11 last-minute, easy air fryer recipes if you need food fast

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Did you get a last-minute invitation to a potluck or get together? Or are you stumped on what to serve for dinner tonight. Either way, turn to my best friend, the air fryer, for these 11 easy recipes that make homemade food fast.

Close-up of a stack of medium-rare, seasoned steak slices, showcasing a pink and juicy interior with a seared crust.
Ribeye Steak in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

A close-up of chopsticks holding a piece of glazed, grilled chicken. The chicken appears juicy and well-cooked.
Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

There are a couple of reasons we think you’re going to love learning about how to make BBQ drumsticks in the air fryer. One is that it is much neater than cooking them on the grill. These are great for a potluck.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Steak in the Air Fryer

Close-up of a fork holding a piece of medium-rare cooked beef steak, with visible seasonings and a slice of lemon in the background.
Steak in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Using your air fryer to cook steak is a great option when you want a grilled flavor without having to fire up the grill or you’re short on time and don’t have the manpower to, well, man the grill as the meat cooks.
Get the Recipe: Steak in the Air Fryer

Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer

A basket of golden, crispy potato fries seasoned with pepper, accompanied by a small cup of ketchup on the side, presented on white parchment paper.
Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When you’re making Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer, you have to choose the right kind of potato to get the best result. I recommend starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for these gorgeous results.
Get the Recipe: Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a stack of seasoned, grilled chicken drumsticks, with one drumstick partially eaten, revealing moist, cooked meat inside. A lemon wedge and herbs are visible in the background.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You can get the taste of fried chicken without oil or the mess when you make these chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Prep and cooking time is 30 minutes. This is perfect for a holiday get together.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

A cooked steak with grilled asparagus and lemon wedges is served on a white plate. A wedge of steak and some parsley are on top of the main steak.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

One of the reasons we love the idea of cooking ribeye steak in the air fryer is how fast you can get it done. Prep time is about 10 minutes, primarily because, except for the steak, you’re working with four ingredients only.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

Salmon in the Air Fryer

A fork holding a piece of cooked salmon, with more salmon fillets, lemon slices, and seasoning shakers in the background.
Salmon in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

One of the beauties of cooking salmon or any seafood in the air fryer is that it is pretty difficult to do it wrong. Many air fryers have a seafood setting that you can select for the perfect salmon dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salmon in the Air Fryer

Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Close-up of a roasted chicken with crispy, golden-brown skin seasoned with herbs and coarse salt, on a wooden cutting board.
Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for how to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer will change your mind about supermarket rotisserie chicken forever. It is far cheaper and far more delicious, and versatile to use in so many different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Easy Air Fryer Shake n Bake Chicken Breast

Easy Air Fryer Shake n Bake Chicken Breast on a white plate with a salad topped with bell peppers and parmesan.
Easy Air Fryer Shake n Bake Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Chicken Air Fryer Recipes.

This Air Fryer Shake N Bake Chicken Breast is a quick and easy dinner idea to bring to your next potluck. The chicken comes out nice and crispy every single time people will beg for your secret.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Shake n Bake Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken Breast on a white plate with parsley and a fork.
Air Fryer Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Chicken Air Fryer Recipes.

This Air Fryer Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken Breast has a sweet and bold flavor. This BBQ chicken breast is incredibly easy to make and will be done for a party in under 30 minutes
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

A person dipping fried shrimp into a bowl of dip.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is the perfect appetizer for your holiday or weekend get together! Make this copycat Bonefish Grill recipe for crispy shrimp with a spicy sauce that everyone is sure to love.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Fried Marinated Tofu

A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.
Fried Marinated Tofu. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The air fryer isn’t just for cooking meat dishes. With this foolproof tofu marinade recipe, you can air fry this vegetarian staple for flavorful, crispy marinated tofu every time.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu

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