If there is one kitchen appliance that can make busy family life a little easier, it has to be the air fryer.

Whether you are trying to get dinner on the table after a long day, looking for a quick weekend lunch, or simply want something crispy without heating up the whole kitchen, an air fryer can be incredibly useful.

And it is so much more versatile than fries and chicken nuggets.

You can make juicy chicken, crispy potatoes, roasted vegetables, salmon, burgers, breakfast, snacks and even sweet treats in an air fryer. The circulating hot air helps food cook quickly while creating those deliciously crisp edges we all love.

So, if your air fryer has been sitting on the kitchen counter and you have run out of ideas, this list is for you.

I have collected 25 easy air fryer recipes from different food blogs, with ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, snacks and a few fun treats. Simply click through to the original recipe for the full ingredients and instructions.

Why Air Fryer Recipes Are So Handy for Busy Families

The biggest reason I love the idea of air fryer cooking is simple: less fuss.

An air fryer heats up quickly, cooks food with circulating hot air and usually requires very little oil. That makes it especially convenient when you don’t want to turn on the oven for a small meal.

It is also incredibly versatile.

Food Network’s extensive air fryer collection includes everything from chicken tenders and Brussels sprouts to complete meals and desserts, while BBC Good Food highlights simple air fryer recipes such as salmon, chicken breasts, sausages and baked potatoes as particularly useful for quick family dinners.

Of course, an air fryer doesn’t automatically make every meal healthy. But it can be a very practical way to prepare foods with less added oil than traditional deep frying.

And perhaps best of all?

You can get wonderfully crispy food without standing over a pan of hot oil.

1. Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Let’s start with a classic.

Air fryer chicken breast is one of those recipes that can become a weekly staple because it is simple enough for a busy weekday but versatile enough to use in many different meals.

The recipe from Feel Good Foodie uses olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and herbs to create flavorful chicken without breading. The chicken cooks in the air fryer in about 16 minutes.

It would be delicious served with roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes or a simple salad.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Breast – Feel Good Foodie

2. Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes

Potatoes and an air fryer are a match made in heaven.

These roasted potatoes from Spend With Pennies use just a handful of simple ingredients, including potatoes, olive oil, rosemary and garlic powder.

They are crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, making them an easy side dish for chicken, fish or burgers. The recipe takes around 20 minutes in the air fryer.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes – Spend With Pennies

3. Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze

If you think air fryers are mostly for comfort food, this salmon recipe might change your mind.

Skinnytaste combines salmon with a simple maple-soy glaze made with maple syrup, soy sauce, sriracha and garlic.

The salmon cooks in just a few minutes, making this a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.

Serve it with rice, steamed vegetables or a fresh cucumber salad.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze – Skinnytaste

4. Air Fryer Sweet Potato

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most useful.

Well Plated shows how to make whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer, resulting in crisp skin and a soft, fluffy center.

Once cooked, you can keep them simple with butter and salt or turn them into a complete meal with toppings such as beans, avocado, Greek yogurt or leftover chicken.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato – Well Plated

5. Easy Air Fryer Vegetables

Getting kids to eat vegetables can sometimes feel like a full-time job.

The recipe from Love & Lemons makes roasted vegetables especially easy. The vegetables become browned and crisp around the edges, while garlic powder, Italian seasoning and lemon juice add plenty of flavor.

The recipe is also flexible, so you can use whatever vegetables you already have in the fridge.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Vegetables – Love & Lemons

6. Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are always a useful family recipe to have on hand.

The version from Air Frying Foodie doesn’t use breading. Instead, the chicken is seasoned and air fried until juicy inside and lightly browned outside.

The recipe takes less than 15 minutes and the chicken can be served with salad, wraps, rice or vegetables.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders – Air Frying Foodie

7. Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon

For something a little more special without making dinner complicated, try this honey-glazed salmon from Effortless Foodie.

The salmon is coated in a sweet and savory honey-soy glaze with garlic and sesame seeds and is ready in under 15 minutes.

This would make a lovely quick dinner with asparagus, broccoli or rice.

Get the recipe: Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon – Effortless Foodie

8. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are particularly well suited to the air fryer because they stay juicy while the skin becomes wonderfully crisp.

