Air fryers - they are all the rage these days. What on Earth makes these little, unassuming kitchen appliances so important in a modern-day kitchen? How do we actually fry foods using AIR? There are a lot of questions swirling around the internet about air fryers. The one question that gets asked the most is: Where can I find easy air fryer recipes for beginners? My dear friend, you have come to the right place. Here is a comprehensive round up of the best air fryer recipes for beginners.
Check out the recent Rent.com article we were featured in:
13 Air Fryer Tips That Will Change Your Cooking Routine This Year | Rent.com
Right now, there isn't a household appliance more popular than the air fryer. In fact, over 25 million air fryers sold throughout the U.S. during the last two years. With air fryer usage up by 60 percent and air fryer cookbook sales up by 11 percent, it's safe to say this easy-to-use appliance is only gaining popularity. To help you get the most from your air fryer, Rent.com asked experts like me to share their best air fryer tips.
Please note, this post contains affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission on the sale of these items at no cost to you. For more information, please see my Disclaimer.
Table of contents
The Best Air Fryers on the Market
If you are thinking about buying an air fryer, I highly encourage you to do so! I received my air fryer as a Christmas present 2 years ago. Let me tell you - it has changed how I do things in my kitchen. I use my air fryer constantly. It makes the best chicken wings, carrot fries, and ravioli. Yes, ravioli. If you haven't tried air frying ravioli, you are missing out on a true culinary revelation.
People think that air fryers cost a lot of money. This is simply not true! Air fryers are very affordable and there are many models that cost under $100!
Below is a list of the most highly rated air fryers on the market in 2022.
Air Fryer FAQs
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop convection oven.
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer circulates hot air around your food using a fan. The result is a crispy texture on the exterior of your food that mimics fried food, without the fat and oil.
What are the basic parts of an air fryer?
Air fryers all come with a heating element and a fan. Some air fryers have a basket and some have one or two racks on which you would place your food. Some air fryers even have a rotisserie!
Can you cook wet foods in an air fryer?
If you want to cook foods that have a wet batter on them, it could make a big mess in your air fryer. You could do it, but you would want to use appropriate cookware, like a sheet pan, to hold the battered food. Another option is to use a breadcrumb breading instead.
Does an air fryer need to be preheated?
In many cases, yes. I recommend preheating your air fryer for about 3 minutes at your desired temperature to cook your food more evenly.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners
You may be wondering how I came across and compiled these recipes. I am an active part of the food blogger community online. My fellow food bloggers love to collaborate and share our best recipes for each other's blogs. For example, here is a post that features Trendgredient: The Best Ground Beef Dinner Ideas Shared by 40 Food Bloggers.
So, I requested that my fellow food bloggers hit me with their easiest air fryer recipes that any beginner could make. Man, the response was amazing! I received about 200 responses!
There were some important criteria that these recipes needed to meet. They needed to be:
- Easy
- Approachable
- Only a few ingredients
- Fun to make!
My blogger community did NOT disappoint! Without further ado, here is the most comprehensive list of the best easy air fryer recipes for beginners.
Entrees
Air Fryer Chicken Wings with a Hot Honey Glaze - Trendgredient
Crispy air fryer chicken wings smothered with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. The result: the best chicken wings you have ever tasted!
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How To Air Fry A Whole Chicken (Rotisserie style!) - Scrummy Lane
Yes, you CAN cook a whole chicken in your air fryer! Just cover with a quick and easy spice rub, then cook for just one hour (maximum!) for a perfect rotisserie-style chicken. It’s delicious – moist and juicy with a crispy skin. Try this once and you’ll use your air fryer to cook a whole chicken every single time.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tacos - Simply Scrumptious
Air fryer chicken tacos are juicy, flavorful and quick & easy to make! Tortillas stuffed with tender chicken, cheese and your favorite toppings make these the perfect weeknight meal.
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Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon & Tarragon - Aleka's Get-Together
These quick and easy Air Fryer Scallops are flavored with lemon, garlic and tarragon. They take less than 10 minutes to whip up and make a fancy appetizer that pairs perfectly with white wine.
