What to Cook in an Air Fryer

If you’re like an estimated two-thirds of Australians¹, your kitchen has a secret weapon hiding in plain sight on the kitchen counter. For many of those, that weapon is doing precious little more than gathering dust. Whether you got it as a gift two Christmases ago or purchased it during your last health kick, your air fryer is a powerful force waiting to transform how you cook, eat, and think about food - yet so frequently ignored and underused.

For many of us, the underutilisation of this weapon of mass creation comes down to a simple lack of understanding of just how broad its capabilities are. Your air fryer is so much more than just a French fry and nuggets crisping machine. It’s a culinary powerhouse that can unlock a whole new world of flavours and textures, all while boosting the health profile of your meals. If you’re well and truly over greasy takeaway and sick of seeing the same old menu of dishes you cook every week, you’re in the right place and have the right device.

We've brought our favourite recipes and techniques to the table and compiled an air fryer cooking guide that will span your entire week. Buckle up, as we treat you to:

• Show-stopping breakfasts that'll make weekday mornings magical
• Lunch options that'll turn your work colleagues green with envy
• Restaurant-quality dinner delights
• Desserts that redefine the boundaries between health food and pure indulgence
• Snacks that'll become instant crowd-pleasers
• Party food that'll have even your fussiest friends coming back for more

The idea is to unlock the full potential of your air fryer, giving you maximum value for money from this ingenious device. So, if you’ve been wondering what to cook in an air fryer, you’ll find all the answers below!

Air Fryer Breakfast Ideas

Mornings are demanding enough without battling complicated breakfast recipes. Between wrestling with uncooperative children and trying to find matching socks, who has time for elaborate cooking?

Enter the air fryer: a true morning marvel. These recipes are so simple they'll transform you from zombie to zippy in minutes—no culinary qualifications required.

Something Savoury: Crispy Breakfast Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 2 large tortillas
• 3 eggs
• 2 slices bacon (or vegetarian alternative), cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Whisk eggs with salt and pepper, then scramble in a pan until just set
2. Layer one tortilla with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and chives
3. Top with the second tortilla
4. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray
5. Air fry at 180°C for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway
6. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream

Something Sweet: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Sticks

Ingredients:

• 4 thick slices of day-old bread
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Maple syrup for dipping

Instructions:

1. Cut bread into thick sticks
2. Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon
3. Dip bread sticks in the mixture, ensuring they're well-coated
4. Spray air fryer basket
5. Arrange sticks in a single layer
6. Air fry at 190°C for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy
7. Dust with extra cinnamon sugar
8. Serve with warm maple syrup

Weird but awesome tip: This recipe works best with slightly stale bread. It absorbs the egg mixture without falling apart, which is good news if you hate wasting food!

Air Fryer Recipes for Lunch

Workplace lunches are typically a sad parade of limp sandwiches and uninspired salads. Bring your air fryer off the bench and into the lunch game, and your colleagues will develop serious food envy when you pull out these air fryer creations.

No depressing desk lunches here—we're talking restaurant-quality meals that take minimal effort and almost zero cooking skills.

Mediterranean Falafel Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 package of pre-made falafel (or homemade)
• 2 large wholemeal wraps
• 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade tzatziki
• 1 cup mixed salad leaves
• 1/4 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

• Place falafel in the air fryer basket
• Air fry at 200°C for 6-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through
• Warm wraps briefly in air fryer (30 seconds)
• Assemble wraps with salad, falafel, tzatziki, and mint
• Squeeze fresh lemon over the top

Crispy Tofu "Chicken" Nuggets (Vegan)

Ingredients:

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into nugget-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup plant-based milk
• Cooking spray

Dipping Sauce:

• 1/4 cup vegan mayo
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Press tofu to remove excess moisture
2. Mix cornstarch, nutritional yeast and spices in a shallow bowl
3. Dip tofu pieces in plant milk, then coat in the dry mixture
4. Spray air fryer basket with cooking oil
5. Arrange tofu in single layer
6. Air fry at 200°C for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway
7. Mix dipping sauce ingredients
8. Serve hot with sauce on the side

Tip for students and workers: These recipes travel well. Pack components separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything crisp and fresh.

Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

Dinner once meant a choice between slaving over the stove, slapping together something quick, boring and of dubious nutritional value, or surrendering to the siren song of takeaway. With an air fryer, you can combine the health and flavours of a home-cooked meal with the ease of a slap-up dish and the indulgent vibes of takeaway. How good is that?

These recipes prove you can whip up restaurant-worthy meals faster than you can scroll through food delivery apps, with a fraction of the oil and five times the flavour.

Korean-Inspired Sticky Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken wings
• 1/4 cup gochujang paste
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Marinade Magic:

1. Mix gochujang, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil
2. Coat chicken wings thoroughly
3. Let marinate for 30 minutes (or overnight for peak flavour)

Cooking:

1. Arrange wings in air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding them
2. Air fry at 200°C for 15-18 minutes
3. Shake the basket halfway through
4. Finish with a final 2-minute blast for extra crispy edges
5. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds

Mediterranean Herb-Crusted Salmon

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (mix of parsley, dill, and chives)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Crust Preparation:

1. Mix breadcrumbs, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper
2. Drizzle with olive oil to create a loose, crumbly mixture

Cooking:

1. Pat salmon fillets dry
2. Press herb mixture onto the top of each fillet
3. Air fry at 200°C for 8-10 minutes
4. Check for doneness—fish should be a soft, opaque pink
5. Serve with fresh lemon wedges

Tip for cooks who lack confidence: These recipes are almost foolproof. Even if you can barely boil water, you'll look like a culinary genius. The air fryer does most of the heavy lifting, leaving you to take all the credit.

Healthy Air Fryer Desserts

Dessert has always been that delicious moment of rebellion. You know the drill: a slice of chocolate cake arrives, and suddenly, you're mentally calculating workout routines, counting calories, and preparing for the inevitable trip down Guilt Boulevard. It's the edible equivalent of a wild house party, but with your diet—exciting in the moment but followed by crushing remorse.

The air fryer changes everything. Suddenly, you can have your cake and eat it too—literally. These desserts deliver all the indulgence you crave without a side of nutritional shame.

Baked Apple Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 medium apples
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Optional (but highly recommended): Dash of vanilla extract

Prep:

1. Slice apples extremely thin (use a mandoline if possible)
2. Mix coconut sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg
3. Lightly sprinkle spice mixture over apple slices

Cooking:

1. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket
2. Air fry at 160°C for 8-10 minutes
3. Flip halfway through cooking Let cool for a crispy texture

Protein-Packed Banana Oat Cups

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons almond milk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or higher)

Prep:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl
2. Divide mixture into silicone muffin cups

Cooking:

1. Place in air fryer basket
2. Air fry at 170°C for 10-12 minutes
3. Check for golden edges and firm texture
4. Cool before removing from cups

Waste-saving tip: Got some overripe bananas you were going to throw out? Cut them up and freeze them! Then whip them out whenever you want to make these Protein-Packed Banana Oat Cups. Overripe bananas may look gross, but they’re extra-sweet, making them perfect for recipes like this.

The Tastiest Air Fryer Snacks

Snacks don’t have to be boring. And they don’t have to come out of a packet! From old veggies to boring beans, your air fryer can turn almost anything into a flavour-filled treat.

Spicy Chickpea Crunch

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and patted dry
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
• Salt to taste

Prep:

1. Thoroughly dry chickpeas with a paper towel
2. Mix with olive oil and spices

Cooking:

1. Spread in a single layer in air fryer basket
2. Air fry at 200°C for 10-12 minutes
3. Shake the basket every 4 minutes, then cool for maximum crispiness

Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of salt
• Olive oil spray

Prep:

1. Slice zucchini extremely thin
2. Mix parmesan, nutritional yeast, oregano, and salt
3. Lightly spray zucchini slices with olive oil
4. Coat in cheese mixture

Cooking:

1. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket
2. Air fry at 180°C for 8-10 minutes
3. Rotate the basket halfway through
4. Let cool until crisp

Tip for texture lovers: If your zucchini chips aren't crispy enough, place them on a paper towel after cooking to absorb excess moisture and help them crisp up further.

Fun Air Fryer Party Food Ideas

Party pies and sausage rolls will take any Australian back to their youth, but after the nostalgia wears off, they’re hardy crowd-pleasers. If you really want to wow your guests while caring for their dietary needs, the air fryer is your best friend.

From vegan treats that everyone will love to gluten-free finger food that doesn’t taste like cardboard, the air fryer can help you handle even the trickiest list of dietary demands.

Mini Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 can young green jackfruit, drained
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Gluten-free corn tortillas
• Toppings (we recommend fresh cilantro, lime wedges, dairy-free cashew cream)

Quick and Easy Prep:

1. Shred jackfruit, removing tough cores
2. Mix with oil and spices

Cooking:

1. Spread in air fryer basket
2. Air fry at 200°C for 12-15 minutes
3. Stir occasionally for even crisping
4. Warm tortillas briefly in air fryer
5. Assemble tacos with crispy jackfruit and toppings

Cauliflower "Wings" with Three Dipping Sauces

Ingredients:

• 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 3/4 cup plant-based milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sauce Ideas:

• Buffalo: Hot sauce + vegan butter
• Herb Ranch: Blended silken tofu, herbs, lemon juice
• BBQ: Tomato paste, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar

Prep and Cooking:

1. Dip florets in flour mixture
2. Arrange in air fryer basket
3. Air fry at 200°C for 12-14 minutes
4. Rotate halfway through
5. Toss florets in chosen sauce just before serving

Tip for perfectionists: Experiment with different gluten-free flours. They all come with their own flavours, textures, drawbacks, and benefits. So try almond flour, coconut flour, or a combination of flours until you find the perfect gluten-free but flavourful coating.

Now You Know What to Cook in an Air Fryer!

If there’s one thing we know about kitchen gadgets, it’s that they come and go. One minute everyone's obsessed with spiralisers; the next, it's instant pots. But air fryers? They're not just another passing trend.

After cooking our way through everything from crispy breakfast quesadillas to mind-blowing desserts, we can tell you this humble machine is pure magic. No more standing over a hot stove. No more drowning your food in oil. Just good, quick cooking that actually makes healthy food taste like something you'd want to eat.

The best part? It's so ridiculously simple. Toss in your ingredients, set a timer, and boom—restaurant-quality food without the restaurant prices or guilt. Your weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade.

Need an Air Fryer Upgrade?

GreenPan has a shiny new range of quality air fryers featuring a safe, eco-friendly, non-stick coating that makes clean-up a breeze. Our favourite? Though we love them all, we especially adore the see-through Bistro model and the Bistro dual-zone air fryer. It's like having a front-row seat to your own cooking show. Watch those Brussels sprouts crisp up, see your chicken wings turn golden—no more opening the lid and losing all that precious heat.

What we love about all of our models is that they’re 100% free from PFAS, PFOA and other toxic chemicals. No mysterious non-stick coatings. Just clean, simple cooking that supports your health and cares for the environment without compromising on taste.

If you're still cooking the old-school way, it might be time for an upgrade. Check out our range of healthy air fryers. Whether you're a cooking newbie or a kitchen pro, there's an air fryer waiting to change your game.

¹ Food Safety Information Council, 2024