If you’re looking for a kitchen appliance that can do everything from quick appetizers to tasty dinners to scrumptious desserts, an air fryer is what you need. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, creating a crispy crust while getting the inside tender and delicious. You can use them in place of traditional frying methods which require hot oil, adding both calories and extra cleanup to your meal. Using the air fryer instead will keep things lighter, healthier, and often tastier, too.

Use this as your inspiration for using your air fryer, including cooking tips, safety features, and of course, recipes. Once you get the hang of your air fryer, it will become the kitchen hero that you can’t live without.

What Can You Make in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer can be used to add crunch and crisp without the added calories from oil. If you can fry it, you can air fry it.

1. Chicken Tenders - Leave the takeout behind and make your own tasty chicken that’s less oily. Add a little bit of breading to chicken to make your own version of chicken tenders. You can make things even more interesting with shredded cheese or herbs. Making your own tenders in the air fryer is also a fantastic way to create your own portions and shapes. 
2. Jalapeño Poppers - Instead of sticking with the greasy, fried version of this tasty app, try putting them in the air fryer instead. You can use premade versions from the freezer section of the grocery store or whip up your own poppers. Try different fillings and breading options to customize the flavor and level of heat. If you want to keep the poppers on the spicier side, leave the jalapeño seeds inside. For a tamer popper, remove the entire core and load up on creamy cheese.
3. Baked Potatoes - Using an air fryer to cook baked potatoes will keep things light while adding crisp and crunch on the outside. All you have to do is rub the outside with oil, then season with salt, pepper, and any other spices. Use the included tray that comes with your air fryer to let the air circulate around the entire potato. Large potatoes will need more time to cook, while smaller potatoes crisp up much faster. Check with a fork for tenderness.
4. Fries - Another way to enjoy potatoes from the air fryer is deliciously crispy fries. Use regular potatoes or sweet potatoes. Toss them with a little bit of oil, plus plenty of salt. They don’t take a lot of time or expertise, just monitor the fries closely and take them out before burning. You can also use the air fryer to whip up frozen fries quickly, giving them a crispy exterior without relying on oil.
5. Crispy Veggies - Brussels sprouts are especially delicious when they’re crispy and crunchy, making them a tasty option for the air fryer. You don’t need much at all, just air and seasonings. Green beans and cauliflower also get an excellent crispy exterior when put in the air fryer. Add a flavorful glaze to bring out even more flavor. 
6. Frozen Foods - You can reheat just about any frozen appetizer, entree, or even dessert in the air fryer. Many include setting and timing instructions for the air fryer on the package. This is a great way to cut down on the oil used to prepare your food without reducing the crispy exterior. If you are air frying, make sure to follow the recommended cooking time and settings. 

Safety Tips for Air Fryers

For the best results, keep your air fryer clean and in good condition.

1. Don’t overfill the basket - If you put too much food in the basket at one time, it won’t cook evenly. Uneven cooking can result in some raw pieces as well as some burnt pieces. This poses a food safety risk. Instead, make sure that air can circulate around every piece of food in the basket. You can also use a meat thermometer to keep track of the internal temperature of meat as it cooks in the air fryer.
2. Clean the air fryer - Make sure that you thoroughly clean your air fryer after each use. This is especially important if you’re cooking raw meat in the appliance. Most parts can be removed and washed with hot, soapy water. Some baskets can be put in the dishwasher, but you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific appliance. It’s best to take care of cleaning right away so that you don’t forget and potentially let harmful bacteria grow in the appliance.
3. Put leftovers away - If you have extra food in the air fryer, make sure to put it in the fridge or freezer. Letting food sit unattended for more than a couple of hours can pose a food safety risk. Harmful bacteria is able to grow on prepared food when it isn’t stored properly. Instead, put it in an airtight container once it has cooled and put it in the fridge. You can always use the air fryer to reheat your leftovers again.
4. Don’t use the same basket for raw meat and cooked food - Always be mindful of which surfaces raw meat touches when cooking. The same goes for the air fryer. Most air fryers come with a basket or two, but you can also purchase extras. Designate one for use with raw meat and keep the other for other types of cooking. Clean any part that comes in contact with food with dish soap and hot water after each use. 

The Top 5 Air Fryers:

1. COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 - Spend less time waiting and more time feasting by cooking your meals up to 46% faster*. With 9 cooking functions and an extensive catalogue of chef-created recipes, you can enjoy new flavors every day.
2. Ninja Air Fryer - Meet the Ninja Air Fryer, a fast and easy way to cook your favorite foods. It ensures even circulation of hot air around your food for quick, crispy, and golden finishes, every time. The secret is the smart processor that delivers a wide temperature range while powering the fan that automatically adjusts speeds based on your cooking function, allowing you to cook and crisp your favorite foods, like 2 lbs. of French fries, using little to no oil in a family-sized 4-quart ceramic-coated basket.
3. Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 with 5 QT Capacity - Meet the Ninja Air Fryer Pro, a fast and easy way to get the perfect crisp with up to 400F of heat. Air Crisp Technology surrounds your favorite foods with superheated air for hot, crispy results. With 5 QT capacity, cook up to 4 lbs of fries using little to no oil and enjoy your favorite foods guilt-free. With Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate, the options are endless. 4 cooking functions lets you satisfy any craving, from crispy snacks to full meals. Then, cleanup is a breeze with a nonstick basket and crisper plate.
4. CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie - With the efficient, quick heating and high-speed convection oven system, you can quickly get an even, crispy-fried texture using little to-no oil. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this multifunctional air fryer features a 10-liter capacity and 17 preset options.
5. Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven - Cuisinart’s signature AirFryer just got even better! In addition to AirFrying french fries, baking cookies or warming up your leftovers, now you can make even more delicious meals in your Cuisinart® AirFryer Toaster Oven with Grill! Sear steaks and vegetables on one side and griddle the perfect breakfast on the other with the new dual-sided grill and griddle plate. Bring next-generation cooking to your countertop with the spacious 8-function oven that makes cooking a feast for family and friends — or a simple snack for one — fun, fast, and easy!

The Best Air Fryer Recipes

Try one of these recipes with your air fryer to start enjoying crispy and delicious meals.

Air fryer french fries:

1. Cut your potatoes into even pieces. We recommend russet potatoes but you can experiment with different varieties to get different flavors. 
2. Toss the potato sticks in oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
3. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees for around 15 minutes.

Air fryer bacon:

1. Place bacon strips in a single layer in your air fryer basket. 
2. Cook at 380 degrees for between 9 and 14 minutes, flipping the bacon halfway through the cooking time.

Air fryer fish:

1. Pour ¼ cup of flour on a flat plate. Whisk 3 large eggs in a shallow bowl. Cut or buy white fish filets in strips. Tilapia, cod, haddock, and halibut are all good options. 
2. Dredge the fish in flour, then coat with the egg. Coat with breadcrumbs (panko or seasoned breadcrumbs work great). 
3. Place the fish in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping the fish filet halfway through the cooking time. 

If you want to get delicious and crispy food without the mess and extra calories that come with frying, an air fryer is a must-have appliance. By following a few safety tips and sticking with tried-and-true recipes, even air fryer newbies will master this helpful appliance. You’ll be whipping up your own creations in no time!