You bought an air fryer because everyone said it would change your life. Now it's sitting on your counter and you're not sure what to do with it besides make frozen fries. Let's fix that. These 5 recipes showcase what an air fryer does best β€” and they're all dead simple for first-timers.

Air fryer with crispy food
An air fryer is the most versatile small kitchen appliance you can own

1. Crispy Chicken Wings (Best Introduction)

This is what your air fryer was born to do.

  • 2 lbs chicken wings, pat dry
  • 1 tbsp baking powder (the secret to crispiness without deep frying)
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Instructions: Toss wings with baking powder and seasonings. Air fry at 380Β°F for 20 minutes, flip, then 400Β°F for 5 more minutes. Toss in your favorite sauce (buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic).

The result: crispy skin, juicy meat, zero deep frying oil. This is the recipe that makes people fall in love with their air fryer.

2. Air Fryer Salmon (12 minutes)

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • Olive oil spray
  • Salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder

Instructions: Season salmon, place in air fryer skin-side down. 400Β°F for 8-10 minutes. No flipping needed. The outside gets a light crust while the inside stays moist and flaky.

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate around the food to make it crispy. If items are piled on top of each other, you'll get steamed food instead of crispy food. Cook in batches if necessary.

Sources & Food Safety Note

Cooking times, ingredient brands, appliance power, and food sizes vary. Use a food thermometer for safety-critical recipes and follow official food safety guidance for storage, reheating, and minimum internal temperatures.