10 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners: Quick and Delicious Results
The air fryer is the most used kitchen appliance in millions of homes — but many people cook the same three things in it repeatedly. These 10 recipes unlock what the air fryer does best and expand your repertoire from chips to a full weekly meal rotation.
1. Crispy Air Fryer Chips
The dish that sold most people on air fryers. Cut potatoes into 1cm strips, toss with a tablespoon of oil and salt, air fry at 200C for 18-20 minutes shaking halfway. The result is genuinely crispy on the outside and fluffy inside — better than oven chips and without the oil of deep frying. Soak cut chips in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking for extra crispiness.
2. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Season bone-in skin-on chicken thighs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 190C for 25 minutes skin side down, then flip and cook 5 minutes more. The skin crisps perfectly and the meat stays juicy — results that take significantly longer in a conventional oven.
3. Air Fryer Salmon
Season a salmon fillet with lemon, dill, salt, and a thin coat of oil. Air fry at 180C for 10-12 minutes. Perfectly cooked throughout with a lightly caramelised exterior. The fastest way to cook salmon with consistent results every time.
4. Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Lay bacon strips in a single layer. Air fry at 200C for 8-10 minutes depending on thickness. No splatter, no mess, perfectly crispy every time. Drain the rendered fat carefully from the basket and use for cooking.
5. Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
Cut any combination of vegetables into similar-sized pieces, toss with olive oil and seasoning, air fry at 200C for 12-15 minutes shaking halfway. The high circulating heat caramelises vegetables faster than a conventional oven — producing better flavour in less time.
6. Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Split a baguette, spread generously with garlic butter, air fry at 180C for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Faster and crispier than oven garlic bread. The perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes.
7. Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Place eggs directly in the air fryer basket at 130C for 15 minutes for hard boiled or 12 minutes for jammy yolks. Transfer immediately to ice water. Consistent results every time without boiling water — and the shells peel effortlessly.
8. Air Fryer Steak
Season steak generously with salt and pepper. Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes. Cook at 200C for 7 minutes per side for medium-rare on a 2cm steak. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The air fryer produces an excellent crust and even cooking throughout.
9. Air Fryer Cookies
Portion cookie dough balls onto parchment paper in the basket. Air fry at 150C for 8-10 minutes until just set — they continue cooking as they cool. Produces perfectly chewy cookies with crispy edges in under 10 minutes.
10. Air Fryer Reheated Pizza
The best use of an air fryer that nobody talks about. Reheat leftover pizza at 180C for 3-4 minutes. The base becomes crispy again and the cheese melts perfectly — incomparably better than microwave reheating and faster than the oven.