You know, there’s something almost magical about the air fryer. It’s like a culinary wizard, transforming everyday ingredients into crispy, golden delights with a fraction of the oil.
I mean, who would’ve thought this gadget could whip up family dinners that are not only quick but also a hit with everyone—from picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts? Whether it’s those perfectly seasoned chicken thighs or that surprisingly good air fryer lasagna (yes, lasagna!
), these recipes promise to bring a little flair to your dinner table without all the fuss. And hey, isn’t that what we all need—a little less fuss?
Steps
- Season bone-in chicken thighs thoroughly with a dry brine and baking powder to enhance flavor and achieve crispy skin, then refrigerate for at least an hour.
- For chicken breasts, apply a dry brine and baking powder, keeping the bone-in to retain moisture, and cook at a higher temperature without drying the meat.
- Dry-brine thick cut, bone-in pork chops, start cooking them at a low temperature, and finish on high for juicy meat with a perfect crust.
- Marinate chicken in a buttermilk-pickle brine, coat with seasoned dredge, and air fry for a crispy Southern fried chicken experience with less mess.
- Space chicken pieces in the air fryer, cook halfway, then add barbecue sauce, continuing until the chicken achieves a light char.
- Pound chicken into thin cutlets, dry-brine, coat with panko, and air fry for a juicy, crispy katsu-style chicken without deep frying.
- Preheat the air fryer, dry, and oil salmon fillets, then cook for under 15 minutes to achieve tender fish with crisp skin.
- Use large shrimp, toss in a dry brine of salt, baking soda, and sugar, and air fry for plump, snappy shrimp in under five minutes.
- Coat chicken wings in baking powder, space them out in the air fryer, and cook until golden and crispy, adding sauce of your choice after cooking.
- Place bacon in the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes to achieve crispy, mess-free strips.
- Coat firm avocados in panko breadcrumbs, crush oversized flakes, and air fry for evenly browned, crispy avocado slices.
- Rapid roast Brussels sprouts in the air fryer for a crisp exterior, then combine with shaved raw sprouts, toasted breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
- Air fry green beans until blistered and charred, then season simply or toss with lemon zest and Parmesan for enhanced flavor.
- Parboil potatoes with baking soda, then air fry for 20-25 minutes to achieve a crispy exterior and fluffy interior without preheating.
- Toss cauliflower florets in oil and water, then air fry for a crispy exterior and tender interior with toasty notes.
- Coat broccoli with a topping of breadcrumbs mixed with anchovy paste, garlic, and lemon zest, then air fry for a Caesar-flavored side.
- Air fry asparagus at high heat to quickly caramelize sugars, resulting in lightly browned, tender-crisp spears in just 10 minutes.
- Bake potatoes in the air fryer for 40 minutes for a fluffy interior and crisp skin, perfect for toppings like sour cream and chives.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs, bone-in
- Salt (for dry-brining)
- Baking powder
- Chicken breasts, bone-in
- Pork chops, bone-in, thick cut
- Buttermilk
- Pickle brine
- Flour (for dredging)
- Barbecue sauce
- Panko bread crumbs
- Salmon fillets, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch thick
- Shrimp, large (size 16/20)
- Baking soda
- Sugar
- Chicken wings
- Bacon
- Avocados, firm and ripe
- Brussels sprouts
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Caesar dressing
- Preserved lemon
- Green beans
- Lemon zest
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Oil
- Water
- Broccoli
- Anchovy paste
- Garlic
- Asparagus
- Sour cream
- Chives
FAQ
- How do you prevent chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
- To keep chicken breast juicy in an air fryer, use a dry-brine with baking powder and leave the breasts bone-in. This technique helps season the meat, dry out the skin, and allows for high-temperature cooking without drying out the chicken.
- Can you air fry pork chops without them becoming tough?
- Yes, by dry-brining thick, bone-in pork chops and starting them at a low temperature before finishing on high, you can achieve juicy, tender pork chops with a perfect crust.
- What’s the secret to crispy air-fried chicken wings?
- Tossing the wings in baking powder helps promote browning and a crackly skin. Ensuring even spacing in the air fryer also enhances airflow for more consistent cooking.
- How can you make fried chicken katsu in an air fryer?
- You can achieve crispy chicken katsu by pounding chicken into thin cutlets, dry-brining briefly, and coating with panko breadcrumbs before cooking in the air fryer.
- Is it possible to cook seafood like salmon successfully in an air fryer?
- Yes, by selecting salmon fillets that are 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick, preheating the air fryer, and properly drying and oiling the fish, you can ensure tender salmon with crisp skin in under 15 minutes.
Tips
- For crispy chicken skin and juicy meat, season bone-in thighs with a dry brine and let them rest in the fridge for at least an hour. Adding a touch of baking powder will enhance the skin’s crispiness.
- When cooking chicken breast in an air fryer, keep the bone in to prevent drying out and to allow cooking at higher temperatures. A dry brine with baking powder will season the meat and ensure the skin dries out perfectly.
- For perfectly tender pork chops with a picture-perfect crust, dry-brine the meat to promote browning. Start cooking the thicker bone-in chops low and slow, then finish on high heat.
- To achieve golden, crispy chicken wings, coat them with baking powder to enhance browning and bubbling of the skin. Make sure to space out the wings for even cooking, and toss them in your favorite sauce after cooking.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – Essential for the recipes mentioned as they all make use of this appliance for cooking.
- Meat Thermometer – Useful for ensuring meats like chicken and pork are cooked to the correct internal temperature.
- Mandoline Slicer – If you want to achieve uniform slices of vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts or potatoes, a mandoline can be very helpful.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – While technically not equipment, these might be a specialty item you need to purchase for the katsu and avocado recipes.
