15 unexpected air-fryer dishes that are actually delicious

Surprisingly tasty air fryer ideas

Air fryers initially became popular as an alternative to frying, but that's by no means all they're good for. Forget the French fries and chicken nuggets – we've compiled 15 unexpected (and easy) recipes that will help you get more out of your favourite kitchen gadget. From snacks and speedy meals to special-occasion dishes and desserts, you'll find that some foods actually taste better cooked this way.

Read on to discover the unexpectedly delicious dishes you can cook in your air fryer.

Sausage rolls

Puff pastry cooks to perfection in an air fryer – so what better excuse to rustle up a batch of mini sausage rolls for your next party? The trick here is to open-freeze them, then put them in freezer bags; that way, you can bake as many as you like from frozen. Our recipe makes around 20 bite-sized ones. For 14oz (400g) minced pork or sausage meat, you'll need to roll out 13oz (375g) puff pastry into a rectangle measuring around 12 x 20in (30 x 50cm). Flavour the meat with the herbs or spices of your choice.

Sausage rolls

Cut the pastry in half lengthways, and divide the sausage meat in two. Spread the sausage meat down each length of the pastry, then brush one edge with beaten egg, fold over the opposite side, and seal with a fork. Brush the top with egg (you could also sprinkle some sesame seeds over, if you like), then cut into small rolls. Either freeze your sausage rolls on a tray then bag them up, or cook them in batches at 200ºC (400ºF) for eight minutes (add a further three minutes if baking from frozen).

'Roasted' nuts

It seems crazy to heat a large conventional oven to toast a few handfuls of nuts. The good news is that they 'roast' brilliantly in the air fryer – although we'd avoid tiny nuts such as pine kernels or pistachios, as the fan will make them jump around (for these, use a dry, hot frying pan instead). As a general rule, you should toast your nuts at 160ºC (300ºF) for around 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. Read on for our recipe for maple bar nuts.

'Roasted' nuts

These sweet, salty, delicately spiced nuts are perfect to serve with drinks – and as a bonus, you can make them ahead and store them in an airtight container for up to a week. Put 14oz (400g) raw nuts, such as cashews and pecans, into a large bowl. Mix in 4 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp sea salt and 2 tsp each of cayenne and smoked paprika. Air-fry in two batches, on liners, at 180ºC (350ºF) for seven minutes per batch, shaking the basket halfway through. Allow the nuts to cool before storing.

Poached eggs

If you want to poach two or three eggs, cooking them in the air fryer is quick and simple. You'll need to cook them in small ceramic sauce dishes – 4in (10cm) wide is ideal. Don't squash too many into the basket; once cooked, the dishes will be piping hot, and it's fiddly to get them out without burning your hands if they're packed tightly together. Silicone egg poachers won't transfer heat as successfully.

Poached eggs

Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Get your sauce dishes and eggs ready to go, then half-fill each dish with boiling water straight from the kettle. Crack in the eggs, then air fry for 6 minutes. Leave them in the basket for a further minute in the switched-off air fryer, then remove, scoop up the poached egg with a spatula and tip off any excess water. Slide the egg off the spatula onto hot buttered toast.

Yorkshire puddings

The air fryer is ideal for rustling up a small quantity of Yorkshire puddings. They rise up beautifully – giving golden, perfectly puffed-up results every time. To make them, you'll need four ramekins or metal dishes that fit inside your air fryer. Sunflower oil will work best, as it's nice and neutral; brush the sides and base of the dishes with oil, and you're ready to make an easy batter.

Yorkshire puddings

Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). To make the batter, you can use an electric whisk or food processor. Mix together 3 tbsp plain flour, an egg and 8fl oz (250ml) milk. Add a good pinch of sea salt, then pour the mixture into a jug. Put the dishes in the air fryer to heat for five minutes. Divide the batter between the ramekins and air fry for 20 minutes, until risen and golden.

Soufflés

Sweet or savoury soufflés may seem a bit daunting, but they cook quickly in an air fryer. The main technique to master here is folding the stiff egg whites into your base sauce. To do this, use a balloon whisk and add a dollop of egg white. Stir in thoroughly (known as 'loosening the mixture'), then gently fold in the rest. Read on for a light-as-air cheese soufflé recipe for four (four ramekins should fit neatly into most air fryers).

