What To Cook In An Air Fryer

Did you recently get yourself a new air fryer? Or, maybe you've had one for a while but never experimented beyond air-fried fries or air-fried samosas? Delicious as they are, we have 4 air fryer recipes to expand your culinary horizons.

 

Let's start with a sweet snack!

Shakkarpare

Ingredients

2 cups Maida

1/4 cup Ghee

1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon Milk

Oil, as required

 

Step 1 - Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.

Step 2 - Mix the ghee and sugar until fluffy.

Step 3 - Gradually add maida, and mix well with your hands till you achieve a breadcrumb-type mixture.

Step 4 - Gradually add the milk till you get a firm dough, pressable with your fingers.

Step 5 - Take out a large portion. Grease your rolling board, and use your rolling pin (also greased with ghee) to roll the portion out to a thick disc. Proceed to cut that into diamond or square shapes.

Step 6 - Air fry the cut-up discs at 200°C for 8-10 minutes.

Step 7 - Plate and serve up the goodies!

 

 

How about a perfect chai time partner?

Zucchini Chickpea Tikkis

Ingredients

1/2 cup Boiled Chickpeas

1 cup Grated Zucchini

1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

1/2 teaspoon Coriander Powder

A pinch of Turmeric Powder

Salt, to taste

1 teaspoon Chaat Masala

1 teaspoon Chilli Flakes

1 cup Crushed Cornflakes (for coating the tikkis)

1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder

 

Step 1 - Grind the boiled chickpeas. Add them and the grated zucchini to a big bowl. Mix in all of the spices.

Step 2 - Mould circular tikkis with your hands, then coat them with crushed cornflakes.

Step 3 - Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.

Step 4 - Put the tikkis in the air fryer basket, brush it with a little oil and cook at 180°C for 20 minutes. Flip them over at the 10-minute mark.

Step 5 - Serve them hot with any sauce or dips of your choice!

 

 

Hungry for some main course?

Tandoori Chicken

Ingredients

3-4 Chicken Pieces

1 tablespoon White Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder

1 teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste

1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder

2 tablespoons Tandoori Chicken Masala Powder

1 Lemon Juice

1/4 teaspoon Orange Red Food Colour

 

Step 1 - Wash the chicken, and add deep gashes on the chicken pieces.
Step 2 - Dip them in vinegar for 5 minutes.

Step 3 - Add all the dry spices, and food colour and prepare a thick paste with a splash of water or oil.

Step 4 - Apply the paste on the chicken pieces and let it marinate.

Step 5 - Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 5 minutes. Then add your chicken to the basket and cook for 20-22 minutes, making sure to flip at the halfway mark.

Step 6 - Serve it on a platter with green chutney or other sauces of your choice!

 

 

End with a delicious dessert!

Banana Muffins

Ingredients

1 tbsp Baking Powder

1 pinch Salt

2 Ripe Bananas

A handful of Walnuts

1/2 cup Melted Butter

2 tbsp Powdered Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

 

Step 1 - Mash up your ripe bananas. Add powdered sugar, melted butter, and mix well.

Step 2 - Sieve plain flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine this with the wet ingredients. Mix well, then add in the crushed walnuts.

Step 3 - Brush oil and sprinkle plain flour in a katori, or use cupcake liners. Pour the cake batter into them.

Step 4 - Preheat your air fryer to 170°C for 5 minutes. Bake your muffins for 10 minutes at the same temperature.

Step 5 - Transfer your quick, easy and delicious muffins to a serving plate and enjoy!

 

If these 4 recipes aren't enough for you, check out a breakfast-to-dessert menu using only an air fryer!

Now that you know what to cook in an air fryer, here are some more dishes that you can try your hands on that warm the soul and make you want to cook all your dishes in an air fryer!

5. Crispy Spiced Potatoes

We cannot miss out on making at least one potato dish if we are talking about what can be cooked in an air fryer. 

Source: Delish

Ingredients

• 500g baby potatoes
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Black pepper, to taste
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 1 lemon wedge
• Some fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional)

How to Cook

Step 1 - Half all the baby potatoes, put them in a bowl and add olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and the optional cajun seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 2 - Toss the potatoes, ensuring all are coated evenly with the spice mix.

