15 foods that taste BETTER cooked in an air fryer

Air fryer magic

It’s definitely not a fad – the air fryer is here to stay. Not only is the hottest kitchen gadget around quick, easy and economical to use, but some foods actually taste better when cooked in an air fryer than any other way. To help you get the most from your machine, we've put together the ultimate collection of air-fryer recipes, from French fries to bacon.

Click or scroll through this gallery to discover how an air fryer can make these 15 foods taste SO much better.

French fries

There's a reason why everyone raves about air-fried fries. After all, why would you resort to deep-fat frying – with all the associated smells and mess – when you can make crisp, golden fries in an air fryer, with very little oil required? Even if you don't want to make your own fries from scratch, frozen ones are perfect for heating up in an air fryer, especially if you are cooking for just one or two people.

French fries

For a couple of portions, cut two large, peeled potatoes into chips and soak them in very cold water for around 10 minutes (this will draw out the excess starch for a crispier result). Drain and dry the chips thoroughly, then heat the air fryer to 160ºC (325ºF). Coat the potatoes in a small amount of oil and season with sea salt. Spray the basket with a little oil to prevent sticking, then pop the fries in, in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes, tossing once, then increase to 200ºC (400ºF) and cook for a further eight minutes. Frozen fries take around 10 minutes at 200ºC (400ºF).

Chicken

A whole chicken will cook much faster in an air fryer than in a conventional oven. Not only that, but air frying your chicken will also give you tastier results – think beautifully crispy skin and meat that's moist and tender. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to use it to roast a chicken weighing around 2.25-3lb (1-1.5kg). Our top tip? Put an air fryer liner under the drawer to catch those delicious juices.

Chicken

Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Take your chicken and rub some softened butter into the breast meat beneath the skin, then season well (or add your favourite dry rub). Cook the chicken breast-side up for 30 minutes, then turn it over and cook for a further 10 minutes. The thickest part of the thigh should read 75ºC (170ºF) on a meat thermometer when it's done; if you don't have a meat thermometer, simply check that the juices run clear. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Tofu

For deliciously crisp marinated tofu you'd normally have to use a deep fryer, which can be a messy, unpleasant-smelling hassle. However, with an air fryer to hand, your problems are solved – so you can say hello to a much healthier meat-free meal. Before you get cooking, you'll need to marinate your tofu for around 30 minutes in a mixture of toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and onion powder, plus a little smoked paprika.

Tofu

Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Take the tofu out of the marinade, then toss it in cornflour seasoned with plenty of sea salt and black pepper. You can either put the tofu straight into the air fryer in a single layer, or thread it onto skewers, which will make turning easier. Spray with cooking oil, then cook for 15 minutes, turning halfway through. When it's ready, scatter over some chopped spring onions and sesame seeds, and serve with a chilli sauce dip.

Halloumi fries

Air-fried halloumi fries make a great snack, cook very quickly and are just as melty, crispy and tasty as their deep-fried cousins. They're much healthier made in an air fryer, too. If you can't be bothered to make your own, you can always buy a pack of frozen halloumi fries and heat them up in your air fryer – but if you want to whip them up from scratch, follow the easy recipe on the next slide.

Halloumi fries

To prep your halloumi for the air fryer, cut it into sticks. At this point you can also marinate it, if you like (a harissa marinade would be a good choice). Otherwise, prepare three bowls: one filled with seasoned flour, one with beaten egg and one with panko breadcrumbs. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Dip the sticks first into the flour, then the egg and, finally, the crumbs. Spray with oil, then air fry for eight minutes, turning halfway through. Serve your halloumi fries with your favourite dips on the side.

Chicken wings

Air-fried chicken wings are the best – tender and juicy on the inside, and so crispy on the outside you'd think they'd been fried the traditional way. What's more, they cook surprisingly quickly in an air fryer. Adding a little bicarbonate of soda to your dry rub will help to make your wings even crispier and, for even more flavour, try brushing them with your favourite glaze halfway through cooking. To help to save on washing up, put a liner under the basket to catch the fat as the wings cook.

