What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? Top Foods to Cook Today

Introduction

If you’ve recently joined the millions of home cooks who have added an air fryer to their kitchen lineup, you’ve probably already mastered frozen French fries and chicken tenders, but you might still be scrolling through recipe lists asking, What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? beyond the basics. The short answer? Almost anything that benefits from a crispy, golden exterior and tender, juicy interior – and that list is far longer than you think.

Air fryers work by circulating superheated air at high speeds around food, creating the same crispy texture as deep frying without submerging your food in gallons of oil. This makes them a healthier, faster, and less messy alternative to both deep frying and traditional oven baking. In this guide, we’ll walk through the top foods to cook in your air fryer, from classic proteins and veggie sides to unexpected desserts and quick breakfasts, plus step-by-step instructions, pro tips, and answers to common questions to help you get perfect results every time.

• How Air Fryers Work: The Science Behind Perfect Crispy Results
• Top Protein Foods to Cook in an Air Fryer
  • Chicken: Wings, Breasts, Thighs, and More
  • Beef and Pork: Burgers, Steaks, and Ribs
  • Seafood: Fish, Shrimp, and Scallops
  • Plant-Based Proteins: Tofu, Tempeh, and Beyond Meat
• Crispy Vegetable Sides and Roasted Greens
• Starchy Sides: Fries, Tots, and Potato Perfection
• Frozen Snacks and Appetizers for Quick Entertaining
• Breakfast Foods You Can Whip Up in Minutes
• Unexpected Desserts That Turn Out Perfectly
• Step-by-Step: Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Best Practices and Pro Tips
• Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts

How Air Fryers Work: The Science Behind Perfect Crispy Results

To fully understand the wide range of foods you can cook in an air fryer, it helps to know how the appliance works. Unlike deep fryers, which submerge food in hot oil, air fryers use a powerful fan to circulate 300-400°F air around food at high speeds. This rapid air flow does two key things: first, it removes moisture from the surface of food quickly, creating a crispy, golden crust via the Maillard reaction (the same chemical reaction that makes toast brown and fried food crunchy). Second, it cooks food evenly on all sides, so you don’t have to flip or rotate it as often as you would in a standard oven.

This cooking method is why the answer to What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? is so broad: any food that benefits from a crispy exterior and moist interior will turn out well, from chicken wings to roasted broccoli to chocolate chip cookies. To help you see how air fryers stack up against other cooking methods, check out the comparison table below for common foods:

As you can see, air fryers deliver crispiness on par with deep frying, with a fraction of the oil and faster cook times than most oven recipes. This versatility is what makes them such a popular kitchen tool.

Top Protein Foods to Cook in an Air Fryer

Proteins are one of the best use cases for air fryers, because the appliance creates a crispy, flavorful exterior without drying out the tender interior of meats and plant-based proteins – a common problem when cooking proteins in a standard oven. If you’re asking What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer?, proteins should be at the top of your list.

Chicken: Wings, Breasts, Thighs, and More

Chicken is the most popular air fryer protein for good reason: it turns out juicy, crispy, and flavorful with minimal effort. For chicken wings, pat them completely dry, toss with a light coating of oil and your favorite seasoning, and cook at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. For extra crispiness, add 2-3 minutes of cook time, or toss in sauce during the final 2 minutes of cooking.

Chicken breasts work best when brined first in saltwater for 30 minutes to lock in moisture, then patted dry, seasoned, and cooked at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Chicken thighs are even more forgiving: their higher fat content keeps them juicy even at higher temperatures, so cook them at 400°F for 18-22 minutes for perfectly crispy skin and tender meat. You can also make chicken tenders, nuggets, and even small whole chickens in larger air fryer models.

Beef and Pork: Burgers, Steaks, and Ribs

Air fryers eliminate the need to pan-sear burgers and steaks, giving you an evenly cooked, crispy crust without the mess of stovetop cooking. For burgers, season ground beef patties, place them in the basket, and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes for medium doneness, adding cheese in the final minute of cooking if desired. For steaks (ribeye, sirloin, or filet), pat the meat dry, season generously, and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes for medium-rare, then let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For pork ribs, rub them with your favorite dry rub, wrap them in foil, and cook at 300°F for 45 minutes to tenderize the meat. Unwrap, coat with BBQ sauce, and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes to crisp up the edges. You can also make crispy bacon in the air fryer: lay strips in the basket, cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, and drain on paper towels for zero splatter and perfect crispiness.

Seafood: Fish, Shrimp, and Scallops

Seafood cooks quickly in air fryers, and the high heat creates a crispy, flavorful crust without overcooking the delicate flesh inside. For fish fillets (salmon, cod, tilapia), pat them dry, brush with a light coating of oil, season, and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Leave the skin on for extra crispiness, just make sure to pat it completely dry before cooking.

