Air fryer recipes

Quick air fryer recipes for real weeknights: salmon, chicken, shrimp, steak bites and pork chops for dinner, crispy vegetables and fries on the side, plus snacks, breakfasts and desserts. Every recipe is ready in 20 minutes or less, including preheating and any second batch.

28 recipes: 13 dinners, 5 sides, 5 snacks, 3 breakfast, 2 desserts, plus 25 favorites with an air fryer option.

Air fryer dinners

Chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak and pork, crisp outside and juicy inside.

Air fryer sides

Vegetables and fries to cook alongside, or while the main rests.

Air fryer snacks

Crunchy bites for game day and movie night.

Air fryer breakfast

Bacon, eggs and French toast sticks without a skillet.

Air fryer desserts

Donuts, s’mores and warm treats in minutes.

Also great in the air fryer

Favorites with an air fryer option on the recipe, so you can skip the pot of oil.

Air fryers cook at different speeds. Basket and oven-style models, and different wattages, can vary by a few minutes, so every recipe gives a time range and tells you what to look for: deep golden color, crisp edges and a safe internal temperature. Cook in a single layer, shake or flip halfway, and check a minute or two early the first time you make something.

Common questions

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Most air fryers work better after 2 to 3 minutes of preheating, especially for meat and breaded food. Our recipes include the preheat in the cook time when it matters. Some newer models preheat automatically.

Why isn't my air fryer food crispy?

The usual cause is crowding. Food needs space for hot air to move around it, so cook in a single layer and in batches if needed. A light coat of oil and shaking the basket halfway also help. Pat wet foods like vegetables and fish dry first.

Do air fryer times work in an oven-style air fryer?

Mostly, but oven-style models often need 2 to 3 minutes more, and food on the lower rack cooks slower. Rotate trays halfway and check doneness with a thermometer for meat and fish.

How do I know chicken is done in the air fryer?

Use an instant-read thermometer: chicken is safe at 165°F in the thickest part. Pork chops are done at 145°F with a 3-minute rest, fish at 145°F or when it flakes easily, and ground beef at 160°F.

What size air fryer do these recipes need?

They're written for a typical 5 to 6 quart basket. With a smaller basket, cook in two batches and allow a few extra minutes.