Oh, the air fryer—what a nifty little contraption! It’s a savior on those hectic weeknights when time is as fleeting as a TikTok trend. Imagine, dinner ready in a blink, with crispy textures and flavors dancing together like an unexpected duet. These 10 air fryer recipes might just become your go-to for a quick and easy meal solution.
Steps
- For crispy chicken thighs, season bone-in thighs with a dry brine and allow them to rest in the fridge for 1 to 24 hours. Add baking powder to enhance the crispiness of the skin before air frying them.
- To prevent chicken breast from drying, use a dry-brine and baking powder to season and dry out the skin. Keep the breasts bone-in to maintain moisture and cook at higher temperatures.
- Achieve juicy and perfectly seared pork chops by dry-brining them first. Use a thicker bone-in cut, start cooking at a low temperature, and finish on high for a beautiful crust.
- For air-fried Southern chicken, use a buttermilk-pickle brine and a seasoned dredge. This method delivers juicy chicken with a crispy, craggy texture.
- Barbecue chicken in an air fryer by spacing out pieces for even airflow. Cook halfway before adding a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce for a pleasant char.
- For chicken katsu, pound chicken into thin cutlets, dry-brine briefly, coat with panko breadcrumbs, and air fry to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Prepare salmon in an air fryer by selecting thick fillets and preheating the fryer. Dry and oil the fish to avoid sticking and encourage crisp skin in less than 15 minutes.
- Enjoy air-fried shrimp by choosing large pieces and using a dry brine of salt, baking soda, and sugar. This ensures plump, browned shrimp in under five minutes.
- Achieve crispy chicken wings by tossing them in baking powder to encourage browning. Space them out in the air fryer for even cooking and serve with your choice of sauce.
- Cook bacon in the air fryer for a crisp, mess-free experience. This method takes about 10 minutes and eliminates the need for paper towels.
- Coat firm avocados in panko breadcrumbs before air frying. Crush large panko flakes for even browning and customize with your favorite spices.
- For crispy Brussels sprouts, rapidly roast them in the air fryer. Pair with shaved raw sprouts, toasted breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and a creamy Caesar dressing.
- Air-fry green beans for a Sichuan-style dish with char and light blistering. Finish with salt or lemon zest and Parmesan for added flavor.
- Roast potatoes in the air fryer by parboiling with baking soda for a starchy surface. Air fry for 20-25 minutes for a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
- Toss cauliflower florets in oil and water before air frying to soften and crisp them. This method ensures a tender interior with toasty notes.
- For a Caesar-flavored topping, mix breadcrumbs with anchovy paste, garlic, and lemon zest. Use this to enhance air-fried broccoli.
- Air fry asparagus for 10 minutes to caramelize sugars and enhance flavors. The result is tender-crisp asparagus with a lightly browned exterior.
- Bake potatoes in an air fryer for 40 minutes to achieve a fluffy interior and crisp skin. Top with sour cream, chives, and air-fried bacon for a delicious finish.
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken thighs
- Baking powder
- Bone-in chicken breasts
- Pork chops, thicker bone-in cut
- Buttermilk-pickle brine
- Barbecue sauce
- Panko bread crumbs
- Salmon fillets (1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch thick)
- Shrimp (size 16/20)
- Salt, baking soda, and sugar (dry brine for shrimp)
- Chicken wings
- Baking powder (for chicken wings)
- Traditional Buffalo sauce or sweet and spicy chile sauce
- Bacon
- Firm, ripe avocados
- Panko breadcrumbs (slightly crushed)
- Brussels sprouts
- Toasted breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Creamy Caesar dressing with preserved lemon
- Green beans
- Lemon zest and shaved Parmesan cheese (optional for green beans)
- Potatoes
- Baking soda (for parboiling potatoes)
- Cauliflower
- Oil and water mixture
- Broccoli
- Breadcrumbs, anchovy paste, garlic, and lemon zest (for broccoli topping)
- Asparagus
- Potatoes for baking
- Sour cream, chives, and crumbled air-fried bacon (optional for baked potatoes)
FAQ
- What are some tips for achieving crispy skin on chicken thighs in an air fryer?
- To achieve crispy skin on chicken thighs, season the bone-in thighs with a dry brine and let them rest in the fridge for at least an hour. Adding a bit of baking powder can also help the skin develop a crispy texture.
- How can I prevent chicken breast from drying out in an air fryer?
- To keep chicken breast juicy, use a dry-brine method and leave the breasts bone-in, which helps protect the meat from drying out and allows for higher-temperature cooking.
- How do you cook perfect pork chops in an air fryer?
- For perfectly cooked pork chops, dry-brining is essential. Choose a thicker bone-in cut, start cooking low and slow, and finish on high heat to ensure juicy meat with a nice crust.
- What is a good method for air-frying salmon?
- For tender salmon with crisp skin, select fillets 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch thick, preheat the air fryer, and ensure the fish is properly dried and oiled to prevent sticking and promote crisping.
- How can you make air-fried shrimp plump and snappy?
- Choose large shrimp (16/20) to withstand a longer cook time, and toss them in a dry brine of salt, baking soda, and sugar for a plumper, snappier texture.
Tips
- For perfectly crispy chicken skin, season bone-in thighs with a dry brine and let them rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Adding a little baking powder will also help achieve a crispy texture.
- To ensure juicy pork chops with a nice crust, choose a thicker bone-in cut, start cooking them at a low temperature, and finish with high heat. Dry-brining the chops in advance will enhance browning and flavor.
- When cooking salmon in an air fryer, select fillets that are 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch thick. Preheat the air fryer, and make sure to dry and lightly oil the fish to prevent sticking and encourage crisping.
- For the crispiest chicken wings, toss them in baking powder before cooking to promote browning and bubbling of the skin. Spacing out the wings in the air fryer will improve airflow and ensure even cooking.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – The primary piece of equipment needed for all these recipes.
- Meat Thermometer – Useful for ensuring meats like chicken and pork reach the correct internal temperature.
- Kitchen Scale – Helpful for measuring specific weights of ingredients, especially when dealing with precise recipes.
- Mandoline Slicer – For evenly slicing vegetables like Brussels sprouts or potatoes.
- Grater or Microplane – For zesting lemons or grating cheese like Parmesan.
- Kitchen Shears – Useful for trimming meats or chopping herbs.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – While not equipment, these may not be a common pantry staple and are specifically mentioned for recipes like chicken katsu and avocado fries.
