1. Eggs
Air fryer baskets are perforated to allow hot air to circulate. This airflow is the secret to how they work, functioning like compact, high-speed convection ovens. The concept of air fryer eggs might seem counterintuitive for this exact reason, but they actually work really well.
The simplest method is “boiling” them whole in the shell, which is faster than heating a pot of water on the stove and allows you to adjust the cooking time for your desired level of doneness. Place the in-shell eggs in the basket (don’t preheat the air fryer) and cook for 16 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for a hard-boiled consistency. Then, transfer the eggs to an ice water bath for another five minutes before peeling.
You can also make scrambled or “fried” eggs, or even a frittata, in either a pan small enough to fit the fryer’s basket, or directly on a parchment air fryer liner.
Recommended recipes: Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs, Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata
2. Copycat Crunchwraps
Using the air fryer to whip up homemade versions of common takeout foods, such as egg rolls and chicken nuggets, helped to rocket the appliance into popularity. So why not set your sights higher, and make a copycat version of Taco Bell’s much-loved Crunchwrap Supreme?
Simply spread your meat and cheese on an extra-large flour tortilla, top it with a tostada shell, and pile on the cold ingredients (sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, and whatever else you want). Fold up the tortilla, lightly oil the basket, and place your homemade wrap folded side down. Cook for four or five minutes per side and your wrap will be ready to eat.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Crunchwrap Supreme
3. Biscuits
Biscuits achieve the highest rise and fluffiest texture when baked quickly in a hot oven. An air fryer is essentially a small, very hot oven, making the basket the perfect place to bake a few biscuits at a time. Heat the air fryer to your desired temperature, place each disc of dough on a piece of parchment paper or a small baking pan, and in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have warm, flaky biscuits. This method works equally well with refrigerated canned biscuits and homemade ones.
Recommended recipes: Air Fryer Biscuits (Homemade), Air Fryer Biscuits (Canned)
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4. Brownies
Perhaps the best thing about brownies is the pleasing contrast between their soft, squidgy interiors and chewy, crusty edges. While you can purchase specialized pans that ensure every brownie is a corner piece, you can get a similar effect by making them in the air fryer.
There are plenty of recipes online for air fryer brownies, and aside from the ingredients, you need only a silicone pan (like this one) that fits into your air fryer’s basket. Air fryer brownies have a high ratio of crust to soft middle, thanks to the small pan, high temperature, and fast-moving air.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Brownies
5. Falafel
Takeout food is often criticized for its high levels of sodium and saturated fat. Falafel is a notable exception, as its main ingredient is either chickpeas or fava beans. The only drawback is that it’s traditionally deep-fried in oil.
Preparing falafel in an air fryer is a much healthier alternative to deep-frying. You only need to mist the basket and falafel lightly with oil, and the machine will take care of the rest. Your falafel will be crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready to eat in just minutes.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Falafel
6. Cupcakes and Muffins
Air fryers aren’t suitable for all baked goods due to their compact size and intense heat. The best sweet treats for the air fryer are typically small and appropriate for high-temperature baking.
Cupcakes and muffins fit the bill neatly. Cupcakes rise light and high in the quick heat of the air fryer, and muffins take only a bit longer because of their denser texture. Tip: You can make a batch of batter, fill the baking cups, and freeze them; once frozen, you can bag or wrap them for cold storage. Then, pull out one or two cups any time you want a freshly baked muffin or cupcake.
Recommended recipes: Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes, Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins
7. Lava Cakes
The canonical lava cake is a flourless recipe baked at high heat until the edges set, while the middle remains gooey and molten. This makes the recipe ideal for the air fryer, as its high heat helps set the outside quickly.
