55 Easy Air-Fryer Recipes for Beginners (2024)

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Still learning the ropes on your new air fryer? No worries! These easy air-fryer recipes are for beginners.

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Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders

I added all of the components of a loaded baked potato—cheddar, potato, bacon, sour cream and chives—to my air-fryer chicken tenders recipe. Every kid will love this quick and easy dish! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

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Here are some of our other air-fryer recipes that you need to try!

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Matt Robicelli for Taste of Home

Air-Fryer Corn Dogs

Bring your favorite state fair food home to you! All you need is your air fryer, a package of frozen corn dogs and 10 minutes to recreate this fan-favorite snack in your kitchen.

Before you move ahead check theseair fryer fish recipes perfect for your quick cravings!

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Air-Fryer Brownies

This small-batch fudgy air-fryer dessert comes together so quickly, and no oven is required. Top with nuts or powdered sugar for a quick homemade treat. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Air-Fryer Garlic Bread

This air-fryer garlic bread turns out perfectly toasted in a hurry. I use fresh garlic, but substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh on hand. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

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Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Quick, simple and oh-so-tasty, this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight dish to have on hand. It’s just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Preheating your air fryer, like in this recipe, is one of our favorite air-fryer tips. Here are some of our other air-fryer hacks!

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Air-Fryer Potato Chips

For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York

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Air-Fried Butternut Squash Tacos

Butternut squash tossed with southwest spices makes a great base for vegetarian tacos. I’m always looking for easy and healthy dinners for my family, and this dish is delicious! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Air-Fryer Bacon

Save your pans, stovetop and sink from bacon grease by cooking this breakfast staple in an air fryer. Nothing is easier—and less greasy—than this air-fryer bacon recipe.

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Air-Fryer Pork Chops

These air-fryer pork chops get their rich flavor from Creole seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Bonus: They’re low in carbs, too! —Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia

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Air-Fried Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Ooey gooey, cheesy mozzarella sticks taste even better in an air fryer. To air fry frozen mozzarella sticks, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and then load the fryer with mozzarella sticks in a single layer once it’s warmed up. Spray with cooking spray and cook for two minutes, flip and spray once more, then cook for another two to three minutes.

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Air-Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs

This is a wonderful alternative to boiling eggs on the stovetop. These air-fryer hard-boiled eggs are just as easy and super quick—a perfect way to put your air fryer to use! —Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor

Hard-boiled eggs are one of our favorite things to make in an air fryer. They’re not the only type of egg you can make in your air-fryer. Next, learn how to make a poached egg in the air fryer. Here are eight things you can make in an air fryer…and six that you can’t.

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Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Wedges

We all know that almost everything is improved with bacon—and avocado is no exception. Since it’s made in an air fryer, this appetizer is one to remember. It will definitely impress your friends! —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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Air-Fryer Quesadillas

I like to make these air-fryer quesadillas for party appetizers. Just cut them into thinner triangles. You can also switch up the cheese and the salsa to suit your taste. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado

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Air-Fryer Garlic-Butter Steak

This quick and easy air-fryer steak recipe is restaurant quality. It’s about to become a staple at your house! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Buffalo Bites

Low-carb cauliflower Buffalo bites cook up fast in the air fryer, making them an easy snack or side dish. I serve them with a flavorful dip made with cottage cheese that’s packed with protein compared to most dips. My teenagers happily eat their veggies with this recipe. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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Taste of Home

Air-Fried Frozen Salmon Fillets

Popping frozen salmon fillets into your air fryer makes for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner. Air-fry your fillets for five minutes at 320°F, then flip and cook for 360°F for another three to five minutes (or until the salmon flakes easily).

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Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob

If it’s too chilly to stand out by the grill, make this air-fryer corn recipe inside instead! You’ll love that it only takes 10 minutes, too.

