An Air Fryer Is the Only Way I’ll Cook These 7 Foods

Air fryers are dynamite for making french fries, wings and frozen foods without all the oil. But there are dozens of no-so-obvious recipes that are perfect to make in an air fryer. Air fryers are essentially convection ovens but with a smaller chamber so it heats up fast and blasts food from all directions with fast-moving hot air. It’s like a super roaster and thus many of the foods you would normally roast in a big oven turn out great when cooked in air fryer, only in less time and with less mess. 

From flavorful veggies to fall-off-the-bone roasts, I’ve been singing the praises of using air fryers when it comes to prepping a variety of meals. Forget the microwave. You don’t need an oven, either. These countertop cookers can make absolutely delectable meals in minutes, and now that I’ve discovered their superpower, there are some meals I just won’t go back to cooking the “regular” way. 

The biggest reason I use my air fryer so much is for the reliable results — air fryers give a great crust to foods via fan-powered convection cooking — but it also takes less time to cook food than with most other methods. As if that wasn’t enough, air fryers are easy to clean since most feature a nonstick basket that only requires a quick rinse with soapy water, and there is very seldom any food caked on the bottom that needs scrubbing. The air fryer basket also contains any splatter that might otherwise create a mess on the counter or stove.

While there are a few holdouts that I still cook in the big oven or on the stovetop, the list grows smaller by the year. Here are seven things I’ll cook only in the air fryer from now on.

Salmon

Roasted salmon is a simple, healthy weeknight dinner staple. It’s not difficult to make in the oven, but if you’re only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain in the butt. Pan-seared salmon is great and quick, but there’s almost no way to cook salmon on the stove without creating an oily, fishy mess. Plus, you’ll have a pan to clean afterward. 

I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer, and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheat time. The closed cooking chamber even hides some of the fishy smell from taking over my apartment. 

OK, so you might catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill during warmer months, but gone are the days of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen stove. 

Here’s how to make perfect air fryer salmon.

Roasted chicken

This one surprised me the most since I make a roast chicken most Sundays and had become content with my method using the oven. I learned fast that the air fryer does an even better job since it’s able to crisp the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted chicken takes about 45 minutes — about 15% quicker than the oven — and it’s nearly impossible to screw up.

Here’s how I make a quick roasted chicken in the air fryer.

Cheeseburgers 

Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple around my home. The exception is during summer when the grill is in full swing, but during cooler months, I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It’s not only cleaner than pan frying, but the burger doesn’t cook in its own grease, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you’re into that sort of thing). You can also stick the bun and a couple of slices of bacon in with the burger and you have the full meal with almost no cleanup to manage.

Here’s how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer.

Chicken cutlets 

Before the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken Parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and produces less oily fried chicken, too. 

Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive

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I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat content to withstand all that convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in beaten egg wash followed by bread crumbs mixed with salt, pepper and other spices. Cook at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.

You can spray the cutlets lightly with a bit of oil before cooking to get an extra crispy crust, but it’s not necessary. I’ve tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is more risk of drying out the meat.

Cauliflower steak

One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A slab of cauliflower makes an excellent hearty side dish or main course if you’re going plant-based. Simply toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or some seasoning of your choice, and air fry for 10 or 12 minutes on high. The air fryer gives it a beautiful caramelized crust, and it cooks the dense veggie fast enough so that the inside of the cauliflower doesn’t become mushy.

French fries 

Admittedly, I didn’t make French fries all that often before getting an air fryer, but now that I have one, it’s the only method I’ll use. Frozen French fries tend to dry out when cooked in a big oven because it takes much longer to cook them in that large chamber. 

An air fryer, with its compact cooking chamber and fast-moving air imparts a quick crust to the outside of the French fry in minutes without drying out the potato. Frozen fries don’t take more than 5 or 6 minutes to make in an air fryer, and you can make French fries from scratch in about 15 minutes.

Most leftover food

While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, a lot of them are. Air fryers are the perfect way to revive leftover pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life via convection heat for a crispy crust and even heating. 

Here’s the best way to reheat every type of leftover.