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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Air Fryer

    The Best Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

    Published by: Adina March 15, 2022 · Last modified: August 31, 2023 Leave a comment
    pinterest collage of pictures with title of air fryer beginners recipes.

    Are you ready to learn how to use the air fryer? Here are our best air fryer recipes for beginners, 28 fool-proof, super easy, and delicious recipes requiring no special techniques or skills, all ready in no time.

    collage of four pictures of beginners recipes cooked in the air fryer.

    Did you just get yourself an air fryer? Great idea! It is my favorite kitchen gadget; I use it at least 3-4 times a week, something I could hardly say of any other kitchen machine I have.

    Jump to recipe
    • Why is an air fryer worth having?
    • Tips for using an air fryer
    • Air fryer recipes for beginners

    Why is an air fryer worth having?

    • Quick: You will have dinner ready in no time, much faster than you would when using the oven or the stovetop.
    • Easy: It’s all about placing some food in the basket and pressing buttons.
    • Healthy: Cook your favorite “fried” foods in the air fryer using just one or two teaspoons of oil.
    • Delicious: The food is excellent, trust me! If you’ve never used this kitchen appliance because you were worried that the results might not be that great, they really are!
    • Cook food from frozen: This is one of the best things; there are so many foods you can cook from frozen.

    This Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners collection is all about easy, no-fuss, few-ingredient recipes. The best ones to show how to use this fantastic machine and give you enough confidence to try out new things in the future without searching for instructions.

    Tips for using an air fryer

    Preheating:

    • Check the machine instructions to see if you need to preheat it. Most of them require preheating, but some don’t.
    • My air fryer needs to be preheated for 3 minutes before placing the food in the basket.

    Flipping:

    • Flip the food halfway through or as required. It’s unnecessary to do that in all cases, but most recipes, especially basic ones, require flipping the food.

    Internal temperature:

    • Check the temperature of the food when cooking meat, especially chicken. The best way to do it is with a meat thermometer. Always make sure that the meat is safe to eat.
    • Check all types of meat you are cooking, including sausages.

    Cooking time:

    • Keep in mind that different air fryers might be hotter than others, affecting the cooking time.
    • You will know your gadget in time, and you will adjust the cooking time accordingly.
    • In the beginning, check the food a couple of minutes before the indicated time just to make sure that the food will not be overcooked.
    • If it is not cooked through once the cooking time is over, allow a few more minutes and check again.

    Air fryer recipes for beginners

    Frozen Foods

    Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

    This is the recipe I cook the most using this kitchen appliance. Simply cooked chicken breast is so versatile and delicious. We have it as it is with baked or mashed potatoes, on top of a salad, or in sandwiches. Quickly air-fried frozen chicken breasts saved dinner more than once.

    air fryer frozen chicken breast after cooking, one whole and one sliced piece.

    Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
    Tender frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, quick and healthy dinner for any day of the week. This is my most-cooked air fryer recipe, always delicious and so versatile. Change the seasoning according to taste.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    Chicken wings can be addictive, and this recipe is one of our favorites. Not to mention the quickest one for making chicken wings. And how great it is that you don't even have to remember to defrost the wings on time.

    spicy and crispy chicken wings on a plate

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
    Cooking frozen chicken wings in the fryer couldn't be easier. Crispy skin, tender meat, delicious wings on your plate in just about 30 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

    The sweet potato fries taste amazing, are crispy and delicious, barely need any seasoning, and take half the time to be ready in the fryer than it would take them to be cooked in the oven.

    air fryer frozen sweet potato fries close up.

    Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
    Air fryer frozen sweet potato fries: They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, an excellent side dish for just about anything or a delicious quick meal on their own.
    Check out this recipe

    Frozen Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    Indulge in crispy and delightful frozen potato wedges prepared effortlessly in the air fryer.

    a bowl of air fryer frozen potato wedges on a black cloth.