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Air-Fryer Breaded Shrimp

These quick air-fryer shrimp are so good you won’t even miss the fat! Eat them alone with co*cktail sauce or put them on a salad or sandwich. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Air-Fryer Cinnamon Breakfast Bites

These scrumptious breakfast treats are so quick and easy to make and the air fryer gives this a crispy, sugary coating that’s hard to resist.—Ruth Hastings, Louisville, Illinois

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Air-Fryer Meat loaf

If you’re looking for a hearty meal perfect for two, then look no further. This air-fryer meat loaf cooks quickly. Plus, it’s easy to double for sandwiches the next day. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas

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Air-Fryer Latkes

Hot, crispy potato latkes are such a treat, but who wants to deal with all the oil and grease? I tried making air-fryer latkes and they came out just as good without all the cleanup. —Nancy Salinas, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

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Air-Fryer Fish Tacos

These crispy air-fryer fish tacos are good enough to challenge the best food truck. I love that the fish is deliciously guilt-free because it’s air-fried instead of deep-fried. —Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington

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Taste of Home

Air-Fried Frozen Meatballs

To turn a handful of frozen meatballs into a warm appetizer or snack, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway while cooking.

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Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs

This air-fryer chicken thighs recipe creates meat that is crispy on the outside but super juicy on the inside. The paprika and garlic seasoning blend comes through beautifully. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. If you enjoyed this recipe, then you must check out our collection of air-fried chicken recipes.

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Air-Fryer Okra with Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika gives this air-fryer okra even more roasty oomph. When you want to cook okra without frying it, roast it with lemon juice for a lighter version. —Lee Evans, Queen Creek, Arizona

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Air-Fryer Ham and Brie Pastries

Fancy appetizers don’t have to be difficult. In fact, this one proves it’s easy to make something to looks impressive. You can make them ahead of time and pop them into the air fryer just as your guests arrive. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

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Air-Fried Frozen Veggie Burgers

Crisp up one to two veggie burgers in your air fryer at a time. Cook at 350°F for five minutes, flip, then keep ’em cooking for another five minutes. Voila!

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Air-Fryer Asparagus

This air-fryer asparagus recipe is packed with flavor, thanks to the lemon-garlic dressing that the spears are tossed in before roasting. It’s a simple, quick side that goes with almost anything. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Air-Fryer Chicken Wings

You can’t go wrong with these crispy air-fryer chicken wings. Our spice rub has a nice kick from the cayenne seasoning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips

This air-fryer tortilla chips recipe provides the same crunchiness and taste as traditional chips, but cuts down on all that grease. Make a batch to dip into homemade guac or salsa for an afternoon pick-me-up snack.

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Air-Fryer Roasted Green Beans

Our family loves roasted green beans, but they can take a long time in the oven. I tried these air-fryer green beans and we loved them! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Air-Fryer Tuna Burgers

My family was accustomed to traditional beef burgers before trying these fried tuna patties. At first they were hesitant, but all skepticism disappeared after one bite of this delicious air-fryer recipe. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio

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Taste of Home

Air-Fried Frozen Egg Rolls

Give frozen egg rolls that tantalizing restaurant-quality flavor and crunch by cooking them in your air fryer. Before placing them in the fryer, brush each roll with beaten egg. Then, cook at 320°F for seven minutes, then flip, brush with egg wash and cook the other side for another seven minutes until they come out golden.

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Air-Fryer Acorn Squash Slices

This air-fryer acorn squash recipe was adapted from the one my passed down from my grandma, who always served it at Thanksgiving. I make it in my air fryer whenever I’m feeling nostalgic. —Rita Addicks, Weimar, Texas

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Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

I can never get enough of these air-fryer sweet potato fries! Even though my grocery store sells them in the frozen foods section, I still love to pull sweet potatoes out of my garden and slice them up fresh! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

For another quick and easy air fryer side, learn how to make tater tots in your air fryer.

