19 Air Fryer Dinners That Prove Saving Money Can Taste Amazing

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If you’ve been searching for ways to stretch your grocery budget it’s time to embrace the magic of your air fryer! This incredible kitchen appliance will create satisfying dinners that’ll make your wallet happy.

Chicken drumsticks and thighs coated with BBQ sauce on a wooden cutting board with herbs.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Four chicken drumsticks with parsley on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Drumsticks are one of the most affordable cuts of meat at the grocery store. They cook up crispy in 25 minutes for a budget-friendly family dinner that everyone will love. The air fryer gives you crispy skin without using much oil.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

Kielbasa with Potatoes on a plate.
Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This money-saving dinner cooks everything in one batch for easy cleanup. The sausage and potatoes cook together in about 30 minutes, and you can add any vegetables you have on hand. The potatoes get crispy while the kielbasa browns nicely.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Eating sweet and sour chicken with chopsticks.
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make this takeout favorite at home and save money on delivery. The chicken gets crispy in the air fryer before being mixed with a sweet sauce and pineapple. One batch feeds the whole family for less than restaurant prices.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Two stuffed yellow bell peppers with melted cheese and herbs served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This economical dinner uses simple ingredients you might already have. The peppers cook faster in the air fryer than in the oven, and you can stuff them with any rice and meat mixture. The peppers get slightly crispy while the filling stays moist.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Air Fryer Pizza

Pizza in basket of the air fryer.
Air Fryer Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This cheaper alternative to delivery pizza comes together quickly. You can start with basic pizza dough or save time with a premade crust, then top it with ingredients you already have.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Slice of ham steak with pineapples on top on a plate with asparagus.
Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn an affordable ham steak into a special dinner without spending much money. The brown sugar glaze and pineapple make this simple cut of meat into a complete meal. You can often find ham steaks on sale at the grocery store.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Two chicken leg quarters on a grey plate sprinkled with parsley with a broccoli salad in the background.
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This affordable cut of chicken makes a filling dinner that stretches your food budget. The skin gets crispy in the air fryer while the meat stays moist inside. You can season the chicken with whatever spices you have in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Air Fryer French Bread Pizza

Pepperoni pizza on a plate next to a jar of the best pizza recipes.
Air Fryer French Bread Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make pizza night cheaper with this simple four-ingredient dinner your family will love. French bread makes an affordable base for cheese and toppings, and the bread gets crispy while the cheese melts perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Bread Pizza

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Chicken drumsticks and thighs coated with BBQ sauce on a wooden cutting board with herbs.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make this summer classic any time of year in just 30 minutes with your air fryer. This money-saving chicken dinner needs just basic seasonings and BBQ sauce for a complete meal that costs less than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese with a spoon, inside an air fryer.
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This budget-friendly comfort food gets a crispy top in the air fryer. The inside stays creamy while the outside gets a nice crust, and you can add different cheeses based on what’s on sale. The Cajun seasonings add extra flavor to basic pasta.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Fried chicken with lemon wedges on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These budget-friendly chicken thighs cook perfectly in 30 minutes in the air fryer. Basic spices and dark meat chicken make this an affordable family dinner that tastes great. The meat turns out juicy every time with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Three air fryer hot dogs in buns with toppings.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This basic dinner stays easy on your wallet and makes everyone happy. Regular or frozen hot dogs work great in the air fryer, and you can even wrap them in bread dough for something different. The outside gets slightly crispy while the inside heats through.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Asian chicken with sesame seeds on a plate.
Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These budget-friendly thighs get coated in a simple Asian-style sauce. The meat turns out juicy with crispy skin and lots of flavor. Chicken thighs cost less than breasts but taste great in this quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Turkery burger on a bun with lettuce, cheese and red onion.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These cost-effective burgers make a lighter dinner option. Ground turkey mixed with basic seasonings cooks up perfectly in the air fryer. You can add any toppings you have in your fridge to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Air Fryer Ranch Chicken

Breaded chicken fillets cooking in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This affordable dinner puts a new spin on basic chicken breasts. The ranch and parmesan coating gets crispy while the chicken stays moist.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ranch Chicken

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This wallet-friendly dinner takes just 40 minutes to make. The edges turn crispy while the middle stays soft, and you can top it with any sauce you like. Ground beef stretches far to feed the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer Brats

Two brats on a plate in buns topped with sauerkraut.
Air Fryer Brats. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These sausages make a quick dinner that won’t break the bank. The brats cook up crispy in 15 minutes, and you can use any type of brats you find on sale at the store. The air fryer gives them a nice, browned exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brats

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken

Cooked chicken breasts with mixed vegetables in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This money-saving one-basket meal combines chicken and vegetables. The honey mustard coating adds lots of flavor to basic chicken, and you can use whatever vegetables are on sale. Everything cooks together for an easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This affordable cut of meat makes a filling family dinner. The air fryer browns the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. You can often find pork tenderloin on sale to make this meal even more budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Whole chicken cooked in the air fryer with lemon and herbs.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cooking a whole chicken saves money compared to buying pieces. The skin gets crispy all over while the meat stays juicy inside. You can use any leftover meat in other meals throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks

Chicken legs in the air fryer.
Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These inexpensive chicken legs turn into a filling meal. The garlic and cheese coating gets crispy in the air fryer while the meat stays juicy. Drumsticks are one of the most affordable cuts of chicken at the store.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks

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