The deep fryer may be the obvious route for wings and empanadas, but the air fryer can handle far more than traditionally fried food. These 17 recipes cover chicken, pork, shrimp, steak, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and snack-style dishes, all using circulating hot air instead of a pot of frying oil. Some are ready in under 20 minutes, while larger cuts like turkey breast need more time. The range makes it easier to use the appliance for full dinners, sides, and quick bites instead of saving it for frozen fries.
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Flaky pie dough makes Air Fryer Beef Empanadas crisp around a filling of cooked beef, shredded cheese, potato, refried beans, onion, and chipotle seasoning. The recipe makes eight servings in 36 minutes, with the pastries cooking in batches at 375°F until golden. They can work as a main dish or finger food with salsa or another dip. This is one of the clearest examples of the air fryer replacing a traditional deep-fry step.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Bone-in chops make Air Fryer Pork Chops a two-serving dinner in about 15 minutes, including the short prep. Sage, garlic powder, brown sugar, black pepper, salt, and a little oil season the pork before it goes into the basket. The air fryer handles the browning without a skillet full of oil, while the small batch keeps the timing manageable. Add potatoes, vegetables, or a salad when you need a straightforward dinner for two.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Using frozen breaded chicken patties, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu turns ham and Swiss cheese into a four-serving main with about two minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. The chicken cooks first, then the ham and cheese go on for the final minute so the cheese can melt. It skips the pounding, stuffing, breading, and frying associated with the classic version. Serve it with rice, potatoes, or vegetables for a fast dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Cubed sweet potatoes give Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes crisp edges in about 18 minutes for four servings. Cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and a little cooking oil coat the pieces before they go into the basket. The seasoning keeps the side from tasting plain, while the air fryer avoids a pan of hot oil. Serve the cubes with chicken, pork, burgers, or another protein when the plate needs an easy starch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Sweet honey and savory soy sauce give Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs a sticky glaze in a 20-minute recipe that serves four. Garlic, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil round out the sauce while the chicken cooks in the air fryer. The short cooking window makes this useful when dinner needs to move quickly without relying on takeout. Rice or steamed vegetables can turn the thighs into a fuller plate with very little extra work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ground turkey keeps Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs simple, with four servings ready in about 18 minutes. Bread crumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper hold the mixture together before the meatballs cook in the basket. The air fryer gives them a browned exterior without shallow-frying batches on the stove. Serve them with pasta and sauce, tuck them into rolls, or add them to a grain bowl when you need a flexible protein.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ribeye turns Air Fryer Steak Bites into a four-serving main in about 18 minutes from start to finish. Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, cooking oil, butter, and parsley season the beef before and after air frying. Cutting the steak into bite-size pieces speeds up cooking and gives more surface area for browning. Add potatoes, rice, or vegetables when you want steak night without heating a grill or managing splattering oil on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans
Yellow beans make Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans one of the fastest dishes here, with four servings ready in about eight minutes. Olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper coat the beans before they cook until lightly browned and tender. The short ingredient list makes this an easy side to add while the main dish rests. Pair the beans with chicken, pork, steak, or fish when you want a hot vegetable without another skillet or pot.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Yellow Beans
Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce
Crisp chicken wings anchor Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce, a four-serving recipe that takes about 38 minutes. Oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder season the wings, while mayonnaise, chives, cider vinegar, horseradish, Worcestershire, garlic, and cayenne form the tangy sauce. The air fryer handles the wings without a deep-fry bath, then the sauce adds a different finish from standard barbecue. Serve them for dinner, game day, or a snack spread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wings with Alabama White Wing Sauce
Air Fryer Irish Nachos
Potato slices take the place of tortilla chips in Air Fryer Irish Nachos, a four-serving dish ready in about 22 minutes. Olive oil, garlic salt, smoked paprika, cheddar, bacon, green onions, sour cream, and parsley turn the crisp potatoes into a loaded tray. The air fryer handles both the potato cooking and the final melt without a pan of frying oil. Serve them as a casual dinner, party snack, or shared side when regular nachos sound too familiar.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Irish Nachos
Air Fryer Twisted Bacon
Twisting each strip gives Air Fryer Twisted Bacon extra edges while three servings cook in about 10 minutes. Bacon is the only ingredient, so the method is the entire point: the strips are shaped, placed in the basket, and cooked until they reach the texture you want. Use the bacon beside eggs, crumble it over salads, or add it to sandwiches. The air fryer keeps the grease contained and frees the stovetop for everything else.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Twisted Bacon
Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Frozen chicken fries make Air Fryer Chicken Fries the shortest ingredient list in the roundup, with four servings ready in about nine minutes. The basket method cooks them from frozen without adding a pot of oil, making this useful for quick lunches, snacks, or nights when a more involved dinner is not happening. Put ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch, or another dip on the side. Add fruit or vegetables if you want to turn the chicken fries into a simple meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Butter and dried herbs give Air Fryer Turkey Breast a simple seasoning base while the bone-in, skin-on meat cooks in about 55 minutes for four servings. Salt and black pepper round out the butter mixture before the turkey goes into the air fryer. This is less about copying deep-fried turkey and more about using the appliance for a larger roast. Slice it for dinner with vegetables and potatoes, then use any leftovers for sandwiches or salads.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp
Seasoned shrimp keep Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp to about 16 minutes for four servings, including prep. Garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cooking oil, lemon, and parsley give the seafood plenty of flavor without a breaded coating. The shrimp cook quickly in the basket, so this is useful when a protein needs to be ready before the sides. Serve them over rice, pasta, salad, or tacos for a fast dinner that does not require frying oil.
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Air Fryer Corn on The Cob
Whole ears of corn make Air Fryer Corn on The Cob a four-serving side in about 20 minutes. Olive oil, salt, and pepper are all that is needed before the corn cooks directly in the basket until roasted at the edges. The method keeps the stove clear and avoids waiting for a large pot of water to boil. Serve the corn with barbecue chicken, burgers, steak, or shrimp when you want a simple vegetable that can cook while the main dish comes together.
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Drumsticks give Air Fryer BBQ Chicken enough substance for six servings in about 35 minutes. Avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper season the chicken before barbecue sauce is brushed on near the end. A final burst of higher heat helps the sauce caramelize around the drumsticks. Pair them with coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or vegetables when you want barbecue-style chicken without deep frying or heating the oven.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
Baking whole sweet potatoes in Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer takes about two minutes of prep and up to 40 minutes of cooking for four servings. The recipe uses only sweet potatoes, which are pierced before going into the basket and checked for softness as they cook. Butter or other toppings can be added after they are split open. Serve them beside turkey, pork, chicken, or steak when you want a substantial side without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer