An air fryer is one of the most versatile appliances you can have in the kitchen. It handles everything from quick snacks to complete meals, delivering crispy textures and even cooking while using far less oil than traditional frying. Whether you’re new to air frying or already use one regularly, there’s an impressive range of foods you can prepare with ease.
Popular Foods You Can Cook in an Air Fryer
Air fryers are ideal for everyday cooking, fast meals, and healthier alternatives to fried food. Some of the most popular options include:
- Chicken: Wings, thighs, drumsticks, breasts, schnitzels, and nuggets cook evenly with crisp edges.
- Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, mushrooms, and mixed vegetables roast quickly.
- Potatoes: Chips, wedges, hash browns, and baked potatoes turn golden and fluffy inside.
- Seafood: Salmon, fish fillets, prawns, and calamari stay tender with a light crisp.
- Breaded snacks: Spring rolls, samosas, dumplings, and crumbed bites reheat and cook evenly.
- Frozen foods: Frozen fries, patties, nuggets, and snacks cook faster than in a standard oven.
- Baking: Muffins, brownies, cookies, and banana bread bake well in smaller batches.
Easy Everyday Meals to Make in an Air Fryer
1. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Season with salt, pepper, and spices, then cook at 190°C for around 20 minutes. The result is juicy meat with crisp skin.
2. Roasted Vegetables
Toss vegetables with a small amount of oil and seasoning, then cook for 10–15 minutes for a quick and healthy side.
3. Salmon Fillets
Lightly season and cook for 8–10 minutes. Air fryers keep salmon moist while adding gentle surface browning.
4. Homemade Chips or Wedges
Slice potatoes evenly, coat lightly with oil, and cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway for even crisping.
5. Paneer or Tofu
Marinated paneer or tofu cooks in about 10 minutes and works well for vegetarian and protein-rich meals.
Why Air Fryers Are So Useful
Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food evenly and efficiently. They reduce cooking time, minimise oil use, and create less mess than pan-frying or deep frying. For busy households or smaller kitchens, an air fryer can replace several cooking methods in one compact appliance.
Tips for Better Air Fryer Results
- Shake or turn food halfway through cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket so air can circulate properly.
- Use only a light coating of oil when needed.
- Preheat the air fryer if your recipe calls for it.
- Clean the basket regularly to maintain performance.
Choosing the Right Air Fryer for Everyday Cooking
For reliable results across a wide variety of meals, look for an air fryer with stable temperature control and enough basket space for proper airflow. You can browse air fryers designed for everyday home cooking to compare sizes and features before choosing the right model for your kitchen.