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Air Fryer Veggie Fajitas - Happy Veggie Kitchen
Smoky, sweet veggie fajitas cook like a dream in the air fryer! With portobello mushrooms, peppers and onions in a smoky sweet chili sauce, these fajitas make an easy but substantial dinner.
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Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf - Simply Happy Foodie
A delicious meatloaf made with ground turkey with a very tasty topping. All wrapped up in bacon! A great meal from your air fryer.
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Air Fried Steak Recipe with Garlic Butter - Best Beef Recipes
Air Fried Steak will be your new favorite way to cook steak! Rubbed with steak seasoning and topped with the best ever garlic butter sauce, these steaks cook to perfection in just 8 minutes.
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Air Fryer Ham with Sriracha Honey Ham Glaze - Sunday Supper Movement
Air Fryer Ham with Sriracha Honey Ham Glaze is so delicious and is ready in less than an hour. Free up your oven and make the most crispy, sticky, and flavorful dinner ham recipe ever!
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Air Fryer Hot Dogs with Sweet Pepper Relish - Erica's Recipes
Juicy air fryer hot dogs with Jamaican sweet pepper relish, tomato, and avocado. Sweet and savory, this recipe is a perfect hot dog bar idea.
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Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp - Dr. Davinah's Eats
Put frozen shrimp, garlic butter and DIY Cajun seasoning in your air fryer & have a main protein in 15 minutes.
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Air Fryer Flank Steak - The Dizzy Cook
You don’t need a grill to make a great steak with this easy 30 minute air fryer steak recipe.
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Air Fryer Tilapia - Healthful Blondie
10-minute air fryer tilapia with lemon caper sauce is healthy, easy to make, and flakey. Seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic, lemon, melted butter, it is the perfect weeknight dinner!
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Air fryer Cod Recipe with Panko - She Loves Biscotti
The air fryer is a fantastic kitchen appliance for cooking fish. Learn the best way to air fry codfish in just 20 minutes!
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Air Fryer Brats - Kalyn's Kitchen
When you just want an easy and tasty low-carb dinner, these Air Fryer Brats are something you can literally have on the table in minutes.
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Perfect Air Fryer Salmon - Ketofocus
If you want perfectly cooked salmon every time, you have to cook it in the air fryer. This keto air fryer salmon recipe is simple yet yields the best flavor when air fried, leaving the skin crispy and the flesh light and flaky.
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Air Fryer Pizza Recipe - Simply Stacie
Use premade pizza dough to make this better than delivery pizza right in your air fryer! This recipe makes two individual pizzas that are ready to eat in minutes.
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Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets - Sugar & Snap Peas
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are seasoned and lightly breaded, then crisped up in the air fryer in a matter of minutes! The messy, time consuming process of pan-frying can be a thing of the past when you have an air fryer!
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken - Joy Filled Eats
Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is the easiest and tastiest way to make dinner in under an hour.
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Air Fryer Chicken Legs - The Jam Jar Kitchen
These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are seriously the best chicken legs you will ever have! Seasoned to perfection, they come out perfectly juicy with crispy golden skin.
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Air Fryer Meatball Subs - Lana's Cooking
Air Fryer Meatball Subs packed with hearty meatballs, marinara, and cheese are an easy 15-minute meal that will become a weeknight favorite!
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Gluten Free Air Fryer Fajitas - Small Farm Big Life
These gluten free and dairy free air fryer fajitas are a healthy option for dinner. They are full of beef and vegetables! This is a quick and easy meal.
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Easy Air Fryer Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia - Grits and Gouda
In less than 10 minutes, you can enjoy hand-breaded Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia made in your air fryer; it's so easy! The best part is you don't even have to thaw the frozen fish fillets!
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Air Fryer Fish Tacos Recipe - The Rustic Foodie®
This breaded Air Fryer Fish Tacos recipe is healthy and easy to make! These tacos are crispy, gluten free, and topped with Mexican lime crema.
