Let me tell you a little secret: you absolutely can have crispy, golden “fried” food that’s still good for you. My air fryer has completely changed the way I cook, turning out the most incredible vegetarian dishes with barely any oil.
I’ve gathered 22 of my favorite recipes, from snacks to desserts, that are so delicious you’ll forget they’re not actually deep fried. I have a feeling you’re going to fall for your air fryer all over again.
1. Air Fryer Buttered Spinach
Spinach doesn’t always get the star treatment, but the air fryer transforms it into something spectacular. Cooked with generous amounts of butter, these leaves become creamy, dreamy, and absolutely packed with flavor. It’s the most delicious way to eat your greens, hands down.
2. Air Fryer Fried Cauliflower
Smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne deliver a bold, smoky kick that takes air fryer cauliflower to the next level. The florets turn out incredibly crispy and crunchy, with so many layers of flavor and texture.
Dunk them in a creamy dip, or pile them into a bowl and munch on them like popcorn. They’re that snackable.
3. Air Fryer Toast
Remember regular old toasters? They’re kind of a thing of the past now that air fryers are on the scene.
I was amazed to discover that my little countertop convection oven can turn bread perfectly golden and crunchy in no time. Breakfast just got a whole lot easier, and I’m here for it.
4. Air Fryer Eggplant
Any vegetarians at your table are going to absolutely love this easy eggplant dish. It’s low carb, gluten free, and packed with garlicky goodness in every tender bite. The chunks come out of the air fryer perfectly cooked, ready to enjoy as is or tossed into a fresh salad.
5. Crispy Chickpeas
When I need a savory, crunchy snack, protein packed chickpeas are my go to instead of nuts. Just toss them with a little oil and your favorite seasonings, then let the air fryer work its magic. In about 20 minutes, those soft little legumes turn into crunchy, golden bites of pure joy.
6. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is peak summer eating, but firing up the grill on a blazing hot day isn’t always fun. That’s where the air fryer swoops in to save dinner.
A quick spritz of oil, a sprinkle of seasoning, and into the basket they go. You’ll get tender, juicy ears bursting with flavor.
7. Air Fryer Shortbread
Believe it or not, your air fryer can turn out beautiful baked goods. This recipe whips up buttery, crumbly shortbread cookies in a mere 10 minutes.
Package them up as a sweet homemade gift for the holidays, or keep the whole batch all to yourself. I won’t judge.
8. Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy tofu is my weeknight superhero: fast, easy, and loaded with plant based protein. Garlic, onion, and paprika team up to give each golden chunk a seriously enticing, spicy flavor. Toss them into a bowl of saucy noodles or serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and dinner is done.
9. Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are little orange powerhouses loaded with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, so adding more to your meals is always a smart move. This recipe turns them into something irresistible: fries that are crispy and golden on the outside and soft and squishy on the inside. That’s exactly what every sweet potato dreams of becoming.
10. Air Fryer Baked Potato
A classic baked potato is the coziest, easiest dinner, but waiting an hour for the oven is not my idea of a good time. Toss them into the air fryer instead and you get tender, fluffy insides in way less time.
The real star is the skin: it becomes chewy, crispy, salty, and ridiculously good. You’ll want to eat every last bite.
11. Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
For the absolute best Brussels sprouts of your life, you only need three things: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and your trusty air fryer. They come out gorgeously golden and delicious every single time.
Little insider tip? Pick sprouts that are all roughly the same size so they cook up evenly and perfectly.
12. Air Fryer Potato Chips
Have you ever flipped over a bag of potato chips and read the ingredient list? Yeah, no thanks.
Homemade chips in the air fryer skip all those weird additives and preservatives, leaving you with pure crunch. These are so incredibly crispy and good, they’ll totally blow your mind and your tastebuds.
13. Air Fryer Blooming Onion
A blooming onion is pure edible art: a whole onion cut into dramatic petals, coated in batter, and fried until golden. It’s as showstopping as it is delicious.
This air fryer version gives you all that wow factor without derailing your healthy eating goals. Better yet, it’s easy to adapt for gluten free and low carb friends.
14. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
All you need is a light drizzle of olive oil and about 20 minutes in the air fryer to turn humble butternut squash into something stunning. The air fryer coaxes out every bit of its nutty, sweet softness, making it taste like it slow roasted for hours. This fall side absolutely deserves a spot on your holiday table.
15. Air Fryer Apple Fries
Almost any apple will work here, but super crisp varieties deliver the very best taste and texture. Forget mushy fruit: these wedges stay wonderfully crispy and sweet. Dip them in a luscious caramel sauce and you’ve got a treat that feels totally indulgent.
16. Air Fryer Grilled Peaches
Ripe, juicy peaches meet the air fryer and the result is pure, peachy perfection. The quick “grilling” coaxes out the fruit’s most intense sweetness and adds gorgeous caramel undertones. Pile them over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or just grab a fork and enjoy them straight from the basket.
17. Air Fryer Carrots
These air fryer carrots come at you three different ways, and every single one is crazy delicious. Need savory?
Go for the garlic and herb version. Want a little heat?
Cumin and paprika bring the fire. And when a sweet snack is calling your name, the coconut sugar and maple syrup variation is pure magic.
18. Air Fryer Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas are a beloved Spanish tapas dish with crispy potatoes, a bold, spicy kick, and a rich tomato sauce. This foolproof recipe brings that Mediterranean magic straight to your kitchen.
Seasoned potato wedges get perfectly crispy in the air fryer, then you spoon over a chunky homemade tomato sauce. It’s so simple and so satisfying.
19. Air Fryer French Fries
I’ll be honest, the whole reason I bought my air fryer was French fries. Just thinking about crispy, golden, shoestring fries makes me so happy.
Now I can have them every single night. You can get in on that crispy joy too with this easy recipe that delivers restaurant quality fries.
20. Air Fryer Churros
Making churros from scratch can feel a little scary, but this recipe is completely hassle free. The sweet dough puffs up light and fluffy on the inside while getting wonderfully crunchy on the outside. A generous dusting of cinnamon sugar and a creamy dulce de leche sauce turn these into pure dessert bliss.
21. Air Fryer Garlic Chips
I know raw garlic can be a bit much for some folks, but these crunchy air fryer garlic chips are a total revelation. They’re crazy versatile, so I always keep a little stash on hand. Crush them over roasted veggies, stir them into pastas, or sprinkle them onto salads for an instant pop of savory flavor.
22. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Got leftover cauliflower? This vegan recipe turns it into something irresistible.
Coat the florets in a thick, spicy batter, then let them crisp up in the air fryer. The result is tangy, crunchy, and so addictive you’ll forget all about buffalo chicken wings. Honestly, I think they’re even better.