    Frozen Potato Wedges in the Air Fryer
    Perfectly crispy and golden frozen potato wedges cooked effortlessly in the air fryer. A 2-ingredient and 15-minute recipe.
    Check out this recipe

    Frozen Shrimps in the Air Fryer

    If you have a bag of shrimp on hand in your freezer, you can whip up a delicious appetizer or a tasty and quick meal in no time. 

    bowl with shrimp in butter garlic sauce.

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
    This air fryer frozen shrimp recipe is a quick and convenient way to enjoy shrimp in a fantastic garlic butter sauce directly from the freezer.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

    The meatballs are kid-friendly, the prep time is minimal, and the best part? They are so easy to include in other recipes.

    white bowl with small meatballs on a brown kitchen cloth.

    Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
    These air fryer frozen meatballs are delicious, easy, versatile, and ready in just minutes. Serve them as an appetizer or an easy snack, and include them in different recipes for a quick family dinner.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs

    These juicy frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer are a time-saving, flavor-packed solution for those busy weeknights! 

    cooked air fryer frozen chicken thighs on a green plate with parsley.

    Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
    Crispy air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe: Season, pop in, set time & temp – no fuss! Delicious, crispy results in 30 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

     Skip the thawing process and follow this straightforward cooking method for a quick and satisfying meal that your whole family will enjoy. 

    two chicken legs cooked from frozen in the air fryer.

    Frozen Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer (Drumsticks)
    Learn how to easily and quickly cook frozen chicken legs or drumsticks using an air fryer. It's a simple solution that can save dinner on numerous occasions.
    Check out this recipe

    Meats

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Roasting chicken legs in the oven is easy, and the results are always delicious. So why use the air-fryer? Because it is fast, faster than the oven, and the results are just as juicy, crispy, and delicious.

    air fryer chicken legs with spices on a silver platter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs
    Air fryer chicken legs – tender meat and crispy skin, flavorful and ready to be served in no time at all. Rub the legs with some spices, turn on the air fryer and 20 minutes later dinner is served.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Bbq Chicken

    Chicken and frozen fries are the two things that I cook the most in my machine. And these BBQ chicken thighs are a hit with my family.

    air fryer bbq chicken served with potatoes and limes

    Air Fryer Bbq Chicken
    This delicious air fryer BBQ chicken is juicy, sweet, smoky, and flavorful. It is ready in less than 30 minutes and it's made with just a few ingredients.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast (No Breading)

    A simple recipe for chicken breast with no breading for a quick dinner or for meal prep. Perfect for adding to salads, making sandwiches, red sauce enchiladas, filling tortillas, quesadillas, or whatever else you can think of.

    chicken breast without breading served with cooked leeks.

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast (No Breading)
    Juicy air fryer chicken breast with no breading, a simple, quick way to put dinner on the table. Ready in about 20 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Simply layer chicken breast with ham and cheese, pop it into the air fryer, and let the magic happen! In no time, you'll have a delicious meal that's sure to impress your family and friends.

    close up of two air fryer chicken cordon bleu, one sliced and showing the filling.

    Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
    Try our mouthwatering air fryer chicken cordon bleu - crispy outside, tender and cheesy inside! This easy recipe captures all the classic flavors without the extra oil.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Ribs

    Tender air fryer pork ribs ready in about 30 minutes. Covered in a sweet and sticky glaze and totally delicious!

    air fried pork ribs ready to be served

    Air Fryer Ribs
    Glazed air fryer ribs, sweet, sticky, and incredibly delicious. Quick and easy to make in an air fryer.
    Check out this recipe

    Brats in the Air Fryer

    We live in Germany, so for us, brats or bratwurst is almost a way of living. Making brats in the air fryer is probably the quickest method to have juicy, flavorful sausages anytime we want. Whether cooked fresh or from frozen, they are always delicious, and they are bound to make my family happy.

    bun stuffed with brat, sauerkraut and mustard.

