Enjoy Fried Foods with These Air Fryer Recipes
Want to enjoy your favorite fried foods with fewer calories? Using an air fryer* is a great choice for achieving a similar texture and taste to deep frying while reducing the calorie and fat content of your meals.
This is an excellent option for cooking items like French fries, chicken wings, or even vegetables, as it requires only a minimal amount of oil or can be used without any oil at all. Check out the example recipes below to make delicious, nutritious, low-calorie fried foods:
Air Fryer Fish & Chips (pescatarian)
Air Fryer Hot Honey Salmon Bowl (pescatarian)
Air Fryer Orange Tofu (vegan/vegetarian; served over rice)
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Air Fryer Hot Honey Salmon Bowl
475 calories | 44g protein per serving | 2 servings (adjust serving number) | Full Nutrition Info | 30 minutes | Pescatarian
Ingredients
1 1/2 tbsps Raw Honey
2 tbsps Soy Sauce
1/2 Lime (juiced)
2 Garlic (clove, minced)
1 tsp Chili Flakes
12 ozs Salmon Fillet (skinless, cut into large cubes)
1/2 cup Basmati Rice (dry)
1/2 Cucumber (medium, sliced)
1 tbsp Cilantro (chopped)
Directions
In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chili flakes. Add the salmon, stir, and let it sit in the marinade for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the rice according to the package directions and set aside.
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC).
Transfer the salmon bites to the air fryer basket and bake for seven to eight minutes or until cooked through, shaking halfway through.
Divide the rice, salmon, and cucumber evenly between bowls. Top with cilantro and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size One serving is equal to approximately two cups.
More Flavor Add ginger and onion powder to the salmon marinade. Top with sriracha or a tahini-based sauce.
Air Fryer Orange Tofu
322 calories | 21g protein per serving | 2 servings (adjust serving number) | Full Nutrition Info | 20 minutes | Vegetarian
Ingredients
12 ozs Tofu (extra-firm, pressed, and cubed)
1 tbsp Avocado Oil
3 tbsps Tamari (divided)
1 tbsp Arrowroot Powder (divided)
2 tbsps Water
1 Navel Orange (large, juiced, zested)
2 tbsps Maple Syrup
1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1 stalk Green Onion (chopped)
Directions
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC).
In a medium-sized bowl, add the tofu, oil, 1/3 of the tamari, 2/3 of the arrowroot powder, and gently toss to combine.
Spread the tofu in an even layer in the air fryer and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together the remaining arrowroot powder and water to make a slurry. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup, vinegar, ginger, and remaining tamari. Bring to a low boil for one to two minutes.
Whisk the slurry again (if needed) and then pour it into the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and continuously whisk until thickened, about one to two minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
Toss the tofu in the sauce until well coated. Divide onto plates and top with green onion. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size One serving is approximately 1 1/3 cup.
More Flavor Add chili flakes and/or garlic powder.
Serve it With Serve with rice and veggies of choice.
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Thighs & Potatoes
492 calories | 27g protein per serving | 4 servings (adjust serving number) | Full Nutrition Info | 40 minutes
Ingredients
4 cups Mini Potatoes (halved)
2 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
1 tsp Garlic Powder (divided)
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
1 1/4 lbs Chicken Thighs With Skin (boneless)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
Directions
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC).
Add the potatoes and half of the oil to a large bowl. Add half of the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and combine. Transfer to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Shake the basket and cook for eight to ten minutes longer, until the potatoes are crispy and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Place the chicken in the same large bowl along with the remaining oil, paprika, remaining garlic powder, and thyme. Mix well to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the chicken skin side down to the air fryer and cook for nine minutes. Flip and cook the chicken skin side up for eight to nine minutes longer, until cooked through.
Divide the chicken and potatoes between plates and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size One serving is one chicken thigh and one cup of potatoes.
Serve it Hot Once the chicken is done cooking, add the potatoes back into the air fryer and bake for one minute to reheat. If you have a multi-basket air fryer, cook the chicken and potatoes at the same time.
Air Fryer Fish & Chips
465 calories | 34g protein per serving | 4 servings (adjust serving number) | Full Nutrition Info | 1 hour | Pescatarian
Ingredients
2 Russet Potato (large, cut into fries)
1/16 oz Avocado Oil Spray (divided)
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
2 Cod Fillet
3 1/2 ozs Unbleached All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
1 tsp Paprika
2 Egg
1 1/2 cups Bread Crumbs
Directions
Place the chopped potatoes in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them sit for 30 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF (200ºC).
Remove the fries and pat very dry with a clean kitchen towel. Return to a dry bowl and spray with half the avocado oil and season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the fries to the air fryer in an even layer and bake for nine to ten minutes, until crispy on one side. Shake the basket and return to the air fryer. Bake for six to eight minutes longer, until crispy. Set aside on a plate. Work in batches if needed.
Increase the air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC). Pat the cod well with paper towel and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Set up your breading station: whisk the flour, old bay seasoning, and paprika in one large bowl. Whisk the egg(s) in a second large bowl and pour the bread crumbs into a third bowl. Coat the fish in the flour, shaking off any excess, and then in the egg, followed by the bread crumbs.
Transfer the cod to the air fryer and spray it with avocado oil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Be sure to spray with avocado oil after flipping. Transfer to a plate.
If needed, reheat the fries in the air fryer for one to two minutes to get them crispy and hot. Serve with the cod and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size One serving is equal to approximately one piece of fish and one cup of fries.
Additional Toppings Serve with tartar sauce and/or ketchup for the fries.
Gluten-Free Use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs.
Fillet Size One cod fillet is equal to 231 grams or eight ounces.
Avocado Oil Spray One gram (or 1/16 oz) of avocado oil spray is equal to a one-second spray.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
399 calories | 27g protein per serving | 2 servings (adjust serving number) | Full Nutrition Info | 20 minutes
Ingredients
8 ozs Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless, sliced)
1 Orange Bell Pepper (medium, sliced)
1/2 Yellow Onion (cut into wedges)
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
1 tbsp Taco Seasoning
1/16 oz Avocado Oil Spray
6 Corn Tortilla
Directions
Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF (200ºC).
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, peppers, onions, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Mix well to combine. Transfer to the air fryer in an even layer. If you cannot fit the ingredients in an even layer, be sure to cook in batches.
Spray the chicken and veggies with oil. Bake for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Divide the fajita mixture evenly between tortillas. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size One serving is equal to approximately three fajitas.
More Flavor Squeeze some lime juice on top when serving.
Additional Toppings Add black beans. Top with green onions, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, and/or salsa.
No Corn Tortillas Serve with lettuce to make into lettuce wraps. Serve over cauliflower or regular rice. Serve over tortilla chips and top with cheese for fajita nachos.
Avocado Oil Spray One gram (or 1/16 oz) of avocado oil spray is equal to a one-second spray.
Air Fryer Tip Work in batches to ensure the food can get browned and not steam, make sure the chicken and veggies are in an even layer and not overlapping.
