+15 Delicious Beginner Air Fryer Recipes

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I was just gifted an air fryer by my hubby, and I’m so excited to try out new dishes for the family. Since I’ve never used an air fryer before, I’ll be honest and say that I haven’t read the manual yet. I’m worried about what I can and can’t cook. I don’t want to break it by putting something in it that I shouldn’t.

Air Fryer

Having an air fryer will help me a lot with my eating habits. I know there are a lot of different recipes online, but it’s easy to get sort of overwhelmed. I do the job for you. Don’t worry; I picked some tasty beginner-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are simple to follow and guaranteed to impress.

Let’s dive into these quick, healthy, and mouthwatering dishes.

1. Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

Photo: Love and lemon

Nothing beats homemade fries, and the air fryer ensures they’re golden and crispy every time.

  • Ingredients: Potatoes, olive oil, salt, and your favorite seasoning.
  • Instructions: Peel and cut potatoes into sticks, toss with oil and seasoning, then air fry at 375°F for 20 minutes

2. Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Photo: Natasha’s kitchen

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—these wings are a game changer.

  • Ingredients: Chicken wings, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your favorite sauce (like buffalo or barbecue).
  • Instructions: Season the wings, air fry at 375°F for 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Toss with sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

3. Perfectly Cooked Air Fryer Bacon

Photo: Allrecipes

Forget the splatter and mess of frying pans—air fryer bacon is fast and flawless.

  • Ingredients: Bacon slices.
  • Instructions: Lay the bacon flat in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, adjusting for your desired crispiness.

4. Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Photo: simply recipes

A gooey, cheesy snack ready in minutes.

  • Ingredients: Mozzarella sticks, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
  • Instructions: Coat sticks in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat in breadcrumbs. Freeze for 30 minutes, then air fry at 390°F for 6-8 minutes.

5. Flavorful Air Fryer Salmon

Photo: feel good foodie

This dish is a healthy and delicious weeknight option.

  • Ingredients: Salmon fillets, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Season salmon, place in the air fryer, and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.

6. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Photo: feel good foodie

A healthier twist on classic fries with a natural sweetness.

  • Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and paprika.
  • Instructions: Cut sweet potatoes into sticks, coat with olive oil and seasoning, then cook at 380°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.

7. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Photo: skinny taste

A family favorite that’s perfect for dipping.

  • Ingredients: Chicken tenders, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices like paprika and garlic powder.
  • Instructions: Coat tenders in flour, dip in eggs, and coat in breadcrumbs. Air fry at 390°F for 10-12 minutes.

8. Golden Air Fryer Hash Browns

Photo: the spruce eats

Breakfast just got easier with these crispy patties.

  • Ingredients: Shredded potatoes, egg, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Mix ingredients, form patties, and air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

9. Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Allrecipes

A timeless classic made effortlessly crispy.

  • Ingredients: Bread, cheese slices, and butter.
  • Instructions: Butter the outside of the bread, assemble the sandwich with cheese, and air fry at 370°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway.

10. Roasted Air Fryer Vegetables

Photo: Allrecipes

A quick and healthy side dish with vibrant flavors.

  • Ingredients: Mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli), olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Toss vegetables in oil and seasoning, cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.

11. Air Fryer Shrimp

Photo: skinny taste

Quick, tender, and seasoned to perfection.

  • Ingredients: Shrimp, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon juice.
  • Instructions: Coat shrimp in oil and seasoning, air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes.

12. Air Fryer Donuts

Photo: preppy kitchen

A sweet treat that’s light and fluffy.

  • Ingredients: Premade biscuit dough, butter, and cinnamon sugar.
  • Instructions: Cut holes in dough, air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes, coat with melted butter and cinnamon sugar.

13. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Photo: well plated

Crispy, caramelized perfection that’s addictively good.

  • Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Halve sprouts, toss in oil and seasoning, cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.

14. Crispy Air Fryer Egg Roll

Photo: the recipe critic

Skip takeout with these easy homemade egg rolls.

  • Ingredients: Egg roll wrappers, shredded cabbage, carrots, cooked protein (optional), and soy sauce.
  • Instructions: Fill wrappers, roll tightly, and air fry at 390°F for 10 minutes.

15. Cheesy Air Fryer Quesadillas

Photo: cook it real good

A quick and melty snack or meal.

  • Ingredients: Tortillas, shredded cheese, and your choice of fillings (e.g., chicken, beans).
  • Instructions: Assemble quesadillas, air fry at 375°F for 5 minutes.

16. Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Photo: love and lemons

A tangy, crunchy appetizer.

  • Ingredients: Pickle slices, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
  • Instructions: Bread pickle slices, air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes.

17. Air Fryer Banana Chips

Photo: picky eater blog

A healthy, crunchy snack.

  • Ingredients: Bananas and olive oil.
  • Instructions: Slice bananas, coat lightly with oil, and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes.

18. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Photo: the recipe critic

A hearty and flavorful dinner.

  • Ingredients: Bell peppers, rice, ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese.
  • Instructions: Stuff peppers, cook at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, then top with cheese and air fry for 5 more minutes.

19. Air Fryer Brownies

Photo: Texan Erin

A decadent dessert made with ease.

  • Ingredients: brownie batter.
  • Instructions: Pour batter into a small pan that fits the air fryer, and cook at 320°F for 15-18 minutes.

Conclusion

You will fall deeply in love with your air fryer after trying these recipes. You’ll find yourself reaching for this versatile appliance again because of its easy-to-follow directions and yummy results.

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Sarah Mega Mom
Sarah

I'm the sister of Helena, and I love helping her write blog posts. You might see many of my thoughts and ideas featured here, and I hope you enjoy them.

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