When weeknights get hectic, the air fryer comes to the rescue. It makes dinner faster, healthier, and way less messy than traditional cooking. Whether you’re craving chicken, seafood, veggies, or even meat-free meals, these 25 easy air fryer dinner recipes will keep your family satisfied without hours in the kitchen. Each recipe comes with simple ingredients, clear instructions, and even image prompts to help you visualize the final dish.
At a Glance
- Servings: 2–6 depending on recipe
- Prep Time: 5–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–25 minutes
- Total Time: Under 30 minutes for most
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Cost: Low to moderate
1. Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts
Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken breasts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, juice of 1 lemon, ½ tsp paprika, salt & pepper.
Instructions: 1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). 2. Rub chicken with oil, garlic powder, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. 3. Place in basket and cook 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C). 4. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
2. Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets (cubed), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, salt & pepper.
Instructions: 1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). 2. Toss salmon cubes with oil and spices. 3. Place in single layer and air fry 8–10 minutes until crispy outside but tender inside. 4. Serve with lemon wedges.
3. Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, tortillas, slaw mix, lime wedges.
Instructions: 1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). 2. Season shrimp with oil, chili, cumin, salt. 3. Air fry 6–8 minutes, shaking once. 4. Serve in tortillas with slaw and lime juice.
4. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken wings, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ cup grated Parmesan, parsley.
Instructions: 1. Preheat to 400°F (200°C). 2. Toss wings with oil, garlic powder, salt. 3. Cook 20–22 minutes, shaking halfway. 4. Toss with Parmesan and parsley.
5. Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 tsp onion powder, burger buns, toppings.
Instructions: 1. Mix turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, seasoning. Shape patties. 2. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). 3. Cook patties 12–14 minutes, flipping once. 4. Assemble with buns and toppings.
6. Crispy Chickpea Veggie Bowls
Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas (drained), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, cooked rice, roasted veggies.
Instructions: 1. Preheat to 390°F (200°C). 2. Toss chickpeas with oil and paprika. 3. Air fry 12–15 minutes, shaking. 4. Serve over rice with veggies.
7. Air Fryer Tilapia with Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients: 2 tilapia fillets, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, lemon slices.
Instructions: 1. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). 2. Brush tilapia with oil and seasoning. 3. Cook 10–12 minutes. 4. Serve with lemon wedges.
8. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken thighs, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika.
Instructions: 1. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, paprika. 2. Coat thighs. 3. Preheat to 380°F (193°C). 4. Cook 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
9. Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or turkey, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, marinara sauce.
Instructions: 1. Mix meat, egg, breadcrumbs, seasoning. Shape balls. 2. Preheat to 380°F (193°C). 3. Cook 10–12 minutes. 4. Serve with marinara.
10. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients: 6 chicken drumsticks, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ cup BBQ sauce.
Instructions: 1. Season drumsticks with oil, salt. 2. Preheat to 390°F (200°C). 3. Cook 20–22 minutes, basting with BBQ sauce last 5 minutes.
11. Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Stir Fry
Ingredients: 1 block firm tofu (cubed), 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp olive oil, mixed veggies.
Instructions: 1. Toss tofu with soy sauce, cornstarch, oil. 2. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). 3. Cook 12–15 minutes, shaking. 4. Serve with stir-fry veggies.
12. Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, skewers, lemon wedges.
Instructions: 1. Toss shrimp with butter and garlic. 2. Skewer and place in basket. 3. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes.
13. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients: 4 bell peppers, 1 lb ground turkey or beef, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 cup tomato sauce, shredded cheese.
Instructions: 1. Mix filling: meat, rice, tomato sauce. Stuff peppers. 2. Top with cheese. 3. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 12–15 minutes.
14. Teriyaki Salmon Bowls
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets, 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce, rice, steamed broccoli.
Instructions: 1. Brush salmon with teriyaki. 2. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes. 3. Serve with rice and broccoli.
15. Air Fryer Zucchini Parmesan Rounds
Ingredients: 2 zucchini (sliced), 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup parmesan.
Instructions: 1. Coat zucchini with oil, breadcrumbs, parmesan. 2. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
16. Spicy Chicken Tenders
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp cayenne, 2 eggs.
Instructions: 1. Dip chicken in egg, then breadcrumb mix. 2. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes.
17. Air Fryer Falafel Wraps
Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp cumin, 2 tbsp flour, tortillas, toppings.
Instructions: 1. Blend chickpeas, parsley, cumin, flour. Shape balls. 2. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes. 3. Serve in wraps.
18. Lemon Herb Cod Fillets
Ingredients: 2 cod fillets, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried herbs, juice of ½ lemon.
Instructions: 1. Brush cod with oil, lemon, herbs. 2. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes.
19. Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients: 1 eggplant (sliced), 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 cup marinara, mozzarella.
Instructions: 1. Dip slices in egg then breadcrumbs. 2. Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes. 3. Top with marinara and mozzarella.
20. Garlic Steak Bites with Veggies
Ingredients: 1 lb steak (cubed), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, bell peppers.
Instructions: 1. Toss steak with oil, garlic, salt. 2. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes. 3. Add veggies last 4 minutes.
21. Air Fryer Veggie Fajitas
Ingredients: Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp taco seasoning, tortillas.
Instructions: 1. Toss veggies with oil and seasoning. 2. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes. 3. Serve in tortillas.
22. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (florets), ½ cup buffalo sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil.
Instructions: 1. Toss cauliflower with oil. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. 2. Toss in buffalo sauce.
23. Air Fryer Quesadillas
Ingredients: Flour tortillas, shredded cheese, beans, chicken or veggies.
Instructions: 1. Fill tortillas with cheese and fillings. 2. Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 5 minutes per side.
Prompt: Golden quesadilla wedges with cheese pull and salsa dip.
24. Crispy Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, burger buns, toppings.
Instructions: 1. Coat chicken in egg then breadcrumbs. 2. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 14–16 minutes. 3. Assemble with buns.
25. Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
Ingredients: 4 baked potatoes (halved), ½ cup cheese, ¼ cup green onions, sour cream.
Instructions: 1. Scoop out potatoes, leaving shell. 2. Fill with cheese. 3. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes. 4. Top with onions and sour cream.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for 3 days.
- Freeze cooked proteins (meatballs, chicken, shrimp) up to 2 months.
- Reheat in air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes.