27 Air Fryer Starters That Vanish Before the Main Course

Air fryer starters are my go-to when I need something quick that gets people to the table fast. They cook up with hardly any mess, use basic ingredients, and always disappear before the main dish even has a chance. I rely on them for weeknights, get-togethers, or whenever I want to start strong without piling on extra effort.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips

These crisp chips come together fast and use pantry staples, making them an easy snack to prep before the main course. They’re especially handy when you want something crunchy without much cleanup. The air fryer keeps them light and ready in minutes. It’s no surprise they disappear as fast as they hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Chips

Crab Melt

This warm, cheesy starter feels like more than just a snack, yet it comes together with common ingredients. It works well as a quick appetizer that’s easy to scale up or down. The rich filling and crisp bread make it hard to leave untouched. It’s a solid choice when you want something quick that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Crab Melt

Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

These bites offer bold flavor in small portions, which makes them one of the first things gone at any gathering. Wrapping them in bacon means they cook evenly and hold their shape well. They’re simple to prep and don’t need much to stand out. Great for a quick air fryer option that’s ready before the main meal is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

Dehydrated Strawberries in an Air Fryer

Light and easy to prep, these strawberries add a sweet touch that’s just right for snacking before dinner. They store well and don’t require much cleanup. The air fryer speeds things up, so they’re ready without waiting hours. You’ll find they get picked through faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Dehydrated Strawberries in an Air Fryer

Chicken Nuggets

Quick to cook and always reliable, these nuggets are a familiar favorite that disappears before anything else hits the plate. They use simple ingredients and are done in minutes. Whether homemade or from the freezer, they crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Ideal when you want something everyone will go for right away.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

These wedges come out crisp on the outside and soft inside, making them a reliable pick before dinner. They’re easy to season with whatever’s already in the cabinet. You don’t need much oil or prep to get them going. It’s no wonder they rarely make it past appetizer time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Air Fryer Lumpia

With a crispy wrapper and flavorful filling, lumpia is one of those snacks that gets cleared out before the rest of the meal’s even plated. The air fryer delivers even browning without extra work. These freeze well, too, making it easy to keep them on hand. They’re a practical way to offer something shareable without a full spread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lumpia

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

This twist on cabbage brings a lot of flavor with minimal effort. The bacon adds enough richness to keep it from feeling like just another vegetable side. It cooks quickly in the air fryer, which is good when the clock is tight. Definitely the kind of dish that gets eaten early, not as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

These sweet rolls crisp up beautifully and add a bit of contrast to a savory lineup. They’re quick to prep in batches and require just a few ingredients. The caramelized banana inside makes them especially popular when served warm. They never last long on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Banana Turon Lumpia

Chicken Lollipops

These are quick to eat, full of flavor, and easy to prep in bulk, which makes them a go-to when feeding a group. The shape helps them cook evenly in the air fryer and keeps cleanup light. You get a nice balance of crispy skin and juicy meat. They’re often the first thing people reach for before settling in for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lollipops

Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

A good mix of crunch and flavor, these rings hold up well in the air fryer and don’t require much extra work. They’re easy to serve and usually disappear before you can set down the rest of the meal. The bacon keeps them sturdy and filling enough to stand on their own. Great for when you want something fun that doesn’t take long.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Crab Rangoon Dip

Warm and ready for chips or crackers, this dip brings everyone in quick. It’s rich without feeling over the top and works well for prepping ahead. The air fryer heats it through fast and keeps the top golden. It’s one of those starters that’s gone well before it’s expected to be.
Get the Recipe: Crab Rangoon Dip

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These poppers balance a bit of heat with a creamy filling, which helps them go fast at any table. They’re cooked until crisp and ready in under 15 minutes. The size makes them easy to grab and hard to leave behind. It’s a starter that disappears quickly, especially when served warm.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

These wings cook straight from the freezer and still come out crisp, which keeps prep simple and timing predictable. They’re great for feeding a group and take on whatever seasoning you’re in the mood for. No one waits long before reaching for a few. They’re consistently gone before the rest of dinner finishes cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

These bites blend sweet and salty flavors that go over well for just about any crowd. They’re quick to make and don’t need much cleanup. The bacon crisps up fast and gives structure to the pineapple. You’ll notice people grabbing seconds before the first batch even cools.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

These skewers cook quickly and don’t need a lot to come out flavorful and ready to serve. You can stretch a small amount of chicken by mixing it with vegetables, which makes it easier on the grocery bill. They come off the stick fast, and people tend to grab them before moving to anything else. A great pick when you need something simple that disappears early.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Ground Turkey Meatballs

These meatballs come together quickly and use affordable ground turkey, keeping things light but filling. Their smaller size makes them perfect to serve before dinner without a lot of fuss. You can season them however you like, and the air fryer gets them done fast with easy cleanup. They rarely sit on the platter for long.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Meatballs

Hot Honey Chicken Wings with Mustard

These wings bring a bit of heat and tang without needing much prep or ingredients. They crisp up well in the air fryer and cook straight from the fridge. The bold flavors mean they don’t need dipping sauces or sides. Once served, they’re often gone before the rest of the food hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Wings with Mustard

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in Air Fryer

Shrimp wrapped in bacon is hard to pass up, especially when it takes less than 15 minutes in the air fryer. These bites are quick, rich, and easy to portion for a group. Their size makes them easy to plate and easy to finish. Ideal for when you need something quick that guests won’t leave behind.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in Air Fryer

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

These bites offer a nice balance of salty bacon and juicy chicken, and they’re quick to pull together. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to get a full tray ready. They work well in small batches and pair easily with dips or sauces. Most trays are empty by the time dinner’s on.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

Pork belly crisps up well in the air fryer, and these bites carry a lot of flavor in a small serving. They hold their shape and texture even after sitting out for a bit. Ideal for sharing or prepping in advance, they make quick work of a smaller portion of meat. You’ll find people reaching for seconds before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

These easy bites wrap up fast, cook through evenly, and are gone almost as soon as they’re plated. You can make a big batch with little effort, which helps when hosting. Their size makes them a grab-and-go option with no fuss. A solid favorite that works every time.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These tenders come out crisp with little oil, and they’re ready in minutes. A small amount of chicken stretches into a tray full of pieces that go fast. Great for dipping or eating plain, they’re easy to prep and easy to clean up after. They tend to vanish long before the main dish is served.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Bites

These bites balance creamy and tart flavors in a pastry that cooks fast in the air fryer. They look nice on a tray and don’t need extra garnish or effort. Great for prepping ahead or using leftover ingredients. People often grab a second one before they’re done chewing the first.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These skewers cook in no time and stretch a small amount of shrimp into something shareable. You can season them a few ways to match whatever meal’s coming next. Quick to serve and quicker to go, they rarely stay on the platter long. A reliable go-to when you want something fast that feels put-together.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Crispy outside, soft in the middle, and topped with just enough cheese to feel like more. These potatoes cook quickly and don’t require much prep beyond pantry staples. They’re simple to portion and even easier to pick at before dinner. Most trays are half-empty before the main dish is even plated.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

These wings bring a fresh, bold flavor and cook evenly in the air fryer with minimal cleanup. They’re great for prepping in advance and don’t need sauce to hold their own. The seasoning works for a range of tastes, which helps at gatherings. Expect them to disappear before dinner even starts.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings