Break open that New Air Fryer and getting cooking with this list of the BEST healthy air fryer recipes for beginners! From breakfasts to air fryer dinners, to veggies and snacks, this list has all the yummiest Air Fryer recipes, perfect any air fryer newbie!
Are you excited to get cooking all the healthy things with your brand new Air Fryer, but not sure what to make? You are in the right place!
Air fryers are super easy to use, and as long as you follow a tried and true recipe, the learning curve is not steep at all! I’ve rounded a list of my favorite healthy Air Fryer recipes from Confessions, as well as some other amazing food blogs from around the web, so you can get started cooking right away. I can’t wait to hear about your favorites!
Table of Contents
How does an air fryer work?
An Air Fryer is basically a smaller convection oven. Instead of lots of oil, it uses convection heat to cook your food and get that signature crispy outside we all want. It’s also FAST – it takes way less time to Air Fry than deep fry or even oven roast your food. And it’s also way less messy.
Is using an air fryer healthy?
Air frying uses less oil or sometimes no oil as compared to a traditional deep fryer methods. And food still comes out super crispy and cooks way faster than using a conventional oven. Of course, you need to still think about your food choices if your ultimate goal is weight loss, but there are so many healthy meals and veggie forward dishes that you can make using this awesome appliance.
Which air fryer should I buy?
There are so many choices of Air Fryers out there, it can be confusing as there are different models and sizes. My advice is to skip the smaller air fryers for something that is at least 5 quarts or more, unless you are only cooking for 1-2 people.
If you need help deciding which model works best for your family, check out my post of the Best Air Fryers for updated information on all my favorite Air Fryer models!
Healthy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Both chicken breasts (I love using tenderloins!) and chicken thighs come out amazing in the Air Fryer. Perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinners and healthy meal prep. These healthy air fryer chicken recipes are tried and true and would be perfect for air fryer newbies or veterans!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer chicken thighs are juicy like deep fried chicken, but they’re easy to make and healthy, too. This healthy air fryer chicken recipe for dinner comes together with only pantry spices and a little oil- and yet it's such a crowd pleaser! Everyone in my family LOVES them!
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Skip the store bought rotisserie chicken and make your own at home with this easy air fryer whole chicken recipe. Juicy, tender chicken cooked perfectly without ever turning on the oven!
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Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets [Gluten-Free]
Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets are an easy, healthier alternative to my grandma's signature dinner. No oily mess, but you still get juicy chicken breasts with a crispy crunch! Meal prep these gluten-free chicken cutlets for pasta, sandwiches, atop salads, and so much more!
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Krispie Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
These buffalo chicken nuggets are a family favorite! Perfect for a quick and fun dinner or a game day appetizer! I love having mine over some salad greens with that delicious homemade blue cheese dressing.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Everything Bagel Seasoning + Maple Mustard Sauce
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a total game changer! Crispy without the traditional deep frying mess and seasoned with arguably the best seasoning combination invented. Serve up this everything bagel chicken with a side of sweet and tangy Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce, for a dinner or lunch that is sure to delight!
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Burgers
Yes! You can make YUMMY Chicken Burgers right in your air fryer! Perfectly seasoned and dripping in deliciously sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce, these BBQ Chicken Burgers are perfect for your next backyard get together, no grill needed!
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken
This Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders recipe is one of my husband’s new favorite meals! Made with lean chicken breast tenders, turkey bacon, melted pepper jack cheese, and topped with avocado, it’s a flavor explosion.
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Air Fryer Asian Chicken Meatballs
One of the most popular recipes on the blog…and of all the cooking methods listed here, the Air Fryer method is my favorite! In fact, you can make any meatball recipe in the Air Fryer. They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside!
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Healthy Chicken Parmesan – The Foodie and The Fix
This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan is so flavorful – crispy on the outside and perfectly juicy and tender on the inside! It's a crazy-delicious, kid-friendly dinner too!
An Indian takeaway classic – this Air Fryer Chicken Tikka is perfectly cooked chunks of chicken seasoned in tikka spice and ready in just 20 minutes.
Tender Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
Tender, juicy, delicious and perfect to eat over salads, with rice and veggies or on sandwiches.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas Recipe | Recipes From A Pantry
These easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas are full of pantry staples juicy chicken and seasoned vegetables and cook in less than 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
These Healthy Air fryer Chicken Taquitos are such a quick and easy dinner for the whole family. Just prep some Salsa Lime Chicken in your Crock Pot or your Instant Pot and easily make Taquitos in your Air fryer!
