Some snacks earn their place on repeat without even trying. These air fryer favorites bring the crunch, flavor, and speed that keep them in steady rotation. They’re easy enough for a weeknight but good enough for a weekend hangout. From salty bites to sweet treats, they prove you don’t need a deep fryer to make something worth eating. Once you’ve got them in your lineup, they’re hard to replace.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips keep showing up on my snack rotation because they hit the balance of crisp and earthy sweetness every time. The thin slices cook up with golden edges and just enough salt to make them addictive without being heavy. They’re quick enough for a last-minute craving but still feel like a step above tearing into a bag of store-bought chips. This is the kind of snack that quietly makes the case for pulling out the air fryer instead of the chip clip.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins
Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins are the kind of snack that work just as well with a bowl of chili as they do eaten on their own. They bake up with a tender crumb and that familiar corn flavor, but in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven. The air fryer gives them a light crust that holds up well to a swipe of butter or honey. They’re proof that small-batch baking doesn’t have to mean sacrificing texture or flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins
Air Fryer Empanadas
Air Fryer Empanadas are the reason I don’t bother heating up a big pot of oil anymore. The flaky crust turns golden without the mess, and the fillings—whether beef, chicken, or vegetables—stay moist and flavorful. They’re easy to keep on hand in the freezer for when you need something handheld and satisfying. Once you’ve made them this way, you’ll keep coming back for the convenience as much as the taste.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Empanadas
Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas
Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas are my answer when I want something sweet without committing to a full dessert. The heat turns the fruit soft and jammy while a sprinkle of sugar melts into a golden crust. They’re just as good over yogurt or oatmeal as they are with ice cream. It’s the kind of snack that feels a little decadent but still fits into an everyday routine.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers never last long when I make them, and not just because they’re spicy. The peppers soften without turning mushy, the creamy filling stays rich, and the breadcrumb coating gets that perfect crunch. They’re quick to make, especially if you prep a batch ahead and refrigerate them. They’ve earned a permanent spot on my list because they work for game day, casual dinners, or just because.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Air Fryer BBQ Wings
Air Fryer BBQ Wings are sticky, smoky, and a little bit messy in the best way. The skin crisps up while the sauce clings to every bite, making them hard to stop eating once you start. They’re fast enough for a weeknight craving but still feel like something you’d order at a bar. They’re one of those snacks that guarantee there won’t be leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Wings
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Fried Pickles turn a jar of pickles into a snack worth sitting down for. The coating crisps up without oil, and the briny bite inside stays firm and tangy. They’re a natural match for a quick dipping sauce, but just as good eaten straight off the basket. They make the kind of salty, crunchy snack that’s impossible to ignore once they’re on the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Wontons
Air Fryer Wontons are the kind of snack that make you wonder why you ever bothered deep-frying them. The wrappers turn crisp and golden while the filling stays hot and savory. They’re easy to batch-cook and freeze, so they’re always ready when you are. Whether you serve them with sauce or eat them plain, they never feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wontons
Air Fryer Spring Rolls
Air Fryer Spring Rolls bring that shatteringly crisp shell without the splatter of hot oil. The vegetables inside stay bright and fresh-tasting, and you can make them ahead for an even faster snack. They hold their crunch better than the takeout version, which makes them a reliable repeat. They’ve become one of my go-to air fryer recipes because they hit that sweet spot between light and filling.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spring Rolls
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies are like having dessert and a warm drink in one bite. The chocolate base is rich, the marshmallows turn gooey, and the air fryer keeps the edges just the right amount of crisp. They’re quick to bake and even quicker to disappear. This is the kind of treat that makes me glad I can bake in small batches.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, nutty, and ready before you’d even have the oven preheated. They keep that classic crisscross top but with edges that set up perfectly in the fryer. Small batches mean you can have them fresh whenever the craving hits. They’re a low-effort, high-reward snack that never lets me down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries give you the crunch of fried food without weighing you down. The coating turns golden and crisp while the zucchini stays tender inside. They’re great with a dipping sauce, but good enough to eat plain straight from the basket. They’ve become a regular in my snack rotation because they feel lighter without losing the fun of fried food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Onion Rings are crisp, sweet, and more reliable than any fast-food version I’ve tried. The coating clings without falling apart, and the onions inside stay soft without losing their shape. They cook quickly, which means I can make them on a whim. They’re one of those snacks I’ll always go back to because they never disappoint.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites
Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites take all the best parts of jalapeño poppers and make them bite-sized. The heat, the creamy filling, and the crunch are all there, just in a pop-and-eat format. They’re easy to keep on hand for last-minute snacks or casual get-togethers. Once you start making them, they’ll stay in regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites
Air Fryer Brownies
Air Fryer Brownies are rich, fudgy, and ready in less time than it takes to clean a mixing bowl. The edges set nicely while the center stays soft, making them ideal for eating warm. Small-batch cooking means you don’t have to commit to a whole pan. They’re one of the easiest ways to get a chocolate fix without overcomplicating things.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brownies