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What Can Be Cooked in an Air Fryer? 50+ Foods You Should Try

If you’ve recently bought an air fryer, you may be wondering what you can actually cook in it. The good news is that an air fryer is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances. It can prepare everything from crispy snacks and vegetables to chicken, seafood, frozen foods, desserts, and even some Indian dishes with very little oil.

Whether you’re cooking for one person or a family, an air fryer can help you prepare quick, healthier meals without sacrificing flavour.

What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?

Here are some of the most popular foods that cook exceptionally well in an air fryer.

Indian Snacks

Samosa
Paneer Pakoda
Veg Cutlets
Roasted Peanuts
Roasted Chickpeas
Green Chilli Kalonji
Cheese Nuggets

Vegetables

Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Baby Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Corn
Mushrooms
Okra (Bhindi)
Bell Peppers

Paneer Recipes

Paneer Tikka
Paneer Butter Masala
Matar Paneer
Stuffed Paneer
Paneer Skewers

Frozen Foods

French Fries
Potato Wedges
Cheese Nuggets
Veg Nuggets
Spring Rolls
Mozzarella Sticks
Hash Browns

High Protein Foods

Roasted Chickpeas
Paneer Cubes
Tofu
Chicken Breast
Chicken Wings
Fish Fillets
Boiled Egg Reheating

Bakery & Desserts

Cookies
Brownies
Banana Chips
Cakes
Muffins
Cinnamon Rolls

Foods That Don’t Cook Well in an Air Fryer

Some recipes are better suited to other appliances.

Examples include:

Dal Chawal
Soups
Thin Curries
Boiled Pasta
Large quantities of rice
Foods with very thin batter

These recipes require steam or boiling water, which an air fryer cannot provide efficiently.

Why Use an Air Fryer?

Using an air fryer offers several benefits:

Uses significantly less oil than deep frying.
Faster cooking than a conventional oven for many foods.
Crispy texture with less mess.
Easy cleanup.
Suitable for snacks, vegetables, meats, and desserts.
Energy efficient for everyday cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook Indian food in an air fryer?

Yes. Many Indian recipes such as paneer tikka, samosas, aloo gobi, roasted peanuts, and vegetable cutlets can be made successfully in an air fryer with much less oil than traditional frying.

Can an air fryer replace an oven?

For everyday cooking, reheating, and small batches, an air fryer can replace an oven for many recipes. However, it isn’t ideal for baking large cakes or preparing meals for very large groups.

Can you cook frozen food in an air fryer?

Yes. Frozen fries, nuggets, spring rolls, and many other frozen snacks become crispy in an air fryer without additional oil.

What should you not cook in an air fryer?

Avoid foods that require boiling or a large amount of liquid, such as soups, thin curries, and most rice-based dishes. Very wet batters also tend to drip before they set.

Explore More Air Fryer Recipes

If you’re looking for more inspiration, browse our collections of:

What Can Be Cooked in Air Fryer