If you want air fryer recipes that go far beyond standard fries, you’ve come to the right place. Explore over 55 recipes—from starters and mains to sides, snacks, and desserts—that are worth trying at least once.
My air fryer has become an indispensable appliance in my kitchen. I use it almost every day—it often replaces the oven for quick, reliable results. From soft dinner rolls to crispy chips and even desserts, the air fryer handles so many recipes with less oil and minimal fuss.
The recipes below are chosen for their simplicity, flavor, and convenience. Most take very little active time, use far less oil than deep frying, and still deliver a golden, crisp finish. Whether you’re just starting with air frying or you need dependable weeknight recipes, this collection gives you plenty of inspiration.
Jump to section: Air fryer recipes
Starters/Appetisers
1. Chicken Starters
2. Air fryer recipes – Vegetarian
Mains
1. Air fryer recipes – Chicken mains
2. Air fryer recipes – Vegetarian mains
Sides
Snacks
Desserts
Frequently Asked Questions
Starters/Appetisers
1. Chicken Starters
These chicken starters are ideal for family meals or parties—smoky tandoori-style bites, crisp wings, juicy tikka, and more. They’re easy to prepare in the air fryer and deliver bold flavors without the extra oil.
Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Chicken
Bright lemon and fragrant garlic combine for a quick, easy, and satisfying chicken recipe that’s ready in about 20 minutes.
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Air Fryer Achari Chicken Tikka
Tangy, smoky, and full of pickled-spice flavour—this tikkas recipe is easy, versatile, and great for gatherings.
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Chatpata Chicken Bites in Air Fryer
Bold, tangy, and slightly spicy—these addictive bites make for an excellent snack or party appetiser.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Crispy on the outside, juicy inside—kid-friendly and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Air Fryer Fried Chicken
This version mimics the crunchy, juicy texture of fried chicken while using less oil. Great with mashed potatoes, salad, or in a sandwich.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tikka
Tandoor-style flavor without a tandoor—ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Crunchy, saucy, and sticky—these skewers pack street-style flavour in a lighter, faster version than takeout.
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Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings
A sweet and spicy marinade keeps these wings juicy and full-flavoured. They’re baked in the air fryer for a healthier twist that’s still delicious.
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Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
Spicy, tangy, and smoky—this tandoori-style chicken uses the air fryer to capture classic flavours with less hassle.
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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Fast, easy, and juicy—these nuggets include a marinade trick that keeps them moist and flavourful.
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Amritsari Fish Fry
A healthier air fryer version of the classic crunchy Amritsari fish fry—fast, flavorful, and close to the deep-fried original.
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2. Air fryer recipes – Vegetarian
Vegetarian dishes shine in the air fryer too. These picks include creamy broccoli kebabs, crunchy potato bites, and more—perfect for meat-free meals or as shareable starters.
Air Fryer Malai Broccoli
Creamy, tangy malai-coated broccoli charred to perfection—an elegant vegetarian kebab that’s great for entertaining.
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Firecracker Crispy Potato
Indo-Chinese flavors in crunchy potato bites—perfect for parties and festive snacks.
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Korean Crispy Lotus Stem
Sweet, sticky, spicy, and extra-crispy lotus stems that transform any meal into something special.
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Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—perfect bite-sized vegetarian starters.
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Crispy Honey Chilli Potatoes
A sticky, sweet-and-spicy Indo-Chinese snack reimagined in the air fryer so it’s healthier but still irresistible.
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Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts – Sweet and Spicy
Crispy, caramelized sprouts with sweet, spicy and garlicky flavours—an addictive side or snack.
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Mains
1. Air fryer recipes – Chicken mains
The air fryer makes satisfying mains quick and reliable. These chicken mains include crunchy katsu bowls, flavourful meatballs, and burgers—great for weeknights and meal prepping.
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Rice Bowl
Crispy, satisfying, and balanced—this katsu rice bowl offers a great mix of texture and flavour in a single bowl.
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Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs in Ginger Broth
Comforting and light, these meatballs pair with a warming ginger broth for a simple, cozy main.
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Nashville Chicken Burger (Air Fryer)
Fiery Nashville spice with a crispy air-fried finish—an excellent burger option that trims the grease without sacrificing taste.
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Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
Sticky, bold, and deeply flavorful—this General Tso’s version works beautifully without a wok and is easy to make at home.
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Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky, spicy, and crisp—this Indo-Chinese dish is easy to recreate in the air fryer and makes a great family favourite.
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Black Pepper Chicken
Fast, fiery, and packed with bold peppery notes—an Indo-Chinese classic made simple in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Spinach Mushroom stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ready in about 30 minutes, these stuffed breasts are a quick, no-fuss dinner full of comforting flavors.
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2. Air fryer recipes – Vegetarian mains
Vegetarian mains benefit from the air fryer’s quick heat and crisp finish—try bean-and-paneer burgers, bang-bang cauliflower, or baked pasta for satisfying plant-based meals.
Air Fryer Rajma Paneer Burger
A wholesome veg burger using rajma and paneer for texture and protein—great for family meals or packed lunches.
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Kung Pao Tofu
Spicy, tangy, and perfectly textured—this tofu recipe is a flavour-packed vegetarian main made simple in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
Crunchy, saucy, and full of flavour—this is an excellent vegetarian alternative to wings and makes a great shared plate.
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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
No-boil, creamy, and comforting—this mac and cheese is whipped up entirely in the air fryer for an easy weeknight meal.
