If you’ve recently purchased or been gifted an air-fryer, where do you start and what do you cook first? Air fryers can look intimidating, and without a simple recipe to start you off, you may be feel you can’t use it with confidence. That’s why we’ve created a variety of fuss-free, accessible air fryer recipes that will set you on the path to air fryer success. Whether it’s salmon fillets, chicken breasts, sausages or baked potatoes for dinner, these low-effort, energy-efficient ideas make for speedy weeknight dinners that the whole family can get behind. With less prep and cook time on your hands – not to mention less time standing in the kitchen – using an air fryer really is a no-brainer!
Read our review of the best air fryers we’ve tested to find the perfect one for you, then discover more air fryer recipes, healthy air fryer recipes and vegetarian air fryer recipes. Plus, read our guide to find out, are air fryers worth it?
Dive into more Cook Smart content in our budget hub.
New to air frying? Start with these basics
Should you always preheat?
You don’t have to preheat your air fryer, but it does tend to help keep temperatures consistent. If you’re cooking something like Yorkshire puddings that require a hot, consistent temperature, definitely preheat. If you don’t preheat, it won’t ruin your dish, but it will mean you might need to cook it for a little longer. If your air fryer comes with a preheat option, it’s best to use it. Some air fryers automatically preheat before cooking.
How full to fill the basket?
If your air fryer basket has a maximum fill line, don’t fill it higher than this. If the recipe you’re using states to cook the ingredients in a single layer, it’s best to stick to this, as that’s how it will have been tested. Generally speaking, about half-full is probably the highest you want to go – if you get too close to the heating element, it’ll likely burn whatever is in the air fryer and potentially catch alight.
Why shaking matters
Shaking what’s in the air fryer basket ensures even cooking of your dish. If you shake consistently, you will ensure a crisp outside to things like chips or potatoes. If you forget to shake, you may end up undercooking part of the ingredients and burning what’s on the outside. If you’re cooking meat, shaking or turning will ensure even cooking so you don’t have part of it left raw.
Best foods for beginners to cook in the air fryer
Start with easier dishes like chicken thighs or salmon – this will help you get used to the air fryer. Then, move on to dishes like roasted veg or sausage casseroles. When you’re feeling confident, dishes like lasagne or bakes like muffins and cakes are worth attempting.
Common mistakes
Remember that an air fryer is effectively a mini oven. If something doesn’t cook well in an oven, it’s unlikely to cook well in an air fryer. Some things are just better cooked on the hob or in the oven, like fried eggs, pancakes and roast potatoes.
20 foolproof air fryer recipes to start with
1. Air fryer salmon
Get dinner on the table in 15 minutes with these air fryer salmon fillets. Simply rub each salmon fillet with a little olive oil and herb seasoning, put in the air fryer basket and cook 180C for 8-10 mins until cooked through. Serve with your choice of greens, quinoa or rice. That’s dinner sorted!
Salmon fillets cook beautifully in an air fryer – check out our salmon fillet recipes for more ideas.
2. Air fryer brussels sprouts
Cook sprouts in an air fryer for a super-easy cooking method, then add flavourings of your choice, such as chilli or chopped crispy bacon. This healthy recipe comes together in as little as 15 minutes.
Check out more brussels sprouts recipes for inspiration.
3. Air fryer chicken breasts
Use your air fryer to create this vibrant dish of tender chicken breast, coated in garlic, sweet paprika and herbs. Simply roll oiled chicken breasts in the seasoning and put in the air-fryer to cook for 18-20 mins, then serve with rice, greens or a salad. Mix up the spices for interest or keep it plain, it’s up to you.
Discover more ways to cook with chicken breast with our chicken breast collection.
4. Air fryer banana bread
Try making this classic bake in the air fryer and add a flavour boost with pecans and chocolate chips, or try any other nuts you prefer. It’s a terrific way to start the morning and can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days.
See more banana bread recipes, including healthy, sugar-free and vegan versions.
5. Air fryer sweetcorn fritters
Make homemade sweetcorn and spring onion fritters in the air fryer for easy, energy-efficient cooking. These would be perfect as a veggie lunch, starter or side.
Find more ways to make fritters with our easy sweetcorn fritter recipes and courgette fritter recipes.
6. Air fryer sweet potato jackets with tahini yogurt
Enjoy these air-fried sweet potato jackets as a filling family meal, amped up with a simple yogurt flavoured with tahini, garlic lemon zest and juice, maple syrup and some salt and pepper. Sprinkle with crisp curry leaves, chopped coriander and chilli flakes and you’ve got a seriously impressive air-fried meal on your hands.
Looking for ways to use up sweet potato? We’ve got plenty of interesting ideas in our baked sweet potato collection.
