25 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

Air fryer owners are aware of the ease, convenience, and popularity surrounding this small kitchen appliance. Healthy air fryer recipes come together in minutes since the machine can heat up much quicker than regular convection ovens. Meals made in an air fryer may also benefit your waistline as they generally require significantly less oil than other cooking methods due to the nonstick surface and heat distribution. As a result, air fryers are a simple tool that can increase the desire to cook healthy meals at home, with little effort, clean up, and preparation.

The time-saving and oil-reducing factors tend to be the main appeals of investing in an air fryer, though the machines are also popular for yielding crispy textures on the exterior of food. This makes them perfect for making more nutritious versions of foods that would normally be greasy, such as French fries.

To put your air fryer to good use, here are 25 healthy air fryer recipes worth trying. Before jumping into these recipes, make sure you know how to use an air fryer for the best results.

Breakfast

Mornings are usually the busiest part of the day. If you are short on time on weekday mornings, your air fryer will come in handy for a quick, easy, and nutrient-dense breakfast. Bonus points if your breakfast air fryer recipe is portable so you can grab it on your way out the door. Some air fryer breakfast recipes, such as those for French toast and quiche cups, may be best for weekend mornings.

Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

This recipe for breakfast potatoes by Grilled Cheese Social is easy to prep, full of hearty vegetables, and vegan-friendly. It only takes five minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook, so you can easily squeeze this recipe into your morning routine. You just need red potatoes, olive oil, bell peppers, onions, and various spices for flavor.

Since potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber, this breakfast will boost your energy levels and satisfy your appetite. Add these to a wrap with other fillings for a flavorful breakfast burrito that is perfect to enjoy on-the-go.

Lunch and Dinner

Since air fryer recipes are so versatile, you can prep them for lunch or use them to throw together quick weeknight dinners. This will cut back on clean-up, too, since air fryer recipes are like sheet pan recipes—you only need minimal kitchen equipment to whip up a hearty meal. 

Chicken and Veggies

You can’t go wrong with roasted veggies and a lean protein source. If that sounds like your ideal meal, you need to try this air fryer recipe by Gimme Delicious. This recipe is healthy, low-carb, and keto-friendly, so it is suitable for a variety of diets and lifestyles. 

It also comes together in approximately 20 minutes, proving that you can prepare a hearty, nutritious, and high-protein meal in no time. Since the entire meal cooks together in the air fryer, you will have a minimal mess to clean up after dinner.

Side Dishes

If you struggle to get the recommended servings of vegetables each day, try getting creative with vegetable-based side dishes you can make quickly in the air fryer and pair seamlessly with your main entree. The air fryer is the perfect kitchen appliance for anyone looking for ways to make tasty veggies at home. 

Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, potatoes, and green beans crisp up nicely in the air fryer, giving them a satisfying crunch. All you have to do is some light preparation such as chopping or peeling. Many air fryer recipes that call for vegetables have great tips and inventive spice combinations that make eating veggies fun and flavorful.

With the various flavor profiles and protein choices, the combinations are endless. This is a dinner and side dish combination you can never get sick of.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

This recipe by Piping Pot Curry will convert any Brussels sprouts hater into their biggest fan. When prepared correctly, Brussels sprouts make for a delicious and filling side dish or appetizer.

Seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and balsamic vinegar, these Brussels sprouts are extremely flavorful. They are crispy on the outside thanks to the air fryer, though the inside stays tender. If you make this dish, do not be surprised when your guests come back for seconds. 

Gluten-Free

People who follow a gluten-free diet due to allergies or preference are familiar with the lack of breaded foods like fried chicken and breaded vegetables. While these fried foods can be high in fat and carbohydrates, people who avoid gluten should have a safe, suitable choice when they want to consume fried foods in moderation. 

With an air fryer, gluten-free “fried” foods are within reach and can be made with a healthy twist. Even people who include gluten in their diet will enjoy these gluten-free air fryer recipes.

Healthy Air Fryer Meatballs

This gluten-free recipe by Hello Spoonful requires just eight simple ingredients and only 12 minutes of cooking time. These gluten-free, air-fried meatballs are seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and minced onion. Drizzle with marinara sauce and place on top of zucchini noodles for an Italian-inspired gluten-free dinner.

Vegetarian

Nutrient-packed vegan and vegetarian air fryer recipes are perfect for Meatless Mondays or days you want to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet. Since vegetables cook up wonderfully in an air fryer, every vegan and vegetarian should give the air fryer a chance. You don’t have to be a vegan or vegetarian to enjoy these quick and easy air fryer recipes that are free of animal-based ingredients.

Vegan Zucchini Lasagna

This recipe by Cadry’s Kitchen is the perfect example of creativity in the kitchen. Though lasagna usually contains animal-based ingredients like egg, cheese, and meat, this air fryer lasagna recipe is completely plant-based. It calls for pasta, zucchini, pasta sauce, tofu-based ricotta cheese, fresh basil, and spinach leaves. 

Since it is full of vegetables, this is a hearty vegetarian-friendly dinner that is full of fiber and nutrients. Though you may not think to make lasagna in your air fryer, you will be glad you did once you try this recipe.

A Word From Verywell

If you are new to the world of healthy air fryer recipes, you will enjoy getting creative with a variety of foods and recipes to go along with your brand-new kitchen appliance. Whether your goal is to eat more veggies, increase your protein intake, or simply expand your palate, an air fryer can help spark inspiration.