29 Air Fryer Main Dishes That Are Perfect for Busy Weeknights

If you're looking for quick, easy, and flavorful meals that won’t keep you in the kitchen for hours, these air fryer main dishes are the perfect solution for busy weeknights. The air fryer makes cooking faster and cleaner, without compromising on taste. Whether you're short on time or just need a hassle-free dinner, these recipes will help you get a satisfying meal on the table in no time.

Five sausages on a wooden board with a bowl of dipping sauce, garnished with parsley, beside sliced sausage pieces. — Photo credit: Little Nonni.

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Air Fryer Tuna Melt

A grilled cheese tuna sandwich is cut in half on a plate. — Air Fryer Tuna Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This air fryer tuna melt is an easy and quick meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. The golden, crispy bread and warm tuna mixture come together in no time. With just a few ingredients, it's a stress-free dinner option. It’s ideal for those evenings when you need something simple but full of flavor. You’ll keep coming back to this one for sure.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Close-up of an air-fried barbecued rib with charred edges over a white plate. — Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer baby back ribs cook up tender and juicy with minimal effort, making them a great choice for busy weeknights. They’re packed with flavor and can be ready in under an hour. Perfect for a quick dinner, these ribs will please the whole family. No need for hours of preparation—just season and air fry. It’s an easy go-to meal that’s simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots on a white plate. — Whole Chicken in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is a game-changer for quick, flavorful meals. The air fryer gives it a perfectly crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy. This recipe is a great way to prepare a family dinner with minimal effort and time. You’ll love how easily it cooks in just a fraction of the time compared to a traditional oven. It’s a great choice for a hearty meal without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These grilled shrimp skewers come together in no time in the air fryer, making them a fantastic option for busy evenings. The shrimp cook quickly and evenly, giving you a flavorful meal in under 20 minutes. It’s a light, easy dish that’s packed with flavor and perfect for any weeknight. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete meal. You’ll find yourself making this one regularly.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Air Fryer Cornish Hen

This air fryer Cornish hen is a quick and flavorful dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. It cooks faster than a traditional oven, with a crispy exterior and tender meat inside. This recipe is a simple and elegant meal that requires little prep. Whether it's a family dinner or just for two, it’s sure to impress. It’s an easy option for a satisfying, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornish Hen

Chicken Nuggets

Hand dipping a chicken nugget into a bowl of ketchup, with a gray cloth background. — Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer chicken nuggets are a fast, no-fuss option that’s perfect for busy nights. With crispy, golden nuggets that cook in under 15 minutes, they’re an ideal choice when time is tight. These nuggets are easy to make and perfect for both kids and adults. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a quick meal everyone will enjoy. They’re sure to be a repeat dinner in your rotation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

A basket of crispy roasted pork belly chunks garnished with parsley, served in a white paper-lined wicker basket. — Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali). Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These air fryer pork belly bites are a crunchy, savory treat that’s ready in less time than traditional methods. The pork belly crisps up perfectly in the air fryer, giving you a satisfying bite every time. It’s a simple dish that’s full of flavor, making it a great choice for a busy weeknight dinner. The quick cook time makes it a go-to meal for when you're in a rush. These pork belly bites will quickly become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Close-up of a crispy air fried chicken drumstick on a white plate garnished with parsley, with hot sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer chicken legs cook up perfectly crispy and juicy with minimal effort. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, hearty dinner that’s ready in no time. This simple dish is great for busy weeknights and pairs well with any side. The air fryer does all the work, so you don’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen. It’s a dependable meal that’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

These bacon-wrapped salmon bites are an easy, flavorful dish that cooks up quickly in the air fryer. The crispy bacon adds a savory touch to the tender salmon, making this a delicious option for a fast dinner. This meal is ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a simple and elegant dish that’s sure to impress. You’ll want to make these again and again.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

A single barbecued chicken skewer on a white plate, with a small bowl of barbecue sauce and a parsley garnish, next to a plate of additional chicken skewers. — Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer chicken skewers cook quickly and evenly, making them a great option for a weeknight meal. The juicy, tender chicken is perfectly seasoned, making each bite flavorful and satisfying. You can have this meal on the table in under 30 minutes, ideal for busy evenings. These kabobs are a versatile dish that can be paired with various sides. It’s a great go-to for an easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Fried chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These air fryer chicken tenders are crispy, tender, and ready in under 20 minutes, making them an ideal weeknight meal. The easy prep and quick cook time mean you can get dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor. Serve with a side salad or veggies for a complete meal. These tenders are a family favorite and will quickly become a regular in your weeknight dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

A piece of air fried chicken thigh on a fork, with a caramelized exterior and garnished with a small leaf, in focus against a blurred background of more chicken pieces. — Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer boneless chicken thighs cook up tender and juicy in no time, making them a great choice for busy nights. They’re quick to prepare and easy to season, giving you a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is perfect when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying without a lot of time spent in the kitchen. The air fryer makes it a fast and easy go-to dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Chicken Sausage

