Did you just get an air fryer and have no idea what to make? Here are 62 must-have air fryer recipes for beginners.
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* This post has been updated in 2024 to include 37 new air fryer recipes for beginners (for a total of 62 delicious recipes.) Enjoy!
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a simple and healthy way to cook your food instead of deep-frying or sauteeing. It cooks your food by circulating hot air up to 400 degrees around your food when cooking.
It doesn’t require a lot of space and I love that I can cook some of my favorite foods without having to worry about all of the fat that comes with “frying”.
When first starting out, just like any new appliance an air fryer can be intimidating. But, is actually really easy to use once you experiment with it and try new recipes. I know I’ve had so much fun cooking side dishes, appetizers, and even holiday dishes in my air fryer.
Here are a few helpful tips before you start cooking in your air fryer:
Air Fryer Tips Before You Get Begin
1. Grease your basket the right way
Although, it’s not always necessary if you want to make sure everything comes out golden brown a small amount of oil may be needed.
But, don’t use aerosol sprays such as Pam because they can cause peeling of the baskets. It’s better to rub oil on or invest in an oil mister.
2. Don’t overcrowd the basket
When putting your food into the basket try not to overcrowd it and leave space between your food if possible.
This will allow the food to get crispy on all sides if there is space for the air to circulate.
3. Shake or turn halfway through cooking
If you shake your food or turn it over halfway during cooking this will allow for more even cooking.
4. Resist the urge to turn up the heat
Your food may dry out if you try and cook at the highest setting.
I was guilty of doing this when I first received my air fryer but now realize how much better my food has turned out since turning it down and not trying to cook everything at the highest temperature.
5. Stop white smoke
Put a slice of bread under the basket to catch any grease that may fall especially if you are cooking fatty pieces of meat such as bacon.
Here are a few more helpful tips and tricks for using your air fryer as well as how to keep it clean so it lasts longer.
You May Like:
- 65 Easy and Healthy Air Fryer Recipes- you can find simple and healthy recipes that go beyond cooking prepackaged frozen foods.
- 21 Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes– find more easy and healthy chicken recipes you can cook in your air fryer.
- 28 Best Air Fryer Pork Recipes– tasty pork recipes that everyone will love.
- 27 Tasty Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipes– frugal and family-friendly ground beef recipes to try.
62 Must-Have Air Fryer Recipes for the Beginner
Breakfast
Oatmeal-Kitchen at Hoskins
French Toast– The Travel Bite
Eggs– Kara Lydon
Eggs with Cheese– Fab Food 4 All
More Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes to Try
French toast sticks– Father and Us
Bacon– A Pinch of Healthy
Breakfast Sausage- Meatloaf and Melodrama
Scrambled Eggs– Everyday Family Cooking
Hard-Cooked Eggs– This Old Gal
Looking for more air fryer breakfast ideas?
Sides
Homemade French Fries– Homemade with Heather
Homemade Onion Rings-Simplify Create Inspire
Baked Potato- Where is My Spoon
Sweet Potatoes- Courtney’s Sweets
Corn on the Cob- Hungry Healthy Happy
Tortilla Chips- Belly Rules the Mind
Family Favorite Air Fryer Sides/Appetizers
Nachos- Spend With Pennies
Garlic Parmesan French Fries– Hip2Save
Sweet Potato Fries– Eazy Peazy Mealz
Onion Rings– Plated Cravings
Fried Pickles– The Frilly Apron
Mozzarella Sticks– Eat At Our Table
Egg rolls– Awe Filled Homemaker
Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls – Budgeting for Bliss
Find more tasty appetizers to make in your air fryer: 15 Best Air Fryer Egg Roll Recipes
Chicken
BBQ Chicken Breasts-The Fresh Cooky
Chicken Thighs- Christina’s Cucina
Chicken Breast- Simple Everyday Recipes
Chicken Legs– The Forked Spoon
Greek Chicken Kabobs-Taste and See
Chicken Fajitas-Homemade in the Kitchen
Million Dollar Chicken- Thrifty Jinxy
Chicken Fried Steak- An Affair from the Heart
Chicken Nuggets– Nibble and Dine
More Simple Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Fried Chicken– Divas Can Cook
Chicken Quesadilla– Plum Crazy
Popcorn Chicken– Urban Bliss Life
Chicken Parmesan– Plain Chicken
Chicken Wings– Eazy Peazy Mealz
Here are 14 delicious air fryer chicken wing recipes for your next party or game day.
Sandwiches/Pizza
French Bread Pizza- A Reinvented Mom
Ham and Cheese Sliders– Kim + Kalee
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich-Recipes Simple
Chicken Sandwich– This Old Gal
Hot Dogs- 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Corn Dogs-Platter Talk
Grilled cheese– This Old Gal
Pork/ Beef
Ribeye Steak- Saving You Dinero
Steak Bites- The Roasted Root
Meatloaf– The Food Blog
Hamburgers–Midwestern HomeLife
Steak– (My Forking Life)
Italian Sausage and Peppers-Swirls of Flavor
Pork Tenderloin– Southern Home Express
Barbecue Ribs- Two Kids and a Coupon
Pork chops-(This Mom’s Menu)
Seafood
Shrimp– Basics with Bails
Salmon- An Edible Mosaic
Teriyaki Salmon- The Dizzy Cook
Fish Tacos- Recipes From A Pantry
Desserts
S’mores- My Forking Life
Brownies- Texanerin Baking
Chocolate Chip Cookies– Budgeting for Bliss
Peanut Butter Cookies– Yum in the Kitchen
Donuts- Hezzi D’s Recipe Box
Love desserts? Me too! Try some more easy air fryer dessert recipes:
- 16 Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
- 19 Air Fryer Pumpkin and Apple Recipes
- 12 Best Air Fryer Cookie Recipes
These air fryer recipes are delicious and something the whole family will love. I know that we have enjoyed trying these recipes and can’t wait to try more.
Learn how to get the most out of your air fryer:
- 12 Must-Have Air Fryer Accessories– you can make the most out of your air fryer with these helpful accessories any air fryer owner will love.
- 15 Best Air Fryer Cookbooks to Buy– find must-have air fryer recipes to try this year.
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