10 Delicious Meals to Make in an Air Fryer
If you have never eaten a meal from an air fryer you are definitely missing out. Not only are they healthier than the standard fryer the taste of the food is incredible.
1. Zucchini Fries
This is a perfect light snack to make and it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare. The ingredients you will need are, 2 zucchinis cut into a fry shape, ½ cup of flour, 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup Panko, ½ cup of fresh parmesan cheese, ¾ teaspoon of garlic salt and pepper. I also love that the air fryer doesn’t take as long as an oven to heat up. Heat your air fryer to 390F. Place the flour, breadcrumbs, and eggs in 3 separate bowls. Then dip each of the zucchinis into the flour, then eggs, then Panko. You should put about 10 fries in the air fryer at a time and cook for about 7 minutes or until your crispiness is met. While the fries are hot sprinkle the cheese, salt and pepper over them. These fries are best with ketchup but if you want to go on to the wild side, try Ceasar dressing.
2. Onion Rings
The crispiness of these onion rings is truly amazing and they go well as a snack or an appetizer. You will need ½ cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ cup of buttermilk, 1 egg, 1 cup of panko, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 large yellow onion sliced to be about an inch thick, and oil spray. To start you will need 3 bowls. The first bowl combine flour, paprika, and half of the salt. In the next bowl combine the buttermilk, egg and ¼ cup of flour. In the third bowl add in the Panko, salt and olive oil and mix. With a fork dip the onion ring in the flour mixture and then into the mixture with the buttermilk and then with the breadcrumbs. Continue until all onion rings are covered. Set the air fryer to 400F degrees and leave onion rings in there for 15 minutes. Then serve when ready, they taste the best when hot.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is my favorite dessert, snack, cheat meal, it’s everything. I like to think that preparing these cookies in an air fryer is healthy. You will need 2 sticks of unsalted softened butter, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 cups of flour, 2 cups of chocolate chips, 1 cup of walnuts, and some cooking spray. To start grab a bowl, mix the butter, sugar, brown sugar until fluffy for about 4 minutes. Add in vanilla extract, eggs, and salt and stir together. Then combine in the baking soda, flour, chocolate chips, and walnuts and stir. The air fryer doesn’t take any time to preheat so you can turn it on now, set it to 350F degrees. Make sure you line the air fryer with parchment paper. Drop 2 tablespoons of dough into the racks, spacing them about an inch apart. Then flatten the dough into a cookie shape and sprinkle sea salt on them. Cook for about 5 minutes. And then repeat with the remaining dough. These are best when served warm.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Is this a healthy snack? I am going to say yes because it makes me feel good about my eating habits. You will need 1 thick bunch of asparagus, 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and thin slices of bacon. Preheat the air fryer to hi broil and line it with parchment paper. Cut the woody edges off the asparagus. Cut the bacon in half- lengthwise. Layout the asparagus and coat with the oil and season with the salt pepper and sugar. Then wrap each asparagus with bacon and then place evenly in the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Flip continuously during this process.
5. Chicken Breast
You can eat this anytime during the day or night. You will need just a few ingredients to prepare this, 2 boneless skinless chicken breast, 2 tablespoons of salted butter, 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of paprika. To start, mix all the ingredients together and spread over the chicken. Then place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 370F for about 15 minutes. Then serve.
6. Brussel Sprouts
This vegetable can be actually delicious when it’s seasoned and prepared right. This recipe calls for only 3 ingredients, 1 pound of stemless brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of oil, and salt and pepper. In a large bowl combine the 3 ingredients and then pour into the air fryer. Cook at 350F for about 7 minutes. The Brussel sprouts should be crunchy and then you are done. Season them well and eat up.
7. French Fries
These fries will taste better than those at the restraint, I promise you. You will need 3 large potatoes cut into the shape of fries, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. To start, soak your potatoes in water for about an hour. Preheat the air fryer to 375F degrees. Pat your fries dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and some pepper. Add fries to the air fryer but make sure they are all on the same level and not stacked on each other. Cook for about 13 minutes or until golden. Set to the side and repeat with the other fries until they are gone. Grab some ketchup and serve while they are hot.
8. Glazed Cake Doughnut Holes
I have a sweet tooth and these doughnut holes are the best. You will need 1 cup of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt, 4 tablespoons of salted butter, 1/3 cup of whole milk, cooking spray, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 3 tablespoons of water. Let’s get started, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and butter. Then add in milk until the dough starts forming and then knead the dough and then form into balls. Coat the bottom of the air fryer with cooking spray. Line up the dough balls evenly without touching each other, spray them also with cooking spray. Cook at 350F degrees for about 10 minutes. Then set aside. Then in another bowl stir together the powdered sugar and water until smooth. Place the cook dough balls in the glaze and roll then set aside. Repeat the process until all the doughnuts are glazed.
9. Crispy Bacon
Bacon can be a snack or added to a meal to give it that perfect crunch. The only ingredient you will need is bacon. Lay the bacon in the air fryer and cook at 350F degrees for 9 minutes. Then you’re done. I love it when things are quick and easy.
10. Chicken Nuggets
You will need 12 ounces of chicken breast cut into the size of your desired nugget, 1 cup of pickle juice, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of milk, 1 cup of flour, 3 tablespoons of corn starch, 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, ¼ teaspoon of onion powder, and one 1/ 4teaspoon of garlic powder. It’s a lot of seasoning but it will bring a lot of flavor to the nuggets. To begin, put the chicken pieces and pickle juice in a plastic bag for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. While that is soaking, get a bowl and whisk together the egg and milk. In another bowl whisk together the flour, corn starch, powdered sugar, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Then set to the side. Once 30 minutes have passed get the chicken from the fridge. Grease the air fryer. Coat the chicken pieces with the egg mixture and then place it in the other mixture and then in the air fryer. Repeat until the bottom of the fryer is full. Make sure no pieces are touching each other. Cook on 360F degrees for 12 minutes continuously flipping the chicken. Then repeat for the leftover chicken until its all cooked. Grab your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.
