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17 easy air fryer recipes for beginners and experts

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Do you have an air fryer or thinking of getting one? And you don’t know what to cook with it? Fret not; we got your back. We have a compilation of recipes to cook with your air fryer.

easy air fryer recipes
© GEOLEE/ gettyimages

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In recent years, air fryers have become a staple in every household due to its convenience, foolproof and simple enough for anyone to cook different things using it, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. What makes air fryers so popular is the simplicity of the whole thing.  With an air fryer, you do not need to worry about your food once you pop your food inside; simply wait for it to be done, and you do not have to wash a lot of things right after.

Also, from the wellbeing perspective and health junkie, the air fryer is a staple in the kitchen due to little to zero presence of oil in cooking the food. For your information, the air fryer functions by circulating hot air around to cook the food without bothering to turn the food manually. 

What makes it even more interesting is that air fryers specialise in making food crispy and juicy at the same time compared to cooking in a conventional oven. Nonetheless, not everything can be cooked inside the air fryer. Continue reading to find out the best recipe to prepare to make the best out of your air fryer.

What are the best foods to cook in an air fryer

What are the best foods to cook in an air fryer
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Typically, people would cook most of the frozen food in the air fryer as simple and straightforward. Let’s keep it simple, and if you want something crispy outside while keeping it juicy inside, an air fryer is your best bet given that the hot air reaches all surfaces of the food being cooked inside, things like french fries, spring rolls, and cookies.

Not to forget filled pastries. Filled pastries would be the most ideal to be cooked in an air fryer since we would want the pastries to be crispy and the filling to stay moist. With an air fryer also, the food is cooked evenly without bothering to turn it around halfway through like what we always do with the oven.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer
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Regardless of all the wonderful things that you can make with an air fryer, there are limitations to it. Cooking wet batter like a pancake is almost impossible as it will incur a lot of cleaning the utensil afterwards. Contrary to the popular belief of air fryers being similar to the oven, making crispy kale chips is not an air fryer’s best quality. Also, cooking green vegetables is perhaps not an air fryer’s best feature, as green leafy food tends to wilt in the air fryer.

Can you make eggs in an air fryer

If you are asking, can you make eggs in an air fryer? The answer is YES! You can make eggs in different ways using the air fryer. From hard-boiled egg to sunny side up to fried egg, you name it. Perhaps the only thing about cooking eggs is that you would need different equipment to assist the cooking. You would need a trivet to raise the egg from the air fryer pan for hard-boiled eggs to ensure that the eggs are cooked thoroughly. As for the fried egg, you just need to create a little nook for the egg to cook using aluminium foil.

Can you put raw meat in an air fryer

Absolutely! If you are familiar with cooking food using an air fryer, level up your air fryer game to cook some juicy and tender steakYou might need to do some trial and error when cooking a steak, but with practice and getting to know the right temperature on your air fryer, you can definitely whip out some fancy dinner with your air fryer. 

Can you use breading in an air fryer

Can you use breading in an air fryer
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It is certainly advisable to use breading instead of simply dipping your food in the wet batter and popping it in the air fryer.  The wet batter does not cook evenly in an air fryer; however, if you use breading such as panko bread crumbs, rest assured that your food is going to come out with the crispiest surface, and the inside shall remain moist and cooked thoroughly.

READ: How to clean an air fryer: Tips to remove baked-on grease and residue

17 easy air fryer recipes for beginners and experts 

There is an abundance of recipes to find on the internet, and we tend to get overwhelmed looking at the long list of recipes available. Do not worry!  We are taking the initiative to compile 17 air fryer recipes to try out with your trusted air fryer, including Asian air fryer recipes for you to enjoy!

Malaysian air fryers recipes

Did we mention that you can bake food using an air fryer? Yes, you can! For Malaysian recipes, you should try making these two traditional Malay dishes : 

1. Kuih bakar  

malaysian air fryer recipe kuih bakar air fryer
© andrewkoh/ 123RF

This pandan-flavoured tea-time snack is not that hard to make, though it is famous for the way it was traditionally made. This decadent dessert is traditionally baked using coconut husk to capture the smoky aroma. Nonetheless, your air fryer can do just as well, and even bet; the kuih bakar will be cooked evenly with the air fryer and ultimately saving you time. 

All you need is :

  1. wheat flour,
  2. eggs, sugar,
  3. pandan leaves
  4. condensed milk
  5. vanilla essence, and green colouring

Mix it all using your blender. Then, pour it into your baking pan and top it with sesame seeds. After that, place it in your air fryer for 30 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius.

