14 Healthy Air Fryer Dishes

This handy countertop appliance is the key to preparing your favorite dishes without extra oil.

Acorn squash in brown butter in an air fryer

Want the secret to perfectly caramelized acorn squash with a crispy crust using very little oil? It's your clever air fryer! We sprinkled the roasted squash with Parmesan cheese and drizzled it with sage-pecan brown butter for a delicious and light fall side dish.

Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles

Thanks to the air fryer, your turkey meatballs will turn out deliciously crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside, all without any excess fat! Delicious and healthy. Toss them with warm tomato sauce and serve with zucchini noodles (available in the produce section or spiralizer), generously sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. This low-calorie yet nutritious dish, rich in protein and fiber, is perfect for dinner.

Air Fryer Green Beans with Gremolata and Toasted Almonds

The air fryer cooks perfectly crispy-tender green beans with very little oil. To serve, top them with a simple gremolata, flavored with lemon zest, fresh parsley, and garlic, which is easy to make while the beans are roasting.

Chicken thighs with salsa verde and kale salad

An air fryer practically guarantees your chicken will have a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Lightly seasoned with lemon zest, salt, and black pepper, these chicken thighs pair beautifully with an Italian-style salsa verde and a vibrant kale salad (which can be made ahead). The finishing touch is super-crispy panko breadcrumbs, toasted in the air fryer.

Boiled eggs in an air fryer

Make the most of your air fryer: not only can you fry meat and vegetables, but you can also boil eggs, hard-boiled or soft-boiled, as you prefer, without using water. For easier peeling, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water. The recipe below provides cooking times for eggs at various degrees of doneness.

Brussels sprouts in an air fryer

An air fryer helps you cook super-crispy Brussels sprouts with minimal olive oil. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a serving dish, immediately sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese to melt, and drizzle with lemon juice for a richer flavor. Even those who haven't previously enjoyed Brussels sprouts will appreciate this side dish!

Natural pork chops in an air fryer

Natural boneless pork loin cutlets are a perfect dish for every day and special occasions. An air fryer will cook them in minutes without adding excess fat, resulting in a crispy exterior and a delicious crust thanks to double breading. First, the meat is dredged in flour, then dipped in beaten egg, and topped with a mixture of crushed cornflakes and spices. Cornflakes replace regular breadcrumbs for a super-crispy crust. The meat inside will be juicy and deliciously flavorful.

Crispy Ranch Chickpeas in the Air Fryer

Canned chickpeas make a great snack in the air fryer: delicious, crunchy, healthy, and packed with protein. Even if you're on a diet, this snack is definitely healthy. You'll need just one tablespoon of olive oil per can of chickpeas. Fry them until golden brown and immediately toss with ranch dressing. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings to suit your taste.

Tofu in chili-garlic sauce and green beans in an air fryer

Air fryers aren't just for fries, and this recipe perfectly demonstrates their versatility. This tofu and green bean dish is similar to a stir-fry but uses very little oil. It cooks in about 30 minutes, and since all the splatter is captured inside the air fryer, cleanup is quick. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfectly absorbing the warming chili sauce. Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Spicy nuts in an air fryer

When roasted in an air fryer, spiced nuts brown more evenly and quickly than in the oven, resulting in a perfectly crispy finish. The perfectly balanced spices in this recipe create a savory, sweet, and spicy flavor all at once. These nuts are perfect as a snack with drinks or as a pre-dinner snack.

Frozen chicken breast fried in an air fryer

An air fryer can transform a frozen chicken breast into a juicy, golden-brown piece of meat in minutes. Rub the breasts, still defrosted, with olive oil, salt, and black pepper and place them in the air fryer. You can even place two breasts in the air fryer, but make sure they don't touch. Perfect for a spontaneous meal!

Salmon fillet in teriyaki sauce with broccoli in an air fryer

An air fryer lets you cook delicious Asian-style fish with broccoli in minutes, without leaving a lingering fishy smell throughout the house. Salmon fillets are brushed with teriyaki sauce and ginger, placed in the air fryer on a bed of broccoli, and fried until done. You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own according to the recipe. The salmon turns out very juicy, covered with a delicious, glossy crust. Serve with broccoli and steamed rice.

Tostones in an air fryer

Tostones are Latin American fried plantains that form crispy flatbreads or chips if you crush them thinly. Air fryer tostones are perfectly crispy and delicious, using minimal oil. Plantain slices are first baked until soft, then flattened and fried until crispy. Dip them in salsa and enjoy!







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