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Air-Fryer Cod

This air-fryer cod recipe will convert even the biggest fish skeptic. It’s healthy and delicious—no breading needed! —Kim Russell, North Wales, Pennsylvania

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Frozen Breakfast Pastries

A pastry with a crispy, crunchy, tender, flaky crust can be ready in just eight minutes. To cook, cut a piece of parchment to fit the basket of your air fryer. Spray with cooking oil and place one or two frozen strudels in the basket. Cook for five minutes at 350°F, flip and then cook for an additional three minutes until golden.

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Air-Fried Radishes

Radishes aren’t just for salads anymore. These fried radishes make a colorful side for any meal. Plus, they’re quick to make in your air fryer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Air-Fryer Pork Tenderloin

I originally developed this air-fryer pork tenderloin recipe to cook on the stove and finish in the oven, but you can make it even quicker in an air fryer—and it’s just as tasty. —Lynn Faria, Southington, Connecticut

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Air-Fryer Eggs Lorraine

Whenever I’m looking to impress overnight guests, this is the recipe I serve for breakfast. It’s easy to assemble and cooks quickly in the air fryer. —Sandra Woolard, DeLand, Florida

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Air-Fried Frozen Bread Dough

Yup, you can even make breads, like dinner rolls and cinnamon buns, in your air fryer! Just take out your frozen bread dough, shape it and then cook for 15 minutes.

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Air-Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

An iconic American cookie, this version is so easy to mix up and bakes even faster in the air fryer. With these air-fryer peanut butter cookies, cravings can now be satisfied in mere minutes. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Air-Fryer Apple Chips

Swap out the potato chips for a crunchy snack that’s healthier for you. These air-fryer apple chips are nutritious and delicious! Oh, and super simple to make.

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These air-fryer stuffed peppers are another easy and healthy air-fryer snack.

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Air-Fryer Brats with Beer

These air-fryer brats are a nod to my German heritage. I serve them with a green vegetable and some french fries or mashed potatoes on the side. For a deeper sauce flavor, try using a lager or stout beer. —Allison Ochoa, Hays, Kansas

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Garlic-Herb Fried Patty Pan Squash

The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. This fried patty pan squash recipe is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas

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Air-Fryer Bacon Crescent Rolls

The mouthwatering aroma of warm bacon from these three-ingredient crescent rolls will draw folks to the table. Air-fryer recipes like this one are fun for children to prepare, and these are such a cinch to assemble with precooked bacon. —Jane Nearing, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Chili-Lime Air-Fried Chickpeas

Looking for a lighter snack that’s still a crowd-pleaser? You’ve found it! These air-fried chickpeas will have everyone happily munching. —Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina

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Air-Fryer Scallops

I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love them. With the crunchy breading, these air-fryer scallops are the best you’ll ever have. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

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Air-Fryer Mocha Pudding Cakes

These mouthwatering mini cakes make the perfect treat for two. My mom used to make these when I was a little girl. Now I whip them up and pop them in my air fryer for a speedy dessert. —Debora Simmons, Eglon, West Virginia

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Air-Fried Frozen Puff Pastry Bites

Prepare puff pastry bites for your next party by cutting a sheet of puff pastry into two-inch squares. Place a few tablespoons of your preferred filling on the puff pastry and then fold over into a triangle and pinch the edges closed. Then, bake them at 390°F for about 10 minutes.

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Breaded Air-Fryer Summer Squash

Air-fryer summer squash is beautifully crisp. You don’t have to turn the fried pieces, but do keep an eye on them. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

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Air-Fryer Red Potatoes

Roasting is one of my favorite ways to prepare veggies. Some fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these air-fryer red potatoes a distinctive but subtle taste. The dish is simple to prepare yet elegant in color and flavor. It’s a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania

Christina is a Social Media Editor for Taste of Home. She enjoys trying out local restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. In her free time, you can find her hunting down one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at thrift and vintage stores and DIYing trendy home decor crafts.