Air fryers have taken the world of home cooking by storm, making midweek meals a breeze and letting us enjoy our fave fried snacks with way less oil. Because air fryers can cook food to perfection using hot air circulation, it means a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. They’re a must-have kitchen helper.
If you're looking to buy an air fryer or just want some easy and delicious air fryer recipes you can whip up in minutes, look no further! We've got 3 air fryer recipes that you have to try:
With a Ninja air fryer at your side, you'll be creating mouth-watering dishes that are moist, tender, golden, and crunchy, all while keeping things healthy and hassle-free.
Ingredients:
- Fresh salmon filets
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt and black pepper
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
How to cook salmon in an air fryer:
Preheat your Ninja air fryer to 199°C.
Lightly brush olive oil on both sides of the salmon filets and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
Cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets. The internal temperature should reach 63°C for perfectly cooked salmon.
Seasoning suggestions
For a burst of flavour, you can add various seasonings like garlic powder, paprika or dill to the salmon before air frying.
What to serve with salmon
Serve the air-fried salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or horse radish (if you like a bit of heat) and accompany it with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.
FAQs about air fried salmon
Do you need to flip salmon in an air fryer?
No, there's no need to flip the salmon during the cooking process, since air frying will cook it evenly.
Can you reheat salmon in an air fryer?
Yes, you can reheat salmon in the air fryer. Just be sure to go for a lower temperature to prevent overcooking, or use your air fryer’s Reheat setting if it has one.
How many calories are in air-fried salmon?
The calorie count will depend on the size of the salmon fillet and specific recipe – with 242 calories in a single salmon fillet – according to Sainsburys. This will obviously increase if you’re adding oil when cooking, but air-fried salmon is generally lower in calories compared to deep-fried versions.
Should you put salmon skin side down in the air fryer?
For best results, place the salmon skin side down in the air fryer. This is because the skin is tough and durable and can withstand the heat of the metal tray or basket.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
How to cook chicken breast in an air fryer
Preheat your Ninja air fryer to 190°C.
Rub the chicken breasts with oil or spray, then season them with salt, garlic powder, and paprika.
Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 74°C.
Seasoning suggestions
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like Italian herbs, cumin or smoked paprika - depending on your taste.
What to serve with air fried chicken breast
Air-fried chicken breast goes great with quinoa salad, rice or roasted vegetables. You can also turn it into a very decadent sandwich or cut it up and make a chicken salad.
FAQs about air fried chicken
Can you reheat chicken breast in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Reheat the chicken breast in the air fryer at a low temperature to keep it tender, or use your air fryer’s Reheat setting if it has one.
Can you wrap chicken breast in foil in an air fryer?
We wouldn’t recommend trying to cook chicken breast in foil, as it can obstruct hot air circulation and affect the cooking process. However, if you’re just wanting to reheat the chicken breast, then it’s a good way to stop the chicken from drying out.
How many calories are in an air-fried chicken breast?
Calorie count will vary based on the size and seasoning, but there’s about 137 calories per 100g in a chicken breast fillet, according to Sainsburys.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Vegetable oil or cooking spray
- Salt and black pepper
- Rosemary (optional)
How to cook roast potatoes in the air fryer
Preheat your Ninja air fryer to 200°C.
Peel and cut the potatoes into your perfect roastie size. Then give them a rinse. You can either leave them to drain or put them on a paper towel.
Toss the potato pieces in olive oil, salt and rosemary (if using) until evenly coated.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
Cook for 20-25 minutes, turning them occasionally.
Tips for extra crispy potatoes
- Rough up the edges of the potato pieces to create more surface area for crisping.
- Toss the potatoes in flour before air frying for an extra crispy coating.
- Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Which potatoes are the best for the air fryer?
Russet or Maris Piper potatoes work best for air frying, as they have a higher starch content and result in crispier exteriors.
FAQs about air fried potatoes
Do you parboil potatoes before roasting them in the air fryer?
Unlike oven roasting, parboiling isn’t necessary. That means one less pan and a lot less time.
What to serve with air-fried roast potatoes?
It would be a shame not to serve roast potatoes with a full Sunday lunch, but you can also make them as a side for steak or just have them as a snack.
How many calories are in air-fried roast potatoes?
The calorie content will depend on the number of potatoes and the amount of oil used, but air-fried roast potatoes generally have fewer calories than frying them in oil.
Can you reheat roast potatoes in the air fryer?
Yes, you can reheat roast potatoes in the air fryer. Just use the same temperature as you would for cooking to make them nice and crispy, or use your air fryer’s Reheat setting if it has one.
With these three easy and scrumptious air fryer recipes, you can take on everything from midweek eats to weekend roasts. And if you’re now inspired to try more air fryer meals, you can find loads more recipe ideas on the Ninja Test Kitchen.
If you’re looking for a new air fryer, you won’t go far wrong with a Ninja. With load of clever cooking tech, a great range to pick from and an active online community of content creators sharing recipes and tips, it’s no surprise that Ninja is the UK’s No. 1 air fryer brand.*
And if you’re after kitchen tech that can take on everything from air frying to steaming and baking, they’re also the UK's best-selling multicooker brand** too. We’ll let you know what happened when we got to grip with Ninja’s brilliant Speedi Rapid Cooker.
(*UK market data, sales by value, May'22 - Apr' 23)
(**UK market data, all multicooker sales by volume, Apr'22-Mar'23)