Cooking doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated, especially when the air fryer does most of the work. These 17 air fryer recipes take the hassle out of the kitchen, giving you crispy, flavorful meals with minimal effort. No long preheating, no standing over the stove—just quick, reliable dishes that come together fast. Once you try these, cooking the old way might feel like too much work.
Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Cooking turkey thighs doesn’t have to be a hassle when the air fryer takes care of the hard work. It locks in moisture while crisping the skin, all without the need for constant monitoring. No basting, no long roasting times—just juicy turkey with a golden finish in less time. After this, waiting hours for a roasted turkey will feel unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus
Air frying asparagus keeps things simple while delivering the perfect balance of crisp texture and bold flavor. A quick toss with olive oil and seasonings is all it takes before the air fryer works its magic. No need to wait for the oven to preheat or deal with uneven roasting. This side dish proves that vegetables don’t need extra effort to taste great.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus
Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
The air fryer delivers restaurant-quality salmon in under 15 minutes without the hassle of pan-searing or baking. It cooks evenly, keeping the inside flaky while creating a crisp, golden crust. With no preheating and minimal cleanup, it’s the easiest way to enjoy fresh seafood. After trying this, the oven might become your last resort for cooking fish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
Pan-Fried Duck Breast with Berry Apple Compote
The air fryer makes cooking duck effortless by crisping the skin while keeping the meat tender. There’s no guesswork involved, just even cooking that brings out rich flavors. Paired with a simple berry apple compote, this meal feels gourmet without extra effort. Once you see how easy duck can be, you’ll never go back to pan-frying.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Duck Breast with Berry Apple Compote
Mexican Tostones
Tostones get perfectly crispy in the air fryer without the mess of deep frying. The double-fry technique is done in minutes, making this a quick snack or side. No more standing over hot oil—just toss them in, let the air fryer do the work, and enjoy. After one batch, you’ll never want to fry plantains the old way again.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Tostones
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Juicy barbecue chicken drumsticks come out crispy and caramelized in just 35 minutes, no oven required. The air fryer locks in flavor while keeping cleanup minimal, making it an easy choice for busy nights. With perfectly cooked meat and crispy skin, there’s no need for constant flipping or basting. After this, traditional oven-baking will feel like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Easy Gluten-Free Samosas
The air fryer turns samosas into crispy, golden bites without deep frying or waiting for the oven. The flaky texture and flavorful filling come together effortlessly with minimal oil. No doughy edges or uneven cooking—just perfectly crisp samosas every time. Once you try this, baking samosas might feel like extra work for no reason.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten-Free Samosas
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
The air fryer gives Brussels sprouts a crispy finish in half the time of roasting. There’s no need for excessive oil or high heat—the air fryer does all the work. Tossed with balsamic, feta, and pomegranate, this dish is full of flavor without extra effort. Once you see how fast and simple this is, roasting might seem outdated.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
Crispy Plantain Chips
These air-fried plantain chips are golden, crunchy, and completely mess-free. No need for deep frying or oven baking—just a quick cook time and easy cleanup. They crisp up perfectly with only two ingredients, making them the ultimate effortless snack. After making these, bagged chips won’t feel worth it anymore.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Plantain Chips
Best Easy Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Cheese curds get crispy on the outside and melty on the inside in just 15 minutes. The air fryer eliminates the need for excess oil, keeping the process quick and simple. No deep fryer, no greasy mess—just golden bites of cheesy goodness. After one batch, frying cheese curds any other way will seem unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Best Easy Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Achieving crispy tofu is effortless when the air fryer does all the work. No pressing, no standing over a pan—just golden, crunchy bites in minutes. The even heat creates the perfect texture without extra oil or effort. Once you try this, pan-frying tofu will feel like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Fried Marinated Tofu
This marinated tofu crisps up perfectly in the air fryer, making it easy to add to meals without extra cooking steps. There’s no need to constantly flip or worry about uneven cooking. The air fryer locks in the flavors while giving each piece a crisp finish. After trying this, frying tofu in a pan will feel like an unnecessary hassle.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu
Chicken Nuggets
Air frying makes homemade chicken nuggets quick, crispy, and hassle-free. There’s no need for messy breading stations or deep frying—just coat, cook, and enjoy. The air fryer delivers the perfect crunch without excessive oil or effort. After this, frozen oven-baked nuggets won’t be your first choice anymore.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These shrimp skewers cook in minutes, giving you a charred, smoky flavor without a grill. The air fryer ensures even cooking, keeping the shrimp juicy while adding a crispy finish. It’s a mess-free way to prepare seafood quickly and easily. After making shrimp this way, grilling might feel like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning
These chicken wings turn crispy in under 20 minutes, skipping the need for deep frying or baking. The air fryer guarantees even cooking with minimal oil and no greasy mess. Tossed in Italian seasoning, they’re packed with flavor without extra effort. After trying these, waiting for oven-baked wings won’t feel worth it.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning
Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings
These bacon-wrapped onion rings are the easiest way to get crispy, savory bites without the hassle of deep frying. The air fryer ensures the bacon crisps up evenly while keeping the onions tender. No messy batter, no greasy cleanup—just crispy, flavorful onion rings in minutes. Once you try these, frying them the old way won’t make sense anymore.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings
Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza
Flatbread pizza comes out crisp and evenly cooked in the air fryer without heating up the whole kitchen. The air fryer eliminates the need for long preheating times and keeps things simple. With a perfectly crisp crust and melty toppings, it’s an effortless way to make pizza fast. After this, waiting on a conventional oven will feel unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza