that your bacon strips have to be large and thick enough not to fly around inside your air fryer once the cycle starts. Air fryers do produce a lot of strong hot air movement inside. Once done, remove the bacon from the air fryer and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease. Enjoy your perfectly cooked bacon without much hassle!
8. Roasted Chicken Wings
Air fryer roasted chicken wings are really a game-changer. With the air fryer, you can achieve crispy skin and juicy meat without the added oil and difficult cleanup associated with traditional deep-frying.
To make the perfect chicken wings, start by seasoning them with your favorite spices, do not use loose leaf herbs or dry spices as these will get blown away inside the air fryer. Instead make use of a simple marinade to apply the spices to the chicken wings. Then, place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken wings are fully cooked, crispy outside and soft inside. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
9. Air Fried Shrimp
Air fried shrimp is a quick and easy dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course. To make air fryer shrimp, as per usual simply toss the shrimp in a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and add your favorite spices. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket and cook for around 5-7 minutes until they turn pink and crispy.
You can also try coating the shrimp in breadcrumbs or panko for an extra crispy texture. Serve the air fryer shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce or garlic aioli.
10. All Kinds Of Frozen Ready Meals Done In Minutes!
One of the best things about an air fryer is how quickly it can cook simple frozen foods. Whether you have frozen chicken tenders, french fries, fish fillets, or even a small frozen pizza, your air fryer can cook it to perfection in just a few minutes. Just preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, place your frozen meal in the basket, and set the timer. You’ll have a delicious, hot meal much quicker than using a regular convection oven.
Cooking store-bought frozen french fries in an average air fryer takes only about 10 minutes in 400°F!
But don’t just stop at frozen dinners – you can also use your air fryer to cook frozen veggies, like broccoli or green beans, for a quick and healthy side dish.
With an air fryer, the possibilities are almost endless. So go ahead and experiment with your new favorite meals and see how quickly and easily an air fryer can change your kitchen for the better!
See also: Are Air Fryers An Overrated Gimmick? – An Honest Opinion
