Hello, food friends. I’m a chef, and over the years, I’ve seen so many kitchen appliances get their turn in the spotlight and then fade away, but none have captured my heart and my plate like the air fryer. It’s not just a trendy appliance; it’s a kitchen game-changer. With only a fraction of the oil, it yields the crispy, golden flavors we’re always seeking, while keeping meals healthier, faster, and even more flavorful.
My favorite is the Chefman air fryer affordable, durable, and ideal for beginners. I’ve relied on it over the years to try out on everything from weeknights to more adventurous recipes. Here are 14 classics that are my new faves, and that I’m excited to share with you today. They’re not just dinners; they’re memories that will have you falling in love with your air fryer all over again.
1. Flawless Air Fryer Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is an age-old classic that refuses to go out of fashion, but a roasting of it done with the assistance of an air fryer is next-level bliss. The heated air circulating makes the exterior golden brown and crispy to perfection while the interior stays juicy and tender. The best part? It takes much less time than the oven.
I top mine with a green salad and roasted potatoes sometimes cooked right in the fryer. Regardless served over rice, quinoa, or raw veggies, this simple meal is gourmet without the hassle. You’ll never look back once you’ve tried roast chicken in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
- 1 Pastry or Basting Brush For applying olive oil evenly
- 1 Instant-Read Thermometer Crucial for ensuring food safety and perfect doneness
- 1 Plate For seasoning chicken
Ingredients
Main
- 4 skin-on boneless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and brush skins with olive oil. Place chicken thighs, skin-side down, in a single layer on a plate. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the seasoning mixture evenly over thighs. Turn thighs over and evenly sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Arrange thighs, skin-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cook in the preheated air fryer until thighs are brown and the juices run clear, about 18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Serve and enjoy! Allrecipes
Notes
2. Juicy Air Fryer Burgers
Who doesn’t love a great burger? The air fryer makes it obscenely easy to cook patties that are seared on the outside but tender on the inside. All it normally takes is 10 minutes.
Pro tip: press a little dent into each patty before frying so they cook more evenly. Top toasted buns with your favorite topping I keep it old school: ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions. Easy, quick, and straight-out delicious.
Crunchburger (aka the Signature Burger)
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet or Griddle For cooking burgers at high heat to achieve a good crust.
- 1 Spatula For flipping burgers and handling them during cooking.
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl For preparing the horseradish mustard mayonnaise.
- 1 Measuring Spoons For accurate measurement of mayonnaise ingredients.
- 1 Basting Cover or Aluminum Foil To effectively melt the cheese on top of the burgers.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck 80 percent lean or ground turkey (90 percent lean)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- 8 slices American cheese each 1/4 inch thick
- 4 potato hamburger buns split; toasted, if desired (see Cook’s Note)
- 4 slices beefsteak tomato optional
- 4 leaves romaine lettuce optional
- 4 slices red onion optional
- Horseradish Mustard Mayonnaise recipe follows (optional)*
- 4 handfuls of potato chips
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons drained prepared horseradish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in the pan or griddle over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
- Add the cheese, if using, to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking and top with a basting cover, close the grill cover, or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese.
- Place the burgers on the bun bottoms and, if desired, top with tomato, lettuce, onion, and a dollop of horseradish mustard mayonnaise. Pile on the potato chips, top with the bun tops, and serve immediately.
Notes
3. Elevated Frozen Pizza
We all have the nights where frozen pizza is the hero. The air fryer makes what’s typically a compromise into a melty, crispy delight. Preheat to 400°F, add the pizza (cut to size if necessary), and cook for 10–12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
It trumps the oven and is a gazillion times better than the microwave. Pair it with a side of roasted vegetables or garlic knots, and you have yourself a meal that’s anything but lazy.
4. Frozen Hot Wings
If you have a freezer full of wings that you never seem to make use of, the air fryer is your solution. Frozen to crispy in mere minutes, it turns them into game-day glory no greasy deep fryer needed.
I have mine with celery, carrots, and a side of blue cheese or ranch. Once you’ve had them prepared this way, you won’t have frozen wings sitting around again.
5. Bison Burgers from Frozen
Bison burgers are packed with big flavor, but from-frozen cooking can be tricky. The air fryer simplifies it, giving you perfectly cooked patties that are as delicious as grilled.
I like to top them with roasted potatoes and a crispy salad, but you can fancy them up with sautéed mushrooms, onions, cheese, or even bacon. A comforting, satisfying meal in a flash.
6. Crispy Fried Chicken Wings
Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Air-fried chicken wings provide us with everything we enjoy crunchy skin and juicy meat without the grease.
They’re simple to prepare, infinitely adaptable, and ideal with dipping sauce from ranch to hot honey. Master them, and you’ll be making wings on repeat.
7. Bacon, Improved
Air fryer-cooked bacon is a revelation. No greasy stovetop splatters anymore just beautifully crispy strips all the time.
Use it for breakfast with eggs and toast, wrap it around chicken or fish for added flavor, or sprinkle it on salads and pizzas. The air fryer turns bacon from soft to irresistible.
8. Homemade Beef Jerky
Jerky doesn’t have to be loaded with preservatives and salt. The air fryer lets beef be dehydrated into chewy, flavorful strips with way less additives.
Serve it as a snack, add it to salads, or even use it as a smoky pizza and soup garnish. It’s a healthier, homemade version of an old favorite.