2. Lemang

lemang air fryer recipe
© Nora Carol Photography/ gettyimages

Another traditional Malay food that you can try to make using your air fryer is Lemang. This classic dish is “seasonal” as it is being sold on the street during the Eid celebration (Hari Raya) in MalaysiaMany perceived that lemang as tedious and complicated, but the recipe only calls for four ingredients:

  1. glutinous rice
  2. coconut milk
  3. salt
  4. water

Instead of using bamboo to cook the rice mixture, we shall use muffin cups and arrange them inside the air fryer basket. The lemang should be cooked at 180 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. 

Japanese air fryers recipes

Some parts of Japanese cuisine require frying the food, such as Chicken Katsu and Chicken Karaage. Both of these Japanese foods may be cooked the same way, but they are prepared in different ways.

3. Chicken Katsu thighs

japanese air fryer recipe chicken katsu
© automidori/ gettyimages

Chicken Katsu is chicken cutlet from the thigh of the chicken, and it is usually boneless. We typically associate Japanese food with healthy food as they are generally soupy and raw. Chicken Katsu, on the other hand, is supposed to be deep-fried. Air fryer chicken Katsu thighs would be perfect for those who would like to enjoy Chicken Katsu without worrying about the oil that food soaked during frying.

To make Chicken Katsu, all you need is a boneless chicken thigh cut into a fillet, an egg, and bread crumbs. Dip the chicken fillet into the egg and then place it in bread crumbs. Repeat the whole step until the breadcrumbs do not fall apart. Place all breadcrumb-coated chicken fillet into the air fryer basket and cook it for 10 minutes at 190-degree Celsius.

4. Chicken Karaage

japanese air fryer recipe chicken karaage
© imagenavi/ gettyimages

On the other hand, Chicken Karaage or fried chicken is prepared by marinating the chicken pieces before cooking it. Chicken Karaage is like chicken nuggets, except that it should be marinated in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before cooking it. Air fryer Chicken Karaage has been relatively simple as just pop the marinated chicken pieces you prepared earlier and cook it for 10 minutes. Once done, serve it with a slice of a lemon wedge on the side.

Korean air fryer recipes

Korean spicy chicken and Korean fried chicken recipes are among the most popular air fryer recipes searched by internet users. Some Korean food can be tedious to make, especially Korean fried chicken. Some recipes even call for deep-frying the chicken twice to make sure of the crispiness of the fried chicken before coating it with the sauce. Nonetheless, this can be resolved using an air fryer.

5. Korean fried chicken

air fryer korean fried chicken
©Justin Ong/ gettyimages

The secret to making tasty Korean fried chicken is the crispiness of the chicken. To ensure that the chicken is crispy and juicy inside, it is best to coat the chicken with some oil and then lightly coat it with some potato starch or cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

Then place the chickens in the air fryer’s basket and cook it for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. While waiting, prepare the sauce that consists of soy sauce, minced garlic and garlic, rice vinegar, honey, and brown sugar.  Cook the chicken again for 5 minutes and then toss it in the sauce that you have prepared.

6. Gochujang chicken

air fryer gochujang chicken
© foodad /Multi-bits/ gettyimages

Air fryer Gochujang chicken, in many ways similar to the previous recipe. Except that Gochujang is spicier than the regular Korean fried chicken. To spice things up, this recipe calls for ginger and garlic powder along with corn or potato cornstarch and salt and pepper to coat the chicken before cooking it in the air fryer for 10 minutes, and then flip and then cook for another 7-8 minutes.  After that, toss it in the mixture of gochujang, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic and ginger, and soy sauce.

Air fryer breakfast recipes

Suppose you don’t feel like wasting your time, standing around in the kitchen flipping your food. Your air fryer got your back. There is plenty of food to prepare using an air fryer for breakfast. 

 7. French toast

air fryer french toast
© Cavan Images/ gettyimages

French toast is one of the most uncomplicated foods to make in the morning for breakfast. With an air fryer, you can surely use the time while it is cooking to get ready. Crack an egg in a bowl and stir it until combined with some milk, a dash of cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla essence. Dip the bread in the mix and place it in a pan. Since the egg mix is drippy, make sure you use the pan instead of the basket to avoid a massive mess in your air fryer.

8. Grilled cheese sandwich

air fryer grilled cheese sandwich
© Olga Miltsova/ 123RF

A grilled cheese sandwich is a quick fix that you can make in a rush before you leave the house. Simply spread some butter on the outside of your bread, and lay a couple of slices of cheddar cheese in the centre of the bread. Pop it into the air fryer for 5 minutes at 190-degree Celsius, and you are done!

Air fryer dessert recipes

Do not be surprised that some serious desserts can be made using an air fryer. You can simply whip out some decadent snack right before your tea time.

9. Air fryer churros

air fryer churros
© iDebby Lewis-Harrison/ gettyimages

Did you know that you can make Churros with an air fryer? It is so nifty that you no longer have to stand over your stove to cook it; instead, you can just put it inside your air fryer and take it out to eat when it is done. All you need is :

  1. water
  2. butter
  3. salt
  4. vanilla extract
  5. all-purpose flour
  6. eggs
  7. sugar and some brown sugar

Mix all the ingredients on your stove and when it becomes a dough, pipe it out into your air fryer basket. Leave it for 11 minutes at 180-degree Celsius.

10. Air fryer doughnuts

air fryer doughnuts
© Scott Grummett/ gettyimages

 Another dessert that can be made with an air fryer is doughnuts. You would need:

  1. milk
  2. all-purpose flour
  3. granulated sugar
  4. butter
  5. active dry yeast
  6. egg
  7. vanilla extract
  8. salt 

First, activate the yeast by combining lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast and leave it until it becomes frothy. Then mix it with other materials until it forms into a dough. Knead it and form it into a ball and leave it to rest for 1 hour. After 1 hour, shape it into a ring, lay it in your air fryer basket, and cook it for 6 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius.

Air fryer recipes for beginners

If this is your first time using your air fryer, take it easy with some simple recipes to test your appliance out. 

11. Roasted chicken

air fryer roast chicken
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This easy savoury dish is easy to make, especially for people who usually rush home to make dinner for the whole family.  This recipe also does not require that many ingredients. A whole chicken, olive oil, salt, and some lemons. Rub the oil and salt on the outside and stuff the lemon inside the chicken. Leave it in the air fryer for 30 minutes at 176 degrees Celsius.

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12. Air fried salmon

air fryer grilled salmon
© Thanakorn Hormniam/ gettyimages

The air fryer is the best appliance to cook salmon in if you like it to be crispy outside and maintain juicy, moist, and flavorful on the inside. Coat the salmon fillet with a combination of lemon juice, olive oil, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper before putting it in the air fryer. Cook it for 20 minutes at 215 degrees Celsius. 

Healthy air fryer recipes

One of the reasons why air fryers are so popular is that they can cook food without oil. Therefore, making it the ideal appliance that fits with a healthy lifestyle.

13. Roasted broccoli

air fryer roasted broccoli
© Funwithfood/ gettyimages

Make this delicious broccoli side dish in a snap with an air fryer. Simply toss the broccoli florets in oil, salt, and minced garlic. Cook it in the air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes. After it is done, coat the cooked broccoli in the combination of honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar.

14. Buffalo Cauliflower

air air fryer buffalo Cauliflower
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If you are looking for alternatives to chicken wings, you should give buffalo cauliflower a try. Cauliflower can absorb flavour, and the crispy the cauliflower, the better. Simply toss the cauliflower florets into buffalo sauce, and you can transfer it to the basket of your air fryer. Bake it for 40 minutes and enjoy!

Other popular air fryer recipes

Be sure to try other popular air fryer recipes, when you make it, it makes sense why it is so popular. 

15. Chicken wings

air fried chicken wings
© Ali Majdfar/ gettyimages

Air-fried chicken wings are so easy to make and no marinating beforehand is required for these marvellous, crispy, and flavourful wings. Cooked within 16 minutes, these chicken wings only need lemon, salt, pepper, olive oil, and garlic powder. Cover the chicken wings with the mix of the dry ingredients and cook it in the air fryer.

16. Chicken drummettes

air fried chicken drummette
© ReDunnLev/ gettyimages

The way that chicken drummette is not cooked is not that much different than making chicken wings in the air fryer. The aim is to get crispy drummette skin. The step is really simple, simply lather salt and pepper on the drummettes and then cook it for about 40 minutes. Then toss it in a bowl of sauce that consists of honey, vinegar, soy sauce, chicken stock, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.

17. Sesame chicken

air fried sesame chicken
© Joshua Resnick/ 123RF

Sesame chicken is perfect for one of those nights when you want something simple and yet flavorful. Sesame chicken is usually made by deep-frying the chicken pieces dipped in batter. Breadcrumbs should be incorporated into the batter to ensure a crisp outer layer of the chicken.

The chicken pieces should be cooked for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the cooked chicken with the sesame sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, water, vinegar, and sesame oil in a skillet along with minced garlic. Sprinkle sesame seeds on the finished product.

READ: 13 vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in Klang Valley you should visit

Printable air fryer recipes

There are plenty of recipes online and even if you are not keen on following recipes from your devices, do not fret as some sites even provide the recipe in a printable form so you can simply print it out on paper and refer to it without having to tap on the screen.

If you’re still looking to buy an air fryer, check out the best air fryers in Malaysia for varieties of brands and selections.

Edited by Rebecca Hani Romeli

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