17 air fryer recipes that do more than you expect from one appliance

The air fryer earns its spot when it handles more than just the basics, turning out meals, snacks, and sides without slowing things down. These 17 recipes show how far one appliance can go, covering everything from quick proteins to crisp vegetables and even dessert. You’ll notice how each one keeps the process simple while still delivering solid results. When the air fryer works this hard, dinner and everything around it feel easier to manage.

A bowl of white rice topped with stir-fried chicken pieces and chopped green onions, with chopsticks beside it. — Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

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A hand dips a crispy, breaded zucchini chip into a bowl of marinara sauce. — Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli are ready in about 15 minutes using breaded ravioli, oil, and seasoning. The coating crisps while the inside stays soft. They taste savory with a slight crunch. They work well as a quick snack or side that’s easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

A roasted cabbage steak is served on a pink plate. It is topped with a creamy sauce, pumpkin seeds, and chopped green onions. The cabbage is browned and slightly charred at the edges. — Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini are ready in about 20 minutes using cabbage, spices, and tahini. The edges crisp while the center stays tender. They taste savory with a mild heat. They work well as a simple vegetable dish that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips

A black bowl filled with dark red beet chips sits on a white surface. In the background, there is a small white bowl containing a creamy dip with green herbs. — Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips are ready in about 20 minutes using sliced beets, oil, and seasoning. The slices dry out and crisp as they cook. They taste slightly sweet with a light crunch. They work well as a snack or side that adds texture.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips

Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Bites

Close-up of crispy, breaded cheese bites with melted cheese on a wooden board. — Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Bites are ready in about 15 minutes using cheese and a light coating. The outside crisps while the inside softens. They taste savory with a rich flavor. They serve easily as small bites for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Cheese Bites

Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia is ready in about 15 minutes using tilapia, oil, and seasoning. The fish cooks quickly with a lightly crisp edge. It tastes mild with a warm spice blend. It works well as a fast main dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Two roasted chicken thighs on a white plate garnished with sprigs of thyme. A ceramic jar is partially visible in the background on the left. — Air Fryer Turkey Thighs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs are ready in about 35 minutes using turkey, oil, and seasoning. The skin crisps while the meat stays juicy. They taste savory with a rich flavor. They serve well as a filling main without long cook time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Air Fryer Eggplant

Sliced roasted eggplant garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate. — Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Air Fryer Eggplant is ready in about 20 minutes using eggplant, oil, and seasoning. The pieces soften while the edges crisp. It tastes savory with a mild texture. It works well as a side that pairs easily with many meals.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant

Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

A white speckled bowl filled with crispy, dark green kale chips sits on a light surface. The kale chips appear roasted with some edges curled and slightly browned. — Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips are ready in about 10 minutes using kale, oil, and seasoning. The leaves crisp quickly while staying light. They taste savory with a slight bitterness. They work well as a quick snack or side.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake

A partially sliced cake with light brown frosting and crumbled Lotus Biscoff cookies on top, displayed on a white cake stand. A blue cup sits in the background. — Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake is ready in about 25 minutes using flour, Biscoff spread, eggs, and sugar. The cake sets with a soft crumb. It tastes sweet with a spiced flavor. It works well as a dessert made without using the oven.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Plate of bacon-wrapped peppers filled with cheese, garnished with parsley, next to a grated cheese block and grater on a wooden board. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are ready in about 20 minutes using jalapeños, cheese, and filling. The peppers soften while the filling melts. They taste savory with a mild heat. They serve easily as bite-sized portions.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate. — Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning are ready in about 25 minutes using wings, oil, and herbs. The skin crisps while the inside stays juicy. They taste savory with a herby finish. They work well as a main or shared dish.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A black plate holding several pieces of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken tenders garnished with chopped parsley, set on a rust-colored cloth with sauce and herbs visible in the background. — Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are ready in about 20 minutes using chicken, breading, and hot honey sauce. The coating crisps while the inside stays tender. They taste sweet with a mild heat. They serve well for quick meals or sharing.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with pieces of chicken, topped with a drizzle of brown sauce, sits on a white surface beside a fork and sprigs of parsley. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is ready in about 30 minutes using pasta, chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce. The top forms a light crust while the inside stays creamy. It tastes savory with a slight smokiness. It works well as a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

A hand dips a fried zucchini fritter into a small bowl of white cream sauce on a gray plate. Other fritters and lemon wedges are arranged around the bowl on a marble surface. — Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta are ready in about 20 minutes using zucchini, feta, eggs, and flour. The outside crisps while the inside stays soft. They taste savory with a slight saltiness. They serve well as a side or snack.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Two grilled wraps are cut in half, showing fillings of grilled chicken, lettuce, cucumber, and other vegetables. The wraps have visible grill marks and are stacked on a plate with a blurred background. — Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma is ready in about 25 minutes using chicken, spices, and oil. The outside develops a light crisp while the inside stays juicy. It tastes savory with warm spices. It pairs easily with rice or wraps.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Four grilled salmon fillets garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices are arranged on a white oval platter. The fillets are seasoned with herbs and pepper. The edge of a striped cloth and a serving of broccoli are partially visible. — Lemon Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Lemon Air Fryer Salmon is ready in about 15 minutes using salmon, lemon, and seasoning. The fish cooks quickly with a firm outside and flaky inside. It tastes fresh with a citrus note. It works well as a quick main dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken is ready in about 25 minutes using chicken, salt, pepper, and seasoning. The coating crisps while the inside stays tender. It tastes savory with a mild kick. It serves well as a simple main or shared plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken