13 air fryer recipes perfect for healthier versions of your favorites

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When you want to enjoy beloved foods without feeling weighed down, the air fryer feels like the perfect answer. There’s a collection of 13 recipes using this handy tool for healthier spins on classics. These picks work well for cozy nights, sharing with friends, or anytime the urge for something crisp comes up. Quick, simple, and inviting; each one feels right for nearly any occasion.

Cooked crispy pork chop garnished with herbs, served alongside steamed asparagus on a white plate.
Crispy Pork Chops in an Air Fryer. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Chicken Fries Air Fryer

Breaded and fried chicken strips garnished with chopped green onions, served on a wooden board with a side of red dipping sauce.
Chicken Fries Air Fryer. Photo credit: Cooking Blast.

Fast food cravings get a healthier twist with this Chicken Fries Air Fryer recipe. Each piece stays golden and crisp while keeping things light and easy to eat. Kids and adults both enjoy grabbing one after another since they work well as snacks or main meals. I like having this recipe on hand for nights when I want something fun but not too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fries Air Fryer

How To Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer

Golden shrimp served with creamy dipping sauce.
How To Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Lets Cook Today.

A quick seafood fix feels possible with this How To Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer recipe. You can enjoy plump, flavorful shrimp any time with hardly any mess. It is simple enough for anyone to try, even if you are not used to making shrimp at home. Dinners feel a little more exciting without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: How To Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Wings

A plate of seasoned and cooked chicken wings.
Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Fans of crisp dinners turn to these Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Wings for game nights or family meals. Each wing comes out golden with just the right amount of seasoning. You skip the heavy oil but not the flavor. Friends and family are always interested in how you got them so good so quickly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Wings

Air Fried Dill Pickles

A bowl of breaded and fried pickle pieces garnished with parsley, with dipping sauces and herbs in the background.
Air Fried Dill Pickles. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Crunchy and bold, these Air Fried Dill Pickles are a game-changer for parties or after-school snacks. They keep the sharp bite you expect but lose all the greasy feel. Each bite gives you big flavor and a fun reason to reach for more. You might never go back to deep fried again after trying this version.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Dill Pickles

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

Plates of breaded and fried chicken nuggets with skewers, garnished with herbs.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Lunch gets much more fun with this Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken. These little bites have a crispy shell and tender middle, making them perfect for kids or adults alike. Serving up something healthier does not mean giving up on taste. I find that these chicken bites always disappear quickly from any plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

Air Fryer Cabbage Recipe

Grilled cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs and spices.
Air Fryer Cabbage Recipe. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Turning cabbage into a snack or a side is simple with this Air Fryer Cabbage Recipe. The edges get crispy, which makes each bite interesting and not at all boring. It can work as a light meal or bump up any dinner plate with ease. Getting nutrients has never been so appealing on cold evenings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cabbage Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

A plate with a pile of golden-brown, breaded chicken nuggets, garnished with small green herbs, on a gray cloth. Some nuggets are broken open, revealing the interior.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Turning to this Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe makes dinnertime much easier. Each nugget stays crunchy outside while the inside remains soft and juicy, just how kids like it. These are fun to dip and easy to share with friends or family. Healthier choices really do taste better in an air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Onion Rings

A serving of crispy fried onion rings on a dark plate, garnished with chopped herbs, with dipping sauce and chopped green onions in small glass bowls.
Air Fryer Onion Rings. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Onion rings feel less heavy but just as delicious with this Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe. Biting into each ring gives you that familiar crunch while letting you skip extra oil. These work well for burgers, wraps, or even by themselves. After making them once, you will crave onion rings regularly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Onion Rings

Orange Chicken Air Fryer

A bowl of fried chicken pieces coated in sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, accompanied by a small jug of sauce.
Orange Chicken Air Fryer. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Classic takeout nights get an upgrade from this Orange Chicken Air Fryer. Bright and saucy, each piece stays sweet and crispy without the greasy finish you find in restaurant orders. It is easy to bring everyone to the table for dinner when this is on the menu. You get all the comfort with a lighter touch.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken Air Fryer

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Grilled steak bites garnished with herbs on a white cutting board, served with lemon wedges and surrounded by small bowls of seasoning and chopped herbs.
Air Fryer Steak Bites. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Anyone who wants a fast yet hearty meal enjoys these Air Fryer Steak Bites. Each bite is juicy with just the right amount of sear, making them great for salads or rice bowls. Quick meals do not always taste this good and cleanup is always easy. A lighter steak dinner can sometimes surprise you most.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites

Fried Chicken in Air Fryer

Close-up of crispy chicken legs garnished with sliced green onions, with a side of chopped herbs and vegetables in the background.
Fried Chicken in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

You can keep comfort food on the menu with this Fried Chicken in Air Fryer recipe. The chicken gets crusty outside but stays moist within, giving you plenty of flavor without the mess. After trying this, takeout chicken may not be your first choice anymore. I like how a classic can feel new and still be easy on my schedule.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in Air Fryer

Crispy Pork Chops in an Air Fryer

Cooked crispy pork chop garnished with herbs, served alongside steamed asparagus on a white plate.
Crispy Pork Chops in an Air Fryer. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Favorite dinners get a makeover thanks to these Crispy Pork Chops in an Air Fryer. Each chop comes out crunchy and juicy, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. No one misses the extra grease or the long wait by the stove. Healthier versions of comforting classics keep everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Pork Chops in an Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cheese Puffs

Cheese Puffs with fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Cheese Puffs. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Snack time just got more exciting with these Air Fryer Cheese Puffs. Puffed up and warm, they deliver that cheesy goodness without all the extra oil. These are simple to serve at parties or as a quick treat after dinner. I always get requests to make more once the first batch disappears.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Puffs

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