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Air Fryer No Yeast Pizza
Quick, crispy base and melty cheese—this no-yeast pizza is ideal for impromptu meals or feeding guests in a hurry.
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Air Fryer No-Boil Baked Pasta
A one-pot pasta made entirely in the air fryer—saucy, cheesy, and extremely simple to prepare from start to finish.
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Air Fryer Stuffed Baingan
Inspired by Ennai Kathirikai, this stuffed baingan is spicy, tangy, and much easier to make in the air fryer with less oil.
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Sweet and Sour Vegetables over Crispy Noodles
Crunchy vegetables in a sweet-tangy gravy on a bed of crispy noodles—bold flavours and textures in one dish.
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Sides
Sides and small bites are where the air fryer truly shines—perfectly baked rolls, garlic bread, chips, and vegetable sides are all quick and crisp.
Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Pillow-soft, buttery rolls made easily in the air fryer—perfect alongside soups or mains.
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Air Fryer Pizza Garlic Bread
Crispy, cheesy, and quick—this garlic bread is an easy upgrade to any meal or appetizer spread.
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Air Fryer Salt & Pepper Chicken
Achieve takeout-style flavour at home with less oil and great texture using the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Mushroom Chilli
A savoury, spicy mushroom dish that works well as a side or a small meal when paired with rice or noodles.
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Snacks
Air fryer snacks are quick, portable, and often healthier than their fried counterparts—try chips, pakoras, cutlets, and muffins to satisfy cravings without too much effort.
Air Fryer Sabudana Vada
Crispy outside, soft inside—this sabudana vada is an air-fried, healthier version of the traditional snack.
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Air Fryer Paneer Popcorn
Crispy on the outside and soft inside—paneer bites that make a delightful and healthier snack.
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Chicken Curry Rice Balls
A delicious way to use leftover curry and rice—crispy, cheesy rice balls with great flavor and texture.
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Air Fryer Potato Chips
Crispy, light, and made from scratch—these chips are a cleaner, homemade alternative to packaged snacks.
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Air Fryer Veg Pakora
Crispy and crunchy without deep frying—an easy, foolproof snack perfect for tea-time.
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Chinese Bhel
Saucy, crispy, spicy and tangy—an easy, flavour-packed snack for cravings or guests alike.
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Air Fryer Aloo Samosa
Flaky and crisp without excess oil—these samosas are a guilt-reduced tea-time favourite.
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Air Fryer Chicken Cutlet
Crispy, juicy cutlets that make a perfect snack with ketchup, chutney, and tea.
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Air Fryer Boiled Eggs
A mess-free, dependable method for perfect boiled eggs every time—ideal for breakfasts and meal prep.
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Cornflakes Chivda | Trail Mix
Savory, crunchy, and easy to make—this chivda is a great tea-time snack or on-the-go treat.
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Sooji Fries
A wholesome alternative to regular fries—crispy and loved by kids and adults alike.
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Sprouts Cutlet
Crunchy, flavourful, and nutritious—sprouts cutlets are a healthy snack option that’s simple to prepare.
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Corn Spinach Puffs
Cheesy corn and spinach filling in puff pastry—ideal for lunchboxes and snack times.
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Air Fryer Roasted Makhana and Nuts
Makhana roasted to a crunchy snack with nuts—healthy, quick, and perfect for nibbling.
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Green Banana Muffins
A sneaky, nutritious muffin packed with greens and flavour—great for kids and a wholesome snack option.
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Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread
A spicy, cheesy, and garlicky toast that’s an irresistible snack or side dish.
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Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi
Crispy and light, this kurkuri bhindi is an easy, low-oil alternative to deep-fried okra and works well as a snack or side.
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Air Fryer Papdi
Extra-crispy papdis made without excess oil—an addictive snack that’s easy to prepare in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Super crispy sweet potato fries in just 20 minutes using four simple ingredients—better results than a conventional oven in many cases.
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Desserts
Yes—the air fryer does desserts well. From muffins to cakes, you can make moist, tender bakes without firing up the oven.
Air Fryer Strawberry Muffins
Soft, fluffy, and seasonal—these muffins are quick to prepare and bake beautifully in the air fryer.
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One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
A simple, moist chocolate cake made with everyday ingredients—bakes well in the air fryer and stays tender for days.
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Air Fryer Sponge Cake | Eggless Vanilla Cake
A seven-ingredient eggless vanilla sponge that turns out soft and moist in the air fryer—ideal for birthdays or quick treats.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not cook in an air fryer?
Avoid loose batters, very saucy dishes, soups, popcorn, and delicate leafy greens like spinach or kale that can blow around or overcook. The air fryer works best for foods that benefit from circulating hot air and a bit of surface crisping.
Is air frying healthier than baking?
Air frying and baking both allow low-oil cooking. Neither is inherently healthier—both methods can reduce oil use compared to deep frying, and the nutritional differences depend on ingredients and preparation.
What are some common air frying mistakes?
Common errors include overcrowding the basket, using too much wet batter, not preheating when a recipe calls for it, and not shaking or turning food when required. Small adjustments—spacing items, using light oil sprays, and checking early—usually fix these issues.
Whether you crave crispy snacks, hearty chicken dishes, or comforting desserts, this collection offers easy, flavourful air fryer recipes to refresh your meal planning and simplify cooking.
If you try any recipes, feel free to share your photos or tag @my_foodstory on social media to show your results.
