You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (2024)

From coconut shrimp to hard-boiled eggs, air-fryers are one of our favorite ways to get dinner on the table with ease. Not to mention, you get crispy results with a fraction of the calories you'd find in traditional fried food. From appetizers to main dishes, here are our favorite air-fryer recipes to try with your new kitchen gadget.

01of 28

Air-Fryer Onion Rings

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (1)

These air-fryer onion rings are a great alternative to traditional deep-fried onion rings. The homemade dipping sauce adds to the savory flavor and adds a creamy note to counter the crispy coating.

02of 28

Air-Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (2)

These air-fryer hard-boiled eggs are a fuss-free way to cook hard-boiled eggs without boiling water. Having some hard-boiled eggs on hand is great for meal prep or an easy grab-and-go snack.

03of 28

Air-Fryer Apples

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (3)

These air-fryer apples are warm and tender, with cinnamon and orange zest adding subtle spice and flavor. Maple syrup makes these air-fryer apples just sweet enough.

04of 28

Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (4)

This air-fryer coconut shrimp is quick and easy to assemble. We dip these crispy shrimp in a hot-and-sweet chili sauce made from scratch, but any store-bought dipping sauce will pair nicely with this easy appetizer.

05of 28

Air-Fryer Hash Browns

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (5)

Air-fryer hash-brown potatoes will forever change how you cook hash browns. With less mess and a crispier crust, these air-fryer hash browns are sure to become a breakfast staple. The cheese not only helps the potatoes bind together, but it also adds a boost of flavor to each bite.

06of 28

Air-Fryer Meatballs

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (6)

These air-fryer meatballs cook quickly and stay juicy in the air fryer. Seasoned simply with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese and paired with your favorite marinara sauce, they make the perfect weeknight meal.

07of 28

Air-Fryer Bacon

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (7)

Why use a skillet when you can make crispy air-fryer bacon? Using your air fryer is a clean and splatter-free way to cook bacon for a small group. Pouring out the drippings between batches is key to prevent smoking.

08of 28

Air-Fryer Green Bean Fries

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (8)

These crispy air-fryer green bean fries come with a zesty dipping sauce flavored with harissa paste and roasted red peppers. Panko breadcrumbs give them a crunchy outer coating, and smoked paprika adds a smoky flair.

09of 28

Air-Fryer Sweet Potatoes

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (9)

These air-fryer sweet potatoes are nicely crisped around the edges and tender on the inside. Ground sumac adds a nice tang to the spice mix, but paprika can be used in its place.

10of 28

Air-Fryer Pork Chops

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (10)

These crispy breaded air-fryer pork chops don't require a lot of oil to create a deep-fried crispy crust. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside roasted veggies. Want to double the recipe? Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook the pork chops in batches, but that's easy to do.

11of 28

Air-Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (11)

These air-fried popcorn shrimp get crispy and crunchy with very little oil. The unique flavors are inspired by Mexican fare, with a smoky, spicy dipping sauce and full-flavored shrimp coating. Look for the smallest shrimp you can find so they will cook evenly.

12of 28

Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (12)

Air-fried chickpea snacks are intensely flavored and incredibly crunchy. Drying the chickpeas is essential to a good crunch, so don't skip this step. If you have time, leave them out on the counter to dry for an hour or two before frying.

13of 28

Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (13)

These crispy air-fried chicken nuggets are a quick kid-friendly dinner that parents will love too. The homemade nuggets are healthier than fast-food versions--and more flavorful, thanks to the cornflake coating. You can also cut the chicken into strips for air-fryer chicken tenders. Be sure to cook those 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until done.

14of 28

Air-Fryer Broccoli & Cheese Baked Potatoes

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (14)

This side dish gives you the best of two potato favorites. Tender baked potato halves are topped with a creamy Cheddar cheese and broccoli filling, then they're air-fried to create crispy skins. Air fryers require a lot less oil than deep fryers, which leaves room for an extra sprinkle of cheese.

