Crisp, little oil

Air Fryer

Wings, salmon, pork chops, and falafel with temperatures and times that fit a basket.

An air fryer is a small convection oven. These recipes use that: high heat, a single layer, and enough oil to brown, not to deep-fry.

Baskets vary. If yours is compact, cook in two batches. Crowding steams the food and you lose the crust these recipes are built around.

Time

Difficulty

Meal

Cooking method

Dietary

High protein means the estimate is about 30g or more per serving. Vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and lower-carb are applied only when the recipe is written to meet them.

Budget

24 recipes

Sliced air-fried chicken katsu with a crisp panko crust and a small dish of brown sauce

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Katsu

Pounded chicken cutlets are breaded with panko and cooked in the air fryer until the crust is crisp and the center reaches 165°F. A quick ketchup-soy sauce is spooned on at the table.

31 min · Medium

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Glazed cinnamon donuts made from biscuit dough, stacked on a plate

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Donuts

Rings cut from refrigerated biscuit dough cook in the air fryer until the center is baked through and not doughy. They are brushed with butter, tossed with cinnamon sugar, and dipped in a thin glaze.

22 min · Easy

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Golden blooming onion with crisp seasoned petals on a plate beside a small bowl of dipping sauce

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

A whole sweet onion opens into petals, takes a seasoned crumb coat, and crisps in the air fryer. You get the steakhouse appetizer without a deep pot of oil.

38 min · Medium

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Crisp dry-rubbed chicken wings piled on a platter with a lemon wedge

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Dry Rub

Chicken wings get a salty paprika rub and cook in the air fryer until the skin is crisp. There is no sauce, so the seasoning stays on the skin instead of sliding off.

39 min · Easy

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Seared sirloin steak bites with a browned crust on a dark plate

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Cubes of sirloin sear in a hot air fryer with garlic and smoked paprika. A short rest after the pull temperature keeps the centers juicy.

20 min · Easy

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Golden breaded cheese ravioli on a plate with a small bowl of marinara

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Ravioli

Cheese ravioli gets a light breadcrumb coat and turns crisp in the air fryer. Marinara on the side keeps the coating from going soggy.

25 min · Easy

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Split baked russet potatoes with fluffy centers, butter, sour cream, cheddar, and chives

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Russet potatoes bake in the air fryer until the skins are crisp and the centers are fluffy. Butter, sour cream, and cheddar finish them at the table.

50 min · Easy

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Golden corn dogs on wooden skewers arranged on a plate with mustard

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Corn Dogs

Fully cooked hot dogs get a cornmeal batter and crisp on skewers in the air fryer. The batter sets all the way through, and the center of each hot dog is heated to 165°F.

27 min · Easy

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Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Chicken breast pieces coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and air-fried until the center reaches 165°F. No pot of oil.

27 min · Easy

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Air Fryer

Air Fryer French Fries

Russet sticks soaked, dried, and air-fried until deep golden. Soaking and drying are the whole trick. The machine cannot crisp a wet potato.

45 min · Easy

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Golden honey mustard chicken drumsticks stacked on a plate

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks get a sticky honey-mustard glaze and crisp skin in the air fryer. Serve with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.

35 min · Easy

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Crispy sesame tofu cubes with green onions on a bowl of rice

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Crispy Sesame Tofu

Firm tofu cubes coat in cornstarch and sesame for a crunchy exterior. Pair with rice and steamed greens for a simple meal.

30 min · Easy

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Charred broccoli florets dusted with Parmesan on a white platter

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

Broccoli florets roast until tender-crisp with garlic and Parmesan. A fast side that pairs with almost any main.

18 min · Easy

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Browned sausage-stuffed mushrooms on a serving plate

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

Button mushrooms hold a savory sausage and cream cheese filling. They make a solid appetizer or light dinner with a salad.

27 min · Medium

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Sliced garlic herb pork tenderloin resting on a cutting board

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Garlic Herb Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin cooks fast under high air-fryer heat with a simple garlic herb rub. Slice it for dinner plates or pack leftovers for lunch the next day.

30 min · Easy

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Cajun-spiced cod fillets with lemon wedges on a white plate

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cajun Cod

Cod fillets take a dry Cajun rub and cook in about twelve minutes in the air fryer. Serve with lemon and a simple side for a light high-protein dinner.

20 min · Easy

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Four salmon fillets on a plate with lemon wedges and black pepper, one fillet broken with a fork to show a just-opaque pink center.

Air Fryer

Salmon fillets are seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon, then air-fried until they flake. Pull them while the center is just opaque if you want them moist, and use the higher chart temperature if you want them firmer.

14 min · Easy

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Golden chicken wings with blistered skin piled on a plate, a small bowl of butter-hot sauce beside them, and celery sticks at the edge.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are salted and dusted with baking powder so the skin dries and crisps in the basket. A butter and hot sauce toss waits until they hit 165°F, and you can skip it if you want them dry.

32 min · Easy

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Two corn tortillas filled with flaky white fish, shredded cabbage, lime crema, and a lime wedge, arranged on a sheet of paper.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

White fish is seasoned and air-fried, then tucked into tortillas with cabbage slaw, lime, and a simple crema. The fillets stay in one layer so the surface dries and browns instead of steaming.

25 min · Easy

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A plate of coconut shrimp with a ragged gold crust, one shrimp broken to show pink-white flesh, and a lime wedge beside the pile.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Shrimp are dipped in flour and egg, then pressed in shredded coconut and panko before a short ride in the air fryer. The crust turns gold while the shrimp stay opaque and loosely curled.

29 min · Medium

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Chicken tenders dusted with parmesan and garlic on a plate, one tender cut open to show white meat.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Chicken tenders are tossed with a little oil, garlic, and parmesan, then air-fried until the cheese spots turn gold. The thickest piece should read 165°F before the basket comes out.

22 min · Easy

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Four thick boneless pork chops with a paprika-colored crust on a cutting board, one chop sliced to show a pale pink center after resting.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Thick boneless pork chops are seasoned with salt, paprika, and garlic powder and cooked in a single layer. They come off the heat at 145°F and rest before you slice them.

19 min · Easy

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A plate of browned falafel patties split open to show a green-flecked interior, with pita, lemon wedges, and a small bowl of yogurt.

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Falafel

Canned chickpeas are pulsed with onion, garlic, cumin, parsley, and flour, then air-fried into herb-flecked patties. The mix is vegetarian, and the patties go into pita with a spoon of yogurt.

35 min · Medium

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Air Fryer

Air Fryer Meatballs

Beef meatballs mixed with parmesan, breadcrumbs, and egg cook in the air fryer until the center hits 160°F. They brown on the outside without a skillet of oil.

28 min · Easy

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Related categories

Chicken Quick Meals Side Dishes Beef