What to cook in the air fryer? Start with foods that crisp on the outside and stay juicy inside, then match size and timing to your basket.
An air fryer can handle way more than fries. It can turn out chicken, roast vegetables, toast tacos, warm leftovers, and even bake treats. The trick is choosing foods that like moving hot air and giving them space. If you’ve ever pulled out pale nuggets or dried-out fish, it usually came down to crowding, uneven sizing, or a temperature mismatch.
This guide answers what to cook in the air fryer and shows the small moves that make each category turn out right. You’ll get a big idea table early, then meal picks and a timing table.
Things To Cook In The Air Fryer With Less Fuss
| Food Type | Great Choices | Why They Shine In An Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | Thighs, wings, tenders, drumsticks | Fat and skin brown well, plus cook times are forgiving |
| Pork | Pork chops, tenderloin medallions, sausages | Quick sear-like browning with a juicy center |
| Fish And Seafood | Salmon portions, shrimp, breaded fish | Fast cook helps keep flakes tender and coatings crisp |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, carrots | Dry heat boosts browning without soggy steaming |
| Frozen Favorites | Nuggets, fries, tots, mozzarella sticks | Already par-cooked; air flow re-crisps quickly |
| Sandwiches And Wraps | Quesadillas, grilled cheese, burritos | Toasts the outside while warming the middle |
| Baked Bites | Biscuits, cookies, hand pies, muffins | Small portions bake fast with less heat-up time |
| Reheat Jobs | Pizza slices, fried chicken, roasted veg | Brings back crunch better than a microwave |
What To Cook In The Air Fryer? Meal Ideas By Time Of Day
Breakfast That Feels Like You Planned Ahead
If mornings are a scramble, the air fryer can still pull off a solid start. Think items that like a dry, hot blast and don’t need stirring each minute.
- Egg bites: Pour beaten eggs into silicone cups, add diced ham or spinach, then cook until set.
- Bacon: Lay strips in a single layer; flip once for even browning.
- Breakfast potatoes: Small cubes crisp fast; rinse and dry well so they brown, not steam.
- Toasted bagel halves: Add a swipe of butter after toasting so it melts, not burns.
Small tip: keep pieces close in size so they finish together.
Lunch That Beats Another Desk Sandwich
Lunch is where an air fryer earns its counter space. It heats fillings while crisping bread, so it feels fresh without a stovetop.
- Chicken tender wraps: Cook tenders, slice, then warm the wrap for a minute so it bends without tearing.
- Crispy chickpeas: Drain, pat dry, toss with oil and spices, then cook until crunchy.
- Mini personal pizzas: Use naan or pita; add toppings lightly so the crust stays crisp.
- Stuffed peppers halves: Pre-cook filling, then air fry to brown the tops.
Dinner Staples That Don’t Taste Like Shortcuts
Dinner in the air fryer works best when you treat the basket like a small convection oven. Give food breathing room, turn pieces once, and use a thermometer for proteins.
Food safety matters with meat and poultry. Use the safe internal temperature chart from USDA FSIS safe temperature chart when you’re checking doneness.
- Chicken thighs: Skin-on thighs crisp nicely; pat dry and season well.
- Salmon: Brush with oil, add a spice rub, and cook until flakes separate with gentle pressure.
- Pork chops: Choose chops with some thickness so the center stays juicy.
- Roasted vegetables: Broccoli and Brussels sprouts brown best when cut into bite-size pieces.
Choosing Foods That Turn Out Crisp, Not Dry
If you want to stop guessing what to cook in the air fryer, use three quick checks: surface moisture, thickness, and sugar level. Wet foods can still work, but they need extra drying or a coating. Thick foods need a lower temp for longer, so the middle cooks before the outside gets too dark. Sugary sauces brown fast, so save them for the last few minutes.
Air Flow Is The Hidden Ingredient
An air fryer is a small fan oven. If food is stacked, the hot air can’t hit the surface, and you’ll get soft patches. Cook in a single layer when you can. If you must stack, shake or flip more than once.
Oil Helps Browning When Used Lightly
You don’t need much oil, yet a light coat helps spices stick and boosts color. Use a brush or a quick spray, then season. For breaded items, a mist of oil helps the coating go golden instead of dusty.
Seasoning Timing Changes The Result
Salt early for meat so it can sink in. For vegetables, salt can pull water to the surface, so don’t leave them sitting too long after salting. For sweet glazes like honey garlic, add at the end so it doesn’t scorch.
Protein Picks That Cook Fast And Stay Juicy
Chicken: From Weeknight To Party Tray
Chicken is a top answer to what to cook in the air fryer because it browns fast and takes on many seasonings. Thighs and drumsticks give you more margin than breasts. If you cook breast, slice it into cutlets so it stays tender.
- Wings: Pat dry, cook, toss in sauce, then cook a short second round to set the glaze.
- Tenders: Marinate in buttermilk, then bread. Keep pieces the same size so they finish together.