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Air Fryer Prime Rib - Carefree Mermaid
Air Fryer Prime Rib is perfect for any occasion whether it’s Christmas Eve, Valentine’s Day, Easter Brunch, or even just Sunday night dinner! Cooked to perfection! No need to sear or broil it with the oven or stove - you get perfectly browned edges right in the air fryer with a nice, tender, & juicy center! Using the air fryer cuts cooking time in half and leaves your oven free for other things!
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Garlic Air Fryer Pork Loin - Binky's Culinary Carnival
This Air Fryer Pork Loin turns out tender and juicy on the inside, and nice and browned on the outside. This recipe only takes about 20 minutes, total. If you are trying to eat healthier for the New Year, this recipe is for you!
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Easy Air Fryer Taquitos - Entertaining With Beth
These easy air fryer taquitos are one of my favorite air fryer recipes! They make for a great afternoon snack for the kids or sometimes I'll even serve them for a quick and easy dinner too!
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders - A Cedar Spoon
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders create a healthier option to fried chicken tenders but still a tender piece of chicken that is crispy on the outside. The panko breadcrumb crust creates a crunchy crust on the chicken, but you can sub in regular breadcrumbs, and has great flavor from the spices. These are a kid and adult favorite!
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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers - Low Carb with Jennifer
Make a delicious dinner, in a matter of minutes with this Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers recipe! Filled with Italian Sausage, cauliflower rice, mushrooms and yummy cheese.. who say's dinner has to be so much work!
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Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan - Nourish Plate
Delicious Air Fryer chicken parmesan takes only 20 minutes from start to finish! It’s juicy from the inside and crispy on the outside. Topped with marinara and melted cheese, making it an easy dinner that you can serve for kids and adults alike.
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Air Fryer Trout with Southwestern Spices - A Wine Lover's Kitchen
Air Fryer Trout with a spicy garlic, onion and a chili crust is crispy and juicy!
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Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts - Platings and Pairings
This foolproof recipe makes flavorful and tender air fryer chicken breasts every time, seasoned with herbs and spices.
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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese - NeighborFood
Make a divine gooey crispy grilled cheese in the air fryer!
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Perfect Air Fryer Eggs - Hard or Soft Boiled - Cook at Home Mom
It’s as easy as can be to make either hard boiled, soft boiled, and jammy eggs in the air fryer. Learn how to do it right, with all the tips and tricks to get your eggs exactly how you like them!
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Easy Air Fryer Sausage Links - Organically Addison
This easy air fryer sausage takes less than 15 minutes and requires only 1 ingredient! It’s the perfect recipe for air fryer beginners.
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Side Dishes
Air Fryer Carrots with an Herbed Greek Yogurt Dip - Trendgredient
Replace French fries at your next barbecue with these simple and healthy air fryer carrots with an herbed Greek yogurt dipping sauce.
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Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes - Bite On The Side
Roasted baby potatoes have never been quicker or easier to make than with the air fryer. The take minutes to prep and cook quickly and you just need a few ingredients. With perfectly crispy edges and soft and buttery middles, they are perfect for any occasion!
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Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms - My Plantiful Cooking
These air fryer Portobello mushrooms are tender, juicy, and packed with flavors. An easy vegetable side dish that your whole family will love!
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Air Fryer Zucchini - Moon And Spoon And Yum
This easy, healthy Air Fryer Zucchini squash recipe is packed with flavor for the perfect side dish, appetizer or snack. Naturally vegan, keto and gluten-free.
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Air Fryer Parsnip Fries - The Devil Wears Salad
Try a different approach to fries and give our air fryer parsnip fries a whirl. Crispy outside, soft inside, and a delicious sweet, nutty flavour, air fryer parsnip fries are fantastic and a healthier side dish option.
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Air Fryer Fried Okra - Cooking With Fudge
This Air Fryer Fried Okra still comes out delightfully crispy, and no one will notice there is a difference between the traditional fried method!
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Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes - A Virtual Vegan
Introducing your new favourite potato recipe .... golden, crispy, herby, Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes! Flavourful, well seasoned, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside & super quick & low effort in your Air Fryer!
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Easy Air Fryer Green Beans - Veggies Save The Day
Three ingredients, an air fryer, and 15 minutes are all you need to make easy, flavorful Asian style green beans.
