Whether you’re an experienced cook or an enthusiastic beginner, everyone can agree that cooking at home is one of the best ways to save money and eat healthier. But if you can’t stand the thought of giving up crispy, juicy foods, air frying is a great alternative.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are small convection ovens that use concentrated heat to crisp up food with minimal oil. They let you achieve a similar flavor and texture to fried foods but in a much healthier way. If you’re in the market for an air fryer or convection oven, check out our guide, The Best Air Fryers for All Types of Cooks.
Advantages of air fryers and mini convection ovens
- Save time: Cook food 25–50% faster than in an oven
- Save energy: Heats up faster than a full-sized oven, saving power and keeping your kitchen cooler
- Crispy food: Get similar flavor and texture as fried foods without deep frying
- Easy to use: They come with many preset settings and automatic timers to simplify cooking
Quick, Healthy, and Easy Air Fryer Recipes
We’ve compiled our five favorite air fryer recipes that will save you time, money, and keep your health goals in check. Let’s cook!
1. Balsamic Chicken and Veggies by Fabulessly Frugal
If you’re a fan of no-fuss sheet pan meals, this air fryer version will become your new go-to. By cooking your chicken and veggies together, you’ll have dinner served in 40 minutes or less. Visit Fabulessly Frugal for the recipe.
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(Makes 8 servings)
- 4 small squash, about 12 oz each
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 head of broccoli (about 4 cups chopped)
- 1 small red onion
- 1 ½ lbs chicken
- 1-2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
Marinade:
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
2. Juicy Air Fryer Shrimp by Easy Dinner Ideas
Food ready in 10 minutes? Sign us up! This simple recipe makes perfectly juicy and tender shrimp that can be enjoyed on a salad, with pasta, roasted veggies, and more. Visit Easy Dinner Ideas for instructions.
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(Makes 2 servings)
- 1 pound shrimp, shells removed and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
3. Potato Wedges by Love and Other Spices
Potatoes and air fryers go together like milk and cookies. This recipe by Love and Other Spices does not require any pre-cooking and yields crispy, golden potato wedges in under 30 minutes.
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(Makes 4 servings)
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
4. Chicken Parmigiana by For the Love of Food and Life
We’re all for eliminating stress in the kitchen, which is why this speedy version for chicken parm is all the rage. Check out the recipe by For the Love of Food and Life, and don’t forget to visit her Instagram for more.
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(Makes 4 servings)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup cooked tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- ½ cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
5. Honey Garlic Salmon by Grandbaby Cakes
Take your simple salmon dinner to the next level in just 20 minutes with this quick and easy honey garlic glaze. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Visit Gandbaby-cakes.com for the recipe.
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(Makes 2 servings)
- 2 salmon filets 6-8 ounces each
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamarind for gluten-free
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Ready to incorporate these air fryer recipes into your weekly routine? If you’re looking for more healthy meal ideas, check out our post, 20 Creative Ways To Eat More Veggies Without Getting Bored.
