Are you using your air fryer to its fullest? Air fryers are quickly becoming one of Canadians’ top kitchen essentials and with good reason: the countertop appliance uses circulating hot air to create all kinds of yummy deep fried-like recipes — all while using 90 per cent less oil and way less time. But what are the best air fryer recipes? From no-brainer staples like air fryer chicken wings to more creative air fryer recipes for sweet treats and even homemade bread, these easy air fryer recipes are so good — and so simple — you’ll be making them on repeat.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Whether you’re settling in to watch the big game or you just want a hot, crispy snack, a heaping platter of chicken wings is a finger lickin’-worthy pick — and these crispy air fryer chicken wings are so easy to make. Whip up a delicious dip and you’re all set with the perfect savoury weekend treat.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Love the iconic comfort food flavour of fried chicken, but don’t love to deep fry? It’s a classic conundrum — and this air fryer chicken is just the solution. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the secret to getting this perfectly seasoned fried chicken just right is to soak it in buttermilk before you fry it.
Air Fryer Bread
Is there anything better than warm, homemade bread? Baking in your air fryer might not be the first thing you think of, but it’s actually super easy and convenient. With an assist from your stand mixer, it’s simple to bake up a round loaf of light, golden-crust bread with this easy air fryer recipe.
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
Love shrimp? These tasty fried shrimp might just have you putting these crustaceans on your dinner menu again and again. Hot, crispy and covered with crunchy panko breadcrumbs, this easy air fryer recipe calls for a side of spicy remoulade sauce to really kick things up.
Air Fryer Arancini
Creamy, savoury risotto — but without the bowl? Yes, please! These cheesy risotto balls are air fried for a lighter take on the Italian street food classic, but they still feature a yummy, ooey gooey surprise in the centre (spoiler alert: it’s more cheese, thanks to a cube of mozzarella).
Air Fryer Beignets
Who says the best air fryer recipes are all savoury? An air fryer can help you satisfy your sweet tooth, too. This ingenious air fryer version of the classic New Orleans fritters still gives you that sweet doughnut-like flavour (and the iconic dusting of powdered sugar), but without all the oil of the original.
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Speaking of sweet treats, sometimes you just need a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie in your life. This recipe produces delicious, cakey little chocolate chip cookies right from your air fryer. The best part? You can make and freeze the dough ahead of time and then thaw and air-fry one or two as needed.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Looking for the simplest air fryer chicken recipe? Pop a frozen chicken breast into a pre-heated air fryer with a little olive oil and seasoning — in about 25 minutes, you’ll have a golden, perfectly juicy protein ready to eat. Looking for more quick, satisfying dinner ideas? Here are some of our favourite simple dinners ready in less than 30 minutes.
Air Fryer French Fries
Does TGIF stand for “thank goodness it’s (French) fry day” in your house? Ditch the freezer-burnt frozen varieties — and curb your carb cravings — by making your own golden-crisp, homemade air fryer French fries to order with this ultra-easy recipe.
Air Fryer Spareribs
How’s this for an easy weeknight dinner? Slathered in warm barbeque sauce for a tangy flavour, these spareribs are simple to cook up in the air fryer. Just be careful: the thought of these for dinner might have your mouth watering all through your workday.
Air Fryer Steak With Garlic-Herb Butter
Can you cook steak in an air fryer? Absolutely! The trick is to opt for a thicker cut (like sirloin steak) to get the perfect cook. This easy air fryer recipe gets a savoury boost from homemade garlic-herb butter.
Air Fryer Potato Chips
These potato chips are a win-win: they’re salty and satisfying — and they’re super easy to cook to crispy perfection with the help of an air fryer. Still feeling a bit hangry? Here are some more snacks to keep those afternoon hunger attacks away.
Air Fryer Veggie Chip Medley
Like a little more colour in your snacks? This easy air fryer recipe transforms a mix of beets and potatoes into a rainbow of crunchy, salty chips. Love that satisfying root vegetable flavour? We think you’ll love these root veggie recipes, too.
Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu
Marinated tofu bites get beautifully brown, crisp and hot with this simple air fryer recipe — making them the perfect topper for your salads or stir-fry dishes (or just on their own as a scrumptious snack).
Air Fryer Mini Swedish Meatballs
Super quick, easy and perfect for feeding a crowd, these mini beef-and-pork Swedish meatballs take less than 10 minutes to cook in your air fryer. Can’t get enough mouth-watering meatball recipes? Here are our favourites.
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey
If you’re looking for a cooking hack for a stress-free Thanksgiving-inspired meal, this is it. Cook a turkey breast in the air fryer with this simple air fryer recipe — and you’ll have juicy turkey and crispy skin ready to enjoy in under an hour.
Air Fryer Banana Bread
Banana bread is the absolute best way to keep ripe bananas from going to waste — and it’s a fast (and fun!) treat to make with an air fryer. This recipe makes a round loaf that’s a beautiful addition to your breakfast table.
Air Fryer Ranch Mozzarella Sticks
Ranch dressing mix takes plain-old mozzarella sticks to the next dimension of flavour — and they’re mega-easy to make with this air fryer recipe. For more cheesy goodness, check out our top recipes for cheese lovers.
Air Fryer Sausage Stuffing
Stuffing is a comfort-food classic and it doesn’t have to be served only during the holiday season. This scrumptious and fast air fryer recipe makes stuffing simple with a mix of white bread, fresh herbs and breakfast sausage. Have a bit more time to go all out? Here are the very best stuffing recipes from Food Network chefs.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Pickle lovers, there’s no need to schlep to a restaurant to feed your cravings. This must-try air fryer recipe turns tangy dill pickles into crunchy fried pickles while using barely any oil. For more pickling ideas (ahem, pickled avocado), check out these recipes.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Whether you’re looking for a healthier take on a kid-friendly classic or you want to make satisfying comfort food for grown-ups, these yummy chicken tenders are one the best air fryer recipes for a reason: they’re so simple to make. Just marinate chicken tenders, coat them in a panko-Parmesan mix and pop them in the air fryer. The result? Delicious, totally dip-worthy chicken tenders for dinner.
Air Fryer Spinach, Pepper and Havarti Frittata
Filled with melty Havarti cheese and colourful veggies, this next-level frittata couldn’t be easier to throw together — and yet it still makes an ultra-impressive presentation for a leisurely long-weekend brunch.
Air Fryer Green Beans With Gremolata and Toasted Almonds
Vegetable side dishes can steal the show on the dinner table — especially if they’re as crispy and flavourful as these air fryer green beans topper with a lemony gremolata topping.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Beautifully breaded, but oil free, these air fryer pork chops are sure to be a weekly dinner staple. For more juicy dinner ideas, bookmark these pork chop recipes that are ready in less than 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Fried Oreos
You don’t have to go to the carnival to get the decadent flavours of the fair — just plug in your air fryer. Classic Oreo sandwich cookies become irresistible sweet treats with a little batter and a few minutes in the air fryer. Find more fun fair-inspired recipes you can make at home any time of year.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Fillets With Broccoli
Believe it or not, fish and your air fryer are sure to make fast friends. Take this air fryer salmon recipe: salmon, teriyaki glaze and broccoli florets all go in the air fryer — and they emerge as a delicious one-pot seafood-based meal.
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Cheesy? Check. Garlicky? Yes. The perfect bites to start off your weekend, every weekend. Right here. This yummy air fryer recipe makes flavoursome stuffed mushrooms with a simple, quick method that’s sure to please even the more discerning mushroom lover.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
A touch nutty and so nutritious, Brussels sprouts are a vegetable that has gotten a bit of a bad rep over the years — but this air fryer recipe just might change things. Why? Crispy Brussels sprouts are the best Brussels sprouts — and this version makes your sprouts brown, crispy and crunchy (without using a ton of oil).