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Air Fryer Avocado Fries - Girl With The Iron Cast
Crunchy panko outside surrounding sliced avocado. Easy to make in the air fryer, these avocado fries are the snack/side dish you didn’t know you needed.
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Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Fries - Hello Frozen Bananas
Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Fries are a crispy and healthy appetizer, side dish or game day recipe. The eggplant is coated in almond flour, gluten free bread crumbs, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.
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Best Air Fried Mushrooms - Best Side Dishes
Learn how to make mushrooms in the air fryer with this delicious and easy recipe for Air Fried Mushrooms! Simple ingredients and super crispy.
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries - Keto Vegetarian Recipes
Easy low carb pumpkin fries baked in the air fryer are a crispy low carb alternative to French fries. They taste similar to sweet potato fries too.
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Honey Mustard Air Fryer Parsnips - Bucket List Tummy
Air Fryer Parsnips are an easy and healthy side option, ready in just 20 minutes. Honey mustard parsnips combine honey, dijon mustard and a handful of spices for a healthy veggie side.
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Air Fryer Garlic Bread - The Aussie Home Cook
This air fryer garlic bread is ridiculously quick and easy. With just six ingredients its on the table in ten minutes. A great side dish or a delicious snack.
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{Crispy} Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries - Spice Up The Curry
Delicious air fryer sweet potato fries! These are the healthier alternative to the deep-fried original. These fries are seasoned with chaat masala and other spices then air-fried to a golden crisp.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes - Upstate Ramblings
Baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer makes a tasty side dish! The sweet potatoes are crisp outside and fluffy inside. Top them off with some cinnamon sugar for a simple dish.
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Air-Fried Asparagus - This That More
Air-Fried Asparagus is easy and delicious with hardly any oil. This easy to make side-dish pairs perfectly with almost any savory dish.
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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fries - Big Delicious Life
Crispy, crunchy garlic Parmesan zucchini fries are the perfect side, snack or appetizer. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious veggie treat!
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Air Fryer Eggplant (Begun Bhaja) - Easy Indian Cookbook
Air fryer eggplant is an easy and delicious side dish made with just 4 ingredients. They are ready in less than 15 minutes and pair very well with your meals. Gluten-free, vegan and suitable for most dietary requirements.
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Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread - Erhardts Eat
This quick and easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread comes together in about 10 minutes, and requires only six ingredients. The perfect carb-y side dish for any family dinner!
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Air Fryer Beets - Recipes From A Pantry
These tender roasted air fryer beets are easy to make for a healthy snack or side dish. Serve them on a salad, sandwich or just eat them plain.
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Air Fryer Stuffing Balls - Effortless Foodie
Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, these air fryer stuffing balls made with store-bought sage and onion stuffing mix, are ready in under 20 minutes!
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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts - Simmer to Slimmer
This air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe is the easiest and most flavorful way to prepare this classic and healthy side dish! Plus, it all comes together in 15 minutes.
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Air Fryer Cauliflower - I Food Real
Air Fryer Cauliflower is made to make your mouth water with that crispy seasoned outer texture and a tender juicy bite. These delicious little gems are the perfect easy side dish to any meal made in under 30 minutes!
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20-Minute Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes - Plant Based and Broke
Cut the cook time by going with Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes. Made in just 20 minutes!
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Air Fryer Broccoli - Feasting Not Fasting
Air fried broccoli is the best way to make it since it gets so crisp and is ready fast! Plus, with simple seasonings it pairs well with just about any main dish.
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Snacks
Air Fried Ravioli - Trendgredient
This air fryer ravioli is a game changer. With just a few simple ingredients, air fried ravioli takes your culinary game to the next level.
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Air Fryer Edamame - My Quiet Kitchen
Looking for a quick, healthy, and irresistible snack? This air fryer edamame is lightly salted, seasoned however you like, and ready in 15 minutes!
