Beginner Air Fryer Recipes

Air fryers are a total game changer in the kitchen, especially when you’re just getting started. They make it easy to whip up crispy, juicy, and perfectly cooked food without the mess or fuss of deep-frying.

Whether you're cooking up meat, seafood, frozen foods, or veggies, these easy air fryer recipes are the best way to learn the basics. With these simple recipes and minimal prep, you’ll be making crowd-pleasing meals in no time.

1. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This bacon wrapped pork tenderloin turns out juicy and flavorful with a perfectly crispy bacon coating. It’s a quick and easy air fryer dinner that always feels a little special.

You can follow my pork tenderloin internal temperatures guide to ensure your pork roast is cooked to perfection.

2. Air Fryer Baby Back Pork Ribs

These baby back ribs come out tender and packed with flavor using just your air fryer and your favorite BBQ sauce. It's one of my all-time favorite rib recipes, no grill or smoker needed.

See what to serve with pork ribs for my top side dish suggestions.

3. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs have perfectly crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat inside with just a few simple seasonings. It’s an easy recipe for beginners that works with bone-in or boneless thighs.

4. Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Lamb chops are so quick and easy in the air fryer and turn out perfectly seared and full of flavor. They're great for a weeknight dinner that feels restaurant-worthy.

5. Air Fryer Brats

Bratwurst cooks fast in the air fryer and always comes out juicy with a golden brown char. Just toss them in the air fryer basket for a few minutes and serve them in buns for a fuss-free meal.

6. Air Fryer Tilapia

Tilapia cooks up light, flaky, and tender in the air fryer with only 4 ingredients. Serve it with veggies and rice for a healthy seafood dinner you can make in a flash.

7. Air Fryer Shrimp

Air fryer shrimp are quick, juicy, and perfectly tender with just a little oil, salt, and a garnish of fresh lemon. They’re ready in minutes and great for snacking, serving as the main dish, or tossing into your favorite salad. 

8. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

These frozen chicken wings cook straight from the freezer and turn out crispy and golden. It’s the easiest way to make game day wings without the mess.

Try it with your favorite sauces & marinades for chicken wings. For dipping sauce, I usually opt for homemade ranch dressing or my homemade blue cheese dressing.

9. Air Fryer Chicken Legs

These air fryer chicken legs come out crispy on the outside and fall-off-the-bone tender on the inside. They're an easy, flavorful dinner that's become a go-to family favorite in my house.

10. Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

These Lil' Smokies air fryer pigs in a blanket are buttery, golden, and ready in just 20 minutes. They're the perfect easy appetizer or snack for parties, potlucks, and family get-togethers.

11. Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air fryer hot dogs come out perfectly toasted with that just-grilled taste. Add your favorite hot dog toppings and you've got a quick meal everyone will love.

12. Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

Frozen meatballs cook up tender and hot in the air fryer with no defrosting needed. Serve them with spaghetti, in sandwiches, or skewered with a toothpick as an easy appetizer.

13. Air Fryer Steak

This air fryer steak is quick, easy, and always comes out perfectly cooked with minimal effort. My method workds for ribeyes, sirloins, New York strips, you name it.

14. Air Fyer Salmon

Air-fryer salmon is an easy way to cook perfectly flaky, tender salmon fillets in no time. It’s a quick, healthy dinner that always turns out full of flavor with barely any cleanup.

15. Air Fryer Frozen Pizza

Air fryer frozen pizza gets a crisp crust and melted cheese in way less time than the oven (and with way better texture than the microwave). It's the best way to heat up personal-sized pizzas for lunch or dinner.

16. Air Fryer Bacon

Bacon cooks up crisp and evenly in the air fryer with no greasy splatter to clean up. Just be sure to drain the grease from the basket between batches.

17. Air Fryer Texas Toast

Thick slices of Texas toast get golden and buttery in minutes using the air fryer. Great with pasta dinners like spaghetti bolognese or any time you need a quick and crispy side of bread.

18. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

These air fryer brussels sprouts turn out crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned every time. Customize them with butter, mix-ins, or your favorite flavors for a veggie side dish you’ll actually crave.

19. Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Baby potatoes roast up golden, crispy, and tender in the air fryer with just a little oil and seasoning. These small spuds are an easy side dish that goes with absolutely everything.

20. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob cooks up sweet and juicy in the air fryer with no boiling required. Add butter and seasoning and it’s ready to serve in minutes.

21. Air Fryer Garlic Bread

This air fryer garlic bread is crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and packed with buttery garlic and Parmesan cheese flavor. It comes together fast with simple ingredients and makes the perfect side for any meal.

22. Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This air fryer chicken breast is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor thanks to my simple dry brine and a little salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. It’s an easy way to make a protein-packed main course.

23. Air Fryer French Fries

These air fryer French fries (aka 'chips' depending on what part of the world you are from) are crispy, golden, and so easy to make with fresh or frozen potatoes. It’s a healthier way to enjoy a classic side dish that everyone loves.

24. Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Your hard-boiled eggs for deviled eggs and egg salad have never been easier than when you pop them into your handy air fryer. I love how easy they are to make on demand whenever I want them!

25. Air Fryer Baked Potato

One of my favorite staple side dishes is a satisfying baked potato. My easy air fried baked potatoes are no exception. The fluffy insides are pure perfection!

💭 Tips For Getting The Best Results with Your Air Fryer

1. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air fryers need good airflow to cook food evenly, so avoid packing the basket too full. Cook in single-layer batches with at least an inch of space between each food item for the best crisp and texture.
2. Shake or flip halfway through. For even browning and crisp results, shake smaller items or flip larger pieces halfway through the cooking time.
3. Preheat your air fryer. Like an oven, preheating for 2–3 minutes helps your food cook evenly and speeds up the process.
4. Lightly coat food with oil. A small spray or brush of oil helps create a golden, crispy finish without making food greasy. Avoid aerosol sprays to protect the non-stick coating on your basket.
5. Use a meat thermometer. Air fryers cook quickly, so check the internal temperature to ensure meats are cooked safely and stay juicy. This is especially important for larger cuts of meat.

I hope these easy air fryer recipes inspire you to try something new and delicious. Let me know which one you’re making first or share your favorites in the comments!

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