- Thighs: Score the skin lightly so fat renders, then cook until the skin crackles.
Pork: Crisp Edges Without A Skillet
Pork chops and sausages do well in the air fryer when you avoid thin, lean cuts. Choose chops with some marbling. Rest cooked pork for a few minutes so juices settle back in.
Fish And Shrimp: Fast Cooking With Clean Flavor
Fish can go from perfect to dry fast, so keep a close eye. Salmon, cod, and breaded fillets are good starters. Shrimp cooks in a flash; toss it in oil and seasoning and pull it as soon as it turns opaque.
Plant Proteins That Get Crunch
Tofu, tempeh, and chickpeas can get that snacky crunch the oven sometimes misses. Press tofu well, cut into cubes, then toss with cornstarch and seasoning. Air fry until the edges firm up, then dip in your sauce.
Vegetables And Sides That Taste Roasted
Vegetables love an air fryer when they’re dry and cut evenly. A quick rinse is fine, but dry them well. Too much moisture turns the basket into a steamer. Use enough oil to coat, then spread in a single layer.
- Broccoli: Florets plus sliced stems cook evenly and brown at the tips.
- Brussels sprouts: Halve them, toss with oil, then cook cut-side down part of the time for deeper browning.
- Green beans: They blister nicely with a bit of oil and garlic.
- Carrots: Cut on a bias for more surface area and sweeter edges.
Finish with lemon zest, grated parmesan, or chili flakes after cooking.
Frozen Foods That Come Out Like Takeout
Frozen snacks are built for hot circulating air. Most are par-cooked, so you’re reheating and crisping. Skip extra oil unless the package calls for it. Shake once or twice for even heat.
- Fries and tots: Don’t pack the basket; cook in batches for better crunch.
- Nuggets: A quick flip halfway helps even browning.
- Mozzarella sticks: Keep them cold until they go in so cheese doesn’t leak early.
Reheating Leftovers Without Sad Texture
Still wondering what to cook in the air fryer? Reheating is a sneaky win. It brings back crisp edges on pizza, fries, and fried chicken. Put leftovers in a single layer, start at a moderate temp, then raise heat at the end.
For safe reheating, use a thermometer and follow info on using food thermometers from USDA FSIS food thermometers. It’s a quick read that helps you avoid underheating.
Cook Times And Temps You Can Start With
Air fryers vary by basket size, wattage, and how full they are. Treat the chart below as a starting point. Check early the first time you cook an item, then adjust. After that, it’s easy.
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken wings | 200°C | 18–24 min |
| Chicken thighs | 190°C | 18–22 min |
| Salmon portion | 190°C | 8–12 min |
| Shrimp | 190°C | 6–9 min |
| Pork chops | 190°C | 10–14 min |
| Broccoli florets | 190°C | 8–11 min |
| Fries, frozen | 200°C | 12–18 min |
| Reheat pizza slice | 175°C | 3–6 min |
Breading, Batter, And Coatings That Stay Put
Air fryers love dry coatings. Wet batter can drip, smoke, and glue itself to the basket. If you want a crunchy outside, go for a breadcrumb or crushed-cereal coating, or use a light cornstarch dusting.
Here’s a simple coating flow: pat the food dry, dip in seasoned flour, dip in egg, then press into crumbs. Chill breaded pieces for ten minutes so the coating sets. Then cook. That short rest can save you from bald spots.
Small-Batch Baking And Desserts
Yes, you can bake in an air fryer. It’s best for small items that fit the basket. Use ramekins, silicone cups, or a small pan that leaves space around the sides.
- Cookies: Use a small scoop so they cook through before the bottoms darken.
- Brownie bites: Ramekins work well; check with a toothpick.
- Hand pies: Keep filling thick so it doesn’t leak and burn.
Simple Planning That Keeps Dinner Easy
Planning for the air fryer means faster meals with less cleanup. Keep a short list of go-to items and rotate flavors. Buy proteins you already like, then switch seasonings: lemon pepper, chili lime, garlic herb, or a smoky barbecue rub.
Batch prep helps too. Cut vegetables ahead, store them dry, and cook them right before eating. Par-cook chicken or tofu, then finish it in the air fryer later to crisp the outside.
Cleaning Moves That Prevent Off Flavors
Food tastes better when yesterday’s grease isn’t hanging around. After cooking, let the basket cool a bit, then wash with warm soapy water. For stuck-on bits, soak the basket and use a soft brush. Skip metal tools that can scratch coatings.
If your air fryer smells smoky, check the drip tray area for fat build-up. Wipe it down, and keep sugary sauces from dripping by using foil under a rack.
Your Next Cook List
If you want a quick plan for what to cook in the air fryer this week, pick one protein, one vegetable, one frozen item, and one reheat job. That mix handles busy nights and snack cravings. Start with chicken thighs, broccoli, frozen fries, and leftover pizza. Once those feel easy, add salmon, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, and a small-batch cookie tray.
Write down the temp and time that worked in your kitchen. Your notes beat guesswork.