10 Air Fryer Recipes That Are *Almost* Too Good to Be True

By Betty Gold
January 21, 2020
Greg DuPree

Is it possible to fry food using almost no oil... and eat it without needing a nap immediately afterwards? If you've heard anything about the buzziest healthy-cooking appliance of the past few years, the air fryer, then you know the answer is yes.

Technically, air fryers are mini convection ovens, meaning they use convection fans to circulate hot air around foods (think: french fries, chicken wings, crispy Brussels sprouts) to give them an irresistible fried-like texture with almost no oil. Air fried foods won't taste exactly like their deep-fried counterparts, but they'll have a crispy-crunchy exterior (thanks to the maillard reaction) and tender interior. We're big fans. That's why we chose to round up 10 of our favorite air fryer-friendly Real Simple recipes.

RELATED: Here's Exactly What You Should Know Before You Use Your New Air Fryer 

You'll find modified cooking instructions on each slide, but part of the beauty of this appliance is that you can easily pull out the fryer basket at any time to check on your food's cooking process, so don't hesitate to keep a watchful eye on those mozzarella sticks and meatballs. (And air fryer models vary tremendously in size, shape, and technology, so cook times and temps will vary, too.) Most foods will brown more evenly if you give them a gentle shake at least once during the cooking process, so keep that in mind too. And finally, remember that you won't need more than a tablespoon or two of oil when cooking in an air fryer, so adjust recipe amounts accordingly.

RELATED: 7 Brilliant Ways to Use Your Air Fryer for Meal Prep

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1 of 10

Easy Pork Dumplings

Greg DuPree

To make these better-than-takeout pork dumplings in an air fryer, cook them at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they're lightly browned and crispy. Turn halfway through. 

Get the recipe: Easy Pork Dumplings

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2 of 10

Ricotta Meatballs

Victor Protasio

Here, doubling down on the cheese with a combination creamy ricotta and salty pecorino allows these delicious homemade meatballs to walk the fine line between rich and intensely savory. Air frying will help them stay on the "lighter" side—to do so, cook them at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Get the recipe: Ricotta Meatballs

3 of 10

Baked Eggplant Fries

Greg DuPree

The key to the coating on these crispy-yet-tender eggplant fries is a bath in frothy egg whites and then a toss in panko, or Japanese breadcrumbs. To air fry, cook the eggplant fries at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they're evenly browned and crisp. Shake the fryer basket halfway through cooking. 

Get the recipe: Greek Lamb Burgers with Baked Eggplant Fries

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4 of 10

Garlic-Roasted Potatoes

Greg DuPree

After just 15 minutes of chopping and prep work, you'll toss these delicious garlic-scented spuds in your air fryer basket at 350°F for 18 to 25 minutes. How easy is that? Just make sure not to forget to give them a shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Roasted Potatoes

5 of 10

Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Greg DuPree

Cooking these chicken strips in the air fryer instead of the deep fryer gives the finger food staple a healthy twist, and using panko bread crumbs makes for an extra crispy exterior that won’t get soggy when sitting out. To air fry, cook at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes and shake halfway through. 

Get the recipe: Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

6 of 10

Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta and Lemon

Anna Williams

We couldn't give you a roundup of air fryer recipes without a little browned Brussels sprouts number. This delicious side dish packs an umami-rich punch, thanks to a generous portion of pancetta, which also helps the Brussels caramelize. Air fry at 375°F for 8 to 12 minutes, and be sure to shake halfway through to help them brown evenly.

Get the recipe: Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta and Lemon

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7 of 10

Cornmeal-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks

Greg DuPree

These crispy, melty mozzarella sticks were made for air frying. Cook them at 400°F for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the outside is nicely crisp. Shake the fryer basket halfway through. 

Get the recipe: Cornmeal-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks

8 of 10

Spiced Beef Empanadas With Lime Sour Cream

Con Poulos

A slightly tart creamy dip balances out handheld empanadas filled with a delicious mixture of ground beef, raisins, onion, and cinnamon. Cook these in your air fryer at 375°F for 12 to 20 minutes, or until the outsides are golden brown and crisp. 

Get the recipe: Spiced Beef Empanadas With Lime Sour Cream 

9 of 10

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Lime and Cilantro

Danny Kim

We promise that these air-fried sweet potato fries—dusted with lime zest and fresh cilantro—will outshine any basic French fry recipe. Cook in your air fryer at 375°F for 18-25 minutes; give them a toss at least once midway through cooking. 

Get the recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Lime and Cilantro

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10 of 10

Roasted Zucchini

Brett Stevens/Getty Images

With just two ingredients—zucchini and olive oil—you can have a healthy, seasonal side dish on the table in less than 15 minutes. Air fry the diced zucchini at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes, tossing halfway through. To add some extra flavor, feel free to shower it with fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, or toasted bread crumbs. 

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