45 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes for Any Time of Day
We have you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner with these nutritious meal ideas.
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Air frying first gained popularity as an alternative to deep-frying — with everyone using their air fryers to make chickenwings and fries without as much oil or grease. But today, we use our air fryers to cook almost everything from perfectly-browned chicken and pork chops to caramelized veggies and crunchy snacks (seriously, there are so many air fryer recipes to love!). So it's no surprise you can rely on your air fryer to help you eat healthier.
"One of the major benefits of air frying over deep frying or pan frying is that it uses significantly less oil. You're able to achieve a crispy texture without the excess calories and fat," says Stefani Sassos, registered dietician and Good Housekeeping's Nutrition Lab Director. But, "keep in mind that air frying is only as healthy as the foods you choose to cook."
Good news is that there as so many nutritious, delicious options! Lean into plant foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, legumes and nuts. You can use your air fryer to "sauté" greens like kale and Swiss chard, "roast" vegetables including carrots, asparagus and Brussels sprouts and "bake" lean cuts of protein like boneless, skinless chicken breasts. From good-for-you breakfasts to healthy dinner recipes, we have so many ideas for using your air fryer to get more fresh fruit and veggies into your diet.
P.S. Looking for the best air fryer to buy, so you can kick up your healthy eating habits? We've got you covered, too.
Italian-Marinated Chicken
Air fryer chicken breasts cooks up nicely with just a pinch of salt and pepper, but for something even more delicious, marinate the chicken in a mix of olive oil, vinegar and herbs first. Serve with a salad for a low-carb dinner.
Get the Italian-Marinated Chicken recipe.
RELATED: 60 Healthy Chicken Recipes Perfect for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Air-Fried Cauliflower Tacos
Looking for a vegetarian air fryer recipe? Try these tacos — filled with spiced cauliflower and topped with a colorful crunchy slaw.
Get the Air-Fried Cauliflower Tacos recipe.
RELATED: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Air Fryer Snap Peas
This healthy air fryer side dish is ready in under 10 minutes. Don't skip the sprinkle of spice and squeeze of lemon, which give a li'l boost to simple air-fried sugar snap peas.
Get the Air Fryer Snap Peas recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard
Cooking most of your meals at home is a great step toward eating healthier. But, it can get exhausting! Enter, this 25-minute dinner that doesn't dirty a single extra dish. (Win!)
Get the Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard recipe.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are one of those vegetables that just taste better with a bit of a crisp bite, which you can only achieve by cooking 'em at a high temp. (P.S. They're even tastier when tossed in a maple-sriracha glaze.)
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Air Fryer Granola Bark
Making your own granola means you can customize your mix, which is essential for anyone with an allergy or dietary preference. Plus, the high heat and intense air circulation of the air fryer helps crisp up the crunchy clusters.
Get the Air Fryer Granola recipe.
RELATED: 36 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Air fryer cauliflower wings are an ideal vegetarian variation on classic chicken wings — not to mention a great way to add extra vegetables into your game day spread. Score!
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe.
Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Air frying may be our new favorite way to cook tofu. Thanks to the circulating hot air (and a cornstarch dredge!), the air-fried tofu gets super crispy. Paired with soba, it makes for a protein-packed meal.
Get the Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Air Fryer Tofu recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Tofu Recipes That Make the Perfect Vegetarian Meal
Cheesy Kale Nests
Allow us to introduce you to the most delicious way to get more greens into your day: these cheesy kale and white Cheddar appetizers.
Get the Cheesy Kale Nests recipe.
Air Fryer Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta
This combination of caramelized carrots, extra-crunchy chickpeas and briny marinated feta brings a ton of flavor to dinnertime. Just imagine that alongside grilled chicken or pork.
Get the Air Fryer Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta recipe.
RELATED: 24 Easy Vegetable Side Dishes That Go With Any Main
Air Fryer Squash Soup
Healthy, meet comfort. Each bowl of this butternut squash soup packs in fiber and protein, plus delivers peak cozy vibes.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 37 Best Butternut Squash Recipes That Are Easy to Make for Fall
Air Fryer Broccolini and Mushrooms with Salsa Macha
Impress your dinner guests with a vegetable dish that is absolutely delicious and balanced, thanks to the combination of spicy salsa macha and cooling, creamy ricotta.
Get the Air Fryer Broccolini and Mushrooms with Salsa Macha recipe.
Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads
Chicken breasts and cauliflower florets get a major flavor boost from a tandoori masala-inspired rub. Feel free to ditch the flatbreads and serve all the components with a side of brown rice instead.
Get the Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads recipe.
Air Fryer Falafel Salad
Meal prep lovers, this one's for you! Make a big batch of falafel to store in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to eat, air-fry from frozen until fully cooked through. Easy!
Get the Air Fryer Falafel Salad recipe.
RELATED: A Beginner's Guide on How to Meal Prep for the Week
Air Fryer Tostones
Tostones typically involve frying flattened green plantains, then smashing or pressing them and frying again. We replicated this twice-fried process using the air fryer, so it's a lightened-up take on the traditional.
Get the Air Fryer Tostones recipe.
Mediterranean Chicken Bowls
The Mediterranean Diet delivers health benefits, thanks to its emphasis on fresh produce, nuts, whole grains and heart-healthy fats. Loosely inspired by souvlaki, this chicken dish fits right in. Serve the bowls for dinner or prep and stash in the fridge for easy lunches.
Get the Mediterranean Chicken Bowls recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads
When cherry or grape tomatoes spend enough time in the air fryer, they burst, becoming a tad saucy. Stir them into a scallion-caper vinaigrette, and you have a tangy, briny topper ideal for spooning over your protein of choice.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads recipe.
Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Feta
A quick stint in a super-hot air fryer allows you to to cook asparagus without losing crispness — and spares you from having to deal with parboiling and setting up an ice bath. Serve this spring veg on top of creamy feta or simply enjoy the air-fried asparagus on its own.
Green Goddess Sandwiches
If you haven't, you should try using your air fryer to hard-boil eggs — it's a game-changer! Then, slice eggs and pile in between two slices of whole-grain bread, along with crisp, raw veggies and an herby spread for the dreamiest picnic-worthy dinner.
Get the Green Goddess Sandwiches recipe.
Air Fryer Fish and Chips
Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, but that doesn't mean you'll be stuck eating a sad version of deep-fried dishes. Just look how crispy this "fried" fish turns out!
Get the Air Fryer Fish and Chips recipe.
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