15of 28

Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (15)

These super-crispy and browned air-fryer Brussels sprouts with sweet onions and salty bacon--all amped up with bright lemon juice--are sure to be a hit, whether you serve them for a weeknight side dish or as part of your holiday spread for Thanksgiving. This recipe makes enough to serve eight but is easily halved, though once you taste it you may well want a double serving. And if you prefer a vegetarian side, simply omit the bacon.

16of 28

Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (16)

A sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the air fryer. In fact, one of EatingWell's recipe testers declared this air-fryer Buffalo wing recipe "a reason to buy an air fryer." Add a spicy sauce, carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing for dipping and you have a healthy take on wings that's sure to score.

17of 28

Air-Fryer Zucchini Fries

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (17)

These crunchy, crispy zucchini fries turn very tender in the air fryer and have a delicate natural sweetness from the cooking process. The simple dipping sauce is very tomato forward, with just enough acid from the vinegar and mayonnaise to add incredible tang.

18of 28

Air-Fryer "Fried" Chicken Thighs

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (18)

Air fryers need a lot less oil to create a deep-fried crispy crust. Here, chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk and dredged in a simple breadcrumb coating. With the help of a little cooking spray, they cook up nice and crispy with a lot less fat. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or slice them up to top a salad.

19of 28

Air-Fryer Salmon Cakes

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (19)

These air-fried salmon patties are reminiscent of classic salmon croquettes, crispy on the outside and pillowy tender on the inside. Look for canned or jarred salmon that has less than 50 milligrams of sodium per serving, and don't be afraid of varieties that have bones. They're easy to remove.

20of 28

Crispy Air-Fryer French Fries

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (20)

Get crispy, crunchy fries with much less oil than deep frying requires with these air-fried spuds. For the best texture, keep each fry as evenly sized as possible. Try a mandoline to make quick work of equal fries if your knife work could use some help.

21of 28

Air-Fryer Falafel

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (21)

Making falafel in the air fryer is practically foolproof. Just combine all your ingredients in a food processor, form into patties and drop in the air fryer. The countertop appliance is like a mini convection oven, so the falafel will cook up quickly and with way less oil than if you pan-fried them. Serve them with tahini sauce for dipping.

22of 28

Air-Fryer Kale Chips

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (22)

Homemade kale chips are incredibly easy to make. Thanks to the air fryer, fresh kale leaves turn extra crispy in under 15 minutes with much less fat than some store-bought options. Warning: These will go fast!

23of 28

Air-Fryer Salmon with Horseradish Rub

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (23)

A crust of fresh horseradish, parsley and capers turns delicately crispy on this air-fried salmon. It's an impressive dinner that's also super simple to make. If you can't find fresh horseradish, use a high-quality prepared product. Be sure to drain and squeeze it to remove as much moisture as possible.

24of 28

Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (24)

An air fryer is a great way to enjoy chicken Parmesan with much less oil. A 5- or 6-quart air fryer fits two chicken breasts perfectly to get that signature crispy crust. (A smaller air fryer will work too, but you may have to overlap the breasts a little.)

25of 28

Air-Fryer Potato Wedges

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (25)

Get perfectly cooked potato wedges in your air fryer! A hint of Parmesan cheese and rosemary along with olive oil add a crispy flavorful crust. Dip them in ketchup or your favorite creamy sauce for serving.

26of 28

Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (26)

These crispy air-fryer mozzarella sticks taste like your favorite mozzarella sticks without the fuss of frying and with much less oil thanks to the magic of your air fryer. The crust is crispy and the cheese inside is ooey-gooey—perfect for dipping in marinara.

27of 28

Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (27)

Air-fried sweet potato fries are crispy, tender and delicately sweet. They're also made with less fat than traditional fries, so they're a healthier option when you're craving crunchy spuds. If the cinnamon-pepper spice is too intense, try thyme, oregano, paprika or garlic instead.

28of 28

Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

View Recipe

You Just Got an Air Fryer—Here Are the Recipes You Should Make First (28)

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes fry to a crispy crunch in the air fryer. These homemade chips also use much less oil, which cuts down on calories and fat. They're a naturally sweet side for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more.