Chicken wings

Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF), spray the basket with oil and put a liner underneath. Around 2.25lb (1kg) wings will fit into most air fryers. Just trim off the wing tips, then toss the wings in oil. Make a dry rub, adding in some bicarbonate of soda – use salt and pepper, then add whichever dry spices you like. Dip the wings in the dry rub, spread them out in a single layer in the air fryer (if you overcrowd the basket, they won't turn out crispy enough), then cook them for 12 minutes each side. If they need further crisping, add another five minutes' cooking time.

Pork belly

One huge advantage of cooking pork belly in an air fryer is that there's no large oven to clean afterwards – but that's not all. Air frying your pork will result in perfect crackling and tender, fall-apart meat. Plus, whether your pork belly joint is rolled or flat, it'll take less time to cook in an air fryer, saving on energy bills. A piece weighing between 2.25-3lb (1-15kg) will fit into most air fryers. Whether you're stuffing it with herbs or just roasting it with sea salt, you'll need to leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight. This will make the skin dry out, leading to super-crispy crackling.

Pork belly

Timings here are for a 3lb (1.5kg) rolled and tied pork belly joint, enough to serve up to four. Rub the pork skin with sea salt, then heat the air fryer to 140ºC (250ºF); we'd recommend putting a liner under the basket to catch the fat. Make a triangle with two pieces of foil, then wrap the pork so that the top and shorter sides are covered, but not the long sides. Tuck the foil under so it doesn’t fly off in the machine. Cook for two hours, then remove the foil, turn up the heat to 200ºC (400ºF), and cook for a further 15 minutes, or until the crackling is golden and crispy. Let the pork rest, then remove the crackling, using scissors to cut it into chunks.

Jacket potatoes

Why would you bother heating up a conventional oven to bake a jacket potato when an air fryer can do the job in just 30 minutes? This one's a life-saver – especially for smaller households, or families with hungry kids in need of some post-school fuel. You should be able to fit four decent-sized potatoes in your air fryer, so there'll be plenty to go around.

Jacket potatoes

Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Prick the potatoes all over with a fork before rubbing them with oil and sprinkling over some sea salt. Microwave on high for five minutes, transfer to the air fryer, then bake for 25 minutes. If you want to split them and add grated cheese, return them to the still-hot (but switched off) air fryer for a few minutes to melt the cheese. If you leave your air fryer switched on for this part, the powerful fan may blow off some of the cheese and make a mess.

Samosas

These little triangles of filo pastry – filled with a variety of stuffings, from spicy beef to curried potato – are usually deep fried. However, cooking them in an air fryer will give you the same crispy results, without all the fat (the same also applies to spring rolls). What's more, if you have leftover takeaway samosas, the air fryer will reheat them to perfection, whereas a microwave will leave them soggy.

Samosas

You should be able to fit up to eight in an average basket. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Brush your samosas with melted ghee or butter, then bake for four minutes, turning halfway through. Increase the heat to 200ºC (400ºF) and bake for a further two minutes, until the samosas are golden and crisp. You can also air fry homemade samosas from frozen. Once assembled, open freeze on a tray before transferring to a suitable container or bag. Then, when you're ready to cook, just add a couple of minutes to the air-frying time.

Sausages

Using your air fryer to cook sausages? It's a no-brainer! There's no frying pan or grill pan to clean afterwards, you won't need lots of oil, and they'll be ready in just 10 minutes – crispy on the outside and soft in the centre. Be sure to put an air fryer liner underneath the basket to catch any fat, as it'll make cleaning up super easy later on.

Sausages

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit six to eight sausages inside. The method is the same for all sausages, whether you're cooking chorizo or simple bangers from a packet. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF) and cook your sausages for 10 minutes, turning halfway through (spray the basket with a little oil beforehand to prevent sticking).

