20 Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make in Your Air Fryer

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Bratwurst with Onions & Peppers
Photo: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan

Looking for a fresh recipe to try out in your air fryer? Try one of these healthy, tasty choices. From crispy dinner mains to delicious desserts, these new dishes will be sure to satisfy your taste buds. Recipes like our Air-Fryer Stuffed Acorn Squash and Air-Fryer Mini Cheesecakes make the most of the air fryer.

01 of 20

Air-Fryer Stuffed Acorn Squash

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Stuffed Acorn Squash
Photographer: Brie Passano Food Stylist: Greg Luna Art Director: Stephanie Hunter Editor: Caitlyn Diimig

orn squash turns tender in the air fryer before it's stuffed with a savory rice filling. Toasted pecans add crunch while dried cranberries provide tartness. The skin of roasted acorn squash is soft enough to eat and provides additional fiber.

02 of 20

Air-Fryer Wasabi Egg Salad Wraps

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Wasabi Egg Salad Wraps with lettuce on the side on a platter
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington, Prop Stylist: Stephanie Hunter

Wasabi sauce adds heat to this flavorful egg salad recipe, while cucumber provides a welcome crunch. We serve this egg salad in lettuce leaves, but you could also spread it on whole-wheat bread or stuff it in a pita for a healthy lunch.

03 of 20

Air-Fryer Pistachio-Crusted Sea Bass

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Pistachio-Crusted Sea Bass served on a platter with greens

Sea bass fillets are crusted in pistachios and panko for a nutty, crunchy exterior in this healthy air-fryer recipe. We use sea bass here, but any other firm white fish like halibut would work just as well. Serve with grains and a side salad.

04 of 20

Air-Fryer Mini Cheesecakes

a recipe photo of the Mini air fryer cheesecakes
Photographer: Brie Passano Food Stylist: Greg Luna Art Director: Stephanie Hunter

These mini cheesecakes are healthy and easy to make in the air fryer—no water bath necessary! Serve with your favorite toppings, like fresh fruit or cookie crumbles, or keep them plain for a simple sweet treat. If you prefer, you can substitute the graham cracker crumb crust with finely crushed shortbread cookies, gingersnaps or chocolate sandwich cookies.

05 of 20

Air-Fryer Bratwurst with Onions & Peppers

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Bratwurst with Onions & Peppers
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan

Juicy pork bratwursts star in these healthy sandwiches. Topping them with onions, peppers and a spicy mustard sauce takes them over the top. Be sure to seek out prepared horseradish from the refrigerated section at the supermarket—not the creamy horseradish sauce shelved near the ketchup and mustard.

06 of 20

Air-Fryer Ravioli with Marinara Sauce

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Ravioli with Marinara Sauce served on a plate
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly

These crispy ravioli are perfect for dipping and make an excellent appetizer at any gathering. Choose any flavored ravioli you like, such as beef, cheese and/or spinach.

07 of 20

Air-Fryer Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Tahini Cookies

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Tahini Cookies
Photographer: Brie Passano Food Stylist: Greg Luna Art Director: Stephanie Hunter

We put a twist on a classic oatmeal-raisin cookie with the addition of tahini and walnuts. Tahini adds a hint of salty, nutty flavor, while toasted walnuts bring a satisfying crunch.

08 of 20

Air-Fryer Chili-Spiced Turkey Legs

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Chili-Spiced Turkey Legs
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila

Hot chili powder, paprika and lemon juice impart heat and acidity in these healthy turkey legs. The same marinade is used for the carrots, which turn tender in the air fryer. An herbed couscous rounds out the meal for a filling dinner.

09 of 20

Air-Fryer Spinach-Pepper Egg Bites

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Spinach-Pepper Egg Bites
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington, Prop Stylist: Stephanie Hunter

With just 10 minutes of active time, you can make a veggie-packed breakfast. Here, we use spinach and bell pepper, but you can try other filling ideas like sausage and mushroom, zucchini and mozzarella, or smoked salmon and pepper (see Tip).

