So, you’ve finally taken the plunge and bought an air fryer. Congrats! Now you’re probably wondering, “What the heck do I cook in this thing?” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I’ve rounded up my most delicious easy air fryer recipes that are perfect for beginners. Simple prep, common ingredients, approachable dishes, perfect for first-time air frying.
When I first got my air fryer, I remember feeling excited but also a bit overwhelmed. I mean, where do you even start? That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best easy air fryer recipes for beginners. These are the recipes that I turned to time and time again when I was learning the ropes. They’re the ones that taught me the ins and outs of my air fryer, from figuring out the perfect temperature settings to getting the timing just right.
But more than that, these recipes are just plain delicious. They are the perfect balance of simple and satisfying, and ones you will find yourself going back to time and time again.
>> Related article: Air Fryer Guide for Beginners
The BEST easy air fryer recipes for beginners
One of the first things I'd recommend cooking in your new air fryer is a good ol’ bag of frozen french fries. Not only do frozen fries come out crispy and delicious, but the process of cooking them is a great way to get a feel for your new gadget. You can see how powerful your particular model is and how flipping and shaking the fries improves even crisping on all sides. Since they are prepped already, you can zero in on the appliance factors rather than worrying about a tricky recipe. Shake up that basket and experiment with batch sizes and cook times as you simply focus on those frozen spuds. It’s seriously the perfect way to break in your air fryer!
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If you're new to air frying and looking for a foolproof recipe to start with, air fryer chicken thighs are a fantastic choice. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and prep work, making it perfect for beginners. Plus, chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts, so if you're still getting the hang of your air fryer's settings and cooking times, you're less likely to end up with overcooked, dry meat.
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Air fryer corn on the cob is another fantastic easy recipe for beginners to try. The high heat of the air fryer gives the corn that delicious, slightly charred flavor, reminiscent of corn cooked on the grill or BBQ. But unlike grilling, you don't have to stand over the corn, constantly turning it to ensure even cooking. With the air fryer, it's completely hands-off – just set the timer and walk away.
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These pork chops are the perfect recipe for beginners to cook in the air fryer. The prep is very simple, just season the chops and put them in the air fryer. The air fryer's high heat creates a perfect crispy exterior, while the iside stays juicy. Use a meat thermometer to get the cooking times just right if you need to until you are more familiar with your air fryer.
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When it comes to easy and delicious air fryer recipes for beginners, baked potatoes definitely deserve a spot on the list. This classic side dish is a breeze to make in the air fryer, and the results are simply spectacular. Unlike traditional oven-baked potatoes, which can take ages to cook, air fryer baked potatoes are ready in a fraction of the time. Plus, the air fryer's high heat gets the potato skin wonderfully crispy every time.
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This is a simple, foolproof recipe to start with if you're new to air frying. It's ridiculously easy to make – just lay the bacon strips in the air fryer basket, set the timer, and wait. Plus, it's super easy to keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks, so you can get it just the way you like it – whether that's crispy, extra crispy, or somewhere in between.
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Fresh broccoli florets are perfect vegetable for beginners to try cooking in the air fryer. They simply need to be tossed with oil and seasoning before air frying. And it is easy to keep an eye on them until they are cooked how you like, adding a few more minutes for crispier broccoli.
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These air fried chicken drumsticks are a fantasic way to get started with your air fryer. They are perfect for a family dinner. And compared to leaner cuts like chicken breasts, drumsticks are less likely to dry out if you accidentally leave them in the air fryer a minute or two longer than necessary.
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Salmon is a healthy and flavorful dish that is easy to cook in an air fryer. Salmon fillets have a relatively uniform thickness, making them ideal for air frying – the hot air cooks the salmon evenly and seals in the natural flavors. The rich oily fish also has a decent window of doneness error when testing out cook times, resulting in a tender juicy piece of fish (even if it gets slightly overcooked!).
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These air fryer tomatoes are a delicious side dish that you can whip up in next to no time. You only need a handful of simple ingredients (that you probably have in the pantry), and around 10 minutes of cook time.
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