Looking to start off the new year on the right foot? Got an air fryer as a gift over the holidays and curious as to what you can make with it? Take a look at these crave-worthy, easy air fryer recipes for beginners. Conveniently enjoy healthy recipes that are juicy on the inside, with the perfect texture of crispy on the outside!
Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
During Christmas 2017, I jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon only to use it maybe twice. Ever. It’s a great appliance, but I just find myself loving the slow cooked goodness of the Crock-pot. This past Christmas, I had every intention to jump on the air fryer bandwagon too, but as the mom of a family of seven, I could not find a good deal on a fryer big enough for our family (if you are a large family, PLEASE let me know the air fryer that is best for a family this large!) So despite my cart still holding my air fryer, I began to get together some easy recipes for our family. After all, a girl can dream — isn’t that what Pinterest is for?
Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
There were so many recipes I was excited about that were easy and great for beginners. Did you know there’s a slew of air fryer pizza recipes out there? Not to mention air fryer salmon recipes? Yum! I was so inspired by a food blogger who even made eggplant dip in the air fryer! I also was inspired by all the air fryer chicken recipes, air fryer wings to chicken nuggets. And for my veggie lovers, air fryer Brussels sprouts! And this isn’t even beginning to scrape the surface of the air fryer dinner recipes your appliance can make!
Is the Air Fryer healthier than the oven?
The recent spike in popularity for the air fryer naturally prompts the debate of “air fryer vs oven”. While using the air fryer is far healthier than deep frying the traditional way, like using your air fryer to make french fries or fried chicken instead of deep frying, the air fryer unit simply gets so hot that it gets food super crispy without having to add any oil. So, your air fryer is basically like an oven, but way hotter! This means it’s not necessarily any healthier than using your oven. That being said, the air fryer’s heat capability makes it far more efficient to create delicious “fried” dishes without having to wait forever for them to get crispy. As a busy mom, my air fryer has quickly become my favorite appliance for creating delicious dishes my family loves in way less time!
Enjoy all these recipes and let me know your family’s favorite!
Air Fryer Times & Temps Cheat Sheet
First of all, if you’re new to the air fryer, this Air Fryer Cheat Sheet is a must have. It’s got all the info you need to make amazing air fryer dinner recipes in one spot. I keep a copy of these Air Fryer Tips in my Recipe Binder. (Another suggestion would be to laminate this cheat sheet and keep it beside your air fryer. Laminating this air fryer tip guide will keep it clean and make it easy to wipe any kitchen mess off.)
We also provide an easy set of three – Instant Pot, Air Fryer and Baking Hack cheat sheets all in one! See more in our Baking Hacks and Tips.
You could also grab this magnetic Air Fryer Cheat Sheet to keep it on the side of your air fryer at all times!
Five Air Fryer Accessories
Beyond that Air Fryer Hack Sheet, you will also want to invest in these Air Fryer Accessories.
First, you’ll need this Evo Oil Sprayer Bottle for more than your Air Fryer. Mine is practically attached at the hip when I’m in the kitchen. It’s refillable, so you can use it with any brand of olive oil you have on hand.
Second, this digital internal temp reader is the best way to test if your food is ready. This is a must in the kitchen, not just for the air fryer.
Third, I am all for easy clean up. I much prefer cooking and letting someone else clean up my mess, unless it fits in the dishwasher! These Air Fryer Liners will keep the mess under control. You’re welcome in advance!
Fourth, get something to cut potatoes into waffle fries or string fries. Air fryers are the absolute best way to get your french fry fix without all the extra calories! Here’s a commercial grade french fry cutter, a hand held french fry cutter, and the potato cage of cutting (trust me, you’re going to want to check this one out!)
Finally, a good pair of tongs are a must in my kitchen. These are hands down the BEST tongs ever — OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads. They store so well because of how they lock (as in, they won’t get your drawer stuck!)
Best Air Fryer Recipes
Read on for the best air fryer dinner recipes, air fryer breakfast recipes, and everything in between — all beginner friendly!
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
First up, our own Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are an easy crowd pleaser!
Air Fryer Pizza
This easy Air Fryer Pizza is so simple the kids could make it!