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Air Fryer Plantain Chips - Beyond Mere Sustenance
Air Fryer Plantain Chips make perfect dippers for your favorite salsas and sauces. Nearly ripe plantains, olive oil, good sea salt and fresh ground pepper (and an air fryer!) are all you need to make this healthy, low fat snack!
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Sweet Chili Air Fryer Tofu - Very Veganish
Just 3 ingredients, this sweet chili tofu gets crispy in the air fryer in under 15 minutes. Great for banh mi sandwiches, noodle bowls, stir fry or snacking.
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Easy Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups - Munchy Goddess
These air fryer pizza roll ups are super easy to make! They are perfect for a quick snack, appetizer or movie night.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings - Eat The Gains
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower wings have a crispy breading on the outside, perfectly tender cauliflower on the inside, and are tossed in a delicious homemade buffalo sauce. The outcome is the best appetizer, party food, and snack that everyone will go nuts over. Naturally gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and Whole30 approved.
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Air Fryer Potato Skins - Home. Made. Interest.
Air fryer potato skins are perfectly crispy skins loaded with cheddar cheese and bacon. They are the perfect game day party appetizer!
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Smoky Air Fried Chickpeas - Vegan Huggs
Up your snacking game with these Smoky Air Fryer Chickpeas. They are quick, easy, healthy and a little bit addicting.
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Air Fryer Kale Chips - Champagne Tastes®
These easy air fryer kale chips are delicious, quick and easy! Make them at home in your air fryer for a healthy snack.
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Air Fryer Pickles - Evolving Table
Perfectly crispy and crunchy, this Air Fryer Pickles recipe will be your new favorite healthy snack! Pickle chips are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs then air fried, so no oil is needed.
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Air Fryer Egg Rolls - Wholesome Made Easy
These crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls are filled with a flavorful ground pork and cabbage mixture and air fried to golden brown perfection. A delicious and healthier way to enjoy egg rolls!
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Air Fryer Banana Chips - Trop Rockin
Air Fryer Banana Chips are an irresistibly crunchy snack the whole family will love. With just a few sprits of olive oil and sprinkle of salt, this healthy snack is ready in less than 15 minutes.
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Sweets
Air Fryer Toasted Coconut Lime Donuts - EmilyFabulous
Air Fryer Toasted Coconut Lime Donuts are made with canned biscuits and a quick coconut lime glaze. Top them with toasted coconut and you have a quick and easy breakfast or treat.
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10 Minute Air Fryer Apples - Lemons + Zest
These cinnamon sweet and buttery Air Fryer Apples are tender and delicious and ready in just 10 minutes. Not your typical fried apples with just a touch of butter but still so much flavor! Great as a side dish, topped with ice cream for dessert and all on their own!
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Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies Dipped in Chocolate - Easy Budget Recipes
These Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies are easy to make with just four ingredients. Once baked, they’re dipped in chocolate.
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Air Fryer Donuts - Savory Experiments
Buttery and delicious Air Fryer Donuts in just 10 minutes and using only 4 ingredients. Coated in cinnamon sugar, these are going to be your new favorite!
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Air Fryer Molten Chocolate Lava Cake - Manila Spoon
So luscious and full of chocolate deliciousness this Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is quick and easy to make! Now you can make your favorite restaurant version right at your home and in the air fryer!
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Blueberry Mini Pies in the Air Fryer - The Gifted Gabber
These easy air fryer blueberry fried pies bring together delicious homemade blueberry filling with store-bought pie dough.
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Air Fryer Brownies - Life Begins With Dessert
Satisfy your chocolate cravings anytime when you make these delicious Air Fryer Brownies. This recipe is perfect for making a small batch of brownies without turning on the oven.
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Air Fried Oreos - Like Mother Like Daughter
These Air Fried Oreos are only three ingredients, and so easy to make. They’re wrapped in crescent roll dough, and air fried to golden perfection. They’re so sweet, with a soft inside, crispy outside – and totally reminiscent of the popular fair dessert.
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What are you waiting for? The world is your air fried oyster! You've got this!
I bought an air fryer somewhat recently, so I'm excited to look through your post for ideas. Thanks
Hi Judee! I am enamored with my air fryer. Happy air frying! 🙂