45 Air Fryer Healthy Recipes for Beginners

This collection of simple air fryer healthy recipes will get you started! Put your air fryer to use with this list of air fryer recipes for chicken, fish, steak, fries, snacks, and more!

What’s really strange is how frequently we use ours. It’s become our go-to for everything from breakfast to dessert, and it’s even surpassed our toaster as our preferred on-counter device.

Our Top Picks For The Best Air Fryer

Speaking of toast, practically all of your normal breakfasts can be made in your air fryer. Omelets, muffins, avocado toast, sausage, bacon, pancakes… We all know it’s insane, right?

Investing in an air fryer is a terrific place to start if you want to eat a more balanced and nutritious diet. This handy tool makes it easier (and more delicious) than ever to prepare healthy recipes that also taste great. Here’s some ideas to get you started.

1. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

These Brussels sprouts, tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, and Parmesan, are ready in about 12 minutes and make a great side dish with whatever you’re cooking.

2. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

If you’re intimidated by the idea of cooking fish, this recipe is great place to start. It’s basically impossible to mess up.

3. Italian-Marinated Chicken

Cooking air fryer chicken breasts with only a touch of salt and pepper is excellent, but for something even more delectable, marinade the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs first. For a low-carb meal, serve with a salad.

4. Air-Fried Cauliflower Tacos

Do you want a vegetarian air fryer recipe? Try these tacos, which are stuffed with spicy cauliflower and topped with a colorful crunchy salad.

5. Air Fryer Snap Peas

This nutritious air fryer side dish comes together in less than 10 minutes. Don’t skip the spice and lemon squeeze, which add a little zip to basic air-fried sugar snap peas.

6. Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard

Cooking the majority of your meals at home is an excellent first step toward eating better. However, it can be exhausting! Enter this 25-minute dinner that requires no additional dishes. (Win!)

7. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are one of those veggies that just taste better when they have a bit of a crisp bite to them, which can only be achieved by cooking them at a high temperature. (P.S. They’re even better with a maple-sriracha glaze.)

8. Air Fryer Granola Bark

Making your own granola allows you to tailor the ingredients, which is vital for anyone with an allergy or dietary choice. In addition, the air fryer’s high heat and intense air circulation help crisp up the crispy clusters.

9 Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Air fryer cauliflower wings are a terrific vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken wings, as well as a great way to incorporate more vegetables to your game day menu. Score!

10. Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

We think air frying is our new favorite way to cook tofu. The air-fried tofu gets extra crispy thanks to the circulating hot air (plus a cornstarch dredging!). When combined with soba, it makes for a protein-rich meal.

11. Cheesy Kale Nests

Allow us to introduce you to the most delectable way to get more greens into your diet: these cheesy kale and white Cheddar canapés.

12. Air Fryer Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta

This dish packs a punch of flavor with caramelized carrots, extra-crunchy chickpeas, and briny marinated feta. Consider serving it alongside grilled chicken or pig.

13. Air Fryer Squash Soup

Meet healthy and comfortable. This butternut squash soup is high in fiber and protein, and it also has a comforting vibe.

14. Air Fryer Broccolini and Mushrooms with Salsa Macha

With the mix of spicy salsa macha and cold, creamy ricotta, you may wow your dinner guests with a vegetable dish that is both tasty and balanced.

15. Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads

A tandoori masala-inspired rub enhances the flavor of chicken breasts and cauliflower florets. You can omit the flatbreads and serve the entire dish with brown rice instead.

16. Air Fryer Falafel Salad

This one’s for you, meal preppers! Make a large batch of falafel to freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, air-fry from frozen until thoroughly done. Easy!

17. Air Fryer Tostones

Tostones are commonly made by frying flattened green plantains, smashing or pressing them, and then frying them again. We used the air fryer to imitate the twice-fried method, so it’s a lighter version of the classic.

18. Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

The Mediterranean Diet is beneficial to one’s health since it emphasizes fresh fruit, nuts, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats. This chicken meal, loosely inspired by souvlaki, fits right in. Serve the bowls for dinner or prepare ahead of time and store in the fridge for quick lunches.

19. Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads

When cherry or grape tomatoes are cooked in the air fryer long enough, they burst and get slightly saucy. Stir them into a scallion-caper vinaigrette for a tart, salty garnish perfect for spooning over your favorite protein.

20. Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Feta

A fast session in a super-hot air fryer allows you to cook asparagus without losing its crispness — and saves you the trouble of parboiling and preparing an ice bath. Serve this spring vegetable on top of creamy feta or simply eat it on its own.

21. Green Goddess Sandwiches

If you haven’t already, try hard-boiling eggs in your air fryer — it’s a game changer! Then, slice the eggs and layer them between two slices of whole-grain bread with crisp, raw veggies and a herb spread for the most dreamy picnic-worthy supper.

22. Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat a mediocre version of your favorite deep-fried dishes. Look just how crispy this “fried” fish gets!

23. Air Fryer Stuffed Turkey Breast

Remember, turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving. This lean protein is great all year, especially when stuffed with fresh herbs and aromatics.