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
We love these Buffalo Chicken Taquitos, too – a great way to repurpose extra rotisserie chicken or extra buffalo chicken dip!
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Perfectly Portion Controlled, these Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed Peppers are stuffed with your favorite dip…just made healthier! And so quick and easy in the Air Fryer.
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More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes (that aren’t chicken)
I love using my air fryer for quick and easy weeknight dinners beyond just chicken! Juicy pork, perfectly cooked salmon, shrimp, and even pizza come out amazing every time! Here’s a list of my favorite, healthy air-fryer recipes for dinner.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is the easiest way to get tender, juicy pork on the inside with a crisp, caramelized outside. Seasoned with an amazing blend of brown sugar, paprika, garlic, and a dash of chili powder, and cooked to perfection. Great for a quick, yet oh so delicious dinner!
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Air Fryer Steak
We LOVE making steak in the Air Fryer, especially in the winter when it's too cold to grill. Seared on the outside, but perfectly tender and juicy on the inside! Try it!
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Sausage and Quinoa
The quintessential fall and winter meal is here! Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Quinoa, and Apple tastes like Thanksgiving and is perfect for meal prep. This recipe is air fryer friendly which cuts the cook time in half, but you can also use your oven!
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Air Fryer Buffalo Turkey Meatballs | The Clean Eating Couple
Healthy Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are a delicious, easy weeknight dinner. Easily made paleo and whole30, they’re perfect over a salad or on rice!
Air Fryer Beef Taquitos
This easy Air Fryer Taquitos recipe uses my favorite hidden veggie taco meat and my favorite homemade cheese sauce as a queso dipping sauce- they are super freezer friendly!
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Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Full of flavor and ready in minutes, this Air Fryer Shrimp Taco Recipe is our new favorite for Taco Tuesday…especially when paired with my favorite Mexican Street Corn Salad and fresh avocado and mango! Wrap them up in lettuce wraps or tortillas for a yummy dinner!
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Air Fryer Shrimp
Fast, easy, and delicious! This Air Fryer shrimp is ready in under ten minutes and full of flavor from simple spices and a yummy garlic butter drizzle. A great addition for your next party, for dinner, or even for meal prep!
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce
This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe is a quick and healthy way to make this restaurant favorite appetizer at home. Made with simple, gluten free ingredients and paired with a homemade Sweet Chili Sauce, these shrimp are a family favorite!
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Air Fryer Pizza
The Air Fryer is the perfect place to make personal pizzas! This one made with my GF Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough, is topped with ricotta and hot honey, is extra YUM!
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Air Fryer Falafel Bites
Crispy, easy, delicious Falafel bites made in your Air Fryer or baked in your oven and drizzledwith a homemade Tzatziki dressing . The perfect meatless dinner or lunch option.
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Air Fryer Salmon (Fresh or Frozen)
Enjoy some perfectly cooked salmon in less than 10 minutes with this Air Fryer Salmon recipe! You'll get tender, juicy, flaky salmon every time when using your Air Fryer. Bonus – if you are short on time, you can make frozen salmon in the air fryer without any thawing!
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Air Fryer Honey Glazed Salmon
My favorite method for making this Honey Glazed Salmon is in the Air Fryer! It's so quick and it gets extra crispy on top, just the way I like it!
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Air Fryer garlic lime shrimp kebabs
Flavorful easy Air Fryer shrimp skewers kebabs with lime and garlic. Zero points weight watchers too! Low carb, Paleo, Whole30 and Keto friendly! Air fryer is an amazing kitchen tool to make oil free healthy
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
YES! You can make fish in the air fryer! I love how crispy it comes out without needing breading.
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Air Fryer Mini Crab Cakes
I make the BEST gluten free mini crab cakes every holiday season and they really couldn't be easier in the Air Fryer! Loved by gluten and non gluten eating people alike and super easy to prep ahead. Check out my simple recipe and a quick lemon aioli dipping sauce, too!
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Air Fryer Vegetables + Air Fryer Side Dishes
Need a quick veggie or side dish for dinner? Look no further than your Air Fryer! These are some of my most favorite healthy Air Fryer recipes because who doesn’t love a veggie with a little extra crunch? Enjoy!
