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What to Cook in an Air Fryer: 50 Ideas for Every Meal
The complete guide to everything you can (and can't) cook in your air fryer — from breakfast to dessert.
Total Time
25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Servings
4
Calories
300 cal
Why This Works
The air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven with a powerful fan. This makes it ideal for anything that benefits from dry, circulating heat: crisping, browning, roasting, and reheating. It's less ideal for wet batters, delicate items that blow around, and very large cuts of meat.
My Recipe Testing Notes
I've tested over 200 different foods in the air fryer over 5 years. This guide covers everything I've learned — what works brilliantly, what works okay, and what you should never put in an air fryer.
Ingredients
Instructions
PROTEINS: Chicken (all cuts), beef (steaks, burgers), pork (chops, tenderloin, bacon), fish (salmon, cod, tilapia, shrimp), lamb chops, turkey breast, tofu.
VEGETABLES: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets.
FROZEN FOODS: French fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, egg rolls, tater tots, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, pizza rolls.
BREAKFAST: Bacon, eggs (hard-boiled or fried in a ramekin), breakfast sausage, hash browns, French toast sticks.
DESSERTS: Donuts, churros, apple chips, brownies (in a pan), cheesecake bites.
WHAT NOT TO COOK: Wet batters (beer-battered fish), fresh leafy greens, large roasts over 5 lbs, anything with runny cheese on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook raw meat in an air fryer?
Yes! The air fryer is excellent for cooking raw meat. Chicken, beef, pork, fish, and lamb all cook beautifully. Always use a meat thermometer to verify safe internal temperatures.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, but only in the basket (not the bottom of the unit). Don't cover the entire basket — you need airflow. Parchment paper with holes is often a better option.
Can you cook frozen food in an air fryer?
Absolutely — this is one of the air fryer's greatest strengths. Frozen foods cook faster than in an oven and come out crispier. No need to thaw most items.
Written by Sarah Jenkins
Former restaurant line cook turned home kitchen obsessive. I've tested over 200 air fryer recipes and I share exactly what works, what doesn't, and the temperatures that make the difference.
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