The air fryer has quickly become one of the most popular kitchen machines thanks to its ability to cook food faster, healthier, and with less oil. From crispy French fries and juicy chicken wings to tender salmon, tofu, and indeed baked treats, the air fryer conveys delightful comes about with negligible exertion.
Whether you’re cooking snacks, fundamental dishes, or speedy treats, numerous foods really taste better when prepared in an air fryer compared to traditional methods. This guide explores the best foods to cook in an air fryer and why they turn out so perfectly every time.
Best Foods to Make in an Air Fryer
Air fryers make it easy to prepare a wide variety of delicious foods with less oil and less effort. From crispy snacks to juicy mains, they deliver fast, healthy, and consistently tasty results every time.
Air fryer magic
The air fryer is here to stay. Not only is it the hottest kitchen gadget around, but it's also quick, easy and economical to use – and some foods actually taste better when cooked in an air fryer than any other way. To help you get the most from your machine, we put together the ultimate collection of foods that are much tastier cooked in an air fryer, including French fries, chicken, corn, and so much more.
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French fries
There's a reason why everyone raves about air-fried fries. Why would you resort to deep-fat frying – with all the associated smells and mess – when you can make crisp, golden fries in an air fryer with very little oil? Even if you don't want to make your own fries from scratch, frozen ones are perfect for heating up in an air fryer, especially if you're cooking for one or two people.
Stuffed mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are the perfect starter or side dish that you can (with the help of an air fryer) put together in minutes. Using this handy appliance, you don't have to wait around for the oven or grill to heat up – and you don't need to worry about making a hot, cheesy mess. Simply place a liner at the bottom of your air fryer basket to catch any melted cheese, so you can focus on the rest of your meal without any hassle. Our recipe will give you four delicious stuffed Portobello mushrooms.
Salmon
Heat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F); this step is vital if you want that all-important crispy skin. The salmon fillets should be patted dry with kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as can be, then they should be rubbed all over with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. The fillets should be placed skin-side down on the liner-covered base of the air fryer basket and cooked for 10 minutes. The internal temperature of the salmon should be 50°C (125°F).
Cookies
If you're craving a fresh cookie but don’t want to bake a whole batch in the oven, your air fryer is the perfect solution. Simply line it with parchment paper and get ready for cookie heaven. Fresh dough works best, but for a time-saving hack, freeze pre-portioned dough and bake straight from frozen. Just pop one (or two) into the air fryer (add an extra minute to the cooking time if cooking from frozen) for a perfectly warm, gooey treat.
Tofu
Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Take the tofu out of the marinade, then toss it in corn flour seasoned with plenty of sea salt and black pepper. You can either put the tofu straight into the air fryer in a single layer or thread it onto skewers, which will make turning it easier. Spray the tofu with cooking oil, then cook it for 15 minutes, turning halfway through. When it's ready, scatter over some chopped spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve your tofu with a chilli sauce dip.
Chicken wings
Air-fried chicken wings are the best – tender and juicy on the inside and so crispy on the outside you'd think they'd been fried the traditional way. What's more, they cook surprisingly quickly in an air fryer. Adding a little bicarbonate of soda to your dry rub will help to make your wings even crispier, and for even more flavour, try brushing them with your favourite glaze halfway through cooking. To help save on washing up, put a liner at the bottom of the basket to catch the fat as the wings cook.
Pork belly
One huge advantage of cooking pork belly in an air fryer is that you don't have to clean a large oven afterwards – but that's not all. Air frying your pork results in perfect crackling and tender, fall-apart meat. Plus, whether you roll your pork belly joint or keep it flat, it takes less time to cook in an air fryer, saving on energy bills. A piece weighing between 2.25-3lb (1-1.4kg) fits into most air fryers. Whether you stuff it with herbs or just roast it with sea salt, you need to leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight. This makes the skin dry out, leading to super-crispy crackling.
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Sausages
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit six to eight sausages inside. The method is the same for all sausages, whether you cook chorizo or simple bangers from a packet. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF) and cook your sausages for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through (spray the basket with a little oil beforehand to prevent sticking). Add another five minutes if you like crispier skin.
FAQs
1. What foods are best cooked in an air fryer?
Foods like French fries, chicken wings, salmon, tofu, sausages, and stuffed mushrooms cook especially well in an air fryer.
2. Can I cook frozen food in an air fryer?
Yes, frozen foods like fries, nuggets, and vegetables cook very well and often turn out crispier than oven baking.
3. Is air fryer food healthier?
Air fryer meals typically use much less oil than deep frying, making them lower in fat and calories.
4. Do air fryers make food crispy?
Yes, the hot circulating air creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside delicate and juicy.
5. Can you bake desserts in an air fryer?
Absolutely. Cookies, brownies, and little cakes can be easily baked in an air fryer in small batches.
