Air fryers seem to be all the rage right now — and for good reason. While this trendy kitchen gadget doesn’t technically fry food as the name suggests, instead it uses hot air to cook food and create a delicious and crispy taste without using oil, often offering a lighter oily friend food. If you’re new to the air fryer game and are looking for some tasty ideas to try out, here are four air fryer recipes from some of the nation’s top food bloggers.
4 Fool-Proof Air Fryer Recipes
Salmon & Veggies
This salmon and veggie air fryer recipe comes from Cameron Rogers of Freckled Foodie. After cooking just about everything you can imagine in her air fryer, Cameron wanted to try something different. Not only is this maple-glazed salmon incredibly delicious, but it’s super easy to make, too. Simply throw your favorite vegetables into your air fryer (Cameron suggests broccoli, mushrooms and asparagus) along with a salmon filet, and you’ve got a delicious seafood dinner!
This maple-glazed salmon recipe from Cameron Rogers of Freckled Foodie is both sweet and flavorful. Image: @freckledfoodie
Air-fried Salmon & Veggies
Ingredients
- 4 individual salmon filets
- 3 cups mushrooms
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 2 small broccoli heads
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms into ½-inch pieces and place in a bowl.
- Season and combine the chopped vegetables with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket.
- In that same bowl, combine the juice of 1 lemon, ½ cup of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk that mixture together into a sauce.
- Place each salmon filet into the bowl of that sauce to coat both sides of the fish.
- Place the salmon skin-side down on top of the vegetables in the air fryer basket, and top with the remaining sauce.
- Place in the air fryer at 420 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer, and enjoy!
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Crispy Parmesan Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
This crispy chicken tenders recipe comes from the kitchen of Foodie Crush’s Heidi Larsen. While the South is home to some pretty amazing fried chicken, this recipe is a lighter alternative. And not only do these chicken tenders make for an easy weeknight meal, but they also offer a sense of childhood nostalgia. Heidi also recommends having barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch on hand for dipping.
This chicken tender recipe makes for a delicious dinner on a busy weeknight. Image: Foodie Crush
Air-fried Crispy Parmesan Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper divided
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup ground parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Honey mustard sauce barbecue sauce or ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Use a chef's knife to trim the fat from the chicken breasts and cut into tenders, about 5 per breast. Tap the thicker parts of the tenders with the flat part of a knife to even the thickness, about 1/2 inch at most.
- In a bowl or jar with a fitted lid, combine the buttermilk with half of the Worcestershire sauce and half of the salt, pepper, and paprika. Add to a gallon freezer bag with the chicken and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, watching closely as the butter melts and begins to foam and change to a golden color with a nutty aroma. Remove the browned butter from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Combine the bread crumbs and butter on a plate, tossing until well combined, then add the parmesan cheese and toss.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining Worcestershire sauce.
- On another plate, toss the flour with the remaining salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
- Drain the chicken and discard the buttermilk. Using tongs, work with one tender at a time and dredge the chicken through the flour to coat, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place the chicken tenders in the basket, adding in batches so as to not crowd or overlap.
- Cook for 13-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through so they're crispy on both sides. Repeat with the remaining tenders.
- Serve with sauces.
RELATED: RECIPE: Cajun Shrimp Caesar Salad
Gluten-Free Cinnamon French Toast
If you’re searching for an easy breakfast to make on a busy morning, look no further than this delicious cinnamon French toast recipe from Kara Danielle of The Accidental Chef Blog. Made in just 15 minutes, Kara describes this recipe as “a healthy version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.” And if you’re feeling adventurous, she also suggests topping it with agave and blueberries. (Note that while the recipe calls for macadamia nut milk, Kara says you can use almond milk as a substitute.)
This gluten-free cinnamon French toast recipe from Kara Danielle is an easy recipe for busy mornings. Image: The Accidental Chef Blog
Air-fried Gluten-Free Cinnamon French Toast
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup original macadamia nut milk or almond milk if preferred
- 3 slices gluten-free Mountain White bread
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Cut the bread into slices.
- In a bowl or container, whip the egg until it is mixed together. Then add 1/4 cup of macadamia nut milk with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon sugar. Mix together.
- Add the slices of bread, making sure they are evenly coated on both sides.
- Spray the air fryer pan with a nonstick cooking spray (Note: The slices will still get stuck on the bottom, just not as badly).
- Make sure all the slices are laying flat and put them in the air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Flip the slices and put them back into the air fryer for 5 additional minutes.
- Serve with agave and blueberries for a truly delicious breakfast.
Bagels
If you’re out of bagels and don’t have yeast, consider making your own with this delicious recipe from Air Fryer Addicts. After all, there’s nothing quite like a fresh bagel to kickstart your morning. To get even more flavor, Air Fryer Addicts suggests topping your bagel with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s.
These homemade bagels are the perfect start to any morning. Image: @airfryeraddicts
Air-fried Bagels
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt and 1 cup self-rising flour and form into a dough.
- Knead for a few minutes, adding a little flour so the dough is super sticky.
- Form dough into a ball and cut in half for larger bagels or in fourths to make them smaller.
- Roll out your dough and form the bagel.
- Air Fryer Addicts gives their bagels an egg wash and tops with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.
- Air fry for 7 minutes on 375 degrees F, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
- If desired, slice bagels in half and put them back in the air fryer for another 2 minutes to toast them.
We hope these air fryer recipes have inspired your next meal!
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If you want to check out more easy recipes, check out the StyleBlueprint recipe archives.