It’s pretty clear by now that the air fryer has earned its place as a quick cooking method, needing little to no oil, while yielding crispy and tasty results. To go beyond the usual fries and chicken nuggets, we’re sharing simple recipes and ideas that highlight this small appliance’s versatility.
How to Cook Proteins
Meat, fish, tofu: As with all foods cooked in the air fryer, basic tips include using evenly sized pieces, leaving space between them and arranging everything in a single layer in the basket. It’s also worth noting that boneless cuts of meat tend to cook faster.
To Cook:
- Meatballs
Whether vegetarian or with meat, meatballs are the ideal size to cook in the air fryer, which gives them a perfectly browned colour in just a few minutes.
Try This Recipe:
Air Fryer Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce
- Chicken Breasts
Breaded chicken is an air fryer classic. This cooking method is also a great choice for when cooking chicken without breading. The exterior becomes crispy while staying juicy on the inside. Cooking time is about 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Try This Recipe:
Air Fryer Ham and Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Pork Tenderloin
The trick to succeed with this affordable, quick-cooking meat is to cut it into cubes, coat them in a spice mix with a bit of oil, and cook for about 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Serve the pork pieces with a spicy curry sauce or another sweet (mango) or savoury (miso) sauce of your choice.
- Flank Steak
This cut works well in the air fryer because it cooks quickly and stays tender when heated at a high temperature, all while developing a nice crust thanks to the air circulating around it. Cook it for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Salmon
The air fryer has really proven itself when it comes to cooking salmon fillets. The fish only needs a few minutes [6 minutes at 400°F (200°C)] until it yields a mouth-watering, lightly caramelized crust and is flaky on the inside.
Try This Recipe:
Air Fryer Crispy Lemon-Sesame Salmon
- Tofu
One big advantage of using the air fryer is that it gives tofu a wonderfully crispy texture. To achieve this, cut the tofu into cubes, coat them in oil and cornstarch, and then cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Then serve the tofu with a sauce of your choice (General Tao, butter chicken, peanut, etc.).
How to Roast Vegetables
It’s important to cut the vegetables (into cubes, stripes or quartered) for optimal results. At a temperature of 400°F (200°C), cooking time can vary from 7 minutes (for asparagus) to 25 minutes (for fries).
Here are a few examples of vegetables and their average cooking time* in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C):
– Cubed potatoes (18 minutes)
– Bunch of broccoli (8 minutes)
– Sliced or cubed eggplants (20 minutes)
– Green beans (8 to 10 minutes)
– Brussels sprouts (10 minutes)
– Fennel wedges (10 minutes)
– Bell peppers halved (15 minutes) or cut into strips (10 minutes)
*Cooking time may vary depending on the power level of your appliance.
Try This Recipe:
Air Fryer Cheese and Pepperoni Pizza
How to Cook Eggs
It is possible to cook eggs in the air fryer, no matter the doneness that you prefer. Simply pour ½ cup (125 ml) of water in the basket and preheat it to 350°F (180°C) before placing the eggs in while spacing them out.
Cook For:
– 8 minutes for soft-boiled eggs;
– 10 minutes for jammy yolks;
– 12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
For other ideas and tips on cooking with the air fryer, consult this article:
