23 air fryer dishes guaranteed to surprise you

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Rethink what you can make with these 23 inventive recipes with an air fryer. This collection pushes the boundaries of traditional air frying, introducing a variety of dishes you might not have imagined cooking in an air fryer. These recipes are perfect for anyone eager to try new things with their appliance, offering a mix of flavors and meal types. From hearty dinners to light bites, these recipes are about making the most of the convenience and health benefits of air frying while enjoying a diverse range of delicious dishes.

Stacked spring rolls on a white plate.
Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Overhead shot of a striped bowl with kung pao chicken.
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bring a classic Chinese takeout dish to your kitchen with an air fryer twist. This Kung Pao Chicken balances spicy, sweet, and savory flavors, all while achieving a delightful texture with less oil. It’s a quick and healthier alternative for a weeknight dinner, surprising guests with its depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Stack of peanut butter cookies on a wooden board with a small bowl of peanut butter and a striped napkin.
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Baking cookies just got a whole lot easier and quicker. These treats emerge from the air fryer with a wonderfully soft center and a slightly crisp edge, embodying the beloved flavor of peanut butter. They’re ideal for a quick snack or a special treat, showing off the air fryer’s ability to handle even the most delicate of bakes. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to satisfy a sweet tooth without too much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This dish brings the irresistible taste of Korean street food right into your kitchen, in a healthier guise. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, the chicken is coated in a sweet and spicy glaze that’s simply addictive. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a popular favorite with less grease and guilt. This recipe is proof that healthier doesn’t mean compromising on taste, especially when an air fryer is involved.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Lamb chop with fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Lamb Chops. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Who knew an air fryer could produce such succulent lamb chops? They come out with a perfectly crispy exterior while remaining tender and juicy inside. It’s an elegant dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, ideal for a special dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Hand dipping a fried pickle into dipping sauce with a platter of fried pickle slices.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For a snack that’s both tangy and crunchy, try these air fryer-fried pickles. They’re a delightful appetizer that’s surprisingly easy to make, offering the satisfaction of fried food with fewer calories. Perfect for game day or as a novel snack to share with friends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

Stack of hot cocoa cookies on a plate.
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bring the cozy warmth of hot cocoa into a bite-sized treat. These cookies blend the rich flavors of chocolate with the convenience of air frying. They’re a delightful surprise for dessert or a sweet snack and show just how versatile your air fryer can be when it comes to baking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Bowl of jalapeno popper bites.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These jalapeno popper bites are a must-try for a spicy, cheesy treat. They come out crispy and golden from the air fryer, packed with flavor and just the right amount of heat. They’re perfect for parties or a fun snack, proving that your air fryer is capable of more than you might expect.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Air Fryer Onion Rings

Pile of onion rings on a white plate.
Air Fryer Onion Rings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Craving something crispy and savory? These air fryer onion rings are a healthier take on a classic favorite, achieving that coveted crunch without the grease. They’re great as a side dish or a snack, showing off the air fryer’s ability to transform everyday ingredients into something extraordinary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Onion Rings

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Bringing a popular takeout dish into the home kitchen, this version is lighter yet just as flavorful. The chicken comes out crispy and is coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, creating a delightful balance of flavors. It’s a great way to enjoy a favorite without the extra oil of traditional frying. This recipe is ideal for a family meal or a comforting dinner, showcasing the air fryer’s versatility.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Stacked spring rolls on a white plate.
Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These spring rolls are a revelation, coming out crispy and light from the air fryer. Filled with fresh, flavorful ingredients, they make a great appetizer or light meal. This method is not only healthier but also incredibly easy, proving that an air fryer can handle a wide range of dishes. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a classic favorite without the guilt.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Air Fryer Popcorn

Popcorn in a white bowl with a black and white checked napkin.
Air Fryer Popcorn. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Popcorn in an air fryer? Absolutely! This method offers a quick and oil-free way to make your favorite snack. It’s a fun experiment that turns out surprisingly well, perfect for movie nights or a healthy snack option.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Popcorn

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Bacon wrapped jalapenos on a white plate.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This dish offers a crispy, cheesy treat that’s irresistible yet simple to make. The jalapeños are stuffed with a creamy filling and come out of the air fryer with the perfect texture. They’re great for an appetizer or a snack with a kick, demonstrating the air fryer’s ability to create delightful dishes. This recipe is a fun way to spice up the menu with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Stack of air fryer pork belly strips in hoisin glaze.
Air Fryer Pork Belly. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Use your air fryer to turn pork belly into a crispy and tender treat. This dish achieves that coveted balance of crunchy skin and melt-in-your-mouth fat without the mess of deep frying. It’s a surprisingly simple way to enjoy a gourmet-style meal, showcasing the air fryer’s versatility.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly

Air Fryer S’mores

Stacked s'mores on a white plate.
Air Fryer S’mores. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Who says you need a campfire for s’mores? This air fryer version brings the classic treat to your kitchen, melting chocolate and marshmallows to gooey perfection. It’s a fun, quick dessert for any night of the week, proving that your air fryer can do more than just savory dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer S’mores

Air Fryer Salmon

Air fryer salmon on a plate with sauteed zucchini and lemon.
Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Enjoy perfectly cooked salmon with a deliciously crispy skin, all thanks to your air fryer. This method is not only quick and easy, but it also keeps the salmon moist and flavorful. It’s an excellent way to enjoy a healthy, upscale meal at home without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken

Fried salt and pepper chicken in a black bowl lined with parchment paper.
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Get ready for a flavor-packed dish that’s both simple and satisfying. This air fryer chicken is seasoned with just salt and pepper, yet it comes out incredibly flavorful with a crispy texture. It’s a testament to how the air fryer can take basic ingredients and turn them into a meal that’s anything but basic.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Air fried tofu on a white plate.
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air fry your tofu with this recipe for a new and delicious way to enjoy it. The tofu turns out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, seasoned with a classic salt and pepper mix. It’s a vegan-friendly dish that’s packed with flavor, showing off the air fryer’s ability to handle a variety of foods.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

White bowl filled with sweet potato chips.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Say goodbye to store-bought chips and hello to homemade sweet potato chips from your air fryer. They’re crispy, flavorful, and much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. This snack is not only easy to make but also a great way to enjoy a healthier version of a crunchy, satisfying treat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

Air Fryer Wontons

Air fryer wontons on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Who knew you could make crispy wontons right in your air fryer? Filled with your choice of ingredients, these wontons are a delightful appetizer or snack. They cook up quickly and with less oil, making them a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wontons

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Low angle shot of an air fried whole chicken.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Roast a whole chicken to juicy, tender perfection in your air fryer. This method delivers a beautifully cooked chicken with crispy skin in less time than traditional roasting. It’s a simple yet impressive way to prepare a family meal, highlighting the air fryer’s capacity for larger dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries on a plate with spicy ketchup for dipping.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Try zucchini fries in your air fryer for a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional fries. They come out crispy and golden, perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce. This dish is not only a tasty snack but also a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet in a fun and flavorful way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Roasted turkey legs on a cutting board with a knife.
Air Fryer Turkey Legs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Enjoy the taste of the fairground at home with these air fryer turkey legs. They’re seasoned to perfection, with a crispy exterior and juicy meat. This recipe is a fun and easy way to recreate a classic treat, proving once again the versatility and convenience of your air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

How about trying a healthier version of your favorite takeout meal? You can make air fryer sesame chicken for a guilt-free indulgence. This dish delivers all the sweet and savory flavors you love with a delightful crispy texture. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that will impress, showcasing the air fryer’s ability to create lighter versions of classic dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

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