Julie’s Eats & Treats uses a simple combination of olive oil and seasonings before cooking the chicken until the outside is crispy and the meat remains tender.

This is exactly the kind of recipe I would keep for busy weeknights.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Julie’s Eats & Treats

9. Air Fryer Chicken Wings

For movie night, game day or a casual family dinner, crispy chicken wings are hard to beat.

The recipe from Julie’s Eats & Treats uses a simple seasoning mixture and a small amount of oil. The result is crispy on the outside and juicy inside.

Serve them with a simple dip, crunchy vegetables or homemade potato wedges.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Julie’s Eats & Treats

10. Air Fryer French Fries

Of course we need French fries.

The Delish version uses fresh potatoes and only a small amount of olive oil. The potatoes are cooked in batches so they have enough space to become crisp and golden.

This is a great recipe to keep bookmarked for homemade burger nights.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer French Fries – Delish

11. Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

Yes, you can make burgers in the air fryer too.

Delish has an air fryer cheeseburger recipe designed to produce juicy burgers with melted cheese in around 30 minutes from start to finish.

Add lettuce, tomato, pickles and your favorite sauce, then serve with air fryer fries.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cheeseburgers – Delish

12. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

If you want sweet potatoes on the table faster than a whole baked sweet potato, try cubes.

Well Plated’s sweet potato cubes are ready in under 20 minutes and are seasoned with a combination of sweet, smoky and garlicky flavors.

They can be served as a side dish, added to salads or used in bowls and tacos.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes – Well Plated

13. Air Fryer Caprese Portobello Mushrooms

This is a lovely vegetarian option when you want something that feels a little different.

Delish fills portobello mushrooms with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, then cooks them in the air fryer.

The result is a simple combination of creamy, juicy and savory flavors, and the recipe is ready in around 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Caprese Portobello Mushrooms – Delish

14. Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Air fryer recipes aren’t only for dinner.

These cinnamon French toast sticks from Averie Cooks are a fun breakfast or weekend brunch idea. They are crispy around the edges, soft in the middle and can be ready in less than 20 minutes.

Serve them with fresh fruit, yogurt or a little maple syrup.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon French Toast Sticks – Averie Cooks

15. Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

If you are looking for another breakfast idea, Delish also has a classic air fryer French toast stick recipe.

The bread is dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla mixture and cooked until golden. It is a particularly fun option for children because the sticks are easy to pick up and dip.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer French Toast Sticks – Delish

16. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

For a sweeter take on chicken tenders, check out this recipe from Air Frying Foodie.

The chicken is crispy, juicy and coated with a honey-garlic flavor. The recipe takes around 22 minutes in total and is also freezer-friendly.

This could be a great family dinner with rice and vegetables, or a fun party snack.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders – Air Frying Foodie

17. Air Fryer Salmon Bites

If your family likes salmon, salmon bites are a fun alternative to a whole fillet.

Skinnytaste’s Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites cook in just a few minutes and can be served over rice, salad or grains.

They are also ideal for bowls, making them easy to adapt depending on what you have in the fridge.

Get the recipe: Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites – Skinnytaste

18. Air Fryer Parmesan-Basil Salmon

Another great salmon option comes from Skinnytaste, this time with a Parmesan and basil crust.

The topping creates a flavorful crust while the salmon stays juicy inside. The recipe can also be made in the oven, which makes it useful if you are cooking for a larger family.

Get the recipe: Parmesan-Basil Air Fryer Salmon – Skinnytaste

19. Air Fryer Prawn Toast

For something a little more unusual, try prawn toast.

This recipe from Food52 turns a restaurant favorite into a simple air fryer snack or light meal. The shrimp mixture is spread over bread, coated with sesame seeds and air fried until crisp.

The cooking time is only around five minutes once prepared.

Get the recipe: Easy Prawn Toast in an Air Fryer – Food52

20. Air Fryer Orange Chicken

If your family enjoys takeout-style food, this one is worth trying.

Delish’s Air Fryer Orange Chicken combines crispy chicken with a sticky, sweet orange sauce while using considerably less oil than traditional frying.

It is a fun way to make a takeout-inspired dinner at home.

Serve it with steamed rice and broccoli.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken – Delish

21. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

For picky eaters, you can hardly go wrong with crispy chicken tenders.

