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Whether you just got your first air fryer or you’re a longtime user looking for some new recipes, this list is for you! These simple recipes will be added to your air fryer rotation in no time! Here are 10 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners to try!
So many people are getting air fryers these days! And let me tell you, I’m ON BOARD. So you ask, what are some easy air fryer recipes I should start with? I’ve got the perfect selection of my very own easy air fryer recipes just for you!
Why these recipes are great for beginners:
In general, air fryer recipes are pretty simple, but they can get busy with lots of ingredients just like any recipe. I’ve tried to keep these ones super easy with minimal ingredients, and also teach you a few things in the process!
Here’s why these recipes are perfect for beginners to try:
- few ingredients – These recipes have few ingredients so it really helps you get to know how various proteins, starches, etc., react in the air fryer.
- all a little different – Each of these recipes introduces you to a different air fryer technique or taste. If you try all of these recipes, you’ll work your way through everything from raw chicken to marshmallows!
- hard to mess up – Even if you burn the marshmallows, it’s FINE. You’ll learn something along the way, and some people like burnt marshmallows. In general, most of these recipes are hard to mess up as long as you set the cook time!
What is the best thing to make in an air fryer?
After multiple years of using air fryers, I have concluded that the air fryer is actually the best at REHEATING things quickly, 10 times better than the microwave could ever do, and way quicker than an oven.
This is easily demonstrated by reheating fries in the air fryer! Seriously, give it a shot. No extra oil needed, and they’re usually better than the originals!
What is the easiest thing to make in an air fryer?
It’s really hard to pick one thing that’s the ‘easiest’. Just because of how the air fryer works, it’s naturally incredibly easy to use. That being said, some recipes are harder than others, which is the case with most methods of cooking.
In general, reheating things in the air fryer is super easy (just put them in and pick your cook time).
If I had to pick a recipe, it would be any recipe where you just dump something in and add oil. Always so easy! A great example is frozen tater tots!
Which air fryer do you recommend?
The air fryer I have currently, and the one that is pictured all of my more recent air fryer recipes is the Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!). If you’re going to invest in an air fryer to cook things for 2 or more people, you should opt for a larger size like this one.
I previously had a slightly smaller Philips Air Fryer with a metal grate basket which I liked, but I prefer the larger Cosori model with the nonstick coated basket. I’ve recommended this air fryer to several people and they all seem to enjoy it!
What other equipment do you recommend for air frying?
Besides the air fryer, there are a couple other things I’m always using when air fry, and I want to point them out to you!
- Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray (affiliate link!) – When you use an air fryer, oil is usually required to help brown and crisp things up! This is my favorite kind. I buy it at Costco and I always have at least 3 bottles on hand at all times.
- OXO 9-Inch Silicone Head Tongs (affiliate link!) – Tongs (sometimes spatulas but mostly tongs) are the best choice for handling foods in the air fryer. I recommend silicone head tongs to avoid scratching the non-stick surface! I also use these tongs for all kinds of cooking, not just the air fryer!
Now that you’re all set with equipment, it’s time to get to that list! Here are my picks for 10 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners!
Air fryers can do *almost* anything an oven can, including bake squash to perfection! The outside gets a wonderful skin with browned edges and the inside stays perfectly soft and steamy. This acorn squash recipe has two versions - one sweet and one savory! Mix up in a bowl, then air fry. It could not be easier. Air Fryer Roasted Garlic is one of the most popular recipes on the blog right now, and I can see why! I absolutely love roasted garlic, but I don't like to heat up the oven just for it. However, the air fryer was MADE for stuff like this. It's quicker, uses less energy, and is just as delicious! This super basic chicken tenders recipe is delightfully simple and great to try if you've never cooked raw meat in your air fryer. These tenders are technically made from chicken breasts, but you can use the chicken tender cut from the grocery store too. Check out my breaded chicken tenders, as well! Fancy fish friday dinner right here. This is one of those recipes that looks complicated but I promise you is actually so simple! Yes, you'll have to touch the fish. Yes, it will be delicious! If you're just starting out and want to make it even simpler, you can use a premade lemon pepper seasoning and just focus on the fish. You can do it! Real talk - this it the recipe I make the MOST on this list! It's also one of the easiest. I do recommend soaking the potatoes ahead of time for max exterior crunch. Just like the squash (but better because, potatoes), these spuds get a wonderfully golden brown skin with a creamy soft inside! So perfect! If you want s'mores but don't want to deal with a campfire, the air fryer has got you covered. Sometimes, very light things can fly around in your air fryer, which is usually not what you want! In this case, there's a little secret to getting your marshmallow to hold on to the graham cracker. Otherwise, easy peasy recipe for beginners to try! I was going to put my Air Fryer Grilled Cheese here, but because I believe in you, we're going full tuna melt!! The air fryer makes grilled sandwiches so much easier than I ever thought they could be. No more hovering over the stovetop and possibly burning one side. This method is perfection! Another basic but delightful recipe that's made with only a few ingredients, and super easy to customize. This shrimp and veggie dish can go with rice, noodles, quinoa, or on a tortilla! Endless options for this quick weeknight dinner. Another quick dinner option: Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Shrimp! This recipe is incredibly easy and just shows you how versatile the air fryer can be! I always save my bread loaf ends in the freezer. Once I've got four slices or so, I'll turn them into croutons! These are seriously so tasty I'll eat them out of the bowl by themselves! This was one of those things I wish I had tried in the air fryer sooner! Microwave hot dogs are gross. Boiled hot dogs are not cute. These hot dogs remind me of grilled, but they're so much easier!! Toast the bun for the final couple minutes for the best experience!10 Easy Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners
BONUS advanced beginner recipes:
I want to know which of these easy air fryer recipes you’ve tried! Let me know in the comments below!
Michelle says
hi, I totally love this. Thanks for your work!
How do you actually clean your air fryer. Mine was a gift and it has like to buckets. One with wholes where the air circulates through. Because of that circulation I don’t want to use those paper like things to put under the food (burned the top and the bottom was just soft and greasy). But the outer “bucket” has a rough surface and gets greasy really easily. I need longer to clean that thing than I need for making m whole meal…
An suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!
Danielle says
That makes sense! I clean by air fryer by using warm soapy water and scrubbing all removable parts. But I believe you can also put it through the dishwasher (double check the brand). The specific air fryer may also have cleaning instructions in the manual or on their website! Hope this helps! -Danielle