I Must Admit, These 9 Foods Are Better in the Air Fryer

I was a little late at air fryer trendbut I am well aware. Sometimes the air fryer feels like cheating because it cooks faster than larger ovens and the results are often better.

At the beginning of my air fryer journey, I kept it simple, mostly cooking wings and fries with the occasional frozen waffle. Since then, I’ve discovered dozens of recipes that I never imagined would become air fryer staples.

So why is the air fryer a better way to cook certain foods? Cooking times go down, cleanup becomes easy, and I can still get that irresistible golden exterior with a satisfying crunch – the kind that turns a simple food into something special.

When you’re balancing work life, family demands, and a never-ending to-do list, but refuse to compromise on good food, air fryer recipes become a total cheat code. They’re virtually foolproof and the food comes out crispy and bursting with flavor. It’s ideal for frantic weeknight dinners when inspiration runs dry – or for creating show-stopping seasonal dishes that seem much more labor-intensive than they actually are.

Check out the nine foods you should cook in an air fryer below. And if you’re looking for an air fryer or to upgrade your existing oven, we have a new favorite model with an easy-to-clean glass cooking chamber that doubles as a food storage container.

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1. Hard-boiled eggs

From runny yolks to jams to hard boiled ones, the air fryer can do it, and there’s no need to wait for the water to boil or forget to set a timer (air fryers have the timer built in). There’s a lot of voodoo on the internet about the do’s and don’ts of hard-boiling eggs in the air fryer, but in my experience, you can ignore most of it and you’ll end up with beautifully cooked eggs with the perfect yolk consistency every time.

Here’s how to do it “hard boiled eggs” in the air fryer

2. Salmon

Grilled salmon is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner staple. It’s not difficult to make in the oven but if you’re only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain and you’ll waste a lot of energy for a small amount of food. Seared salmon is great and quick, but there’s almost no way to cook salmon on the stovetop without creating an oily, smelly mess.

I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer and it came out perfect in about 10 minutes including preheating time. The closed cooking chamber captures all the grease and even hides some of the fishy smell that invades the space.

OK, so you might catch me casting a net of salmon on the grill during the warmer months, but gone are the days of wiping fish grease off the backsplash behind my stove.

Here’s how to do it Perfect Air Fryer Salmon.

3. Roast chicken

This one surprised me the most because I make a roast chicken most Sundays and was happy with my method of using the oven. I quickly learned that the air fryer does an even better job because it is able to crisp the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air fryer roast chicken takes about 45 minutes – about 15% faster than the oven – and it’s almost impossible to get wrong.

Here’s how to make a quick roast chicken in the fryer.

4. Bacon Cheeseburgers

Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple in my house. The exception is in summer, when the grill is booming but in the cooler months I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It’s cleaner than the pan, but the burger doesn’t cook in its own fat, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you’re into that sort of thing). You can also add the bun and a few slices of bacon to the burger, making it a complete meal with minimal cleanup.

Here’s how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer.

5. Chicken cutlets

Before the air fryer, I would fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and also produces less fatty fried chicken.

Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap or Expensive

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I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat to withstand convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken with a beaten egg, followed by breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper and other spices. Bake at 375°F for approximately 15 minutes.

You can lightly spray the cutlets with oil before cooking to get a very crispy crust, but this is not necessary. I tried the same method with chicken breasts; This works well, but the risk of drying out the meat is greater.

6. Cauliflower Steak

One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A slice of cauliflower makes a great side dish or a hearty main dish if you’re opting for plant-based dishes. Simply toss one or two thick slices of cauliflower with olive oil, salt, pepper, or your favorite seasoning, and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes on high. The air fryer gives it a nice caramelized crust and cooks the dense vegetable quickly enough that the inside of the cauliflower doesn’t get mushy.

7. Leftover pizza

While not all types of foods are best reheated in the air fryer, many are. Air Fryers Are the Perfect Way to Revive Leftovers pizzafried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to give it a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life with convection heat for a crispy crust and even heating.

Here is the the best way to reheat all types of leftovers.

8. Hot dogs

It’s hard to mess up a hot dog, but if you want a perfectly charred sausage in under five minutes with virtually no cleanup, turn to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as they come, and the super convection oven gives them perfect browning in two to three minutes.

Here’s how to do it hot dogs in the fryer all summer.

9. Baked potatoes

OK, so technically this one starts in the microwave then finishes in the air fryer. The microwave softens the insides in less than 8 minutes, while the air fryer crisps the edges and skin to perfection. It’s a restaurant-quality baked potato in under 12 minutes. Here’s how to get the most out of air.deep fried potato ever.

And if you’re still not sure what an air fryer is and how it works, check out our complete guide to air fryers.

9. Grilled cheese

For a grilled cheese, the air fryer works on both the surfaces of the bread and the cheese, resulting in faster melting. This makes the cheese stick to the bread slices, making flipping much easier. (Flip is still recommended but with much less drama.)

Here’s the secret to being perfect Air Fryer Grilled Cheese.