25 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Quick Meals

An air fryer is a small convection oven. A fan pushes 350F to 400F (175C to 205C) air around the food, so the outside browns while the inside stays juicy. That is why fries come out crisp with one tablespoon of oil instead of a quart.

The trick is timing. Most vegetables need 10 to 15 minutes. Chicken thighs need 20 to 25. Salmon needs 8 to 10. Cook in a single layer, shake the basket halfway, and you will get it right the first time.

I keep 25 of these recipes in one place so weeknights run on autopilot. Prep what you can at 8am, cook at 6pm, and leftovers become tomorrow's lunch. Here is how each one works.

About the Ingredients

2 lb (900g) russet potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch sticks

Russets fry crisper than waxy potatoes because they hold more starch. Yukon Golds work if you like a softer center.

1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for other recipes

Avocado oil handles 400F (205C) better. Use it if you cook at the top of the range often.

1 tsp kosher salt

Kosher salt dissolves evenly and seasons better than table salt. Fine sea salt works at half the amount.

1 tsp smoked paprika

Sweet paprika is milder. Chili powder adds heat if you want it.

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Granulated garlic is stronger. Start with 1/4 teaspoon if you swap it in.

1/2 tsp black pepper

Fresh ground tastes brighter, but pre-ground is fine here.

1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs

Thighs stay juicy at 400F (205C). Chicken breast works but needs 3 to 4 fewer minutes.

2 (6 oz / 170g) salmon fillets, skin on

Skin-on fillets hold together and crisp at the bottom. Frozen fillets must thaw first.

1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Frozen shrimp thaw in 10 minutes under cold water. Pat them dry or they steam.

1 lb (450g) mixed vegetables, cut into 1-inch pieces

Broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion cook at the same rate. Carrots need 5 extra minutes.

4 small naan or pita rounds

Naan gives a chewier crust. Flour tortillas make a thinner, crispier base.

1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella

Low-moisture mozzarella melts without turning watery. Fresh mozzarella releases liquid.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dry and cut

Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks and soak them in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat completely dry with a towel. Dry potatoes are the difference between crisp and soggy.

2. Toss with oil

Toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Every piece should have a thin shine, not a puddle.

3. Air fry the fries

Heat the air fryer to 400F (205C). Add the potatoes in a single layer and cook 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. They are done when the edges are deep golden and a fork slides in with a little resistance.

4. Cook the chicken

Season the thighs with salt and pepper and air fry at 400F (205C) for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once. The thickest part should read 165F (74C) on a thermometer, and the skin should be browned and crisp.

5. Cook the salmon

Pat the salmon dry and air fry skin side down at 400F (205C) for 8 to 10 minutes. The fish flakes when pressed with a fork and reads 125F to 130F (52C to 54C) at the center.

6. Cook the shrimp

Toss the shrimp with oil, salt, and paprika and air fry at 400F (205C) for 6 to 8 minutes. They are ready when they curl into a C shape and turn opaque pink. An O shape means overcooked.

7. Roast the vegetables

Toss the mixed vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil and salt. Air fry at 380F (193C) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking twice. Broccoli tips should be dark at the edges and the stems tender.

8. Bake the pizza

Top the naan with sauce, mozzarella, and your toppings. Air fry at 380F (193C) for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the crust is golden at the edges. Check at 6 minutes.

How to Store Make mealtime easier with 25 delicious air fryer recipes!

Tips & Tricks

• Do not crowd the basket. Food touching food steams instead of browning. Cook in two batches if you have to.
• Pat everything dry before it goes in. Wet food never crisps, no matter how long you cook it.
• Shake or flip halfway through. The fan hits the top of the food hardest, so the bottom needs a turn.
• Check the internal temperature, not just the clock. Chicken is done at 165F (74C), salmon at 125F to 130F (52C to 54C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Delicious Variations

Sweet batch

toss apple slices with cinnamon and a little brown sugar, then air fry at 380F (193C) for 8 minutes for a warm dessert.

Snack night

air fry chickpeas at 390F (199C) for 12 minutes with cumin and salt for a crunchy bite.

Breakfast

air fry bacon at 380F (193C) for 8 to 10 minutes and eggs in a small ramekin at 350F (175C) for 7 minutes.

Pick two recipes from this list and cook them this week. Start with the fries and the chicken thighs, since both are hard to ruin, then work through the rest at your own pace. Low and slow, friend.

25 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Quick Meals

25 easy air fryer recipes for quick weeknight meals, from crispy fries and juicy chicken to salmon, shrimp, veggies, pizza, snacks, and sweet treats.

15 minPrep time35 minCook time6Servings420 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 2 lb (900g) russet potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch sticks
• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for other recipes
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs
• 2 (6 oz / 170g) salmon fillets, skin on
• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb (450g) mixed vegetables, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 small naan or pita rounds
• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella

📋 Instructions

1. 1Dry and cut — Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks and soak them in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat completely dry with a towel. Dry potatoes are the difference between crisp and soggy.
2. 2Toss with oil — Toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Every piece should have a thin shine, not a puddle.
3. 3Air fry the fries — Heat the air fryer to 400F (205C). Add the potatoes in a single layer and cook 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. They are done when the edges are deep golden and a fork slides in with a little resistance.
4. 4Cook the chicken — Season the thighs with salt and pepper and air fry at 400F (205C) for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once. The thickest part should read 165F (74C) on a thermometer, and the skin should be browned and crisp.
5. 5Cook the salmon — Pat the salmon dry and air fry skin side down at 400F (205C) for 8 to 10 minutes. The fish flakes when pressed with a fork and reads 125F to 130F (52C to 54C) at the center.
6. 6Cook the shrimp — Toss the shrimp with oil, salt, and paprika and air fry at 400F (205C) for 6 to 8 minutes. They are ready when they curl into a C shape and turn opaque pink. An O shape means overcooked.
7. 7Roast the vegetables — Toss the mixed vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil and salt. Air fry at 380F (193C) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking twice. Broccoli tips should be dark at the edges and the stems tender.
8. 8Bake the pizza — Top the naan with sauce, mozzarella, and your toppings. Air fry at 380F (193C) for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the crust is golden at the edges. Check at 6 minutes.

👨🍳 Chef's Note: Every air fryer runs a little differently. Your first batch is the test, so note the time that worked and use it from then on.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking15 minutes35 minutes50 minutes

Nutrition (per serving): 420 kcal · 32g protein · 38g carbs · 14g fat