7. Air fryer bacon
Cooking bacon in your air fryer means you’ll still achieve a crispy texture, just with less fat. Serve with your favourite sauce.
See these bacon recipes and healthy bacon recipes for more ideas.
8. Air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings
Make the most of your air fryer with these low-effort, buffalo-style cauliflower wings, enjoyed as a spicy side or veggie main. Full of flavour, without the effort!
Find more ways to reinvent cauliflower with our best cauliflower recipes, including these bang bang cauliflower tacos.
9. Air fryer muffins
Make beautifully golden brown muffins in your air fryer in no time. Add blueberries, chocolate chips or dried fruit – whatever you like. You can even double the mixture to meal prep for the week ahead.
Discover more muffin recipes to try after this.
10. Air fryer baked potatoes
Good news: bang your spuds in the air fryer and you’ll still achieve the same crisp skin and fluffy potato centre as its oven baked alternative. The process is quicker and more energy-efficient, so it’s a win-win.
Jazz up your jackets with these exciting jacket potato recipes – baked potatoes with spicy dhal, anyone?
11. Air fryer roasted canned potatoes
You wouldn’t believe these roasted potatoes are from a can. Skip the process of oven roasting entirely in favour of the air fryer – they’re not the same as oven-cooked, but they do turn golden and crisp.
We have our best ever roast potatoes here, as well as more glorious roast potato recipes for your cooking pleasure.
12. Air fryer meatballs
Cook these sausage and beef meatballs in an air-fryer for ease. Serve with tomato sauce and pasta for a simple midweek family dinner or enjoy in a meatball sub.
Discover our other meatball recipes, including our collection of healthy meatball recipes.
13. Air fryer tofu (popcorn nuggets)
Do you struggle with getting perfectly fried, crunchy tofu? Try cooking in your air fryer. Coated in breadcrumbs and flavoured with garlic and paprika, these golden nuggets will become your new savoury snack, served with your favourite dip. They could also accompany a main meal.
See more ways with tofu including our tofu stir-fry and sweet & sour tofu.
14. Air fryer chips
Who knew you could make super-crispy, tender and golden chips without the use of a deep-fat fryer? This recipe is so simple: tip your chips into the bottom of an air fryer, add the oil, toss the chips in the oil so they are evenly coated and program to cook for 30 mins. Air-frying means you’ll use less oil than deep-frying, making it a healthier alternative.
Now you know you can use air fryers for chips, see our loaded fries recipes: vegan bean chilli fries, Greek loaded fries and meatball marinara fries.
15. Air fryer pork joint
Air-fry rather than oven-roast a pork joint to save on energy costs and ensure perfectly crisp crackling. This delicious recipe serves between four and six, and is best served with apple sauce and your favourite sides.
We have many more pork recipes, including a collection of pork chop recipes, pork steak recipes and pulled pork recipes.
16. Air fryer chicken thighs
A simple shortcut to succulent chicken, with deliciously crispy skin to boot? Who would say no to that! The good news is it can be easily achieved in the air fryer: rub the chicken thighs with oil, coat in a simple spice mix then leave in the basket of your air fryer to cook, skin-side down, for 10 mins at 180C. Turn over and cook for a further 10-15 mins until cooked through. Crispy perfection.
See our collection of chicken thigh recipes for more easy family dinner ideas.
17. Air fryer sweet potato fries
You can now rustle up a plate of sweet potato fries using very little oil thanks to the air fryer. Before leaving in the basket to cook, ramp up the flavour with your choice of seasoning: sweet smoked paprika, Cajun or BBQ seasoning all work well.
Discover our healthy sweet potato collection and sweet potato wedges collection for more ways with sweet potato.
18. Air fryer sausages
Sausages can be cooked quickly and easily thanks to the air-fryer (and without the need for additional oil). Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the basket, set the air fryer to 180C and cook for 10-15 mins, turning every 5 mins, until the sausages are cooked through. Serve as a side for breakfast or in buns with lashings of ketchup.
The possibilities with air fryer sausages are endless – seek out your new favourite dish with our collection of sausage recipes.
19. Air fryer halloumi
You can cook up the same crispy fried halloumi you know and love in the air fryer, just with a lowered fat content. Sprinkle with smoked paprika or mixed herbs to pep things up.
If you love halloumi as much as we do, you’ll be pleased to find our collection of halloumi recipes.
20. Air fryer steak
Use your air fryer to cook steak and you won’t look back. Once you’ve removed it from the air fryer basket, make your favourite sauce and serve alongside air fryer chips, a leafy green salad or roasted veg.
We’ve got plenty more ways to enjoy steak – see our collection of best steak recipes for a dose of inspiration.