10 of 20

Air-Fryer Mini Dark Chocolate Cake

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Mini Dark Chocolate Cake served on a platter with forks
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna

Making a cake in the air fryer is easier than you might think! In under an hour, you'll have a delicious, moist chocolate cake ready for dessert. Top with fresh berries or confectioners' sugar.

11 of 20

Air-Fryer Broccoli-Cheddar Quesadillas

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Broccoli-Cheddar Quesadillas
Photographer: Brie Passano Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly Art Director: Stephanie Hunter Editor: Caitlyn Diimig

Lightly charred garlicky broccoli and Cheddar make a delicious filling for these air-fryer quesadillas that both kids and adults will love. If you like, include cubes of ham in the quesadillas. A quick honey-mustard dipping sauce provides a hint of sweetness.

12 of 20

Air-Fryer Potato Cakes

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Potato Cakes
Adam Albright

These potato cakes make a wonderful appetizer, especially for the holidays. Top them with an array of ingredients, from apples and sage to a red pepper aioli. With a crispy exterior and creamy center, these potato cakes will be the star of any gathering. For a colorful twist, try this recipe with purple potatoes.

13 of 20

Air-Fryer "Fried" Chicken

a recipe photo of the Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

In this healthy air-fried chicken recipe, we dredge the chicken twice in the flour mixture, resulting in a deliciously crisp exterior. Buffalo-style hot sauce adds subtle heat to these juicy drumsticks. Serve alongside mashed potatoes and green beans.

14 of 20

Air-Fryer Coconut-Mango Bread Pudding

a recipe photo of Air-Fryer Coconut-Mango Bread Puddings served in bowls
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna

Coconut milk and mango shine in this bright and fruity spin on the classic dessert. If mango isn't available, you can use fresh pineapple in its place.

15 of 20

Air-Fryer Cider Pork Chops with Apples

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Cider Pork Chops with Apples
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila

Enjoy this elevated take on pork chops and applesauce. Serve caramelized chops and apple slices with tender green beans drizzled with a cider syrup. Even better? It's ready in 25 minutes.

16 of 20

Air-Fryer Breakfast Bowl

a recipe photo of the Air Fryer Breakfast Bowls served in a bowl
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

These savory breakfast bowls make excellent use of the air fryer. The tortilla is the perfect vehicle for scooping up the egg, pepper and tomato filling—plus it can soak up the runny egg yolk. Lime juice adds brightness to finish the dish.

17 of 20

Air-Fryer Orange Salmon with Avocado Salsa

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Orange Salmon with Avocado Salsa served on plates
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna

Salmon and orange pair beautifully together, and here we use the citrus in two ways. First, orange marmalade and Dijon mustard make a tangy-sweet glaze for the fish. Then, a salsa made with avocado, scallion and orange segments finishes the dish for a pop of freshness and color.

18 of 20

Air-Fryer Cinnamon-Ginger Apple Chips

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Cinnamon-Ginger Apple Chips
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila

When you're in the mood for a sweet snack, these air-fryer apple chips are the perfect choice. Sprinkle Honeycrisp apples with warming spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom. Air-fry, then dip into honey- or vanilla-flavored yogurt.

19 of 20

Air-Fryer Chicken Taquitos

a recipe photo of the Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos served on a plate
Jason Donnelly

These air-fryer taquitos are crispy on the outside with a warm and zesty chicken-and-bean filling on the inside. Pico de gallo, sour cream and fresh cilantro round out this easy recipe that's perfect for a game-day crowd.

20 of 20

Air-Fryer Green Beans

Air Fryer Green Beans
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

These tender, charred air-fryer green beans have bright lemon flavor and subtle savory notes from garlic and pepper. If you like to roast your vegetables, the air fryer will do it for you in a snap.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles