When the grill sounds like more work than dinner is worth, the air fryer can take over without turning the kitchen into a project. These 17 recipes cover steak bites, chicken, pork chops, shrimp, wings, potatoes, corn, and quick vegetables, so the whole plate does not depend on one outdoor appliance. Each option moves from basket to table with crisp edges, straightforward seasoning, and enough range to build a full dinner while Dad stays inside.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Cut into one-inch cubes and seasoned with garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and oil, Air Fryer Steak Bites turn ribeye into a buttery dinner with browned edges in 18 minutes. The recipe serves 4 and finishes the steak with melted butter and fresh parsley. Add smashed potatoes, fries, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli to round out the plate without sending Dad outside to light the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air Fryer Twisted Bacon
Twisted into tight spirals before cooking, Air Fryer Twisted Bacon gives 9 bacon slices crisp ridges and chewy centers in 10 minutes. The batch makes 3 servings and needs no extra ingredients unless you add brown sugar, smoked paprika, or chili flakes. Stack the pieces on burgers or sandwiches, crumble them over baked potatoes, or use them to add smoky crunch to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Twisted Bacon
Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
Fork-pierced and cooked whole, Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer uses just 2 sweet potatoes and lets the circulating heat soften them without warming the oven. The recipe lists 2 minutes of prep, up to 40 minutes of cooking, and 4 servings. Split each potato, fluff the center, and add butter before placing it beside chicken, turkey, pork, or another air fryer main.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Straight from the freezer, Air Fryer Chicken Fries cook a 1-pound batch until crisp in 9 minutes with no breading station or pan of oil. The recipe makes 4 servings and calls for arranging the pieces in one layer, flipping after 5 minutes, then cooking 2 minutes more. Set out dipping sauces and serve them with an easy vegetable side for a low-effort dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Air Fryer Corn on The Cob
Rubbed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, Air Fryer Corn on The Cob roasts 4 shucked ears in 20 minutes and serves 4. Turning the corn halfway helps it brown evenly while the kernels stay juicy. Bring it to the table with butter, or add chili powder, lime, or chipotle powder when Dad wants cookout flavor without standing beside a hot grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on The Cob
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Built on frozen breaded chicken patties, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu layers each piece with deli ham and shredded Swiss cheese instead of pounding and stuffing raw chicken. The recipe lists 2 minutes of prep, 10 minutes of cooking, and 4 servings. Once the cheese melts, plate it with rice, corn, noodles, or potatoes for a dinner that looks far more involved than it is.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Wrapped in prepared pie dough, Air Fryer Beef Empanadas combine chopped cooked beef, shredded cheese, potato, refried beans, onion, and chipotle powder in a 36-minute recipe. The recipe makes 8 servings and yields about 30 small pastry rounds before filling and folding. Serve the golden half-moons with a salad or simple vegetables when dinner needs to be handheld and easy to portion.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Coated in soy sauce, honey, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs deliver sticky skin and juicy meat in 20 minutes. The recipe uses 1½ pounds of chicken thighs and serves 4. Spoon the extra sauce over the chicken and add rice or vegetables for a full plate that keeps the grill cover closed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans
Bright seasoning does the work in Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans, which tosses fresh yellow beans with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper. The 8-minute side serves 4 and cooks until the beans are browned yet tender-crisp. Place them beside pork chops, chicken thighs, turkey, or shrimp when the main dish needs something quick and fresh from the same appliance.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans
Air Fryer Irish Nachos
Thin potato rounds replace tortilla chips in Air Fryer Irish Nachos, layering crisp yellow potatoes with cheddar, bacon, green onions, sour cream, and smoked paprika. The 22-minute recipe serves 4 and melts the cheese over the potatoes during the final minute or two. Bring the basket to the table for a casual dinner where Dad would rather eat loaded potatoes than tend a grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Irish Nachos
Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp
Seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp cooks 1 pound of peeled shrimp in a 16-minute recipe that serves 4. The shrimp rest briefly in oil and spices before air frying until pink and opaque. Finish with lemon and parsley, then use them in bowls, salads, or a simple seafood dinner that needs almost no cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Smoky spices and a final coat of sauce give Air Fryer BBQ Chicken the cookout character Dad expects from drumsticks without using propane or charcoal. The 35-minute recipe seasons 10 to 12 drumsticks with avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder before adding barbecue sauce. It serves 6 and pairs naturally with coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, mac and cheese, or cornbread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce
Crisp chicken wings meet a creamy, tangy coating in Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce, made with mayonnaise, chives, cider vinegar, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and cayenne. The 38-minute recipe uses 2 pounds of wings and serves 4. Put the sauce-coated wings beside slaw or vegetables for a casual dinner that brings barbecue flavor indoors.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Brushed twice with softened butter and dried herbs, Air Fryer Turkey Breast cooks a bone-in, skin-on breast in 55 minutes and serves 4. Thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano, or tarragon can be combined with salt and pepper for the herb coating. Rest the turkey for 10 minutes before slicing, then serve it with potatoes and vegetables for a smaller dinner without roasting a whole bird.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
In 1-inch pieces, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes coat sweet potatoes with cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and oil. The 18-minute recipe serves 4 and cooks the cubes until browned outside and fluffy inside. Spoon them beside pork, chicken, turkey, or shrimp when the dinner plate needs a seasoned starch that does not involve the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Air Fryer Pork Chops
A sage and brown sugar rub gives Air Fryer Pork Chops plenty of flavor from garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and oil. The recipe cooks 2 bone-in chops in 15 minutes, flipping them halfway and pulling them at 145°F. Add vegetables or potatoes, then bring dinner straight to the table before Dad has time to uncover the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Mixed with breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder, Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs turn 1 pound of ground turkey into about 16 meatballs. The 18-minute recipe serves 4, with only 7 to 8 minutes spent in the air fryer. Serve them with sauce over spaghetti, pair them with rice, or plate them beside mac and cheese for an easy indoor dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs