French fries

Air fryers make crispy and delicious homemade or frozen french fries with less oil compared to deep-frying. This method also cooks the fries evenly and quickly, making it an ideal option for a last-minute snack or side dish.

Chicken wings

Get perfectly crispy and evenly cooked chicken wings without the need for deep-frying. Air frying allows the wings to develop a crunchy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender inside.

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Mozzarella sticks

Make mouth-watering mozzarella sticks with a crispy crust and gooey cheese inside. Using an air fryer also helps to reduce the amount of oil absorbed by the breading, making it a slightly healthier option.

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Roasted vegetables

Toss your favorite vegetables with a little oil and seasoning, then air fry for a healthy and delicious side dish. The air fryer ensures even browning and a perfectly tender texture in a shorter amount of time than traditional roasting methods.

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Fish fillets

Cook breaded or seasoned fish fillets for a quick, crispy, and flaky meal. The air fryer's circulating hot air cooks the fish evenly while preserving its moisture, resulting in a perfectly cooked fillet.

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Pizza

Reheat leftover pizza or make a small homemade pizza in the air fryer for a crispy crust. The air fryer reheats pizza evenly without drying it out, so it tastes almost as good as when it was fresh from the oven.

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Donuts

Make healthier homemade donuts with less oil by air frying instead of deep-frying. The air fryer produces a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior, similar to a traditional deep-fried donut.

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Onion rings

Enjoy crunchy onion rings with a fraction of the oil used in traditional deep-frying. Air frying creates a crispy, golden-brown coating without the need for excess oil, making them a healthier option.

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Grilled cheese sandwich

Make a crispy, melty grilled cheese sandwich in the air fryer without having to flip it. The air fryer evenly toasts the bread while perfectly melting the cheese inside, resulting in a delicious sandwich with minimal effort.

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Churros

Air fry churros for a tasty, slightly healthier treat compared to deep-fried churros. The air fryer gives churros a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior without the need for a large amount of oil.

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5 Things Not to Cook in an Air Fryer

Find out which foods you should avoid cooking in an air fryer

Wet batter foods

Foods with wet batter, like tempura or beer-battered fish, won't crisp up properly and may result in a soggy mess. The air fryer's circulating hot air is not suited for setting wet batters, making traditional frying a better option for these dishes.

Leafy greens

Lightweight greens, like spinach or kale, can fly around inside the air fryer and may not cook evenly. These greens are better suited for sautéing, steaming, or baking to ensure proper cooking and an even texture.

Whole roasts or large cuts of meat

Larger cuts of meat may not cook evenly in an air fryer, potentially leading to uneven cooking and dryness. Traditional oven roasting or slow cooking methods are better suited for these types of dishes.

Rice or pasta dishes

Air fryers are not suitable for cooking or reheating rice or pasta dishes, as they can become dried out or overcooked. Stovetop or microwave cooking methods are more appropriate for these types of dishes to maintain their texture and moisture.

Foods with lots of cheese

While some cheesy dishes work well in an air fryer, foods with a lot of cheese can melt and drip through the air fryer basket, creating a mess and potentially damaging the appliance. To avoid this issue, opt for cooking methods like baking or broiling that can better accommodate the melting cheese without causing damage or mess.

Bonus: Lamb Chops

As a bonus for reading this far, we recommend trying lamb chops in your air fryer. They turn out deliciously juicy and tender, with a perfectly crispy crust.

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