5 best air fryer recipes for restaurant-quality food (2024)

Over the past few years, air frying has emerged as one of the most popular, and practical, methods of cooking. Circulating hot air and producing crispy results, the best air fryers cut down on the amount of time needed to prepare your next great meal.

This appliance has immense potential, able to do so much more than just reheat frozen chicken nuggets. It can fry chicken wings, dehydrate fruit, and even bake cookies. If you’re using one of the best toaster ovens, it can do even more. In fact, here are 7 foods you never knew you could cook in an air fryer. But, if you’re looking for some recipe inspiration, then look no further. Here are five of the best air fryer recipes, curated from our time testing in the kitchen. If you're a keen baker, you may also want to read I made cookies in an air fryer and they tasted even better.

With each model being unique in its capacity, strength, and versatility, it’s important to experiment with times and temperatures as your air fryer may run hotter than others. However, the following recipes should serve for general guidance.Just be sure not to make any of these common air fryer mistakes, and check out our guide on how to use an air fryer to get the best results.

Did you know there is a global, cooking oil shortage? Find out why you should cook with less oil.You'll also need one of the best cutting boards for fuss-free preparation.

Best air fryer recipes

1. Savory fall carrots

1. Peel carrots and cut into matchsticks, approximately 3 inches long.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix carrots, oil, honey, herbs, salt, and pepper.

3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F on the “air fry” setting.

4. Add carrots to the basket and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.

5. Remove the cooked carrots from the basket and place in a serving bowl, making sure to also remove any of the tough stems from the herbs.

6. Garnish with extra herbs, a pinch of flake salt and a squeeze of lime juice if you choose.

Chef’s Notes: If they are in season this dish can be kicked up a notch by using a 50/50 mix of carrots and parsnips.

2. Crispy chickpeas

1. Drain, rinse, and thoroughly dry a whole can of chickpeas.

2. Set the air fryer to 390°F using the “air fry” setting.

3. Toss the chickpeas in the neutral oil and ensure all beans have been lightly coated.

4. Cook beans in the air fryer for 18 minutes, making sure to shake the basket every five or so minutes.

5. While chickpeas are cooking, mix together your chosen spice mixture.

6. Remove cooked chickpeas and place into a medium bowl.

7. Spray lightly with olive oil and add seasoning. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the bean — just be sure not to add too much or it will cause the chickpea to lose some of its crispiness.

Chef’s Notes:

Make sure to eat immediately or store in an open container to prevent chickpeas from softening. Tajin can be used instead of the above chili lime seasoning, lemon pepper would add a nice citrusy kick, and even a Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet ($12.98, Amazon) could be used for those who love ranch on anything!

3. Asian influenced Brussels sprouts

1. Wash and thoroughly dry the brussels sprouts before trimming the stems and cutting the sprouts in half. Place halves into a medium mixing bowl. Remember that any small leaves that fall off have a tendency to burn in an air fryer, so remove those.

2. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, crispy chili oil, and garlic powder. Add more chili oil if you like it very spicy.

3. Mix half of the sauce into the brussels sprouts along with the neutral oil.

4. Preheat your air fryer on the “air fry” setting to 375°F.

5. Add sprouts to the basket, making sure to use the included rack, and cook for six minutes. Shake occasionally. Adjust the time by a minute depending on the sprout size.

6. Once cooked, return sprouts to the medium bowl and toss with some of the remaining sauce.

7. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy!

Chef’s Notes: Crispy chili oil is a life changing condiment and can be found in Asian markets or online. Mr. Bing ($12.99, Amazon) has a great mild option for those who can’t tolerate too much heat while not compromising on any of the flavor.

4. Chicken wings two ways

1. Rinse and dry wings on a paper towel

2. In a large bowl, combine baking powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add dry wings, mixing to make sure the seasoning covers.

3. Add oil to the bowl, tossing again to ensure complete coverage.

4. Using the “air fry” setting, set your air fryer to 380°F and allow it to preheat.

5. Add wings to the fryer in a single layer and cook for 20 minutes. They will shrink so you don’t need to leave too much room between each wing.

6. Shake the basket every five or so minutes during the cooking process and flip the wings halfway through the cycle.

7. To make the buffalo sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Once melted remove from the heat and add the hot sauce and garlic. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

8. To make the cilantro lime sauce: Combine the vegetable oil, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a small bowl. Mince the garlic and Thai chili and add it to the sauce. Roughly chop the cilantro and mint together, reserve for later.

9. After cooking, remove the wings from the fryer and add to a bowl. If using Cilantro Lime sauce, add the sauce to the bowl, toss to fully cover the wings, put the wings back in the fryer basket, and cook for an additional two minutes at 380°F. Remove from the basket and garnish with cilantro and mint. If using Buffalo sauce, simply toss the wings in the sauce and serve.

Chef’s Notes: Frank’s RedHot ($2.74, Amazon) is the go-to for homemade buffalo sauce, but for something extra vinegary, try Crystal’s Louisiana style sauce ($11.26, Amazon). Some hot sauces will taste best with a couple extra tablespoons of butter so have a spoon, or a few wings, on hand to test the sauce until it’s perfect!

5. Molasses ginger cookies

1. In a large bowl combine the oil, one cup sugar, molasses, and egg. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium until combined.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.

3. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients until combined. Don’t over mix the dough because it can cause it to fall in the air fryer.

4. Using either parchment paper or plastic wrap, roll the dough into a tube shape about 2” in diameter and set in the refrigerator to cool for 30 minutes.

5. On the “air fry” setting, preheat the fryer to 350°F. Be sure to preheat your air fryer with an empty basket — parchment paper could be sucked up into the fan and heating element, causing a fire risk.

6. Slice chilled dough about ¼” thick and roll each piece in a small amount of sugar.

7. Cut a piece of parchment slightly wider than your basket. Place it on the air fryer rack and add four to five cookie slices to the basket, depending on the size of your air fryer, allowing ample room for spreading. Cook for six minutes.

8. Remove the cookies from the air fryer using the piece of parchment paper and let them harden for about five minutes.

Chef’s Notes: Flip your cookies at the last two or three minutes of the cooking cycle to make sure the bottoms cook as much as the rest of the cookie. Uncooked dough will last in the fridge for one week.