The recipe from Feel Good Foodie uses seasoned panko breadcrumbs and cooks the chicken in the air fryer until golden and crisp.

According to the recipe, the chicken cooks in around eight minutes once prepared, making this a particularly useful option for busy evenings.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Feel Good Foodie

22. Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Did you know you can cook an entire chicken in an air fryer?

Feel Good Foodie’s recipe uses a simple paprika and thyme seasoning and cooks a whole chicken in about an hour.

The result is crisp skin and juicy meat, and the leftovers can be used for sandwiches, wraps, salads or lunchboxes the next day.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken – Feel Good Foodie

23. Air Fryer Zucchini

Zucchini can become surprisingly delicious in an air fryer.

Jar of Lemons has a crispy air fryer zucchini recipe that turns the vegetable golden and tender with only a few simple ingredients.

It is a useful side dish when you want to add more vegetables to dinner without spending much time cooking them.

Get the recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini – Jar of Lemons

24. Air Fryer Recipes for Busy School Nights

Sometimes you don’t need one particular recipe. You need a whole collection of ideas.

The Pioneer Woman recently put together an air fryer collection specifically for busy school nights, with quick dinners designed around the reality of packed family schedules.

The collection includes homemade options that go beyond simply reheating frozen food.

See the recipes: 14 Easy Air Fryer Dinners – The Pioneer Woman

25. More Air Fryer Inspiration

And if you still haven’t found your next recipe, there are some fantastic collections worth exploring.

The Kitchn currently has an extensive collection of easy air fryer recipes, covering everything from vegetables and potatoes to chicken and snacks.

Food Network also has a large collection of air fryer recipes, highlighting how versatile the appliance can be for appetizers, main dishes, vegetables and desserts.

Good Food has a beginner-friendly collection that is particularly useful if you are new to air frying.

Explore more: Air Fryer Recipes – The Kitchn

Easy Air Fryer Tips for Beginners

Before you start working your way through these recipes, there are a few simple things that can make a big difference.

Don’t overcrowd the basket

This is probably one of the most important air fryer rules.

Hot air needs to circulate around the food. If the basket is packed too tightly, food can steam instead of becoming crisp.

For foods such as potatoes, fries and chicken pieces, a single layer is often the best approach.

Shake or turn the food

Depending on the recipe, shaking the basket or turning the food halfway through cooking helps everything brown more evenly.

This is especially useful for potatoes, vegetables and smaller pieces of chicken.

Don’t assume every air fryer cooks the same way

Cooking times can vary considerably between different air fryer models and basket sizes.

For example, one recipe may say 15 minutes while another air fryer might need slightly more or less time.

Always check your food as it cooks and follow the original recipe’s instructions as your starting point.

You usually need less oil than you think

One of the biggest advantages of air frying is that you don’t need to submerge food in oil.

A small amount of oil can help with browning and crisping, but more isn’t necessarily better.

Keep an eye on smaller foods

Once your air fryer is hot, smaller foods can cook surprisingly quickly.

This is especially true for thin vegetables, shrimp, small chicken pieces and snacks.

The first time you make a recipe, check it a little earlier than the stated cooking time until you learn how your particular machine behaves.

What Can You Make in an Air Fryer?

The short answer is: a lot.

Beyond the obvious fries and chicken nuggets, you can use an air fryer for:

Chicken breast and thighs
Chicken wings
Salmon and other fish
Shrimp
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Broccoli and other vegetables
Burgers
Sandwiches
Toast
French toast
Breakfast recipes
Snacks and appetizers
Stuffed vegetables
Reheating leftovers
Small baked treats and desserts

The Best Air Fryer Recipes Are the Ones You Actually Use

You don’t need complicated recipes or a fridge full of unusual ingredients to make good use of your air fryer.

Sometimes the best recipe is simply a chicken breast with a few spices.

Sometimes it is crispy potatoes next to a salad.

Sometimes it is a quick salmon dinner when everyone is hungry and nobody wants to wait for the oven to heat up.

And sometimes it is French toast sticks on a slow Sunday morning.

That’s what makes the air fryer so useful for family cooking: it can fit into real life.

Save this list for the next time you need a quick dinner idea, and start with one recipe that sounds genuinely good to you.

You might just discover that your air fryer becomes one of the most-used appliances in your kitchen.