    Air Fryer Frozen Brats
    Making air fryer frozen brats is one of the easiest and fastest ways to cook bratwurst. They’ll be ready in less than 15 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

    Cooking pork tenderloin is generally an easy task, and making air fryer pork tenderloin is even easier. All you have to do is season the meat and air fry it for less than 20 minutes, flipping once. Really! That’s it!

    air fryer pork fillet sliced on a cutting board.

    Air Fryer Pork Fillet
    The air fryer pork tenderloin is juicy on the inside, brown, and spicy on the outside. This fuss-free recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs

    A super simple and fast way of cooking turkey; you could even use this recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas. All you must do is season the drumsticks and cook them for about 35 minutes (The link opens in a new tab).

    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs

    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs
    A delicious recipe for air fryer turkey legs, crispy on the outside, juicy, and tender on the inside. This might be the easiest Thanksgiving turkey you could possibly cook. Ready in 40 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Pork Roast

    Cooking a pork roast is not particularly difficult, but this way of cooking it makes things even easier. Basically, all you must do is coat the meat with spices and put it in the air fryer. (Link opens in a new tab).


    Air Fryer Pork Roast
    Air fryer pork roast – a tender and juicy piece of meat, easy to make, perfect for Sunday lunch or any day of the week.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Meatloaf

    This is a classic meatloaf recipe made easy, comfort food at its best, something that the whole family will love; I know that mine loves it! (Link opens in a new tab).


    Air Fryer Meatloaf
    This air fryer meatloaf recipe is probably one of the easiest ways of cooking a classic, family favorite meal. Moist, flavorful, comforting, delicious – this is how a good meatloaf recipe should be!
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops

    Cooking pork chops in the air fryer offers a fantastic alternative to traditional frying or baking methods. The chops get a crispy exterior using the hot air while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. 

    one golden pork chop on a plate with side dishes.

    Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
    Enjoy the perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness with air fryer bone-in pork chops. This 2-step recipe takes under 20 minutes using simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
    Check out this recipe

    Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

    Cooking thin pork chops in the air fryer is so easy! Seasoned with simple spices, these juicy chops are quickly prepared, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. 

    four air fryer thin pork chops on a black plate,

    Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
    Cook thin pork chops in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal. It takes less than 10 minutes, and you can serve the tender chops with any side you like.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Country-Style Ribs

    Savor the incredible tenderness, juiciness, and amazing flavor of these air fryer country-style ribs. They're coated in a homemade dry rub for ribs and then glazed with a bit of sweet and smokey BBQ sauce.

    air fryer country style ribs served on a green plate with fork and knife.

    Air Fryer Country-Style Ribs
    Crispy and flavorful air fryer country-style ribs ready in less than 30 minutes. An easy-to-follow recipe that will impress everyone at the table!
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Lamb Chops

    Cooking lamb chops in the air fryer must be the fastest way of cooking lamb. You can marinate the cutlets in advance if you like, but it will take minutes to get dinner ready.

    overhead view of a plate with lamb chops and green beans and a bowl of potatoes.

    Air Fryer Lamb Chops
    Air fryer lamb chops ready in about 10 minutes. These succulent chops are marinated with garlic and rosemary and cooked to suit your preference.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Panko Chicken

    Do you like fried chicken but not so much deep-frying it? Try our air fryer panko chicken

    air fryer panko chickenn served with chili dip, lemon and salad.

    Air Fryer Panko Chicken
    Crispy air fryer panko chicken: they are delicious, tender, crunchy, and ready in about 20 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Quick Air Fryer Turkey Burger

    Who said that a burger can’t be even remotely healthy? These turkey burgers are quite so. Swap fattier meat for lean ground turkey and choose a better patty and you should be fine (The link opens in a new tab). 