Shrimp are even faster: toss peeled, deveined shrimp with oil and seasoning, and cook at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway, for perfectly plump, crispy shrimp. For scallops, pat them extremely dry (this is critical for a good sear), season, and cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes per side for restaurant-quality results. Seafood is a standout answer to What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? because it cooks in half the time of oven baking, with no risk of sogginess.

Plant-Based Proteins: Tofu, Tempeh, and Beyond Meat

Air fryers are a game-changer for plant-based proteins, which often turn out soggy or chewy when cooked with other methods. For extra-firm tofu, press out all excess water first (wrap in paper towels and weigh down with a heavy pan for 30 minutes), toss with cornstarch and seasoning, and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, for crispy, chewy tofu that holds up in stir-fries or bowls.

Tempeh works best when steamed for 10 minutes first to remove any bitter flavor, then marinated and cooked at 375°F for 10 minutes. For plant-based burgers like Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger, cook them the same as regular beef burgers at 375°F for 6-8 minutes for a crispy exterior and juicy interior. The air fryer’s high heat dries out plant-based proteins just enough to create a satisfying, meaty texture that’s hard to achieve with other cooking methods.

Crispy Vegetable Sides and Roasted Greens

If you’ve ever struggled with soggy roasted veggies from your oven, the air fryer will be a revelation. The high-speed air circulation removes moisture from vegetables quickly, creating a crispy, caramelized exterior without overcooking the inside. Almost any vegetable works well in an air fryer: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and even kale.

To make roasted veggies, toss them with 1 teaspoon of oil, salt, pepper, and any seasonings you like (garlic powder, paprika, parmesan, etc.), and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For extra crispiness, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the seasoning mix before tossing with the veggies. Kale chips are another popular option: toss kale leaves with a light spray of oil and salt, and cook at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Veggies are a huge part of the answer to What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? because they turn out better in an air fryer than almost any other cooking method for most home cooks.

Starchy Sides: Fries, Tots, and Potato Perfection

Air fryers are famous for making better French fries than deep fryers or ovens, with a fraction of the oil and mess. For extra crispy fresh-cut fries, slice potatoes into even sticks, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, pat completely dry, toss with 1 teaspoon of oil and salt, and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. For sweet potato fries, follow the same process, but cook for 18-22 minutes, and add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Tater tots are even easier: no prep needed, just place them in the basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, for crispy outsides and fluffy insides. You can also make potato wedges, hash browns, roasted gnocchi, and even parsnip or carrot fries in the air fryer. Frozen fries work too – just add 2-3 minutes to the cook time, and you’ll get results that are crispier than oven-baked frozen fries every time.

Frozen Snacks and Appetizers for Quick Entertaining

One of the most convenient uses for an air fryer is cooking frozen snacks and appetizers, no thawing required. Because the high-speed air circulation crisps frozen food evenly, you’ll get far better results than a microwave or standard oven, with no sogginess. Popular options include mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, egg rolls, spring rolls, jalapeño poppers, frozen dumplings, pizza rolls, and taquitos.

Most frozen snacks cook at 375-400°F, following the cook time on the package (usually 5-12 minutes, depending on the food). For extra crispiness, flip or shake the basket halfway through cooking. This is a game-changer for busy weeknights or last-minute get-togethers, and it’s one of the easiest answers to What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? for people who want quick, no-fuss meals.

Breakfast Foods You Can Whip Up in Minutes

Air fryers cut down on breakfast prep time significantly, and eliminate the mess of stovetop cooking. Bacon is a standout: lay strips in the basket, cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, and drain on paper towels for perfectly crispy bacon with zero splatter. Sausage patties or links cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, with crispy edges and no need to flip unless you prefer extra crispiness.

You can even make fried eggs in an air fryer: spray the basket with nonstick spray, crack an egg into the center, and cook at 300°F for 3-4 minutes for a runny yolk, or 5-6 minutes for a firm yolk. To reheat frozen breakfast sandwiches, cook at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for crispy bread and melted cheese, far better than a microwave. For a sweet breakfast, make French toast by dipping thick bread slices in an egg mixture (1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk, pinch of cinnamon), and cooking at 375°F for 3-4 minutes per side. You can also cook breakfast potatoes with peppers and onions for a quick, hearty hash.

Unexpected Desserts That Turn Out Perfectly

One of the most surprising answers to What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer? is desserts. Air fryers cook baked goods faster than standard ovens, without heating up your whole kitchen, and produce moist, evenly cooked results. Chocolate chip cookies cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes for chewy centers and crispy edges. Brownies bake at 325°F for 15-18 minutes for fudgy, overbake-proof results.

For a fun treat, make churros by piping choux pastry dough into strips, cooking at 375°F for 5-6 minutes, and tossing in cinnamon sugar. You can also make donuts using pre-made biscuit dough: cut into circles, cook at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, and glaze with icing or chocolate. For a healthy snack, make apple chips by slicing apples thin, tossing with cinnamon, and cooking at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Even small cakes and mug cakes cook perfectly in the air fryer in half the time of an oven.

Step-by-Step: Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are one of the most popular air fryer recipes for good reason: they turn out crispier than deep-fried wings, with zero mess and less oil. Follow this simple step-by-step recipe for perfect wings every time:

1. Pat 1 pound of chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This is the most important step for crispiness – any excess moisture will steam the wings instead of crisping them.
2. In a large bowl, toss the wings with 1 tablespoon of neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado), 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for heat).
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
4. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a small gap between each wing to allow air circulation. If your air fryer is small, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
5. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time.
6. For extra crispy wings, add 2-3 minutes of cook time. If you want sauced wings, toss them in your favorite sauce (BBQ, buffalo, honey garlic, etc.) during the final 2 minutes of cooking so the sauce doesn’t burn.
7. Let the wings rest for 2 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.

This basic recipe works for any wing flavor you can imagine, and the wings will stay crispy even after tossing in sauce if you add the sauce at the end of cooking.

Air Fryer Best Practices and Pro Tips

To get the best results from your air fryer, follow these simple best practices:

• Always pat food dry before cooking. Excess moisture is the number one cause of soggy, un-crispy food. Use paper towels to dry meats, veggies, and tofu before seasoning and cooking.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space between pieces of food to allow air to circulate freely. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and sogginess.
• Preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding food. This ensures even cooking and shorter overall cook times.
• Use a light coating of oil for crispiness. Even if a recipe says no oil is needed, a light spray or 1 teaspoon of oil will help create a crispier crust, especially for proteins and veggies.
• Flip or shake food halfway through cooking. This ensures both sides cook evenly and get crispy.
• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Air fryer cook times are estimates, so always check that meats reach safe internal temperatures: 165°F for chicken, 145°F for steak and pork, 145°F for fish.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy breaded foods, toss them in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with your seasonings before air frying. The cornstarch creates an ultra-crispy crust that holds up better than breading alone, and uses less oil than traditional frying.

Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced air fryer users make these common mistakes that lead to subpar results. Avoid them to get perfect food every time:

• Overcrowding the basket. This is the most common mistake. If you pack too much food in the basket, air can’t circulate, leading to soggy, unevenly cooked food. Cook in batches if needed.
• Skipping the preheat step. Preheating ensures the air is at the right temperature when you add food, leading to more even cooking and crispier results.
• Not patting food dry. As mentioned earlier, excess moisture steams food instead of crisping it. Always dry food thoroughly before seasoning.
• Using too much oil. A light coating is all you need. Too much oil will cause smoke, greasy food, and burnt residue in the basket.
• Cooking delicate foods at too high a temperature. Delicate foods like fish, veggies, and cookies can burn on the outside if cooked at 400°F. Lower the temperature to 325-350°F for these foods.
• Not adjusting cook times for frozen vs. fresh food. Frozen foods usually take 3-5 minutes longer to cook than fresh, so adjust your timers accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the one food you should never cook in an air fryer?
Wet batter foods like tempura or beer batter are a no-go – the wet batter will drip through the basket, cause smoke, and won’t crisp properly. You should also avoid cooking whole large turkeys or chickens that are too big for your air fryer basket, as well as delicate foods like meringues or soufflés that require low, even heat. Wet foods like soup or sauce will also make a mess and not cook properly in an air fryer.

2. Can you cook raw meat in an air fryer?
Yes, absolutely! As long as you cook raw meat to its safe internal temperature (165°F for chicken, 145°F for steak and pork, 145°F for fish), air fryers cook raw meat perfectly, often with better crispiness and juiciness than oven baking.

3. Do you have to use oil in an air fryer?
No, you don’t have to use oil, but a light coating (a spray or 1 teaspoon) will help create crispier results, especially for proteins and vegetables. Most frozen foods already have enough oil in them to crisp up without added oil.

4. Can you reheat food in an air fryer?
Yes! Reheating pizza, fries, chicken, and other leftovers in an air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes will give you crispy results instead of the sogginess you get from a microwave.

5. What temperature do you cook most foods in an air fryer?
Most foods cook best between 350°F and 400°F. Delicate foods like fish, veggies, and cookies do better at 325-350°F to avoid burning, while thicker meats like ribs may need to start at 300°F to tenderize before crisping at a higher temperature.

Final Thoughts

By now, you have a clear answer to the question What Food Can Cook in Air Fryer?: almost any food you love can be made quickly and perfectly in this versatile appliance. From crispy chicken wings and roasted veggies to decadent desserts and quick breakfasts, air fryers save time, reduce mess, and deliver crispier, healthier results than deep frying or oven baking.

The key to success is avoiding common mistakes like overcrowding the basket and skipping the preheat step, and experimenting with your favorite foods to find the perfect cook times and temperatures for your specific model. Whether you’re a busy home cook looking for quick weeknight meals, or an entertainer who wants easy, crispy appetizers, the air fryer is a must-have tool that will quickly become your go-to for almost every meal.