Roast potatoes

Once you've tried 'roast' potatoes in an air fryer, you'll never go back to the oven. This way, you'll use far less oil and it'll take a fraction of the time – and you'll end up with gloriously tasty spuds that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Plus, popping your potatoes in the air fryer will help to free up oven space if you're slow cooking a large piece of meat. Just remember to use floury potatoes (rather than waxy ones) for the best result.

Roast potatoes

Most air fryers are large enough to fit 2.25lb (1kg) potatoes inside, which should be enough to feed four. Peel and cut your spuds into chunks, then steam them for five minutes, shaking them to roughen up the edges. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Drizzle 2 tbsp oil onto your potatoes, ensuring they're well coated, then sprinkle them with sea salt. Cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the potatoes are golden brown at the edges. Want to add more flavour? Pop in some sprigs of rosemary and unpeeled garlic cloves.

Cheese toastie

When you're in need of a tasty, satisfying lunch in next to no time, air-fried cheese toasties are the way to go. We're talking perfectly crispy, golden bread and irresistibly oozy, melting cheese in the middle – and we think they're even more delicious prepared this way than in a regular sandwich toaster. Once you've tried our method on the next slide, it'll become your go-to!

Cheese toastie

For an even melt, use pre-sliced cheese – or you can grate a cheese of your choice. Depending on what you fancy, you can add ham, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions or a slick of mustard or chutney. For a toastie for one, use 2oz (57g) cheese, two slices of bread and a knob of softened butter. Spread the butter on the bread, add the cheese, press the two slices together to seal, then butter the outside of the bread. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF) and air fry for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

Roasted garlic

Roasted garlic is wonderfully sweet – very different from raw garlic, which is pungent and spicy. It's delicious stirred into mashed potatoes, added to soups or served on crostini or bruschetta. But why heat up a large oven to cook a couple of bulbs when you can use an air fryer instead? You'll get the same caramelised flavour with far less hassle.

Roasted garlic

To 'roast' garlic in your air fryer, slice the top off a whole bulb and discard. Wrap the garlic bulb loosely in foil, adding a drizzle of olive oil, then seal up the top. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF) and cook for 40 minutes until your garlic is soft and tender.

Corn on the cob

When sweetcorn is put into a hot air fryer, an olive oil rub combines with the corn's natural sugars and caramelises, resulting in a deliciously charred exterior and sweet, tender kernels. This recipe is perfect for days when you're not in the mood for firing up the barbecue or standing over a griddle pan. You should be able to fit four whole corn cobs in your air fryer, ready to add your favourite flavoured butters, or perhaps some soft cheese and herbs.

Corn on the cob

First, heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Take the corn cobs out of their husks, rub the corn with olive oil and add a good sprinkling of sea salt. Cook for 15 minutes, turning once. When it's ready, the corn should be gorgeously charred, yet tender at the same time.

Croutons

Perfect for topping salads and soups, croutons bring a lovely touch of texture to dishes – and they're a great way to use up slightly stale bread. But if you're just cooking for one or two people, why would you bother to heat up a conventional oven when you can cook them in the air fryer in four minutes? Plus, there's no chance of them burning once you've set the timer.

Croutons

Slightly stale sourdough bread makes the best croutons. For each slice of sourdough, use 1 tbsp olive oil. Cut the bread into cubes, then toss them in oil and sea salt (for perfect Caesar salad croutons, add some grated Parmesan too). Heat your machine to 200ºC (400ºF) and air fry the bread in a single layer for four minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure the croutons cook evenly.

Bacon

If there's one ingredient that air fryer fans can't stop raving about, it's bacon – and it's easy to see why. Gorgeously crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside, air-fried bacon might just be the best you've ever had. Plus, aside from its taste credentials, there's no added fat, no frying or grilling, and less cleaning up to do afterwards.

Bacon

Put a liner under the basket to catch the fat, then heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Put the bacon into the air fryer in a single layer, then cook for six minutes, turning halfway through. You can also cook bacon lardons at the same temperature, cooking for four minutes and turning halfway.

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