Air Fryer Zucchini
This low carb Air Fryer Zucchini recipe is so simple and only uses a handful of ingredients and is ready in no time. Crispy, crunchy, keto air fryer zucchini fries with no breading are the perfect side dish or snack to whip up when you need something quick and healthy! Perfect for satisfying those savory snack cravings and staying on your meal plan.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly crispy, so delicious, and cook in just ten minutes! Topped with bacon, Parmesan, and a drizzle of Hot Honey, this air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe is your new side dish addiction.
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Air Fryer French Fries
Skip the frozen store bought fries and make healthy AND crispy homemade french fries from potatoes in your air fryer or in your oven! Or meal prep a bunch and freeze for easy fries any night of the week!
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Air Fryer Delicata Squash
My new favorite side dish – these Delicata Squash Fries are highly addicting and a great way to get your veggies in on the 21 Day Fix!
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Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe | Evolving Table
This easy Air Fryer Asparagus recipe quickly roasts spears for the best crispy and tender texture for a healthy, vegan, low-carb side dish.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe | NatashasKitchen.com
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are crispy on the outside with a tender center. Learn how to make healthy sweet potato fries in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Cauliflower – three ways
So easy, crispy, and delicious, this Air Fryer Cauliflower is an awesome snack, side, or app to make! With three different seasoning options and a yummy cheese sauce, you can quickly make this tasty cauliflower side in minutes.
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Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans | A Grill for All Seasons
Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans are simple yet delicious. With 4 ingredients and your air fryer, you have a nutritious side in just 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Air Fryer Potato Chips are a quick and easy snack that you'll fall in love with. Crispy homemade potato chips have the perfect crunch without all the saturated fat, oil, and calories.
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Air Fryer Mushrooms with Balsamic Vinegar
Air Fryer Mushrooms with Balsamic Vinegar and Parsley make for a delicious and healthy side dish. Serve with your favorite main course.
Delicious Air Fryer Carrots are the perfect side or snack for all ages. Only 3 ingredients and very little prep work are needed.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash | What Molly Made
This butternut squash fries up in minutes in the air fryer, so it’s super easy to make a healthy, yet delicious veggie side dish.
Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
In a hurry? Make breakfast in your Air Fryer while you are doing all the morning things! Bonus – many of these healthy air fryer breakfast recipes can double as a healthy snack, too!
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
These HealthyAir FryerFrench Toast Sticks are so quick and easy to make even on your busy mornings. Make a bunch, freeze, and just reheat to make mornings even easier!
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Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
I love the Air Fryer for making hard boiled eggs! Throw them in, get the kids ready for school, and they are ready in no time! Perfect breakfast or snack.
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Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Making Air Fryer Turkey Bacon is so easy and quick! Enjoy some crispy turkey bacon that’s cooked to perfection in minutes – perfect for a quick and easy breakfast protein, side dish, or to have on hand to add to other recipes.
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Air Fryer Sausage Patties | Joy Filled Eats
Low-carb Air Fryer Sausage Patties are full of flavor and taste with just a handful of ingredients. This easy sausage recipe is perfect for breakfast. Eat it alone or pair it up with an egg or two!
Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins | Stay Snatched
Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins are a quick and easy way to save time for breakfast or dessert. This healthy, homemade recipe is made with a mix from scratch using my favorite silicone muffin cups. They don’t stick to anything! You can even air fry banana muffins if you wish.
Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata (GF, LC, K)
This Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata from Recipes from a Pantry is quick, easy and protein-packed! Start your day with a delicious healthy Air Fryer Frittata that is ready in just minutes!
Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed Sweet Potatoes [+ How to Bake Sweet Potatoes 5 Ways]
Are they a breakfast? A dessert? A snack? All of the above? In any case, these Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are the bomb and have been on repeat for months over here!
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Air Fryer Peaches
A delicious dessert or quick snack, we make these Air Fryer Peaches all the time during summer stone fruit season. They're a healthy snack or healthy dessert that can be ready in the blink of an eye, the perfect way to use those fresh peaches.
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Short on time? Baked apples are awesome, but Air Fryer Apples are super speedy. Throw over some greek yogurt for an easy and delicious breakfast!
So many recipes to try, so go ahead and get cooking. I am so excited to see which recipes you love best! As always, tag me on social – I love hearing from you!