Chicken sausage cooked in the air fryer is a quick and easy option for busy weeknights. The sausages cook up crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside in no time. This meal is perfect for a fast dinner with little prep and clean-up. Serve with some roasted vegetables or a salad for a complete meal. It’s a simple dish that’s both flavorful and filling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage

Fried Chicken

This air fryer fried chicken gives you crispy, juicy chicken without the mess of deep frying. It cooks faster than traditional methods, making it a perfect choice for a quick dinner. The air fryer creates a perfectly crisp coating while keeping the meat tender. This is a go-to meal when you want something hearty without the wait. It’s an easy and satisfying dish everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken

Teriyaki Salmon

Air fryer teriyaki salmon is a quick, flavorful dinner option that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The salmon cooks in just 10-12 minutes, making it a speedy meal without sacrificing taste. With a sweet and savory glaze, it’s an easy dinner that pairs well with rice or vegetables. This dish is simple to prepare and is packed with flavor. It’s a great choice when you need a fast and healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon

Dry-Rubbed Pork Roast

This air fryer dry-rubbed pork roast is a quick and flavorful meal that cooks up in a fraction of the time of traditional roasting methods. The dry rub adds a burst of flavor to the tender pork, making it a satisfying dinner with minimal effort. You can have this roast on the table in about an hour, perfect for busy evenings. It’s a great option for when you want a hearty meal with little prep.
Get the Recipe: Dry-Rubbed Pork Roast

Lamb Rib Chops

These air fryer lamb rib chops are a fast and easy way to enjoy a flavorful meal. The lamb cooks quickly, with a crispy exterior and tender meat inside, making it an ideal choice for busy nights. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen, and it pairs well with simple sides like roasted vegetables. This dish is a perfect balance of quick preparation and hearty flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Rib Chops

Salmon Bites

Air fryer salmon bites cook up quickly and perfectly, making them a great weeknight meal option. The crispy exterior and tender inside make them a satisfying dish, ready in under 15 minutes. It’s a healthy, easy-to-make option that’s full of flavor and pairs well with any side. This is a fast and simple meal that you’ll want to make on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Bites

Gochujang Chicken Wings

These gochujang chicken wings cook up fast in the air fryer and are full of bold flavor. The spicy-sweet sauce gives them a delicious kick, and the air fryer makes them crispy without the mess. They’re an easy choice for a quick dinner or snack. With minimal prep and fast cook time, these wings are a great addition to your weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken Wings

Chicken Tenders

Air fryer chicken tenders cook quickly and are a great go-to for busy weeknights. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, ready in about 20 minutes. These tenders are perfect for both kids and adults, and they pair well with almost any side. With simple ingredients and fast prep, they’re a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders

Pork Roast

This air fryer pork roast is a quick and easy dinner option, perfect for busy nights. It cooks up juicy and flavorful in less time than traditional methods. The air fryer gives the roast a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and moist. You’ll love how quickly it comes together with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pork Roast

Marinated Turkey Tenderloin

Marinated turkey tenderloin cooked in the air fryer is a quick and flavorful meal that cooks in no time. The marinade adds great flavor, and the air fryer gives it a juicy, tender texture. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a simple, healthy dinner. You can serve it with just about anything, making it a versatile choice.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Turkey Tenderloin

Rib Eye Steak

Air fryer rib eye steak is a simple, fast way to cook a perfectly tender steak. It only takes about 10-12 minutes to cook to your desired level of doneness, making it a great option for busy nights. The air fryer gives the steak a crispy crust while keeping it juicy inside. It’s a great go-to for a quick, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Rib Eye Steak

Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs cook up tender and juicy, making them an easy weeknight meal. They’re ready in less than 30 minutes, with a crispy skin and flavorful meat. This dish is simple to prepare and works well with any side. It’s a quick and easy choice when you need dinner fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs

Brats with Peppers and Onions

Air fryer brats with peppers and onions come together quickly and are full of flavor. The air fryer gives the brats a crispy exterior while keeping them juicy inside. This dish is perfect for a fast dinner that requires minimal prep and clean-up. Pair with a side of roasted potatoes or a salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Brats with Peppers and Onions

Chuck Roast

Air fryer chuck roast is a quick way to prepare this hearty cut of meat with minimal effort. The roast comes out tender and flavorful, perfect for a filling weeknight dinner. It cooks in less time than traditional methods, making it a great choice for busy nights. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chuck Roast

Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Air fryer honey mustard pork chops are an easy, flavorful dinner option. The sweet and tangy glaze coats the pork chops perfectly, and the air fryer cooks them up crispy and juicy in no time. This dish comes together quickly, making it a great choice for a busy weeknight. Serve with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Chicken Fajitas

Air fryer chicken fajitas are a quick, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy nights. The chicken and veggies cook up tender and juicy with minimal effort. These fajitas are ready in less than 30 minutes, making them ideal when you're short on time. Serve with tortillas for a complete, easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajitas

BBQ Chicken

Air fryer BBQ chicken is a quick and easy way to enjoy juicy, flavorful chicken. The BBQ sauce adds a tangy sweetness, and the air fryer gives it a crispy exterior. You can have this dish ready in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It’s an easy, hassle-free meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken