Looking for healthy air fryer recipes that taste delicious? We've got some family-friendly ideas that are simple to make and flavorful!
Air fryers are countertop convection ovens that come in various shapes and sizes. They can cook food to mimic the taste of deep-frying but in a healthier way.
Air fryers are gaining popularity because they use hot air and little to no oil to “fry” foods without the extra fat and calories.
You can cook almost any dish in an air fryer; pick the foods and recipes that match your and your family's preferences. Get creative and reap the many benefits that healthy air fryer recipes offer!
Keep reading to learn all about air fryers and our 10 favorite healthy air fryer recipes that the whole family will love.
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How Do Air Fryers Work?
Air fryers cook healthy foods using a fat and heating mechanism. Hot air rushes around the food you're cooking, and rapid air circulation makes the food crisp like deep frying (but without excessive amounts of oil).
Air fryers differ slightly, depending on which type and model you choose. Some are basic convection ovens, while others come with all the extras, including the ability to dehydrate food.
The right choice for you depends on your budget and preferences. As with any kitchen gadget, air fryers have pros and potential cons.
Pros
Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to traditional fryers, as they cook foods with a deep-fried flavor and consistency but without the extra calories. Many healthy air fryer recipes are simple and fast to prepare, which makes healthy food prep as convenient as ever!
Cons
While air fryers offer numerous benefits for healthy food prep, they have limited capacity, so you may have to air fry foods in batches when preparing meals for a large group. And, depending on the type of air fryer you get, some are pricey. Many range in cost from $100-$200.
Foods You Can Cook with Air Fryers
Surprisingly enough, you can cook various foods in air fryers – even some you may not have thought about! You can even prepare various vegetables using healthy air fryer recipes, but skip the leafy greens as they don't cook well. Good things to try in your air fryer include:
- Meats
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Falafel
- Avocados
- Sweet potatoes
- Pickles
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Corn on the cob
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers
- Other vegetables
- Muffins
- French toast
- Tortellini
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How To Use an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is simple. Complete the following steps to cook healthy foods to perfection!
Place Food in the Air Fryer Basket
The first step in using your air fryer is placing the food you're cooking in the basket. Air fryers can often hold up to 10 quarts, depending on the make and model of your fryer. Add in 1-2 teaspoons of oil if you'd like the food to taste crispier. Extra light olive oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, and numerous other oils are excellent options for air fryers.
Set the Temperature and Time
Depending on the type of food you cook and the recipes you choose, set the temperature on your air fryer using a cooking chart or recipe instructions.
Air Fry Your Food
Cook healthy air fryer recipes according to recipe instructions. You may have to flip food over during cooking to allow it to crisp evenly or when cooking large amounts of food in batches.
Clean the Air Fryer
The last step in the air-frying process is to clean your air fryer so it's ready for the next use!
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Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
Use the healthy air fryer recipes below to make nutritious, delicious meals for your friends and family!
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Try this simple, flavorful air fryer cauliflower recipe as a tasty side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- Drizzle cauliflower florets with oil and toss them with paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
- Roast the cauliflower in your air fryer at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, flipping the florets every 3 minutes.
- Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer basket, serve, and enjoy with family and friends!
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Garlic Brussels Sprouts
This Brussels sprouts recipe is bursting with flavor, tasting as delicious as it is nutritious! Brussels sprouts contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice (plus more for serving)
- 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the Brussels sprouts in your air fryer basket.
- Drizzle them with one tablespoon of oil plus salt.
- Cook the mixture for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the Brussels sprouts halfway through.
- Sprinkle the sprouts with garlic and air-fry until the garlic is golden brown (about 2-4 minutes).
- In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar to a simmer. Simmer it until thick and syrupy (about 2-3 minutes), adjusting the heat to avoid burning it.
- Remove it from the heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of oil, soy sauce, and lime juice.
- Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a platter and drizzle them with balsamic dressing. Add additional lime juice to taste if you'd like.
- Serve and enjoy!
Servings: 3-4
Air Fryer Salmon
Consider this easy, air fryer salmon recipe for lunch, dinner, or any occasion! Your air fryer can perfect the doneness of the salmon and enhance its flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (about 1-1/2-inch thick)
- 2 teaspoons of avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Remove bones from the salmon and let it sit on your counter for about an hour.
- Rub each fillet with oil and season it with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place the fillets in the basket in your air fryer.
- Cook them at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7 minutes (for a 1-1/2-inch-thick fillet).
- Open the basket and check the fillets with a fork to ensure they reach the desired doneness.
- Serve with lemon wedges, and enjoy!
Servings: 2
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Try this air fryer whole chicken recipe to make the main course prep a breeze!
Ingredients
- 5-pound whole chicken with giblets removed
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
Instructions
- Combine all seasonings with oil to make a paste and spread it over the chicken.
- Spray your air fryer with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket (breast side down) and cook it at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for 10 additional minutes.
- Make sure the chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carve, serve, and enjoy!
Servings: 6
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Enjoy this juicy, mouth-watering air fryer turkey breast recipe during the holiday season or for any occasion!
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 3 pounds of boneless turkey breast
- 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning
- 2 teaspoons of herbs de Provence
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray.
- Season the turkey breast on all sides and place it in the air fryer.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flip the turkey over, and cook for 30 minutes (until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Turn off the air fryer and remove the turkey.
- Allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes, slice the turkey, serve, and enjoy!
Servings: 6
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Rather than traditional French fries, choose this air fryer sweet potato fries recipe to gain nutrients and decrease total calories!
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss them with oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Cook them in 2-3 batches, depending on your air fryer basket size.
- Don't overcrowd the pan; cook the potato fries until crispy (about 12 minutes, turning them over halfway through).
- Serve the fries with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Servings: 2
Air Fryer Falafel
Try this nutritious, Middle-Eastern air fryer falafel recipe as an appetizer or main dish. It's made with nutrient-dense chickpeas, onions, herbs, and spices!
Ingredients
- 15.5-ounce can of chickpeas, drained
- 1 small yellow onion, quartered
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/3 cup of parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup of cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup of scallions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- Olive oil spray
- Hummus, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, sliced red onion, pita, or tahini for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Dry the chickpeas on paper towels.
- Place the onions and garlic in a food processor. Add parsley, cilantro, scallions, red pepper flakes, salt, and cumin.
- Pulse the mixture until blended (about 30-60 seconds), and add the chickpeas. Pulse 2-3 times until just blended.
- Sprinkle in the flour and baking powder and pulse 2-3 more times.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate it for 2-3 hours.
- Form the mixture into 12 bite-sized balls (add flour to your hands if the falafel gets too sticky).
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray the falafel with cooking oil.
- Cook the falafel balls for 14 minutes (in batches) until golden brown, turning them over halfway through.
- Let the falafel cool, serve, and enjoy!
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Dinner
Try this simple air fryer Cajun shrimp dinner recipe to wow friends and family. It's a favorite healthy air fryer recipe for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 24 (1 pound) peeled extra jumbo shrimp
- 6 ounces of cooked turkey sausage, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch half-moons
- 1 medium yellow squash, sliced into 1/4-inch half-moons
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the Cajun seasoning and shrimp. Toss to coat.
- Add the turkey sausage, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, and salt. Toss with oil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer the shrimp and vegetables to the air fryer basket (in batches as needed). Cook the mixture for about 8 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times.
- Repeat with the remaining shrimp and veggies as needed.
- Serve and enjoy!
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
Rather than boiling eggs, try this simple air fryer hard-boiled eggs recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Place the eggs in your air fryer basket and cook them at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-17 minutes (cooking times vary depending on the type of air fryer you use).
- Run the eggs under cold water and peel them.
- Serve with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Consider this air fryer avocado fries recipe, which is satiating and rich in heart-healthy fats, instead of French fries. Your entire family will love them!
Fries Ingredients
- 2 avocados, peeled and cut into 16 wedges
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs (gluten-free if you prefer)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons of lime chili seasoning salt
Dipping Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt
- 3 tablespoons of light mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of lime chili seasoning salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the egg in a bowl.
- Combine the bread crumbs on a plate with 1 teaspoon of lime chili seasoning.
- Season the avocado slices with 1/4 teaspoon of lime chili seasoning.
- Dip each avocado in egg and then in the bread crumbs.
- Spray both sides of the avocado with oil and transfer each to your air fryer.
- Cook the avocados for 7-8 minutes, turning halfway through.
- In the meantime, stir the ingredients for your dipping sauce in a bowl.
- Serve the avocados with dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Servings: 4
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*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on healthy air fryer recipes.
