Easiest air fryer recipes to start with: frozen fries (12–16 min, no oil), roasted peanuts (10–12 min, no oil), bread pizza (5–6 min), paneer tikka (10–12 min), potato wedges, roasted chana and aloo gobi. Most use a handful of ingredients and a single setting. Below are 15 easy air fryer recipes ranked by difficulty, plus a 7-day plan that teaches you a new skill each day.
If you’ve just bought an air fryer, start here. These recipes are forgiving, quick and need no special equipment. Each one teaches a basic skill — shaking, coating, marinating, baking — so by the end of the week you can cook almost anything in our air fryer recipes collection. New to the machine itself? Read how to use an air fryer first.
15 easy air fryer recipes (ranked easiest first)
| Recipe | Main ingredients | Air fry time | Temp | What it teaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen fries | Frozen fries, salt | 12–16 min | 200°C | Shaking the basket |
| Roasted peanuts | Raw peanuts, salt | 10–12 min | 180°C | Lower-temp roasting |
| Bread pizza | Bread, sauce, cheese, veg | 5–6 min | 180°C | Watching quick cooks |
| Cheese nuggets | Frozen nuggets | 8–10 min | 180°C | Cooking from frozen |
| Green beans | Beans, oil, garlic, lemon | 8–10 min | 200°C | Tossing in oil |
| Roasted vegetables | Any veg, oil, salt | 8–20 min | 200°C | Even cutting |
| Masala chana | Boiled chana, oil, masala | 15–18 min | 200°C | Drying for crunch |
| Homemade French fries | Potatoes, oil, salt | 15–20 min | 200°C | Soaking and drying |
| Potato wedges | Potatoes, oil, spices | 18–22 min | 200°C | Thicker cuts |
| Paneer tikka | Paneer, curd, masala, veg | 10–12 min | 200°C | Marinating |
| Aloo gobi | Potato, cauliflower, masala | 18–22 min | 200°C | A full sabzi |
| Veg cutlet | Potato, veg, breadcrumbs | 12–14 min | 180°C | Coating and flipping |
| Eggless banana muffins | Banana, flour, sugar | 12–15 min | 160°C | Baking at lower heat |
| Eggless sponge cake | Flour, milk, sugar, oil | 25–30 min | 150–160°C | Baking in a tin |
| Whole chicken (non-veg) | Chicken, tandoori marinade | 50–60 min | 180°C | Using a thermometer |
Your first week with an air fryer: a 7-day plan
| Day | Cook | Skill you learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frozen fries | Preheating, single layer, shaking |
| 2 | Roasted peanuts | Using a lower temperature |
| 3 | Roasted vegetables | Oiling and even cutting |
| 4 | Homemade fries | Soaking and drying |
| 5 | Paneer tikka | Marinating and turning |
| 6 | Veg cutlets | Coating and flipping |
| 7 | Banana muffins | Baking |
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Overfilling the basket — the biggest cause of soggy food. Single layer, or half full for fries.
- Skipping the preheat — 3–5 minutes empty makes food crisper. See how to preheat.
- Pouring oil — brush or spray instead.
- Thin batters — they drip through the basket. Use thick pastes or dry coatings.
- Forgetting to check early — air fryers cook fast; check 2 minutes before the timer.
More in 12 common air fryer mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest thing to cook in an air fryer?
Frozen fries or nuggets — no prep, no oil, about 10–15 minutes at 200°C.
What should I cook first in a new air fryer?
Do an empty burn-off run first, then start with frozen fries or roasted peanuts to learn how fast your model cooks.
Are there easy Indian air fryer recipes for beginners?
Yes — roasted peanuts, masala chana, paneer tikka, aloo gobi and veg cutlets are all simple. Browse more in Indian air fryer recipes.
Do I need special accessories?
No. A small cake tin and parchment liners help with baking, but every recipe above works in the basket alone.