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    Home / Collections

    17 Easy Air Fryer Dinner Ideas for Hectic Evenings

    By Lisa MarcAurele · May 7, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Are hectic evenings making dinner feel like a chore? Don't stress, because I've got you covered with a collection of easy air fryer dinner ideas that will save you time and sanity. From crispy snacks to flavorful mains, these recipes are perfect for busy nights when you need a delicious meal on the table fast. Let's dive in and make dinner time a breeze!

    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

    A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background.
    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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    These crispy smashed potatoes topped with melted cheese are a comforting addition to any dinner, perfect for busy evenings when you need a satisfying side dish without spending much time in the kitchen. With minimal prep and a short cooking time in the air fryer, they're an excellent choice for easy dinner ideas on hectic evenings.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

    Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

    Close-up of a hand holding a seasoned chicken wing garnished with fresh herbs, with more pieces on a plate in the background.
    Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Tangy and aromatic, these lemon pepper chicken wings cooked in the air fryer are a flavorful option for effortless dinners on busy evenings, making them an ideal choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas when you want a tasty meal without spending hours cooking. With a short cooking time and minimal prep, they're convenient and satisfying.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

    Air Fryer Pasta Chips

    Pasta chips in a white bowl.
    Air Fryer Pasta Chips. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crispy, golden-brown pasta chips seasoned to perfection, offering a unique twist on traditional snacks for busy evenings, ideal for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Simple to make in the air fryer with just a few ingredients, they're a crunchy and satisfying treat that's sure to please the whole family with minimal effort required.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Chips

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

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

    Perfectly crispy and juicy chicken wings straight from the freezer to the air fryer, offering a hassle-free dinner option for busy evenings, making them an excellent choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With no thawing required and a short cooking time, they're convenient when you need a quick and satisfying meal.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

    Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

    Stack of bacon wrapped onion rings.
    Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crispy onion rings wrapped in savory bacon, offering a flavorful twist on a classic appetizer or side dish for busy evenings, ideal for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Easy to make in the air fryer with minimal hands-on time, they're a deliciously indulgent treat that's sure to be a hit with family and friends.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

    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.

    Bursting with flavor, these air-fried Roma tomatoes make a versatile addition to any meal on busy evenings, making them a great choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and a short cooking time, they're a convenient option for adding a pop of brightness and freshness without much hassle in the kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

    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.

    Tender chicken skewers marinated and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, offering a hassle-free dinner option for busy evenings, making them a perfect fit for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they're a convenient choice when you crave something flavorful without spending too much time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

    Chicken Nuggets

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

    Crispy and golden on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these chicken nuggets are a kid-friendly favorite for busy evenings, making them an excellent option for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to make in the air fryer with minimal prep, they're convenient for satisfying cravings without resorting to takeout.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

    Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

    Bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage on white plate.
    Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Savory bacon-wrapped cabbage wedges cooked to perfection in the air fryer, offering a delicious side dish for busy evenings, perfect for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they're a convenient option for adding flavor and texture to your meal without spending a lot of time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

    Crab Melt

    Two plates of crab melt with sliced tomatoes and melted cheese, garnished with lemon slices on a white wooden surface.
    Crab Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Cheesy and indulgent, these crab melts are a deliciously comforting option for busy evenings, making them a fantastic choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to assemble and even quicker to cook in the air fryer, they offer a satisfying meal or snack with minimal effort required in the kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Crab Melt

    Crab Rangoon Dip

    A person dipping a piece of bread into a skillet of cheesy dip.
    Crab Rangoon Dip. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Creamy and flavorful, this crab Rangoon dip is perfect for sharing on hectic evenings, making it a great option for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to prepare and easy to cook in the air fryer, it's a deliciously indulgent option for dipping with chips or crackers without spending a lot of time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Crab Rangoon Dip

    Air Fryer Lumpia

    Filipino spring rolls in a basket with dipping sauce.
    Air Fryer Lumpia. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crispy and flavorful, these air-fried lumpia offer a delicious Filipino-inspired snack or appetizer for busy evenings, perfect for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they're a convenient option for satisfying cravings without the need for deep frying or spending a lot of time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lumpia

    Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

    Bacon wrapped pineapple on a white plate.
    Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Sweet and savory, these bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are a delightful combination of flavors for busy evenings, making them a perfect fit for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to assemble and easy to cook in the air fryer, they make a delicious appetizer or snack with minimal effort required, perfect for entertaining.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

    Grilled Shrimp Skewers

    Grilled shrimp skewers with red and green bell peppers, served with lemon wedges and a dipping sauce on a white plate.
    Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Tender and flavorful shrimp skewers grilled to perfection in the air fryer, offering a quick and easy dinner option for busy evenings, making them a great choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they're a convenient choice for a delicious and satisfying meal without spending too much time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

    Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    Fried potato wedges with ketchup and parsley.
    Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these air-fried potato wedges make a delicious side dish or snack for busy evenings, making them a great choice for easy air fryer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they're a convenient option for satisfying cravings without spending a lot of time cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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

    Golden-brown and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these air-fried chicken tenders are a family favorite for busy evenings, making them a fantastic option for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to make with minimal prep, they're a convenient choice for a satisfying meal without the hassle of deep frying.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in Air Fryer or Oven

    A hand holding a bacon-wrapped shrimp dipped in a small bowl of sauce, with a green leaf garnish on the side.
    Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in Air Fryer or Oven. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Succulent shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon, offering a savory and satisfying option for busy evenings, making them a perfect fit for easy air fryer dinner ideas. Quick to prepare and easy to cook in the air fryer or oven, they're a versatile choice for appetizers, snacks, or main dishes with minimal effort required in the kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in Air Fryer or Oven

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

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