There are so many recipes that can be easily adapted to an air fryer – and making good use of one will help save time and reduce energy costs too. Whether you're new to air frying or already a big fan, this collection of 50 recipes provides inspiration for every occasion, from snacks and starters to main meals, desserts and treats.
These irresistible Chinese dumplings, stuffed with pork and mushrooms, are usually deep-fried, but you can cut down on the fat content with an air fryer. Heat your machine to 180°C (350°F) and brush or spray the wontons with oil. Air fry for four minutes, turning halfway through, then increase the heat to 200°C (400°F) and cook for two minutes more. You may need to cook them in two batches.
A favourite snack with a new twist: the addition of herbs and silky Parma Ham to the pork sausage meat filling. It's far speedier in the air fryer. Heat to 200°C (400°F), then bake for eight minutes. They also freeze well – just add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking from frozen.
Bocconcini means 'little mouthfuls' and these small, deep-fried balls of mozzarella coated in breadcrumbs make great snacks with drinks, or can be served as a starter. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray the balls with oil, then cook in batches for five minutes.
A soft egg encased in spiced sausagemeat, this very British snack is always a favourite for picnics and buffets. They're usually deep-fried, but the air fryer cooks them to perfection. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray your Scotch eggs with oil, then cook for 20 minutes until crisp and golden on the outside.
Don't ditch the peelings from potatoes – turn them into a simple snack in the air fryer instead. These ones are seasoned with a lemon and rosemary salt, but you could also just add sea salt. Carrot and parsnip peelings work well too.
Always a takeaway favourite, spring rolls are straightforward to make and an air fryer gives a crisp result without the need to deep-fry. Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F), brush the filled rolls with a little oil, then cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
These bite-sized croquettes should come with a warning – once you start eating them, you can't stop... Simply heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray the croquettes with oil, then cook for seven to eight minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp and golden.
Crisp on the outside, gooey and melting in the middle, halloumi fries are a mouthwatering snack and work well for a light lunch with salad too. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray with oil then cook for eight minutes, turning once halfway through.
Here, sweet, succulent corn is served with a savoury, spicy and sharp butter that would pair well with so many dishes. There's no need to blanch the corn first: simply heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and cook the corn for 15 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Get the recipe for miso, chilli and lime corn on the cob here
An air fryer makes speedy work of roasting squash for this warming, comforting soup. You may need to do a few batches, as there must be space around the squash in the basket to prevent it steaming. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then roast the squash for 15 minutes, giving the basket a good shake halfway through cooking.
Get the recipe for roasted squash, coconut and chilli soup here
Roasted asparagus is topped with a nutty, zesty dressing and crumbled feta cheese for a simple yet flavoursome starter. Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F), then toast the nuts for a few minutes, giving the basket a shake. Remove then roast the asparagus for around seven minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks.
Once roasted, aubergines take on an almost meat-like savoury flavour. Topped with a creamy dressing, pistachio nuts, coriander and pomegranate, they make a healthy, easy starter. Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F), toss the aubergines in the oil then roast for around 10 minutes until charred and softened.
Get the recipe for roasted baby aubergine salad with spiced yogurt dressing here
A tasty meat-free dinner for two in around 30 minutes is a recipe we can all get behind, and this one includes layers of roasted aubergine with melting mozzarella and Parmesan, plus a simple tomato sauce. Air-fried aubergine slices are so quick to cook, without the mess and sogginess of traditional frying.
The cuts on a hasselback potato give it a lovely, crispy skin. As you mustn't cut them all the way through, put a chopstick on either side of the potato while you work for a perfectly even result. They're air-fried in just 20 minutes and best served with a nutty, zesty pesto.
Get the recipe for hasselback sweet potatoes with herb pesto here
A speedy supper for two, this is essentially an air fryer version of a traybake. There's sweetness from the peppers and honey, with a little kick from wholegrain mustard. If you like your food spicy, you could add some dried chilli flakes when adding the sausages to the air fryer.
Get the recipe for honey and mustard sausages with potatoes, peppers and onions here
Try this jazzed-up version of a schnitzel, the crumb mixture being Parmesan, lemon, nuts and fresh herbs. It's perfect served with a salad and air-fried potato wedges. Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F), spray the chicken with oil then cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Adding just a touch of spice to fresh crab really brings out the flavour. In this recipe, mustard, cayenne pepper and ground ginger are used. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray both sides of the crab cakes with oil, then cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
An air fryer produces the most fabulous roasted pork belly, with even, crunchy crackling, and in less time than a conventional oven. The trick is to have the skin really dry, so we'd recommend leaving the pork uncovered in the fridge overnight.
