Busy weeknights call for quick, delicious, and hassle-free dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor. Enter the air fryer, your new best friend in the kitchen. This collection of 31 air fryer dinner recipes is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy tasty meals without spending hours cooking.
From crispy chicken to savory veggies, these dishes will satisfy your taste buds and make weeknight dinners a breeze. Let’s get cooking!
Steps
- Slice halloumi cheese into pieces, lightly coat with cooking spray, and air fry for 5-6 minutes until edges are golden. Serve on a salad for a quick vegetarian meal.
- Season individual salmon fillets and place them in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 7-9 minutes until flaky. Add quick-cooking vegetables to the basket for a complete meal.
- Prepare a grilled cheese sandwich with your choice of fillings and cheese. Air fry at 350°F for about 10 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Use thin, boneless chicken breasts for chicken Parmesan, coat with flour, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes per side, then top with marinara and mozzarella. Cook until the cheese is melted.
- Cook steak in the air fryer at 400°F, about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let it rest while you air fry frozen fries at the same temperature for 10 minutes until crispy.
- Season large shrimp with taco or spice blend and air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F. Serve over rice with diced tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
- Press tofu to remove moisture, cut into cubes, and coat with cornstarch. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400°F after tossing in your preferred sauce. Add more sauce after cooking for additional flavor.
- Rub a whole chicken with spices and air fry at 350°F for 30 minutes. Flip and cook for another 20-25 minutes, increasing to 400°F for crispy skin. Ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before resting and serving.
Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese – 1 loaf, sliced
- Cooking spray
- Salmon fillets – similar sizes
- Fresh lemon wheels or dry spice rub (optional)
- Bread slices
- Melty cheese (e.g., sharp cheddar)
- Optional spreads/add-ins (e.g., fig jam, pesto, thinly sliced apples, hot sauce, asparagus)
- Boneless chicken breasts – thinly sliced, halved horizontally
- Flour
- Beaten eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Marinara sauce
- Fresh mozzarella – slabs
- New York strip steaks – 1-inch thick
- Frozen fries
- Large shrimp – peeled and deveined
- Taco seasoning or homemade spice blend (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika)
- Tomatoes – diced
- Avocados – diced
- Fresh cilantro – minced
- White or brown rice
- Lime
- Tofu – cut into planks
- Cornstarch
- Sauce (e.g., teriyaki, barbecue, Buffalo, chimichurri)
- Whole chicken – 4 pounds
- Spice mix (e.g., garlic, rosemary, olive oil)
- Salt
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon – halved
FAQ
- Can I cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?
- Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in an air fryer. Most 6-quart basket-style air fryers can accommodate a 4-pound chicken. After seasoning the chicken with your preferred spice mix and some salt, air fry it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, flip, and continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes. For crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400 degrees for the last 10 minutes. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees before serving.
- How do I make grilled cheese in an air fryer?
- To make grilled cheese in an air fryer, assemble your sandwich with your choice of fillings and cheese. Cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. This method eliminates the need for flipping and results in gooey cheese and golden bread.
- What is the best way to cook salmon in an air fryer?
- Cooking salmon in an air fryer is easy and effective due to its higher fat content, which prevents overcooking. Season individual fillets with your choice of spices or lemon wheels and air fry them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for seven to nine minutes until the fish is flaky and firm. Pair the salmon with quick-cooking veggies like broccoli or asparagus for a complete meal.
- How can I make crispy tofu in an air fryer?
- To make crispy tofu, start by pressing the moisture out of the tofu using a dish towel and a heavy object. Slice it into cubes, coat with cornstarch, and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about eight minutes. For added flavor, coat the tofu in a sauce such as teriyaki or barbecue before cooking.
- Is it possible to make a vegetarian meal with an air fryer?
- Absolutely! One option is air-fried halloumi, which can be used in salads for a quick vegetarian meal. Slice the halloumi, spray with cooking spray, and air fry for five to six minutes until crispy on the outside. Serve it over a salad with ingredients you have on hand.
- What are some easy meals that can be made in an air fryer?
- The air fryer is versatile for creating a variety of meals. Some easy options include grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken Parmesan, shrimp rice bowls, and steak frites. Each can be prepared with minimal effort, yielding delicious results.
Tips
- For Perfectly Cooked Salmon: Air fry individual salmon fillets of similar sizes for even cooking. Season them well with lemon slices or a spice rub and cook with a quick-cooking vegetable for a complete meal.
- Crispy Tofu Success: Ensure your tofu is as dry as possible before cooking by pressing it under a heavy object for at least 30 minutes. Coat it lightly in cornstarch for added crispiness before air frying.
- Juicy Chicken Parmesan: Use thinly sliced, boneless chicken breasts for tender air-fryer chicken Parmesan. Coat them with flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs, and add marinara and mozzarella towards the end for a delicious finish.
- Whole Chicken Ease: Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer can be simpler than using an oven. Rub it with your favorite spices and consider stuffing it with herbs and lemon for enhanced flavor. Adjust the temperature towards the end for crispy skin.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray (if specific brands or types are needed)
- Meat thermometer (for checking the internal temperature of meats like chicken or steak)
