The air fryer isn’t just a shortcut—it’s a game-changer. These 15 air fryer hacks make cooking faster, cleaner, and so effortless that using an oven will feel unnecessary. From crispy snacks to full meals, these recipes prove that big flavor doesn’t require long cook times or complicated steps. After trying these, you might wonder why you ever waited for an oven to preheat.
Crispy Ottolenghi's Air Fryer Asparagus
Air frying asparagus keeps things quick while delivering crisp texture and bold flavor. A simple toss with oil and seasoning is all it takes before the air fryer takes over. No waiting for an oven to preheat or worrying about uneven roasting. Once you try this, using the oven for asparagus will feel like too much effort.
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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
The air fryer gives Brussels sprouts a crisp finish in half the time of roasting. No need for excessive oil or turning them constantly—the air fryer does all the work. Tossed with balsamic, feta, and pomegranate, this dish packs bold flavors with minimal effort. Once you see how fast and simple this is, roasting might start feeling outdated.
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Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
The air fryer makes restaurant-quality salmon in under 15 minutes without pan-searing or baking. It cooks evenly, keeping the inside flaky while creating a crisp, golden crust. No preheating, no oil splatters—just a fast and mess-free way to prepare seafood. After this, the oven might become your last choice for cooking fish.
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Mexican Tostones
Tostones get perfectly crispy in the air fryer without the mess of deep frying. The double-fry technique is done in minutes, making this an easy snack or side. No standing over hot oil—just toss them in, let the air fryer do the work, and enjoy. Once you make them this way, frying plantains the old way won’t make sense anymore.
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Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Achieving crispy tofu is effortless when the air fryer handles everything. No pressing, no standing over a pan—just golden, crunchy bites in minutes. The even heat creates the perfect texture without extra oil or effort. After trying this, pan-frying tofu will feel unnecessary.
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Best Easy Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Cheese curds turn crispy on the outside and melty on the inside in just 15 minutes. The air fryer eliminates the need for excessive oil, keeping the process quick and simple. No deep fryer, no greasy mess—just golden bites of cheese. After one batch, frying cheese curds any other way will seem unnecessary.
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Fried Marinated Tofu
This marinated tofu crisps up perfectly in the air fryer, making it an easy addition to any meal. No flipping, no worrying about uneven cooking—the air fryer locks in flavors while creating a crisp finish. It’s a hands-off method that delivers big results. After trying this, pan-frying tofu will feel like extra work.
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Crispy Plantain Chips
These air-fried plantain chips are golden, crunchy, and completely mess-free. No need for deep frying or oven baking—just a quick cook time and easy cleanup. They crisp up perfectly with only two ingredients, making them an effortless snack. After making these, bagged chips won’t feel worth it anymore.
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Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Cooking turkey thighs doesn’t have to be complicated when the air fryer takes care of the hard work. It locks in moisture while crisping the skin, all without constant monitoring. No basting, no long roasting times—just juicy turkey with a golden finish in less time. After this, waiting hours for a roasted turkey will feel unnecessary.
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Juicy barbecue chicken drumsticks come out crispy and caramelized in just 35 minutes, no oven required. The air fryer locks in flavor while keeping cleanup minimal, making it an easy choice for busy nights. With perfectly cooked meat and crispy skin, there’s no need for constant flipping or basting. Once you make them this way, traditional oven-baking will feel like a hassle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken Nuggets
The air fryer makes homemade chicken nuggets quick, crispy, and hassle-free. No need for messy breading stations or deep frying—just coat, cook, and enjoy. The air fryer delivers the perfect crunch without excessive oil or effort. After this, frozen oven-baked nuggets won’t be your first choice anymore.
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Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These shrimp skewers cook in minutes, giving you a charred, crispy finish without needing a grill. The air fryer ensures even cooking, keeping the shrimp juicy while adding a crisp texture. It’s a mess-free way to prepare seafood fast. After making shrimp this way, grilling might feel like too much work.
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Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings
These bacon-wrapped onion rings come out crispy and packed with bold flavor—all without the mess of deep frying. The air fryer ensures the bacon crisps up evenly while keeping the onions tender. No batter, no greasy cleanup—just crispy, flavorful onion rings in minutes. Once you make these, frying them the old way won’t make sense anymore.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings
Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza
Flatbread pizza cooks up crispy and evenly in the air fryer without heating up the whole kitchen. The air fryer skips long preheating times, making pizza night faster and easier. With a crispy crust and melty toppings, this method keeps things simple. After this, waiting on a conventional oven will feel like a waste of time.
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Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning
These chicken wings turn crispy in under 20 minutes, skipping the need for deep frying or baking. The air fryer guarantees even cooking with minimal oil and no greasy mess. Tossed in Italian seasoning, they’re packed with bold flavor without extra effort. After trying these, waiting for oven-baked wings won’t feel worth it.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning
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