12 Air Fryer Recipes That Actually Deliver

I was an air fryer skeptic. Another bulky appliance promising to revolutionize my kitchen? I'd been burned before (looking at you, bread maker collecting dust in the garage). But after a year of actually using one, I'm a convert. Here are 12 recipes that made me believe.

The Truth About Air Fryers

Let's be honest: an air fryer is basically a small convection oven with good marketing. But that doesn't mean the hype is wrong. The compact size means it preheats in minutes, not the 15+ minutes my full oven takes. The powerful fan means things get genuinely crispy. And the easy cleanup means I actually use it.

What follows isn't just a list of recipes—it's a collection I've actually made, more than once, because they're worth repeating.

Quick Wins (Under 15 Minutes)

These are the recipes that made me realize the air fryer earns its counter space.

Air-Fryer Green Beans

12 minutes | Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Fresh green beans, olive oil, salt, pepper. That's it. Five minutes of cooking, one shake of the basket, two more minutes. They come out with charred spots and a snap that steamed green beans never achieve. This is the recipe that converted me—not because it's fancy, but because it's so much better than the alternative for almost no effort.

Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

29 minutes | Vegetarian

Weekend breakfast without the greasy stovetop mess. Thick bread slices dipped in egg and half-and-half, rolled in cinnamon sugar, air fried until crispy on the outside and custardy within. My kids think I'm a hero. I know I just avoided washing a skillet.

The Classics, Perfected

Some things you expect an air fryer to do well. These deliver.

Air Fryer French Fries

30 minutes | Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

One russet potato, two tablespoons of olive oil, salt. Cut into sticks, toss, cook for 20 minutes with one shake halfway through. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, and I don't have to deal with a pot of hot oil or the lingering smell of a fast food restaurant in my kitchen. These aren't quite as indulgent as deep-fried, but they're 90% as good for 10% of the hassle.

Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders

35 minutes | Family Favorite

The panko coating gets genuinely crunchy in a way that baking never achieves. The trick is the Dijon mustard in the egg wash—it adds a subtle tang and helps the breading adhere. Serve with whatever dipping sauce your household demands. In mine, that's ranch, BBQ, and ketchup, because apparently we need options.

Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings

30 minutes | Game Day Essential

The baking powder in the coating is the secret. It draws moisture from the skin, which means genuinely crispy wings without deep frying. Toss them in butter and Frank's Red Hot when they come out, and you've got wings that rival your favorite sports bar—minus the sticky table and overpriced beer.

Pleasantly Surprising

I didn't expect these to work. They did.

Air-Fryer Beer-Battered Fish

42 minutes | Dairy-Free, High-Protein

I was skeptical. Beer batter is wet. Air fryers need dry surfaces to crisp. But the double-dredge technique—flour-spice mix, then batter, then back into the flour—creates a coating that actually works. The cod comes out flaky inside with a golden, crispy exterior. Fish and chips at home, no deep fryer required.

Air-Fryer Empanadas

54 minutes | Latin American

Using refrigerated pie crust feels like cheating, but the results don't taste like shortcuts. The filling is simple—ground beef with taco seasoning, onion, and bell pepper—but folded into flaky pastry and air fried until golden, these disappear fast. Make the chimichurri. It's worth the extra step.

Air-Fryer Cheesecake

Total time: 8 hours (mostly chilling) | Vegetarian

Yes, really. A springform pan, a graham cracker crust, a simple cream cheese filling. The air fryer bakes it at 300°F, and the result is creamy and dense with just the right amount of golden color on top. Most of the time is hands-off chilling, so this is actually easier than it sounds. I've made this for dinner parties and no one believed it came from an air fryer.

Vegetable Victories

The air fryer turns skeptical vegetable eaters into enthusiastic ones.

Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Garlic, Balsamic and Soy

25 minutes | Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation because most people steam them into sulfurous mush. Air frying caramelizes the edges while keeping the centers tender. Add garlic in the last few minutes so it turns golden without burning, then drizzle with a quick balsamic-soy reduction. This has converted Brussels sprouts haters in my household.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

70 minutes | Vegetarian

The time investment here is mostly draining the zucchini—essential for fritters that crisp instead of steam. Parmigiano-Reggiano, a little jalapeño for heat, and a panko coating that turns golden in the air fryer. These are good enough to serve to guests, easy enough for a Tuesday.

Air-Fryer Baked Potatoes

70 minutes | Vegetarian

Is a baked potato exciting? No. But the air fryer version has crispier skin than my oven ever produced, and it doesn't heat up the entire kitchen in summer. Fork-tender inside, crackling outside. Load with butter, sour cream, cheese, chives—whatever your potato requires.

The Sweet Finish

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

25 minutes | Vegetarian

Fresh apple pieces folded into a simple batter, scooped into the air fryer, and drizzled with a cinnamon-caramel glaze. They're not quite as decadent as deep-fried fritters from the donut shop, but they're warm, apple-packed, and ready in under half an hour. For a weeknight dessert, that's a win.

The Air Fryer Principles

After a year of experimentation, here's what I've learned:

• Don't overcrowd. Air needs to circulate. One layer, with space between pieces.
• Shake or flip halfway. Most recipes benefit from this. Set a timer.
• Oil matters. A light coating helps things crisp. Too much makes them soggy.
• Preheat when it matters. For things that need immediate searing (like chicken wings), preheat. For things that cook longer (like baked potatoes), it's less critical.
• Pat things dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Paper towels are your friend.

Building Your Air Fryer Collection

The best part about finding recipes that work? You'll actually make them again. I've saved all of these in MealCraft, which means when I'm staring at a pound of chicken tenders wondering what to make for dinner, I can search "air fryer chicken" and find my go-to recipe in seconds—with the grocery list ready to go.

Ready to build your own recipe collection? Join the MealCraft beta and start cooking.