These are the 23 best air fryer recipes to make right now, from juicy chicken and glazed salmon to crispy snacks and creamy cheesecake. Each one proves your air fryer can do far more than reheat leftovers.
Whether you’re brand new to air frying or you use yours every night, you’ll find easy weeknight dinners, crowd-pleasing sides, and desserts that skip the oven entirely.
Easy Air Fryer Dinners
1. Air Fryer Butterflied Chicken Breast
Slicing the chicken breast in half horizontally helps it cook fast and evenly, so it stays juicy with a golden, lightly crisp outside. Serve it sliced over a salad or with your favorite sides.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butterflied Chicken Breast
2. Split Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Bone-in, skin-on chicken comes out with crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. The same method works for chicken leg quarters.
Get the Recipe: Split Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
3. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Forgot to thaw dinner? Cook chicken breasts straight from the freezer with just a few simple ingredients and very little prep.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
4. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Salmon
A buttery, sweet glaze gets brushed over salmon as it cooks at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes. It tastes just like the steakhouse version.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Salmon
5. Air Fryer Bourbon Glazed Salmon
A bourbon glaze caramelizes over flaky, tender salmon. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and special enough for company.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bourbon Glazed Salmon
6. Air Fryer Breaded Salmon
A golden, crunchy crust covers tender, flaky salmon, and the whole thing is done in about 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breaded Salmon
7. Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
Crisp-edged salmon goes over rice or quinoa with fresh veggies, avocado, and a quick sauce. Dinner is ready in 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
8. Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
These chops go straight from the freezer to the basket and come out juicy and tender in about 30 minutes. They work with bone-in or boneless chops.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
9. Pork Roast in the Air Fryer
A seasoned pork roast comes out crispy outside and juicy inside. It’s an easy Sunday dinner without heating up the big oven.
Get the Recipe: Pork Roast in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Sides and Snacks
10. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Knots
Pizza dough tied into knots and dipped in garlic butter bakes up golden with a cheesy top in about 10 minutes. Serve them with pasta or marinara for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Knots
11. Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
The famous warm, buttery cheddar biscuits come out of the air fryer tasting just like the restaurant’s.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
12. Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes turn crisp at the edges and tender in the middle. It’s a pretty side that looks like far more work than it is.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
13. Air Fryer Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy fries get tossed in butter, cinnamon, and sugar as soon as they come out of the basket.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
14. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Nachos
Sweet potato waffle fries replace chips for a sweet-and-savory nacho platter. Load them with cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Nachos
15. Air Fryer Ultimate Potato Chip Nachos
Potato chips piled with melted cheese, jalapeños, and bacon make a fast, salty snack for game day.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ultimate Potato Chip Nachos
16. Air Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Scoops of mac and cheese get breaded in panko and air fried until crunchy outside and creamy inside.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
17. Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites
Melty brie and cranberry sauce in crispy wonton cups make an elegant party appetizer with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites
18. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet dates, a creamy cheese filling, and smoky bacon make an irresistible three-ingredient bite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
19. Air Fryer Ranch Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Puff pastry rolled with ham, cheddar, and ranch bakes into flaky spirals that kids and adults both love.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ranch Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
20. Air Fryer Maple Cinnamon Cashews
Maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt turn plain cashews into a sweet, crunchy snack in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Maple Cinnamon Cashews
Air Fryer Desserts
21. Air Fryer Cherry Cheesecake
A smooth, creamy cheesecake gets topped with sweet cherry filling, no oven or water bath needed. Start checking it at 18 minutes, since air fryers vary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cherry Cheesecake
22. Air Fryer Cheesecake Bars
These bite-sized bars have a golden crust and a smooth filling. Top them with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or chocolate chips.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesecake Bars
23. Air Fryer 5-Minute Chocolate Croissants
Flaky, buttery croissants with a melty chocolate center are ready in about 5 minutes. They work as dessert or a sweet breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Croissants
Tips for Better Air Fryer Results
Preheat first. A 3 to 5 minute preheat gives you crispier edges and more accurate cook times.
Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in a single layer and work in batches so hot air can reach every side.
Check early. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so check your food a couple of minutes before the timer goes off.
Use a thermometer for meat. Chicken is done at 165°F, and pork and salmon are done at 145°F.
Line with parchment for sticky foods. Glazed salmon and cheesy snacks release easily and cleanup is faster.
Air Fryer Recipe FAQs
What is the best thing to cook in an air fryer? Chicken, salmon, potatoes, and anything breaded or crispy are the biggest wins, because the circulating hot air browns them fast with very little oil.
Can I cook frozen food in the air fryer? Yes. Frozen chicken breasts and frozen pork chops cook straight from the freezer with no thawing.
Can I bake desserts in an air fryer? Absolutely. Cheesecake, cheesecake bars, and croissants all bake beautifully, and you never have to turn on the oven.
Start Cooking
These 23 best air fryer recipes cover dinner, snacks, and dessert, so you’ll never run out of ideas. Pin this list to save it, and tell me in the comments which recipe you’re making first.