Many recipes vary from this template — using a flour-based batter or even hiding a piece of chocolate in the center to reliably create the lava effect — but that’s perfectly fine. Your air fryer will handle them all.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Lava Cake
8. Crispy Tofu
For many people who don’t otherwise care for its soft texture, crispy tofu is a game changer. It’s typically prepared by pressing moisture out of the block, cutting it into cubes, and frying them in a hot, well-oiled pan. For impeccably crisp, golden tofu with less saturated fat, toss the cubes in cornstarch and spices, add them to the air fryer basket, and mist lightly with oil.
Recommended recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
9. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Yes, you can make your grilled cheese in a pan on the stovetop or in a panini press, but both of these methods require hands-on attention. With an air fryer grilled cheese, you can simply set a timer, place your sandwich in the basket, and walk away. When the timer goes off, you’ll have a perfect grilled cheese sandwich — never burnt or unevenly cooked — without having to stand guard over it.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
10. Small-Batch Cookies
If you’re part of a smaller household and love to bake, making a full batch of cookies often yields more treats than you can eat.
But if you have an air fryer, you can use it to bake just a few cookies at a time. Simply mix up a full batch of your favorite cookie dough, roll it into balls, and freeze them on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Once the dough balls are frozen, transfer them to a gallon-sized freezer bag. When the mood strikes, place one of the frozen dough balls in the air fryer basket on a piece of parchment paper and bake until the edges of the cookie are golden brown.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
11. Nuts, Seeds, and Croutons
Nuts and seeds are common ingredients in baking and granola, or as salad toppings. Often these recipes call for them to be toasted, either in the oven or in a skillet. But toasting nuts and seeds in the air fryer — using a parchment liner or a small pan — is a fast, reliable way to achieve crunchy results without the risk of burning.
Similarly, if your salads need a little something, you can make croutons in the air fryer in just a few minutes using any bread or rolls you have on hand (day-old is best). Cut the bread into cubes, toss them with olive oil and seasonings, and air fry on high heat for five to eight minutes.
Recommended recipes: Air Fryer Roasted Pecans, Air Fryer Croutons
12. Roasted Vegetables
The hot blast of your air fryer is ideal for preparing roasted vegetables as a side dish. In the summertime, you can avoid heating up the kitchen by keeping the oven off and instead cooking produce, such as asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, directly in the air fryer. The roasted veggies will have a tender-crisp texture with a pleasing bit of char at the edges.
In the winter, switch to air frying bite-sized pieces of sturdy carrots, parsnips, and winter squash. You can parcook the veggies first, or give them several minutes at a lower temperature to soften, before cranking up the heat to caramelize them quickly.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
13. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are easily prepared ahead of time for a quick weeknight meal, but also appealing enough to serve company. They’re a snap to cook in your air fryer, either on a parchment liner or in a small pan.
You can cook them right in the basket if you choose to, but remember, the peppers will release juices as they cook, and the filling can spill in the basket. Using a pan or liner cuts down on the cleanup afterward.
Recommended recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
14. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls, like cookies, are a frequent temptation for home bakers. They’re delectable, but you can only eat so many while they’re still fresh and warm. Fortunately, the air fryer gives you a way to have your metaphorical cake and not eat it, too.
Simply prepare your go-to recipe — or open your favorite store-bought variety — and freeze the cinnamon rolls you won’t be baking immediately. Pull out one or two whenever you’re craving a sweet treat, place them in the preheated basket on a piece of parchment paper, and by the time your coffee is brewed, the cinnamon rolls will be ready to enjoy.
Recommended recipes: Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls (Homemade), Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls (Canned)
15. Pancakes and French Toast
Putting pancake batter or an egg-dripping slab of French toast into your air fryer basket seems like a bad idea, but — like raw eggs themselves — they actually turn out pretty well. Both cook nicely in a well-oiled mini pan, but you can also place a couple of pieces of French toast directly on a parchment liner.
You wouldn’t want to cook for a crowd this way, but if you’re preparing breakfast for one or two people, it’s a fast, easy way to fill your plate.
Recommended recipes: Fluffy Air Fryer Pancakes, Air Fryer French Toast