What's not to love about this classic American sandwich? The meatballs cook much faster in an air fryer than in a conventional oven too. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
This spicy salmon is pan-fried in the original recipe, but it cooks to perfection in an air fryer. You will need an air fryer liner to cook it on, either silicone or pierced parchment paper. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), place the salmon skin-side up on the liner and cook for eight minutes or so, depending on the thickness of the fish.
This tasty vegetarian pasty cooks in half the time in an air fryer. It's worth making the light rough puff pastry from scratch, too, if you can (though it'll still taste delicious made with ready-made puff pastry). Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), brush the tops of the pasties with egg wash, cook for 10 minutes, then flip, brush again and cook for a further 10 minutes until the pastry is golden and the filling piping hot.
Get the recipe for courgette, chard and goat's cheese pasty here
In this recipe, the chicken is stuffed with ricotta and sage, then wrapped in Parma Ham. The ham adds a sweet saltiness and keeps the chicken deliciously juicy and tender. Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F), add a spritz of oil to the chicken, then cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. The chicken should feel firm to a light touch when cooked through.
When it's just not the weather to grill outdoors, the air fryer produces a juicy burger. Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F), spray the burgers with oil and cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. To melt the cheese, wait until the timer has finished and the fan is off, then add the cheese while the air fryer is still hot. The strength of the fan would blow off the cheese and make a terrible mess otherwise.
This barbecue recipe is easily adapted to an air fryer. Our top tip? Invest in some metal skewers that fit neatly into the air fryer basket. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray the salmon with olive oil, then cook for six minutes, turning halfway through. The kebabs are excellent served with the herby yogurt dip on the side.
An air-fried roast chicken is mouthwatering and cooks faster than one in a conventional oven. Depending on your air fryer, a 1kg-1.5kg (2.25-3lb) will fit – just ensure it doesn't touch the element. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) then add the chicken, breast side up. Cook for 30 minutes, then flip it over and cook for a further 10-15 minutes.
Get the recipe for roast chicken with ginger mayonnaise here
Homemade and healthy comfort food, fish fingers are perfect for an air fryer. We'd recommend cooking the fish fingers first, then flashing them back in to reheat once the fries are done. Heat to 180°C (350°F) and cook the fish for seven minutes. Reduce the heat to 160°C (325°F), spray the basket with oil, then air fry the chips for 15 minutes. Increase to 200°C (400°F) and cook for a further five minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
These air-fried chicken wings are crunchy, crisp and tender, and glazed with a spicy, sticky sauce. Spray the air fryer basket with oil, heat to 200°C (400°F), spray the wings lightly then cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Brush with the sauce, then cook for a further five minutes.
Smoked salmon and mackerel are pepped up with horseradish, lemon and fresh herbs in these easy potato-based fishcakes, served with tartare sauce. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray the basket and the fishcakes with oil, then cook for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
This big bowl of goodness is packed with vegetables and perfect for a midweek meal. To roast the veg, heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F), add the cauliflower and onion and cook for seven minutes, giving them a shake. Add the broccoli and cook for a further five minutes, then just follow the recipe as written.
The spicy peanut sauce in this recipe takes a bit of effort, but it's well worth it – and any extra you have is great to serve with steak or chicken. To air fry the cutlets, heat to 200°C (400°F), then cook for four minutes, turning halfway through.
A favourite curry dish is transformed into a tasty burger here. The strips of breaded chicken are typically deep fried, but the air fryer will give the same result. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), spray the chicken with oil then cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway. Serve with sweet potato fries, tossed in oil then air-fried at 200°C (400°F) for 12 minutes.
This quick dish is loaded with flavour. Tender chunks of chicken are marinated in spice, then served with an easy peanut sauce made with just five ingredients. Once marinated, thread the chicken onto small skewers for ease, then air fry at 190°C (375°F) on a liner for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
This is the Japanese version of schnitzel: thin fillets of pork coated in crumbs then deep-fried and served with a lightly spiced dipping sauce. To air fry the pork, use a liner and heat to 180°C (350°F). Spray the crumbed pork with oil, cook for three minutes then flip, spray again and cook for a further three minutes.
Homemade crunchy fish fingers are piled on to tortillas with a punchy watermelon salsa and an avocado cream in this recipe. Normally the fish would be deep fried, but it's just as good in the air fryer. Heat to 180°C (350°F), then cook for six minutes.
This is a great vegetarian sharing dish. The fries are finished with pulled jackfruit in a barbecue sauce, then covered with melted cheese. Cook the potato fries in the air fryer, heated to 200°C (400°F). Toss first in oil or spray, then cook for 12 minutes, turning halfway. If your dish fits, melt the cheese in the air fryer while still hot, but without the fan.
It may be a retro classic, but this crumbed chicken stuffed with garlic butter is still a winner. What's more, it's perfect for an air fryer, giving a crisp and tender result. Heat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then cook for 12-15 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken. You could also buy the garlic butter, rather than making it from scratch.
Perfectly crisp roast potatoes will be ready in the air fryer in just 30 minutes. It's important to get them dry, or you could even soak them in iced water first for 20 minutes to get rid of any excess starch and then dry them before cooking.
This winter vegetable, when air fried, is a little crisper than when steamed or boiled, and it really improves the texture. Add some crisp, salty bacon for balance and texture. Once cooked, you could toss them in butter and add a squeeze of lemon.
The classic accompaniment to roast beef, Yorkshire puddings cook very well in an air fryer. If you don't have four metal tins to bake them in, use ramekins instead. The important step is to heat the oil in the tins before adding the batter for a perfect rise.
Roasted carrots cook much faster in an air fryer than a conventional oven. This salad can be made a few hours ahead, and makes a great side for any meat or fish. Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and roast for 12 minutes, giving them a shake halfway through cooking.
Get the recipe for roasted rainbow carrots with herby yogurt here
This Spanish tapas classic consists of small cubes of crisp potato, coated in a lightly spiced, smoky tomato bravas sauce. Rather than crisping up the potatoes in the oven, heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F), then cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You may need to do this in two batches.
Chunks of roasted squash are served with a herby dressing, chilli and labneh – a thick, strained yogurt. It makes a top side for chicken. To roast the squash, heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and charred.
Get the recipe for warm butternut squash salad with labneh here
Irresistible served with strawberry jam and thick cream, scones need a light hand or they'll turn out tough. They're simple to make and quick to bake in an air fryer, though you will need to cook them in batches. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then bake for 10 minutes until risen and golden.
It's worth investing in some individual silicone muffin cases for your air fryer, as they hold their shape and can be re-used. Our recipe is so easy and it makes a large batch, but they freeze well and make a great breakfast muffin. Heat the air fryer to 160°C (300°F) then bake in batches for 12 minutes until cooked through and golden.
These hot chocolate puddings with a melting middle look impressive, taste wonderful and are surprisingly easy to make. If you don't have dariole moulds, use ramekin dishes. Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F), then bake for 10 minutes.
A comforting fruit crumble always hits the spot, especially on chilly days. We recommend you make this recipe in four individual ramekin dishes. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then bake for around six minutes, or until the topping is crisp and golden.
Cute little macaroons flavoured with coconut are perfect with coffee – and even better with some melted dark chocolate drizzled over the top. They're quick to prepare and quick to cook too: simply heat the air fryer to 160°C (300°F), and bake for five to seven minutes on a liner until browned. Allow to cool slightly before removing to a wire rack.
One of the great things about cookie dough is that you can freeze it, then just bake cookies when you need a sweet fix. Otherwise, you'll need to bake them in batches in the air fryer, but they are very quick. Heat to 160°C (300°F), then bake for five minutes. Allow space between them to spread and cool slightly in the basket before moving to a wire rack.
Vanilla cookies rolled in a cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger sugar then baked until crisp on the edges and soft in the centre? Sounds pretty hard to resist. Heat the air fryer to 160°C (300°F), bake in batches for seven minutes, then rest in the basket for two minutes before removing to cool fully.
Fudgy chocolate brownies work well in an air fryer. Bake our classic recipe in two batches: you will need a 15cm (6in) square tin or a 18cm (7in) round one. Heat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), then bake for 13-15 minutes, ensuring the centre is still soft.