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    BeeyondCereal » Round Up Recipes and Ideas

    Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

    Modified: Oct 17, 2023 Published: Mar 10, 2022 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    If you just got your first air fryer then you may be looking for some air fryer recipes for beginners.

    Check out these tasty suggestions below and see why we simply can't stop using our newest kitchen appliance!

    a collage of easy air fryer recipes.

    Air fryers are great and they are such a fast way to conveniently cook up your food. They're also a healthy alternative to frying foods thanks to the lack of oils, but, we still get those crispy good results that we crave.

    With these simple air fryer recipes, you're always going to have a simple recipe worth whipping up when you get hungry, whether it's breakfast, snacks, dinner, or desserts- these recipes have it all.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love These Recipes:
    • FAQs About Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Tips for Beginners
    • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
    • Minimalistic Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Air Fryer Desserts
    • More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love These Recipes:

    1. Simplicity: These recipes are easy to follow and perfect for beginners, ensuring anyone can achieve great results.
    2. Variety: With options for breakfast, snacks, dinner, and dessert, there’s something for every craving and mealtime.
    3. Convenience: Quick preparation times and minimal ingredients make these recipes ideal for busy lifestyles.
    4. Healthier Alternatives: Air frying uses less oil, providing a healthier way to enjoy traditionally fried foods.
    5. Versatility: The wide range of recipes showcases the versatility of the air fryer, encouraging more creative cooking at home.

    FAQs About Air Fryer Recipes

    Is foil or parchment paper better for air fryer?

    You can use both aluminum foil and parchment paper in your air fryer. However, ensure the foil or paper does not cover the entire basket, which can block airflow and affect cooking results. Parchment paper with holes is ideal to allow proper air circulation.

    Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

    It depends on your air fryer model. Some recipes benefit from preheating, as it can ensure even cooking. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, you can manually set it to the desired temperature and let it run for 3-5 minutes before adding your food.

    How much oil do you put in an air fryer?

    One of the benefits of an air fryer is that it requires much less oil than traditional frying. Typically, you only need a light coating of oil—about 1-2 teaspoons—to achieve a crispy texture. Some recipes may not need any oil at all.

    What frozen food is good in an air fryer?

    Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods like fries, chicken nuggets, and more. You often don't need to thaw them first; just adjust the cooking time according to the food and your air fryer model.

    What cannot be cooked in an air fryer?

    Wet Batters: Beer-battered onion rings, fries, and tempura veggies don't crisp up well and create a mess.
    Cheesy Items: Foods with a lot of cheese, like mozzarella sticks, can melt and cause a mess.
    Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts: Big pieces of meat with bones, like whole chickens, may not cook evenly.
    Baked Goods: Delicate items like cakes and cookies may not cook evenly.
    Greens: Leafy greens like spinach can fly around and cook unevenly.
    Raw Rice and Grains: These need to be boiled, which an air fryer cannot do.
    Too Much Food: Overloading can lead to uneven cooking.

    Air Fryer Tips for Beginners

    Not all air fryers are created equally (but the same can be said about any kitchen appliance such as a microwave, oven, or even Instant Pot).

    What this means is that you should always make sure to read the owner's manual for the proper care instructions. Some parts may be dishwasher safe while others may be hand wash only.

    The manual will also cover the basic buttons and settings for your appliance as some air fryers have a preheat button and others do not. You may need to learn how to preheat the air fryer without having a preheat setting, as it is sometimes required in recipes.

    Most online recipes have been tried and tested by the recipe author to ensure recipe success and although results can vary, what helps most is learning the settings of your air fryer and building up confidence and experience with using your machine.

    So without further ado, here are some free air fryer recipes for beginners that are simple, easy, and sure to be a delicious way to gain experience with your new air fryer!

    Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    When it comes to beginner air fryer recipes you really can't get any easier than cooking up store-bought frozen foods, which is why these recipes are perfect for getting used to your new machine.

    Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are a quick and delicious snack that’s perfect for any occasion. Just pop them in the air fryer and in a few minutes, you’ll have crispy, golden-brown pizza rolls. They’re great for movie nights or after-school snacks, offering a tasty and convenient way to satisfy your cravings.

    1
    a plate full of air fried pizza rolls next to a bowl of marinara sauce.
    Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
    These air fryer pizza rolls are a wonderful way to cook up your favorite binge-worthy snack. Crispy and crunchy on the outside and packed with sauce and melted cheese, this is going to become your favorite way to cook pizza rolls.
    Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
    2
    air fried toast on a plate with butter and scattered blueberries
    Aubreys Kitchen
    Air Fryer Toast
    Air fryer toast is super easy to make and ready in minutes! Toast in the air fryer is the perfect way to make perfectly crispy breakfast toast without a toaster. Plus, air fryer toast bread doesn’t even require flipping!
    Air Fryer Toast
    3
    a plate of cooked crinkle fries with red ketchup for dipping sauce
    The Short Order Cook
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Fries
    You will never cook frozen french fries any other way after you air fry them. For the crispiest crinkle french fries, the air fryer is the only way to go. 
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Fries

    Minimalistic Air Fryer Recipes

    For a little more effort these other easy air fryer recipes for beginners can help you build up some confidence with your skills. These recipes start with something storebought but turn into a semi-homemade recipe the whole family can enjoy!

    Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts are a delightful treat that’s incredibly easy to make. Using store-bought biscuit dough, you can create soft and fluffy donuts in no time. Simply cut out the centers, air fry until golden, and coat with your favorite toppings. It’s a fun and tasty way to start the day or enjoy a sweet snack.

    4
    different assorted donuts made from canned biscuits in the air fryer.
    Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
    These Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts are a tasty and simple treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Ready in just about 5 minutes these donuts are a quick fix for any sweet tooth and craving!
    Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
    5
    air fried cinnamon rolls on plates with icing drizzled over the top
    Air Fryer Everything
    Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
    These ultra-soft and fluffy air fryer cinnamon rolls drizzled with icing are perfect for breakfast or brunch! The best part is that making cinnamon rolls in the air fryer is super easy and quick!
    Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
    6
    air fried strawberry toaster strudel
    The Six Figure Dish
    Air Fryer Toaster Strudel
    Air fryer toaster strudel is made with puff pastry and strawberry preserves. Such a simple recipe that's perfect for breakfast or a quick treat. 
    Air Fryer Toaster Strudel
    7
    a photo of air freid oreos with one sliced in half
    Grits and Gouda
    Air Fryer Fried Oreos
    These easy Air Fryer Fried Oreos (or any creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookie) are made with 4 pantry/fridge ingredients you probably already have! Make these festival favorites at home in your air fryer or oven without all the oil and messy batter in just minutes!
    Air Fryer Fried Oreos
    8
    an upclose view of two halves of air fried grilled ham and cheese sandwich
    Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
    Making air fryer grilled ham and cheese is a quick and easy way to get lunch on the table and have it turn out perfectly every time. Golden crispy bread, gooey melty cheese, and warm slices of ham meat in every bite.
    Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
    9
    air fried cherry biscuit with icing
    Stef Eats and Sweets
    Air Fryer Breakfast Biscuits
    These breakfast biscuits are easy to make and delicious. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert! 
    Air Fryer Breakfast Biscuits
    10
    air fried tortilla chips on a plate
    Wholesome Made Easy
    Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
    These Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are SO easy to make with just three simple ingredients! They are the perfect guilt-free complement to guacamole and fresh salsa. 
    Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

    Air Fryer Easy Dinner Recipes

    Now that you're a little more warmed up to the idea of using the air fryer let's get some tasty meals under your belt. these air fryer dinner recipes for beginners are sure to hit the spot!

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts are a fantastic dinner option that’s both healthy and flavorful. The chicken breasts come out juicy and tender with a delicious BBQ glaze. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that pairs well with various sides like veggies or potatoes.

    11
    sliced air fried bbq chicken breast.
    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
    These BBQ chicken breasts are a perfect way to get that juicy chicken and caramelized sauce you're craving. The best part? It's done in just 20 minutes!
    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
    12
    a plate of air fried smashed potatoes
    Sunglow Kitchen
    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are simple and easy to make, with just 5 pantry ingredients! They're crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with garlic flavor! 
    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
    13
    air fried stuffed bell peppers on a plate
    Recipes From a Pantry
    Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers
    Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers is a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s ready to serve in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners and a great meal prep solution too! 
    Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers
    14
    sliced air fried chicken breast.
    Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
    These chicken breasts are a delicious way to serve up tasty chicken for your meal. Made to have a juicy center and crisp outer skin these breasts are well flavored and fabulous.
    Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
    15
    air fried tilapia on a plate with lemon wedges
    Winding Creek Ranch
    Tilapia in the Air Fryer
    Tilapia in the Air Fryer is the BEST way to cook fresh or frozen fish. The fish is lightly crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. These tender tilapia fillets are quick to make in only 12 minutes!
    Tilapia in the Air Fryer
    16
    cheesy air fried nachos
    Budget Delicious
    Air Fryer Nachos
    Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nachos is a cheesy flavorful comfort food treat that cooks in less than 5 minutes, making it the perfect meal or snack for your busy family.
    Air Fryer Nachos

    After all of these great recipes and meal ideas, there's only one thing left to say...

    Air Fryer Desserts

    Don’t forget about dessert! Air fryers can make some amazing sweet treats that are quick and easy to prepare. These dessert recipes are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without much effort.

    Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream is a delightful dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. Using just two ingredients, you can create a crispy outer shell with a creamy ice cream center. It’s the perfect way to end a meal or enjoy a special treat on a cozy night in.

    17
    air fried apple slices on a plate
    Lemons and Zest
    Air Fryer Apples
    These cinnamon sweet and buttery Air Fryer Apples are tender and delicious and ready in just 10 minutes. Not your typical fried apples with just a touch of butter but still so much flavor! Great as a side dish, topped with ice cream for dessert and all on their own!
    Air Fryer Apples
    18
    air fried ice cream on a plate with whipped cream and a cherry on top
    The Six Figure Dish
    Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
    Air fryer fried ice cream is made with only 2 ingredients. It's the perfect dessert for a special night in.
    Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
    19
    hands holding up a stack of air fryer smores made with resses cups
    Sugar and Soul
    Air Fryer S’mores
    Air Fryer S’mores is an easy method for large batches of the perfectly toasted classic summer treat! Made with honey graham crackers, fluffy marshmallows, gooey peanut butter cups, or other chocolate in less than 10 minutes!
    Air Fryer S’mores

    With these easy and delicious air fryer recipes, you’ll quickly see why this appliance has become a kitchen favorite for many. From simple snacks to satisfying dinners and indulgent desserts, there’s a recipe here for every occasion and craving. The air fryer not only makes cooking more convenient and quicker, but it also offers healthier alternatives to traditional frying methods without compromising on flavor or texture.

    As you become more comfortable with your air fryer, you’ll discover even more ways to enjoy its benefits. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new recipes—there’s a whole world of air-fried goodness waiting for you. So, plug in your air fryer, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create some culinary magic. Happy cooking!

    More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

    • garlic parmesan chicken wings on a plate with green garnishes.
      Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
    • sliced air fried turkey breast on a plate with fresh herbs.
      Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    • english muffin pizzas on a plate with green herb garnish.
      Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza
    • sliced air fryer pork loin with green leaf lettuce on the sides and an air fryer in background.
      Air Fryer Pork Loin Roast

    If you've given any of these Beginner Air Fryer Recipes a try, don't forget to share your experience! Give them a star rating using ⭐️ stars and leave your thoughts in the 📝 comments below. I would truly appreciate it!

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