    Quick Air Fryer Turkey Burger
    Juicy air fryer turkey burgers, a super delicious burger on the healthier side. Ready in no time at all.
    Check out this recipe

    Vegetables

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Two Ways)

    These butternut squash cubes make a great side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas or a wonderful healthy snack. You can have them on top of salad, with chicken or meat, and you can even have the sweet version with granola or muesli for breakfast.

    close up roasted squash piece on a fork

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash – Two Ways
    Air fryer butternut squash cooked in two ways: sweet with brown sugar and cinnamon or spicy with lots of spices.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Mushrooms

    Learn how to air fry mushrooms. It is easy and quick, and the results are delicious! All you need are the mushrooms, a touch of olive oil, a few spices, and lemon juice.

    air fryer mushrooms served with lemon wedgeds on a white plate.

    Air Fryer Mushrooms
    These air fryer mushrooms are so easy to make and ready in no time. Savory and juicy, the perfect side dish for almost anything you can think of.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Eggplants (Two Ways)

    These eggplants can become addictive… I can’t even count how many times I’ve cooked them. They are creamy, soft, spicy, hearty, healthy, easy to make, and ready in no time at all.

    air fryer aubergines with honey glaze on a white plate with parsley.

    Air Fryer Aubergines (Two Ways)
    The air fryer eggplants or aubergines are soft, spicy and so versatile. You can either cube or slice them, and you can have them simple or glazed.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Carrots (Two Ways)

    Sweet or savory carrots – I really could not say which version I like best. I make rainbow or simple roasted carrots very often, but ever since discovering this version, I gave up heating up my oven just to make carrots.

    savory carrots cooked in the air fryer

    Air Fryer Carrots (Two Ways)
    Making air fryer carrots is fast, easy, and truly delicious. Make them sweet or savory and serve them with just about anything.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Zucchini

    These crispy air fryer zucchini will make your day! They definitely made mine. I was expecting to like them, but I didn’t expect to like them so much. So much so that I cooked them again the next day to take some pictures as well. This recipe had to be shared!

    vegetable fries served with dip

    Air Fryer Zucchini
    Air fryer zucchini – incredibly crispy, light, and truly addictive. Learn how to cook them quickly in only one batch.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Asparagus

    Cooking crispy, tender asparagus is a good choice for a busy weeknight meal. You can serve the veggies as a side dish for pretty much anything; you can cut the spears into smaller pieces and mix them with pasta, olive oil, and more Parmesan or serve with risotto.


    Quick Air Fryer Asparagus
    Air fryer asparagus, crunchy, delicious, and ready in less than 10 minutes, this makes the perfect super quick side dish.
    Check out this recipe

    Potatoes

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

    I love baked potatoes, I make them very often, and we have them mostly as the main dish. A knob of butter or a little sour cream is enough to make these baked potatoes really drool-worthy! 

    close up baked potato topped with melted butter and chives

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
    These air fryer baked potatoes are the fluffiest and crispiest ones you could make. Top them with butter or sour cream for a delicious, healthy meal.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    They are just as good as deep-fried potatoes but with way less calories. All you need is one tablespoon of olive oil for perfectly crispy and golden brown wedges.

    bowl of air fryer potato wedges and a fork.

    Air Fryer Potato Wedges
    These air fryer potato wedges are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Make this super easy-to-make side dish or light main meal.
    Check out this recipe

    I hope you found this collection of easy air fryer recipes for beginners helpful and that you will start using this great kitchen gadget as much as I do!

    More Quick and Fast Air Fryer Recipes

    • bun stuffed with brat, sauerkraut and mustard.
      Air Fryer Frozen Brats
    • air fryer frozen chicken tenderloins on a plate with potatoes, a fork beside it.
      Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenderloins
    • air fryer turkey wings on a blue plate with fresh parsley around it.
      Air Fryer Turkey Wings (3 Ingredients)
    • two chicken legs cooked from frozen in the air fryer.
      Frozen Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer (Drumsticks)

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