Step 3 - Place the potatoes in the air fryer basked. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°. 

Step 4 - Take out the basket, shake it, and stir the potatoes. Cook again for 8 to 10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and tender. 

Step 5 - Place the cooked potatoes in a dish or bowl, and squeeze the lemon wedge. Finally, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley and serve!

6. Sweet Potato Fries

Thinking, what can you make in an air fryer that is tastier and healthier than its deep-fried counterpart? How about some air-fried sweet potato fries?

Source: The Kitchn

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Cooking spray

How to Cook

Step 1 - Preheat the air-fryer to 400°.

Step 2 - Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into 1/4th inch thick, long fries.

Step 3 - Place the fries in a bowl, and add vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder and salt. Toss the fries to mix and coat evenly.

Step 4 - Take out the air-fryer basket and spray the cooking oil lightly. Place the fries side-by-side in the basket, without staking them, in a single layer. 

Step 5 - Air fry the sweet potato fries for 10 minutes or until brown spots start to appear. Take out the basket, shake the fries, and arrange them back in a single layer before putting the basket back in for 3 to 5 minutes until the fries are cooked through. 

Step 6 - Take out the fries and serve immediately with a homemade mayonnaise and ketchup sauce. 

7. Thai-Style Tofu

Vegans wondering what to cook in air fryer can try this very easy Thai-style air-fried tofu that is the perfect companion to your next rice dish.

Source: Delish

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 a teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 a teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 a teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 a cup cornstarch
• 1/4th teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• 1/4th cup Thai sweet chilli sauce
• 2 cloves grated garlic
• 1/4th cup mayonnaise  
• 2 tablespoons sriracha

How to Cook

Step 1 - First, cut the tofu block into 1½-inch cubes. Next, in a large bowl, add the chopped tofu, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Toss everything together to coat the tofu evenly. 

Step 2 - Cover the bowl and keep it in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour.

Step 3 - In a smaller bowl, mix cornstarch, black pepper and salt. Keep it aside.

Step 4 - After marinating the tofu, take it out and toss it in the dry cornstarch mixture. Shake off excess. 

Step 5 - Take out the air fryer basket and arrange each tofu cube side-by-side. Work in batches if needed. Spray the tofu with cooking spray.

Step 6 - Cook the tofu at 400° for 7 to 8 minutes. Take the basket out, toss the tofu and pop it back in for another 7 to 8 minutes or until the tofu is crispy and golden.

Step 7 - While the tofu is cooking, whisk together Thai sweet chilli sauce, mayonnaise, sriracha and garlic powder to create a Thai-style sauce. Season it with salt. 

Step 8 - Once the tofu is cooked, take it out and toss it in the Thai sauce to coat it completely. 

Step 9 - Place the tofu on a bed of white rice and garnish it with sesame seeds and scallions. 

8. Classic Grilled Cheese

Finally, if you are thinking of making a classic dish for a simple Sunday morning breakfast and wondering, “What can I cook in an air fryer?” try this simple yet delicious grilled cheese. 

Source: The Kitchn

Ingredients

• 100 gm Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
• 100 gm cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 slices whole-wheat or white sandwich bread.

How to Cook

Step 1 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°. Let the 2 tablespoons of butter soften at room temperature.

Step 2 - Either grate or take pre-grated cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese and mix together in a bowl.

Step 3 - Take out 2 slices of bread and spread softened butter on one side. Flip the bread and add the cheese mix evenly on the other side of the bread. Put one slice of bread over the other, butter side up and press slightly to join.

Step 4 - Place one cheese sandwich in the air fryer for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, flip the sandwich and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 5 - Serve the crispy, gooey grilled cheese with some ketchup. 

Conclusion

We have answered your question - what can you cook in an air fryer, with some classic dishes that you can immediately try out in your new air fryer. Much more can be baked, grilled, fried and toasted in Borosil air fryers. All you need to do is look for new recipes that challenge you to explore your culinary horizons. Surprise your friends and family with some of the tastiest dishes cooked in the most healthy way that makes your heart and stomach full.