Why turn on the oven when your air fryer can handle it all? These 15 easy air fryer dishes prove that crispy, flavorful meals don’t need extra effort. Whether you’re making snacks, mains, or sides, these recipes come together fast with minimal cleanup. After trying these, you might never go back to using your oven again.
Best Easy Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Cheese curds crisp up perfectly in the air fryer, delivering a golden crunch without the mess of deep frying. This method locks in gooey, melted cheese while keeping the outside crisp in just 15 minutes. The air fryer eliminates the need for excessive oil, making these a quick go-to snack or party favorite. After one batch, you might find yourself skipping traditional frying for good.
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Crispy Ottolenghi's Air Fryer Asparagus
This air-fried asparagus brings out deep flavor and a crispy texture without ever needing to be roasted in the oven. Coated with olive oil and seasonings, it comes together in minutes while keeping its vibrant color and crunch. The air fryer delivers consistent results without the extra heat or waiting time. This dish makes it clear that roasting veggies in the oven might be a thing of the past.
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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
The air fryer gives these Brussels sprouts a crispy edge in half the time of traditional roasting. The balsamic glaze, feta, and pomegranate add layers of flavor that make this an easy side dish for any meal. Quick, simple, and mess-free, the air fryer ensures a consistent golden finish every time. After making this once, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered using the oven.
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Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
This tofu crisps up perfectly in the air fryer, creating a golden crust while staying soft inside. It’s a simple way to prepare a plant-based protein without the extra oil or hassle of stovetop cooking. The air fryer guarantees even browning and a satisfying texture in every bite. This recipe proves that crispy tofu doesn’t need a pan or an oven—just a quick air fry.
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Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
The air fryer locks in moisture and delivers a crisp, golden crust on this lemon-infused salmon in under 15 minutes. With no need for preheating or long baking times, it’s the fastest way to get perfectly cooked fish. The air fryer’s even heat distribution ensures a restaurant-quality texture with minimal effort. After trying this, you’ll forget your oven was ever an option for salmon.
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Pan-Fried Duck Breast Recipe With Berry Apple Compote
The air fryer makes cooking duck breast simple by crisping the skin while keeping the meat juicy. Paired with a rich berry apple compote, this dish feels gourmet without the need for complicated techniques. The air fryer eliminates the guesswork, ensuring a perfectly cooked result every time. Once you try duck in the air fryer, pan-searing might become a thing of the past.
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Mexican Tostones
The air fryer turns tostones into golden, crispy bites without the need for deep frying. These twice-fried plantains are easy to prepare and come out evenly cooked every time. It’s a mess-free way to get the perfect crunch for snacking or pairing with dips. After one batch, you’ll realize your oven isn’t needed for this classic treat.
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Easy Gluten-Free Samosas
Air frying delivers the crisp, flaky texture of traditional samosas while cutting down on oil and cooking time. The evenly cooked chickpea filling makes these a quick and convenient option without the hassle of deep frying. This method keeps the samosas light and crispy while still packing in bold flavors. Once you see how easy the air fryer makes it, baking samosas might feel unnecessary.
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These barbecue chicken drumsticks cook in just 35 minutes, delivering a crispy exterior and juicy inside without using the oven. The air fryer caramelizes the barbecue sauce, locking in flavor while keeping cleanup minimal. Perfect for a weeknight meal or game day snack, they come together with little effort. After this, oven-baked drumsticks won’t be your first choice anymore.
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Fried Marinated Tofu
Marinated tofu cooks to crispy perfection in the air fryer, making it a great addition to salads, bowls, or wraps. Unlike oven roasting, the air fryer delivers a crunchy outside without drying out the center. It’s an easy way to prepare a plant-based protein with minimal mess. Once you start air frying tofu, there’s no going back.
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Crispy Plantain Chips
The air fryer creates evenly crisped plantain chips with just two ingredients and no need for an oven. These chips come out golden and crunchy, making them a great snack or side dish. They require minimal prep and come together in minutes, with easy cleanup afterward. After one batch, the oven will seem unnecessary for making homemade chips.
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Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
The air fryer locks in moisture and crisps up the skin on turkey thighs in less time than traditional roasting. With even cooking and less mess, this method makes preparing a hearty main dish simple. No basting, no oven-watching—just juicy turkey with a crispy finish. Once you try it this way, you might never roast turkey the old-fashioned way again.
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Chicken Nuggets
Air frying makes homemade chicken nuggets quick and crispy with minimal effort. The air fryer ensures even cooking and a crunchy exterior without the need for excess oil. This kid-friendly recipe comes together fast, making it a great weeknight option. Once you see how easy they are, frozen oven-baked nuggets might be a thing of the past.
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Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These shrimp skewers cook in minutes, delivering a charred, smoky flavor without the need for a grill or oven. The air fryer ensures even cooking, keeping the shrimp juicy while adding a crispy finish. It’s a mess-free way to prepare seafood quickly and easily. After making shrimp this way, you won’t think twice about skipping traditional grilling methods.
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Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning
These chicken wings cook up crispy in under 20 minutes, eliminating the need for deep frying or baking. The air fryer delivers perfectly cooked wings with minimal oil and no greasy mess. Tossed in Italian seasoning, they’re full of flavor without the wait. After one bite, you’ll realize the oven is no longer the best method for wings.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning
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