24. Air Fryer Magic by Good Housekeeping

Pick up a copy of Good Housekeeping’s brand-new cookbook for even more amazing air fryer ideas, featuring 75 best-ever frying, roasting, and baking dishes.

25. Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Green Beans

Each piece of produce is infused with flavor thanks to a powerful spice paste composed of garam masala, cayenne pepper, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Serve with brown rice for a tasty and nutritious vegan supper.

26. Poblano and Black Bean Loaded “Baked” Potatoes

Spuds are “baked” in the air fryer before being packed with seasoned black beans and chopped tomatoes for a low-cost main course. You can eliminate the cheese and sour cream or replace them with a teaspoon of Greek yogurt.

27. Air Fryer Striped Bass with Radish Salsa Verde

You know you should incorporate more seafood into your diet. This recipe makes it simple! With a fresh salad, serve the striped bass.

28. Green Goddess Carrot Salad

Topping a basic head of lettuce with crunchy, caramelized air-fried carrots and a creamy herby homemade dressing transforms it.

29. Gingery Pork Meatballs

Meatballs are an inexpensive — and tasty — supper option, and these pork meatballs are no exception. Serve with rice noodles and crisp vegetables, or stuff them into lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice.

30. Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

No complaints with this customizable family-style dinner, which allows everyone to choose their own toppings while constructing. What’s the best part? While you prepare the radishes, cucumbers, and lettuce, the air fryer shrimp cooks. Dinner has never been easier.

31. Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken

If you’re sick of eating chicken every night for supper, try this pesto-stuffed chicken wrapped in prosciutto and served with a green bean and tomato side salad. Yum!

32. Air Fryer Zucchini Tots

This healthy snack contains only five ingredients: zucchini, egg, pecorino, panko, and garlic. It’s a great way to incorporate some vegetables into your day!

33. Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

Many air fryers can accommodate an entire side of salmon, making for a lovely presentation on a tray with quick-pickled cucumbers. If your air fryer is small, chop the salmon into pieces so it fits in the basket. It will be just as beautiful (and delicious!).

34. Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Burger

These air-fried burgers are a healthier alternative to fast food. They’re made with ground turkey and whole-grain sandwich thins.

35. Roasted Asparagus Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

With a cheesy, acidic, herby vinaigrette, you can instantly improve the delectability of a batch of air-fried asparagus.

36. Tandoori-Style Air Fryer Chicken

Traditionally, this Indian dish is cooked in a cylindrical clay oven called a tandoor, which results in a chicken that’s juicy and tender with a deliciously smoky taste. Our version uses a smoky spiced marinade and an air fryer to achieve a similar texture and flavor. Delish!

37. Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

In the air fryer, pork tenderloin cooks flawlessly (think tender, juicy).

38. Air Fryer Chickpeas

In the air fryer, canned chickpeas crisp up into the crunchiest protein-packed snack. (PS: They also make an excellent salad topper or soup garnish.)

39. Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak

When you can’t (or don’t want to!) use a grill, turn on the air fryer. It’s a quick way to cook a wonderful steak in 8 to 10 minutes, but you’ll want to spend some time marinating the meat in this lemony, herby sauce first.

40. Air Fryer Apple Chips

This healthy snack is quite simple to prepare: Simply place as many apple slices as possible in the air-fryer basket. Sprinkle with cinnamon and air-fry at 300°F for 25 to 35 minutes, flipping four times with tongs to separate and rotate from top to bottom, until chips are dry and some are faintly browned. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

41. Garlicky Wings and Shishito Peppers

We don’t generally equate chicken wings with health, but when they’re air fryer chicken wings (rather than deep-fried), plus piles of fresh chiles and shishito peppers, this budget-friendly protein can be the star of a good-for-you dinner.

42. Veggie Wraps with Goat Cheese

For a filling and healthy on-the-go lunch, stuff whole-grain wraps with air-fried portobello mushrooms, red peppers, and green beans.

43. Air Fryer Citrus-Thyme Salmon

This easy salmon dish stacks fish on top of citrus slices in the air fryer basket, infusing each piece with vibrant, fresh flavor.

44. Air Fryer Kale Chips

These crunchy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying vegetarian chips are a breeze to cook in the air fryer. Feel free to experiment with various herbs and spices – the possibilities are unlimited.

45. Air Fryer Primavera Roasted Vegetables

This flexible side dish is a great way to incorporate a variety of healthy vegetables into your meal rotation. It’s optional (but absolutely great) to toss the summer squash, zucchini, and peppers with Parmesan at the end.

Final Words

Starting a healthy cooking adventure with an air fryer brings up a world of culinary options. Each of these 45 recipes highlights the air fryer’s distinct capabilities, making it an indispensable tool for beginners seeking both health and taste in their meals.

From crispy treats to savory sensations, the air fryer is a versatile and useful culinary tool. As our exploration continues, we will discover additional recipes that not only satisfy the taste buds but also contribute to a healthier and more fulfilling existence.