Most air fryers spend their days reheating leftovers and crisping frozen fries, but this countertop appliance can handle a lot more than that. These recipes cover juicy chicken breast, steak bites, pork chops, salmon, cod, stuffed mushrooms, and even a warm apple crisp, all with golden, crispy results. Pick a few for your November weeknights and give your air fryer a real job.
Air Fryer Apple Crisp
If your air fryer has never made dessert, start here. Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, and a buttery oat crumble bake right in small ramekins, while cornstarch thickens the juices into a glossy sauce and lemon keeps the filling bright. Grab the full recipe for the timing, then top each warm crisp with vanilla ice cream and caramel without ever turning on the oven.
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
Nine minutes in the air fryer takes these pork chops from raw to browned on the outside and juicy in the middle, with no skillet to scrub. Any spice blend already in your pantry works, from a simple garlic and paprika rub to a favorite store-bought seasoning. Try them once and pork chops will likely earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Glazed salmon sounds like a job for the broiler, but the air fryer handles it while you make the rice. A homemade teriyaki sauce coats the fillets before cooking, and a little held back for the last two minutes gives them a glossy, sweet-salty finish. The recipe also shows the quick fork test that tells you the salmon is done before it dries out.
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Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Party appetizers aren’t what most people picture coming out of an air fryer, but stuffed mushrooms might change your mind. The caps turn tender and juicy around a creamy, cheesy filling flecked with pepper and herbs, ready to pass around in one savory bite. Save the recipe before your next get-together, because this retro favorite tends to disappear from the plate fast.
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Air Fryer Steak Bites
Cutting sirloin into even cubes is the move that makes these steak bites work, since every piece gets direct contact with the air fryer’s heat. Patting the meat dry and keeping it in a single layer are the small details that give you browned edges instead of steamed, gray steak. The recipe finishes them with a quick garlic butter poured over just before serving.
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Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms
Mushrooms cooked in a crowded skillet tend to turn soft and watery, and the air fryer’s moving air is what gives these crisp, golden edges instead. Garlic, salt, and herbs coat them before they cook in under 10 minutes. Check the recipe for the one prep habit to skip, because it’s the most common reason mushrooms go soggy, then spoon them over steak or pasta.
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Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast
Stuffed chicken sounds like a restaurant dish, yet the air fryer handles it on a regular weeknight. A cheese, veggie, and herb filling goes inside each breast, and they come out golden outside and gooey in the middle, with a melty surprise when you cut in. Check the recipe for the filling mix, then serve it with pasta or a simple salad tonight.
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How to Cook Shrimp in The Air Fryer
That bag of shrimp in your freezer is closer to dinner than you think, because the air fryer works with frozen shrimp too. A quick marinade and a fast cook keep them juicy inside with lightly crisp, seasoned edges. See the full method on the blog, then spoon them over rice, tuck them into tacos, or dunk them in cocktail sauce.
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Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Frozen fries are what most air fryers make on repeat, so try a fresh vegetable version. A Parmesan coating turns zucchini sticks golden and crispy in less than 20 minutes, with only a few simple ingredients and no pot of hot oil. Head to the recipe and serve them with marinara or ranch as a snack or game day appetizer.
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Air Fryer Cod
Fish in the air fryer can sound risky, since dry, tough fillets are the usual worry. This cod cooks so fast it stays moist and flaky under a seasoned, lightly crisped outside, with just lemon and fresh herbs to brighten it. Check the timing in the recipe, then serve it with green beans or a salad for an easy fish dinner on a Monday or Friday.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries show the air fryer can do better than the frozen bag, especially in the fall when sweet potatoes are everywhere. Garlic powder, dill, and paprika season them before they go in, and they come out with crisp, golden edges and soft, tender middles without any deep-frying. Look up the seasoning mix and serve them with burgers, chicken, or a snack plate.
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Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast
Dry chicken is a common air fryer letdown, and this is the recipe that fixes it. Boneless breasts go straight into the basket without pounding or brining, and smoked paprika gives them a golden outside and a savory kick while the inside stays juicy. Get the method, then slice it over salads, roll it into wraps, or plate it with your favorite sides.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Garlic, ginger, and soy sauce give tender salmon bites a savory marinade that turns into an extra dipping sauce for even more flavor. The air fryer cooks them quickly, with lightly crisp edges and a juicy center, making dinner easy without much cleanup. Serve them over cauliflower rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a fresh weeknight meal that goes well beyond reheating leftovers.
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Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Shredded chicken, refried beans, cheddar cheese, and green chile salsa are tucked into tortillas for a crispy, flavorful bite. The air fryer gives them that golden crunch without the mess of deep-frying, making them easy to pull together for lunch, dinner, or game day. Add salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for dipping, and you’ve got a fun meal everyone can dig into.
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Air Fryer Blooming Onion
A whole onion opens into crispy, golden petals that look like they came straight from a restaurant appetizer menu. The air fryer makes the impressive-looking snack much easier to prepare at home, with less oil and no deep-frying setup. Serve it with a creamy dipping sauce for a fun addition to movie night, game day, or a casual weekend spread.
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Air Fryer BBQ Wings
Sweet, spicy, and a little smoky, the BBQ coating gives every wing plenty of bold flavor. The air fryer helps crisp up the skin while keeping the chicken juicy, without firing up the grill or dealing with a pot of hot oil. Serve a platter with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them disappear at dinner or game day gatherings.
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Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Thin slices fan out as the potatoes cook, creating golden edges and crisp, buttery layers in every bite. A simple mix of garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh chives adds plenty of flavor without making prep complicated. They’re an easy side for everything from grilled chicken to steak, with the air fryer doing far more than just warming things up.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes