Cooking for two can be a delightful experience, especially when it’s quick, easy, and healthy. Air fryers have become a kitchen staple, making it possible to whip up delicious meals without the extra oil and fuss.
This collection of recipes is perfect for couples looking to enjoy a nutritious dinner together. From crispy vegetables to tender proteins, these air fryer dishes are sure to satisfy without compromising on flavor.
Let’s get cooking!
Steps
- Prepare chicken thighs by seasoning them before cooking in the air fryer for a healthier schnitzel option.
- Season chicken breasts with your favorite spices and air fry for a flavorful blackened crust without the need for a skillet.
- Stuff chicken breasts with Cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, and bacon, then wrap them in additional bacon and cook until done.
- Roll vegetables and spices into chicken breasts and air fry for a quick meal; serve with pico de gallo and tortillas.
- Cook shrimp in the air fryer with lemon pepper seasoning and serve over salad, rice, or pasta for a light dinner.
- Combine traditional ratatouille vegetables with Italian herbs and air fry for a quick, healthy vegetarian dish.
- Marinate chicken thighs in a maple syrup and buttermilk mixture, then air fry for a subtly sweet, savory meal.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients, shape, and air fry for a spicy, juicy dish ready in under an hour.
- Season salmon fillets with Cajun spices and air fry for a moist, crispy-topped fish dish.
- Briefly marinate steak tips, then air fry with portobello mushrooms for a quick meal served over mashed potatoes.
- Prepare keto-friendly salmon cakes using air fryer and serve with Sriracha mayo or atop a salad.
- Cook lobster tails in the air fryer and serve with a lemon-garlic butter sauce for a special dinner.
- Season chicken thighs with lemon and garlic, air fry, and serve with keto-friendly sides for a low-carb meal.
- Marinate rib-eye steaks, then air fry for a delicious steak dinner that rivals grilled options.
- Slice eggplant, coat with breadcrumbs, and air fry for crispy eggplant Parmesan; serve with marinara sauce.
- Cook hot dogs in buns in the air fryer, top with taco toppings for a twist on traditional hot dogs.
- Coat chicken with panko crumbs and air fry for a quick and satisfying katsu dish served with tonkatsu sauce.
- Top portobello mushrooms with pizza ingredients and air fry for a simple, personalized pizza alternative.
- Season tilapia fillets with lemon pepper, coat with breadcrumbs, and air fry for a quick and healthy fish dish.
- Shape hamburger patties, air fry, and serve with your favorite toppings for a perfect meal for two.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs
- Chicken breasts
- Cheddar cheese
- BBQ sauce
- Bacon (chopped and whole slices)
- Vegetables (variety unspecified)
- Spices (variety unspecified)
- Fresh pico de gallo
- Tortillas
- Shrimp
- Salad ingredients, rice, or pasta (as sides)
- Traditional ratatouille vegetables
- Italian herbs
- Maple syrup
- Buttermilk
- Ground meat (for meatloaf)
- Spicy sauce (variety unspecified for meatloaf)
- Salmon
- Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil
- Coconut aminos (or soy sauce alternative)
- Montreal steak seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Mashed potatoes (as a side)
- Sriracha mayo
- Lemon-garlic butter (for lobster tails)
- Rib-eye steaks
- Soy sauce
- Eggplant
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Taco toppings (variety unspecified)
- Tonkatsu or barbecue sauce
- Japanese panko bread crumbs
- Portobello mushrooms
- Favorite pizza toppings (variety unspecified)
- Tilapia fillets
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- Hamburger patties
- Hamburger rolls
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Ranch dressing
- Cheese (for cheeseburgers)
FAQ
- What are the benefits of using an air fryer for dinners for two?
- The air fryer is ideal for cooking meals quickly with less fat, making it perfect for two-person dinners, whether for romantic evenings or busy weeknights.
- Can you suggest a simple air fryer chicken recipe?
- Try the Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Schnitzel, which uses flavorful chicken thighs and is cooked without oil, reducing calories and grease.
- How can I prepare a quick seafood meal in an air fryer?
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp is a quick option, perfect for serving with salad or over rice or pasta. It can also be enjoyed as a cold appetizer.
- Is it possible to cook vegetarian meals in an air fryer?
- Yes, Air-Fried Ratatouille, Italian-Style, combines traditional vegetables with Italian herbs for a nutritious vegetarian dish that avoids soggy veggies with minimal oil.
- What makes air fryer salmon dishes stand out?
- Air fryer salmon, such as Cajun Air Fryer Salmon, cooks in under 10 minutes, uses less electricity, and achieves a moist, crispy result without heating up the kitchen.
- How can I make an easy air fryer dessert for two?
- While the article doesn’t directly include desserts, consider adapting small-scale recipes like air-fried fruit or mini pastries for a quick and simple sweet treat.
Tips
- Opt for Chicken Thighs for More Flavor: When making schnitzel, consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer taste. The air fryer method also helps to reduce calories and eliminate the need for oil.
- Enjoy Mess-Free Blackened Chicken: Use the air fryer to achieve a perfect blackened crust on chicken breasts without the hassle of a smoky kitchen or dirty pans. This method is quick and efficient.
- Quick and Flavorful Stuffed Chicken: For a speedy yet delicious meal, try air frying chicken breasts stuffed with vegetables and spices. This dish is ready in just over 10 minutes and pairs well with fresh pico de gallo and tortillas.
- Marinate for Enhanced Flavor: Whether it’s salmon, steak, or chicken thighs, marinating your protein before air frying can enhance its flavor profile. Use ingredients like soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, or lemon-garlic butter for a tasty finish.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – Central to all the recipes listed, an air fryer is necessary for cooking each of these dishes.
- Meat Thermometer – Useful for ensuring meats are cooked to the right temperature, especially for dishes like steak, chicken, and seafood.
- Lemon Zester/Grater – Needed for recipes that require lemon zest or finely grated ingredients like cheese.
- Mandoline Slicer – Helpful for slicing vegetables thinly and evenly for dishes like Air-Fried Ratatouille or Eggplant Parmesan.
