Easy air-fryer recipes that you absolutely need to try

From doughnuts to chicken to veggies and breakfast, you can make everything in this versatile kitchen appliance.

After confirming what an air fryer is and, equally as important, which is the best air fryer to buy, the No. 1 question most people have is typically “What can I make with one?” The answer, in short, is “So. Much.”

Air fryers achieved cult status after turning out thousands of chicken wings and frozen fries “fried” to crisp perfection. But this kitchen appliance cooks up perfectly seared proteins and caramelized roast veggies in no time at all, as well as crunchy snacks and decadent desserts.

Smaller air fryers are great gadgets if you are cooking for one or two people, while larger air fryers can handle feeding a big group for easy family dinners (or, alternatively, air-frying in batches). Because air fryers don’t require a ton of oil (especially compared to deep fryers), cleanup is a cinch, and it is a healthier option in many scenarios as well.

In the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, we use our air fryers for everything from quick breakfasts to easy weeknight dinners. We have tried air-frying all sorts of proteins, such as juicy chicken, steak, pork and eggs for simple recipes, as well as all the snacks and sides. Here are a few of our favorite air-fryer recipes that are great for beginners, experts and everyone in between.

AIR-FRYER CHICKEN WINGS

Once you have had air-fryer wings, we guarantee you will never want them any other way. With our tips, you will “fry” up wings that are perfectly juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and tossed in an awesome sauce.

Ingredients:

2 pounds chicken wings, tips removed

Kosher salt

Favorite sauce

Directions:

1. Season chicken wings with 1/8 teaspoon salt.

2. Place half of the wings at a time in the air-fryer basket and air-fry at 400 F, turning with tongs halfway through cooking, until the skin is browned and chicken is cooked through, 15 minutes.

3. Combine both batches in the air fryer and cook 4 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with your favorite sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

AIR-FRYER

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BOWLS

Throwing tomatoes into the air fryer along with the chicken leads to an amazing Mediterranean-style sauce.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground sumac Kosher salt and pepper

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

1 cup couscous

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus

1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving

1/4 cup fresh dill, divided Crumbled feta, for serving

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with the oil, then add oregano, sumac and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and onion, and toss to combine.

2. Arrange in an even layer in an airfryer basket, and air-fry at 400 F, shaking the basket occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, toss the couscous with the lemon zest, and prepare per package directions. Fluff with a fork, and fold in the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of dill.

4. Serve the chicken and vegetables over couscous, spooning any juices collected at the bottom of the air fryer over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining dill and feta, and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

SPAGHETTI AND AIR-FRYER MEATBALLS

Forget frying meatballs on the stovetop (so messy!) or baking them in the oven. Airfryer meatballs are a cinch to make and even easier to clean up.

Ingredients:

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar Kosher salt and pepper

1/3 cup panko

4 large cloves garlic (2 grated and 2 chopped)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1/2 pound ground beef

12 ounces spaghetti

1 pound cherry tomatoes

1 red chile, sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 cup marinara sauce, warmed Fresh basil for serving

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in the panko, and let sit 1 minute. Stir in the grated garlic and Parmesan, then parsley. Add the sausage and beef, and gently mix to combine.

2. Shape the meat mixture into 20 balls (about 1 1/2 inches each) and place in a single layer on an air-fryer rack (balls can touch but should not be stacked; cook in batches if necessary). Air-fry the meatballs at 400 F for 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti per package directions.

4. In a bowl, toss the tomatoes, chile and chopped garlic with oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Scatter over the meatballs, and continue air-frying until the meatballs are cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes more.

5. Toss the meatballs and the tomatoes with the marinara, then gently with the pasta. Serve topped with Parmesan and basil if desired.