If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably discovered that the air fryer is a real kitchen workhorse, tackling everything from crispy fries to juicy chicken with ease. But after countless experiments and family taste tests, I’ve found that some foods are simply destined for air fryer greatness. From perfectly crispy potatoes and crunchy vegetables to succulent meats, these are the best things to cook in the air fryer.
You know I love easy hands-off cooking, which is why I love my air fryer so much! It’s quick, easy, and lets you whip up delicious meals without hovering over the stove.
While I’ve found it does a pretty good job with most of the foods I have thrown at it, there are some dishes that just seem made for air frying. They’re the ones that make me wonder how I ever managed back in what I think of as “the cooking dark ages” (i.e. before I got my air fryer).
And I thought I should share my top picks for the best foods to cook in your air fryer, the ones that’ll have your family and friends begging for seconds.
What are the best foods to air fry?
Potatoes
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – that’s the magic of air-fried potatoes. Whether you’re making classic fries, sweet potato wedges, or even roasted potatoes, the air fryer’s intense heat circulation ensures that every bite is golden and delicious, without needing to drown them in oil.
Chicken
Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside – air-fried chicken is a game-changer. From wings to nuggets to whole breasts, the air fryer locks in the moisture while creating a perfectly crisp exterior. Plus, you can easily switch up the seasonings to keep things interesting.
Vegetables
Who knew that vegetables could be so addictive? The air fryer’s quick cooking time and high heat bring out the natural sweetness in veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts while adding a satisfying crunch. Trust me, even the pickiest eaters will be reaching for seconds.
Crumbed stuff
If you’re a fan of anything breaded or crumbed, the air fryer is your new best friend. It effortlessly cooks up crispy, crunchy delights like pork chops, fish fillets, and even homemade chicken parmesan. Crispier than oven-baking, without the mess and hassle of deep-frying.
Frozen foods
The air fryer is a lifesaver when it comes to frozen foods. Forget about soggy, microwaved snacks – the air fryer transforms frozen favorites like mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, and even pizza rolls into crispy, gooey perfection in minutes.
Meat
The air fryer isn’t just for quick snacks – it can also handle heartier meals like meatballs, pork tenderloin, and even small roasts. The high heat sears the exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy, making for a satisfying meal that’s ready in a fraction of the time.
Seafood
Air frying is a fantastic way to cook seafood favorites like shrimp, scallops, and even small fish fillets. The quick cooking time keeps the seafood tender and juicy, while the high heat gives it a nice crisp exterior.
The top 10 things to cook in an air fryer
1. Homemade Chips or Fries
Air fryers are great for making crispy and delicious french fries with a fraction of the oil you need for deep frying. There are a few tricks to getting them crispy, so check out the recipe for all the details:
Homemade Air Fryer Chips Recipe →
2. Chicken Wings
Air fryers can make crispy and juicy chicken wings in no time. You can season them with your favorite spices and sauces for a personalized taste, and you can even cook them from frozen!
Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipe →
3. Pork Chops
Try cooking pork chops in the air fryer for tender and juicy pork chops with a crispy caramelised edges. You can even cook them along with a side of potatoes.
Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipe →
>> Related recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops and Potatoes
4. Roasted Vegetables
Air fryers are excellent for roasting mixed vegetables, or just about any vegetable on their own, such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and zucchini. They are a great option for a quick and easy side dish and can be seasoned with your favorite herbs and spices, giving them a crispy and flavorful taste.
Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables Recipe →
>> Browse the whole category for more Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes.
5. Sweet Potato Wedges or Fries
Air fried sweet potato wedges that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are a healthy alternative to regular potato chips or french fries and can be seasoned however you like for added flavor.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe →
6. Roast Pork Loin (with crackling)
Roast pork in the air fryer is a revelation – it's super simple to prepare, and comes out perfect every time. Check out the perfectly crispy, golden-brown crackling, and know you won't be cooking this dish in your oven again.
Air Fryer Roast Pork Loin Recipe →
Air fryers are perfect for cooking fish, especially for those who don't like the smell of fish throughout the house. Fish cooked in an air fryer come out crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and best of all it cooks in mere minutes.
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe →
>> Also try our recipes for Air Fryer White Fish, or Air Fryer Tilapia (crumbed fish)
8. Baked Potatoes
Air frying is a quick and easy way to make baked potatoes. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without needing to be in the oven for an hour. Make them even quicker by zapping in the microwave first!
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe →
>> Or try our Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
9. Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is ideal to cook in an air fryer, as it comes out juicy and flavorful with a crispy skin on the outside, and is soo much easier than cooking in the oven. Now you can juicy roast chicken any night of the week because it is so convenient to make.
Air Fryer Roast Chicken Recipe →
Frozen Chips/ Fries
Most frozen foods that would normally be oven baked or fried from frozen are a great option to cook in your air fryer, but frozen chips or french fries are always come out perfect. It is so much quicker and more convenient than cooking in the oven, plus no more flipping individual chips to get them to cook evenly.
Perfect Frozen Chips in the Air Fryer →
Air frying tips
Air fryers are a convenient and easy-to-use appliance, but there are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your air fryer. Here are some important things to keep in mind when using an air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer – Just like an oven, it’s important to preheat your air fryer before cooking. This will ensure that the food cooks evenly and comes out crispy. Preheating takes only a few minutes, so it’s worth the extra effort.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – To get the best results, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can prevent the hot air from circulating around the food and result in uneven cooking. Make sure there’s enough space between the food items to allow for proper airflow.
- Use the right amount of oil – While air fryers require less oil than traditional frying, it’s still important to use the right amount of oil for the best results. Too little oil can result in dry food, while too much oil can make it greasy. A light mist of oil or a brush of oil can help the food become crispy and golden.
- Use the right type of oil – Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point to use in your air fryer as this reduces the chance that your air fryer will start to smoke during cooking. I like to use light olive oil, but vegetable oil, corn oil, canola oil or avocado oil are all good topns.
- Experiment with different foods – Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of food in the air fryer. It’s a versatile appliance that can cook a variety of foods, from vegetables to meat to desserts. Try out different recipes and see what works best for you!
More recipes you’ll love
Air Fryer Roast Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Crispy Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Air Fryer Steak
Perfect Air Fryer Pork Chops
More air fryer recipes ➔
