Most people purchase air fryers because they want a healthier alternative to deep frying food, which requires a lot of hot oil. Others just do so because of the convenience it brings to the table.
Whatever your reason, this roundup of my favorite healthy air fryer recipes will surely provide you with several options, not just alternatives to deep-fried food.
24 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
1. Air Fryer Baked Apples
The slightly sweet, earthy, nutty flavors of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup enhance and balance out the sweet, fruity taste of the apple. This recipe also combines the crispiness of the oatmeal filling and the tenderness of the apple, giving you a healthy snack or dessert that will tickle your taste buds with every bite or spoonful of it.
2. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
This fiber-rich, nutritious air fryer dish requires less than 30 minutes and five ingredients: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Serve the air fryer Brussels sprouts as a main dish or side dish to chicken, pork, beef, or seafood.
Sprinkling grated parmesan cheese or toasted almonds, pecans, pine nuts, or walnuts or drizzling balsamic glaze on the cooked Brussels sprouts before serving the dish can enhance the dish's flavor. Tossing in sliced mushrooms halfway through the cooking time can add more flavor and nutrients to the recipe.
3. Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Carrots
Quick and easy, these perfectly seasoned air fryer carrots are a versatile side dish you don't want to skip cooking on your new air fryer. Two-inch slices of carrots are tossed in a mixture of melted unsalted butter and spices and then cooked in the air fryer for about 10 minutes.
4. Air Fryer Carrot Chips
Healthy snacking while watching a movie or game is easier with these extra crispy air fryer carrot chips that can be served with or without a dipping sauce like ketchup, mayonnaise, and hummus.
With these carrot chips, making a sandwich, burger, or wrap with an extra crunch is also possible. Better yet, serve these healthy chips with your salad or soup.
5. Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
This bite-sized breaded cauliflower appetizer or side dish has a well-balanced, aromatic flavor explosion combined with the umaminess of the soy sauce. But if you want added flavor and texture, serve the cauliflower bites with soy sauce, sweet and chili sauce, and other dipping sauces.
Drizzling the cauliflower bites with real maple syrup or honey before serving will add sweetness to the cooked florets.
Tweaking this simple recipe to your desire won't also be a problem. Add hot sauce, red chili pepper flakes, or chili powder for a spicy kick, or use other spice and herb mixtures to give it the kind of flavor that you like.
6. Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
The earthy, savory flavor of the spice blend used to season the cauliflower slices will remind you of that backyard beef steak but with a healthier twist and less oil.
Use smoked paprika if you want to give the air fryer cauliflower steaks a smokier flavor and aroma. Or, garnish them with fresh herbs and lemon wedges for added freshness.
Serve the air-fried steaks as a standalone dish with or without a dipping sauce or as a main dish with vegetable salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, pasta, rice, couscous, or quinoa on the side.
7. Air Fryer Yogurt Marinated Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts are soaked in a homemade marinade with plain, Greek, or non-dairy yogurt as a base ingredient, giving you moist, juicy, tender air-fried chicken with a crispy exterior.
Garnish the cooked chicken with fresh herbs and serve with or without a dipping sauce. For a complete, healthy weeknight dinner or lunch, pair it with rice, couscous, vegetable salad, or any side dish of your choice.
8. Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Twenty-five minutes and four kitchen staples are all you need to make these delicious, crispy, moist chicken cutlets in your air fryer.
Take it up the notch by tweaking the recipe. Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chili powder to give the dish some heat or herbs like rosemary and thyme to make it more savory or earthy. Or, combine ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and honey to make an Asian-flavored marinade.
9. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Add cheese-y goodness to your usual meal with this easy dinner or lunch air fryer chicken parmesan dish. The perfectly tender and moist interior and super crispy exterior of the well-seasoned chicken complement the cheese's smooth texture.
Sprinkle the air-fried chicken parmesan with fresh herbs and serve with vegetable salad, pasta, rice, couscous, or any side dish, with or without a dipping sauce.
10. Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Carving into this air-fried whole chicken with crispy skin and tender, moist meat that falls off the bone will make you want to serve it not just during family lunches or dinners but also during special occasions.
This healthier twist on the traditional version of rotisserie chicken doesn't require fancy, expensive ingredients. Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder are all you need!
11. Asian-Style Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Nugget-sized chicken slices or chicken strips are infused with Asian flavors using a homemade marinade and coated with egg and seasoned breading. The chicken pieces are then cooked in the air fryer until golden brown and crispy, or about 10 minutes on each side.
Serve with or without a dipping sauce and a side dish of your choice.
12. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These mouthwatering, moist, golden-brown air fryer chicken thighs were soaked in a marinade that combines savory, sweet, and umami flavors for an hour or two—then cooked to perfection for just 10 minutes on each side.
13. Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Serve these crunchy, flavorful air fryer chicken wings as a standalone snack with buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, honey-mustard, or blue cheese dressing.
The wings' savory, smoky flavor also perfectly meshes with steamed vegetables, pasta, green salad, rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, and couscous.
14. Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Toast
Just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time, and you have a well-balanced breakfast you can eat on the go. With the egg's softness and creaminess, melted cheese's smoothness and creaminess, and fresh vegetables and bread toasts' crunchiness, there's a complex play of texture that complements the delicious blend of flavors.
15. Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Lunch or dinner can't get any healthier than this—air-fried tilapia fish fillets combined with homemade pickled cabbage and pink taco sauce. These Mexican-flavored air fryer fish tacos are ready in less than 45 minutes and are a perfect appetizer, snack, and light lunch or dinner.
16. Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata
This air fryer version of the frittata is full-packed of protein to give you much-needed early morning energy that lasts hours. Not only is it made from eggs, but also other high-protein ingredients like spinach and cheese.
17. Air Fryer Green Beans Casserole
Give your crock pot a break from making delicious casseroles, and use your air-frying appliance instead. Combine the green beans with the homemade mushroom sauce, top it off with air-fried onions and grated cheese, and cook in your air fryer for 10 minutes.
Before serving as a side or main dish, garnish it with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or tomatoes.
18. Air Fryer Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Among the air fryer recipes that turn boring oatmeals into flavorful, easy-to-grab bars that help keep you full until your next meal. With mashed bananas, rolled oats, fruits, and nuts as the main ingredients, this air fryer healthy recipe gives you a snack or breakfast with high protein, a good amount of healthy fats, and enough carbohydrates to ensure a well-nourished body.
Kids and adults will surely love these oatmeal bars!
19. Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
Among the desserts you can make with your air fryer is this peach cobbler. While it's absolutely delicious, don't hesitate to top it off with whipped cream, ice cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to add more flavors or satisfy the sweet tooth without going overboard.
To make, slices of canned or fresh peaches are combined with melted butter, peach juice, milk, sugar, salt, flour, and baking powder and then baked in the air fryer for 45 minutes.
20. Air Fryer Pork Chops
These succulent, tender, flavorful, boneless pork chops are all you need to fully enjoy the bed of vegetables, rice, quinoa, or salad you have prepared.
With a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and extra oil dripping away from the meat while air frying the pork chops, you won't feel guilty each time you take a bite of the meat.
21. Air Fryer Salmon Steak
Take advantage of salmon's high amount of healthy fats and protein by turning it into a delicious, juicy main dish that pairs well with many side dishes, drizzles, and dipping sauces. The air-fried fish steak has crunchy skin and tender meat to tickle and trick your taste buds.
22. Air Fryer Tilapia
Tilapia fillets are coated with breadcrumbs seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper, and air-fried until golden brown and crispy. Go ahead and add chili or cayenne pepper powder to give the dish a spicy kick, or basil, thyme, and/or oregano to have a Mediterranean-flavored air fryer tilapia.
Serve the tilapia with or without lime cream sauce and your favorite grains, fresh salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, or avocado slices.
23. Air Fryer Tofu
Among the easiest and quickest healthy vegetarian recipes, each tofu cube screams a savory, slightly sweet, umami flavor that non-vegetarians, even kids, will also love.
Make it gluten-free by replacing the soy sauce with tamari or Mediterranean inspired by adding garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Or, glaze the tofu cubes with barbecue sauce a few minutes before the cook time ends to give them a more savory profile.
Pair the air-fried tofu with soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or peanut sauce, or serve with a side dish to have a complete meal. This tofu dish also works well as a wrap filling and salad base.
24. Air Fryer Turkey Burger Patty
Most would stay away from burgers when it comes to eating healthy, but with your fryer and the right ingredients, you can enjoy delicious burgers anytime!
Place this well-seasoned, air-fried ground turkey patty in a lightly toasted bun, top with cheese, fresh tomato, fresh lettuce, and homemade sauce, and enjoy. You can also serve it with a side dish like rice and fresh vegetable salad, with or without a sauce.
Eating Healthy With Air Fry Recipes
These healthy air fryer recipes aren't just perfect for those with strict dietary requirements, like those with health conditions and losing weight, but for everyone who wants to start enjoying healthier fried, baked, and roasted food.
Whether you need an appetizer, snack, side dish, or main course, my roundup has an option for you to cook and eat healthier.
But if you need more delicious recipes and air fryer tips, guides, and reviews, All the Crumbs Please is here to serve you a platter of information that's cooked to perfection with experience and knowledge as the main ingredients.
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