30 air fryer recipes that earn their counter space

I've been cooking with my air fryer almost every week, and it's quickly become one of the most useful tools in my kitchen. These recipes prove you can make a variety of meals and snacks without spending hours over the stove or dealing with a pile of pans. I love how fast and reliable it is, and I'm excited to share recipes that make the most of this countertop workhorse.

A close-up of a hand holding a crispy, breaded chicken drumette with more drumettes in the background on a white plate. — Chicken lollipops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Candied Almonds

These candied almonds cook quickly and evenly, making them a great snack when you want something crunchy without standing over the stove. The air fryer helps coat them with a crisp sugar layer in a fraction of the usual time. They store well, so you can make a batch ahead and grab a handful when needed. This recipe works well as a simple, sweet treat or a topping for other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Candied Almonds

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 tuna melt cooks faster than in a traditional oven and gets the bread crisp without extra butter. The air fryer keeps the cheese bubbling while heating the filling evenly. It's a reliable choice for a quick lunch or easy dinner. Preparation is simple, making it a recipe you can pull together on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt

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.

Chicken thighs come out juicy with a crisp exterior in the air fryer without extra oil. They cook faster than pan-frying, freeing up your time for side dishes. This recipe is versatile for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Cleanup is minimal, which makes it practical for frequent cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze

Sliced roasted ham garnished with sprigs of rosemary on a white plate. — Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

The air fryer caramelizes the glaze quickly, giving the ham a rich finish without long oven roasting. It cooks evenly and keeps the meat tender. Perfect for a simple family dinner, this recipe reduces waiting time without sacrificing flavor. Using the air fryer also makes portioning and serving easier.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air-fried potato cubes with diced green bell peppers on plate. — Air Fryer Home Fries. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These home fries are crispy on the outside and soft inside without standing over a skillet. The air fryer cooks them evenly and reduces cooking time. They work well as a side for breakfast or a quick snack. Cleanup is simple, making this an everyday go-to for potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Air Fryer French Toast

The air fryer crisps the edges while keeping the inside tender, speeding up the breakfast routine. It's convenient for multiple slices at once, perfect for a family meal. This method reduces mess and makes timing easy. You can serve it quickly without needing extra pans.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Toast

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potato topped with butter and garnished with herbs on a white plate, with a red checkered napkin on the side. — Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sweet potatoes roast evenly in the air fryer with minimal prep time. The natural sweetness comes through while the exterior gets slightly caramelized. This recipe is handy for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Cleanup is simple, making it easy to fit into busy routines.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Three bacon-wrapped pieces of chicken on a white plate with a sprig of parsley and a red and white checkered cloth on the side. — Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken bites cook quickly and evenly, and the bacon crisps perfectly without extra steps. They're perfect for appetizers or quick dinners. The air fryer reduces the usual oven time and keeps the kitchen cooler. Cleanup is easier than baking on a tray with foil.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

S'mores Dip

The air fryer melts chocolate and marshmallows evenly in just minutes. This dip is easy to make and serves well for snacks or dessert. It heats quickly without needing to watch constantly. Cleanup is minimal, so it's easy to enjoy without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: S'mores Dip

Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple

The bacon crisps nicely around the pineapple, and the fruit caramelizes quickly in the air fryer. This combination works for appetizers or quick sides. Cooking is faster than in the oven, and results are consistent. Minimal cleanup keeps it simple for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple

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.

Skewers cook evenly and quickly, keeping meat juicy without constant turning. The air fryer gives them a slightly crisp exterior in less time than a grill. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. Cleanup is easy, so you can focus on serving instead of washing pans.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

Cinnamon apple slices on a white plate. — Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Apples caramelize evenly without needing extra butter or sugar on the stovetop. They cook quickly and maintain a tender texture. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacks, this recipe is simple and practical. Minimal cleanup makes it easy to make any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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

Chicken tenders cook quickly and stay juicy with a crisp coating. The air fryer reduces frying oil and mess while producing even results. This recipe is great for weeknight dinners or easy meal prep. Cleanup is straightforward, so you can get back to your day quickly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes seasoned with herbs and spices, served on a white plate garnished with parsley. — Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Tomatoes roast evenly and maintain their flavor while cooking quickly in the air fryer. They're ideal for sides or topping pastas. Minimal prep and cleanup make this a practical addition to your meals. The air fryer gives them a roasted finish without the wait of an oven.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Shrimp cook quickly, and the bacon crisps evenly without extra attention. Perfect for appetizers or quick meals, this recipe is easy to prep and serve. Using the air fryer reduces time and cleanup compared to pan cooking. Results are consistent and flavorful with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

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

Pork belly bites cook evenly, and the fat renders perfectly in the air fryer. This method reduces stovetop time and produces crisp edges. It's ideal for small gatherings or weeknight dinners. Cleanup is easier than roasting on a sheet pan.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Sliced ham with orange slices and grapes, garnished with parsley on a platter. — Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

The glaze caramelizes evenly while the ham heats thoroughly without long oven time. It's a practical recipe for family dinners or holiday meals. The air fryer keeps cooking simple and consistent. Cleanup is minimal, which helps when you're preparing other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

These banana lumpia cook evenly and crisp up quickly without deep frying. The air fryer reduces oil use while keeping the exterior crunchy. Perfect for snacks or dessert, they're ready in a fraction of the usual time. Cleanup is simple, so it's easy to make them often.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

Crab Melt

The air fryer melts cheese and warms the crab evenly, cutting down on stovetop time. It's practical for quick lunches or dinners. Prep is simple, making it easy to assemble and cook. Cleanup is minimal, so you can focus on eating.
Get the Recipe: Crab Melt

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

A bowl of bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages served on a bed of fresh green herbs. — Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Smokies cook evenly, and the bacon crisps in minutes without stovetop attention. Perfect for quick appetizers or snacks. The air fryer reduces cooking time and cleanup. This recipe works well for parties or everyday munching.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

Air Fryer Chicken Wings on white plate. — Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen). Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Wings cook evenly from frozen without defrosting, saving time. The air fryer crisps the skin and keeps meat juicy. Perfect for quick dinners or game-day snacks. Cleanup is easy, so you can enjoy them with less fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

Chicken Nuggets

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

Nuggets crisp up quickly and cook thoroughly without frying in oil. Perfect for lunches, dinners, or snacks. The air fryer saves time and reduces dishes. They come out consistent every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Apple Puff Pastry Tart

A dessert plate with apple slices, a pastry drizzled with icing, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with syrup. A checkered cloth is nearby. — Apple Puff Pastry Tart. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

The puff pastry cooks evenly, and the apples soften without extra steps. This recipe is convenient for dessert or brunch. Quick cooking and minimal cleanup make it practical. The air fryer gives a golden finish in less time than an oven.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pastry Tart

Chicken Lollipops

A close-up of a hand holding a crispy breaded chicken drumstick, with more drumsticks on a white plate in the background. — Chicken Lollipops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken lollipops cook evenly and crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Perfect for appetizers or a main dish, they're ready quickly. The method reduces stovetop time and mess. Cleanup is simple, which makes frequent cooking easier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lollipops

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.

Chicken legs cook thoroughly with crispy skin in the air fryer without extra oil. Perfect for family dinners, they reduce oven time. Minimal prep and quick cooking make them practical. Cleanup is straightforward, so you can serve fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air Fryer S'mores

A s'more with melted marshmallow and chocolate between graham crackers on a white plate. — Air Fryer S’mores. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chocolate and marshmallows melt evenly without constant monitoring. The air fryer speeds up dessert time compared to a broiler. Quick prep makes it suitable for casual snacks. Cleanup is easy, leaving more time to enjoy them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer S'mores

Egg White Frittata Muffins

Frittata muffins cook evenly and keep a light texture without extra oil. Perfect for meal prep or breakfast on the go. Quick cooking makes mornings simpler. Cleanup is minimal, which helps with busy schedules.
Get the Recipe: Egg White Frittata Muffins

Apple Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, air-fried apples, red onions, nuts, and crumbled cheese. — Apple Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Apples stay crisp, and toppings can be warmed lightly if desired. It's a fresh side or quick snack with minimal prep. The air fryer can toast nuts or other ingredients evenly. Cleanup is easy, keeping it practical.
Get the Recipe: Apple Salad

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Cabbage cooks evenly while bacon crisps quickly in the air fryer. Perfect for sides or small meals, this method reduces stovetop time. It keeps prep simple and cooking consistent. Cleanup is minimal, which is convenient for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Onion rings cook evenly with crisp bacon in a fraction of the usual frying time. They're great for appetizers or snacks. Minimal prep and cleanup make this recipe practical. The air fryer gives consistent results without monitoring.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

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