Air Fryer Oven Beef Jerky
Equipment
- 1 Slicing Knife For thinly slicing beef
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Large Bowl For marinating the beef
- 1 Air Fryer Oven Essential for dehydrating the jerky
- 1 Airtight Container For proper storage
Ingredients
Main
- 4 pounds London broil thinly sliced and fat removed
- 2 tablespoons jerky seasoning
- 2 tablespoons cure
- 2 teaspoons cure
Instructions
- Place beef, jerky seasoning, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cure in a large bowl. Massage beef with your hands until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place beef slices on the rack, making sure none are overlapping.
- Air fry for 3 hours. Open the air fryer and let beef sit for 1 hour for final drying and cooling. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
9. Air Fryer Naan
Soft, flaky naan is the perfect accompaniment to curries and stews, and the air fryer gets perilously close to that tandoor crunch crunchy outside, soft inside.
I like mine brushed with garlic butter or with a cool yogurt-mint dip. For a variation, top naan for individual pizzas.
10. Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
This is nearly decadence sweet onion wrapped in frayed bacon, crisped to a golden brown in the air fryer. The pairing is rich, meaty, and downright addictive.
I prefer to pair them with a green salad in order to balance them out or serve them alongside roasted vegetables. To make it a treat, top it with a fried egg and let the yolk blend in with the crispy layers.
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Small Bowl For Sriracha
- 1 Tongs For handling hot food
Ingredients
Main
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions peeled
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 8-10 bacon slices
Instructions
- Peel the yellow or sweet onions and slice them into thick rings, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Separate the rings.
- In a small bowl, lightly brush or toss the separated onion rings with the Sriracha, ensuring an even coating.
- Take one slice of bacon and carefully wrap it around a Sriracha-coated onion ring. Ensure the bacon is snug and covers the onion ring.
- Repeat the wrapping process with the remaining bacon and onion rings. If desired, secure the bacon ends with a toothpick.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping the onion rings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping of the bacon and tender onions.
- Continue cooking until the bacon is crispy and golden brown, and the onion rings are tender.
- Carefully remove the bacon-wrapped onion rings from the air fryer.
- Serve immediately as a hot appetizer or side dish.
Notes
11. Easy Air Fryer Donuts
Homemade donuts in under 15 minutes? Yes, it is. The air fryer achieves that bakery crunch on the outside and soft inside without a deep fryer.
They can be glazed, powdered, or go bold with chocolate ganache or fruit compote. Breakfast or dessert, they’re a crowd-pleaser.
Two-Ingredient Dough Air Fryer Donuts
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 2 Mixing Bowls One for dough, one for glaze
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Parchment Paper For lining the air fryer basket
- 1 Wire Rack For cooling and setting glaze
Ingredients
Main
- cooking spray
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream or as needed
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line basket with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine flour and yogurt in a bowl. Flour your hands and knead dough until dough comes together into a ball. Divide dough into 4 pieces.
- Flour a work area and roll each piece into a long rope, 10 to 12 inches long. Pinch both ends of dough together. Place in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Air-fry until donuts start to brown, 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Flip donuts and air-fry until golden brown, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Cool.
- Place powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream in a bowl and whisk to combine. Dip donuts in glaze and place on wire rack until set, 5 to 6 minutes.
Notes
12. Frozen Potstickers
Those frozen dumplings in your freezer can taste just like takeout when cooked in the air fryer. They crisp up beautifully on the outside while staying juicy inside.
Serve with a dipping sauce of rice vinegar and soy sauce, or hot it up with chili garlic or sriracha. For a variation, add honey for a salty-sweet combination.
13. Successful Fried Ravioli
Frying ravioli restaurant-style is usually a greasy treat, but the air fryer gets the same golden crunch with far less oil. The reward: crunchy outside, cheesy within, and completely habit-forming.
Serve it as a shareable appetizer with marinara or make it a meal with garlic bread and salad. To change things up, try using Alfredo or sweet chili sauce as dips.
14. Shrimp Tacos in Minutes
Taco Tuesday, downgraded to a mere breeze. The air fryer rapidly cooks shrimp to tender, ever so lightly crisped, and perfectly sized for piling into warm tortillas.
I like mine topped with cabbage slaw and a squeeze of lime. Add avocado, sour cream, or salsa for an extra burst of pizzazz. Quick, fresh, and infinitely versatile, these tacos will be a weeknight staple no matter what.
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 2 Mixing Bowls One for the sauce, one for seasoning shrimp.
- 1 Spoon or Spatula For stirring and tossing.
- 1 Paper Towels Essential for drying shrimp.
- 1 Serving Plates
Ingredients
Main
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 ounces uncooked medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 4 10 inch flour tortillas, toasted
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
Instructions
- Combine yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined and set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Pat shrimp dry using a paper towel and place into a bowl. Add olive oil and taco seasoning. Stir until evenly combined.
- Place shrimp in the basket of the preheated air fryer and cook for 4 minutes. Shake and cook for 3 minutes more.
- Place tortillas on serving plates. Divide cabbage and shrimp between the tortillas. Top with reserved sauce and serve. Soup Loving Nicole
Notes
Final Thoughts
From comforting and warm traditional fare to bold experiments, the air fryer is not a gadget it’s a revolution in the kitchen. It’s quick, oil-free, and unlocking boundless cooking potential. From making a quick dinner to breaking the boundaries of snacks and desserts, these recipes prove that healthier and delicious cooking can go hand in hand.
Pull out your Chefman air fryer, try one of these, and be amazed at how much this small appliance can accomplish. Happy air frying.