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
This Paleo and Whole30 friendly shrimp recipe is just as healthy as it is convenient. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp get golden brown and delicious for a crispy, healthy, and super quick air fryer dinner recipe! | Real Food with Jessica
Air Fryer Fried Okra
Even my pickiest kids would love this. Sliced okra gets coated in spices and air fried until crunchy for one of the easiest air fryer vegetable recipes! | Piping Pot Curry
Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower
My family would pop these like popcorn. Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower is seasoned with lemon juice & sumac spice to make cauliflower interesting AND delicious| Cadry’s Kitchen
Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza
What can’t the air fryer do? This Pepperoni Air Fryer Pizza is a quick and easy recipe with a crispy crust. It only takes 10 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights | Stay Snatched
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Did you know you can put a whole chicken in the air fryer? This Rotisserie Air Fryer Chicken is cooked in under an hour and comes out juicy and delicious. I’m adding it to my to-do list of air fryer dinner recipes as we speak! | Amy in the Kitchen
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Instead of giving your kids frozen chicken nuggets made from who-knows-what, swap them for this recipe for air fryer chicken nuggets. We are sold! | Garnished Plate
Low Carb Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
If you’re looking for great air fryer keto recipes, you’ll love this one. This is one of our favorite sides! These Low Carb Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts get perfectly tender on the inside and super crispy on the outside. | Low Carb with Jennifer
Air Fryer Squash Rings
We need to try these! Try these air fryer squash rings for a healthy alternative to fried potatoes. They’re dairy free, gluten free and paleo friendly! | Mitten Dietitian
Air Fryer “Baked” Salmon
Looking for air fryer recipes for fish? Try Air Fryer Baked Salmon. The air fryer is the key to the perfect cook on your salmon — who knew! | White on Rice Couple
Air Fryer Cajun Breakfast Sausage
If you’re on the hunt for no-guilt air fryer breakfast recipes, Homemade Cajun breakfast sausage cooked in an air fryer is the one for you. Plus, it’s paleo and gluten free! | Cotter Crunch
Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Yes, you can get super crispy air fried chicken wings without deep frying! They don’t even need flour! | Dine Like Shay
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cauliflower Patties
Hello flavor! You’ll love the cilantro ranch flavoring on these air fryer Sweet Potato Cauliflower Patties. A delicious addition to my air fryer vegetable recipes! | Cotter Crunch
Air Fryer Eggplant Dip
You can even make eggplant dip in the air fryer. It’s a great way to get nutrients into your kids’ after school snack! | Cadry’s Kitchen
Air Fryer Asian Chicken Nuggets
These Asian Chicken Nuggets are paleo AND low carb. The air fryer is the key to their golden crunch! | Food Faith and Fitness
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash
Another winner in the air fryer breakfast recipes category: Sweet Potato Hash. It only uses five ingredients and is Whole 30 and paleo friendly! | Stay Snatched
Going a healthy direction for the new year ? Conveniently enjoy these healthy, crave-worthy, easy air fryer recipes for beginners. #FrugalCouponLiving #recipes #airfryerClick to Tweet
Air Fryer Potato Peels
Don’t let your potato peels go to waste! Air fry them instead for the perfect crisp & salty snack. Pass the ketchup! | Cadry’s Kitchen
Air Fried Ravioli
These air fried raviolis are the best appetizer. Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and herbs jazz up regular ravioli for a fancy air fryer appetizer that transports you to an Italian restaurant. | Love and Risotto
Air Fried Chickpeas
I could eat these by the handful! These air fried chickpeas are actually addicting. | Vegan Huggs
Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Another winner among the air fryer breakfast recipes. Crispy Air Fryer Bacon is a healthier version of everyone’s favorite breakfast food, and it turns out perfect every time. | Recipes from My Pantry
Air Fryer Croutons
All this talk of fried food making you crave a salad? It’s so easy and quick to make your own croutons in the air fryer! They’re full of flavor and made with just six simple ingredients! Try them on soup too. | Plant Power Couple
Check out these Whole30 Recipes for Beginners. Pin to Pinterest.
Also get familiar with your Instant Pot and these Instant Pot Dinner Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.
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