Soufflés

Brush four ramekins with melted butter and heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). You'll need four eggs, separated. Melt 2oz (60g) butter in a pan, then stir in 2oz (60g) plain flour. Cook for a minute or so, but don't let it brown. Whisk in 10fl oz (300ml) milk and cook, stirring until thickened. Cool a little, then beat in the egg yolks and 2oz (60g) grated Gruyère cheese. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold in. Divide between the dishes and bake for eight to ten minutes, until risen and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Fish in a parcel

Air frying fish of any description is a great hack, as there's little chance of it drying out. Not only that but using an air fryer is especially handy when you're cooking for just one or two people and don't fancy frying or heating up your oven. Air fryer timings vary depending on the brand, but two fillets of salmon should be ready in eight minutes - cooked at 190ºC (375ºF). Cooking fish in a foil parcel is an easy, healthy method that also gives you a sauce – with very little cleaning to do afterwards.

Fish in a parcel

Use our recipe as a guide; you can vary the seasonings and the type of fish depending on preference. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF), then place two thick fillets of hake or cod on a piece of oiled foil. Top with a few slices of shop-bought garlic butter, a squeeze of lemon and a few spring onions. Season well, then scrunch up the parcel, leaving space for air to circulate. Bake for around 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

Chicken wings

Air-fried chicken wings are delicious – they have the same crunchy exterior and tender interior as deep-fried wings. For the best result, coat 1lb (450g) wings in a mix of 1 tsp each garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, sugar and baking powder. Put them side by side on a tray, then leave them in the fridge overnight; this will dry out the skin for that deep-fried effect. When you're ready to cook, spray the wings with oil, then pop them in the air fryer at 200ºC (400ºF) for around 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Chicken wings

Want even more flavour? Try making a Korean-style sticky glaze to brush on your wings towards the end of cooking. Put three crushed garlic cloves, 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar, 0.5 tbsp toasted sesame oil and 2 tbsp each gochujang paste, maple syrup and brown sugar into a small pan. Heat through gently, stirring, then allow to simmer for 10 minutes until thickened and syrupy. Brush the glaze over the wings for the final three minutes of cooking. Serve your wings scattered with toasted sesame seeds and sliced spring onion.

Glazed ham

A lovely joint of ham isn't just for Christmas – and it can be baked, then glazed in an air fryer without any risk of it drying out. A boneless joint of up to 3lb (1.5kg) in weight will fit inside most air fryers. Leave any netting in place, which will hold it together while baking. Wrap it, skin side–up, in a double piece of foil, then scrunch it up to make a parcel, leaving enough space for air to circulate. However, ensure that the parcel isn't too tall, or it'll touch the heating coil.

Glazed ham

For a delicious glazed ham, heat the air fryer to 170ºC (325ºF). Cook for 1 hour 10 minutes, then remove; leave the ham on the foil, but take off any netting and remove the skin. Score the fat in diamonds, then brush over a glaze made with 3 tbsp thick-cut marmalade and 2 tsp mustard powder. Return to the air fryer and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes. A fully cooked ham should read 60ºC (140ºF) on a meat thermometer. Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Cheese toastie

We all know air fryers are great for heating up a croissant or slice of pizza – but they can also produce a mean cheese toastie in no time. The trick is not to use a liner, as you'll need direct heat to crisp up the bread and melt the cheese. The bread also needs to be buttered on the outside, so you get that lovely, crunchy exterior to sink your teeth into.

Cheese toastie

When you want to rustle up a quick toastie for one, heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Mix together 2oz (60g) grated cheese – mature Cheddar or Gruyère are good choices for the best flavour – with a little mustard and softened butter. You could add chopped chives or spring onions, too. Butter two slices of bread, fill the unbuttered sides with the cheese, then sandwich the slices together. Air fry for five minutes a side, until piping hot and deliciously melty.

Steak

All air fryers should have enough room to cook two steaks – and if you have a dual-drawer model, you can cook your fries at the same time. The results are pretty impressive; think meltingly tender beef with a crispy exterior. Before you start cooking, ensure that your steaks are at room temperature. Take them out of any packaging and dry them with kitchen paper.

Steak

Here's how to air fry two steaks weighing around 9oz (250g) each. Rub the steaks with a little oil, then sprinkle them with sea salt. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Cook the steaks for six minutes (don't use a liner or they won't crisp up well), then flip. Cook for two minutes further for rare to medium-rare steak, four minutes further for medium, and six minutes further for well done. Allow the steaks to rest on a plate for a few minutes before serving.

Soda bread

If you just want to bake a smallish loaf, using an air fryer will save you from having to heat up your oven – and the results will be surprisingly good, with a lovely crust. Even if you're not baking your bread from scratch, your air fryer will bake a frozen loaf, garlic bread or buns in a flash. Wrapped in foil, garlic bread takes eight minutes to bake at 200ºC (400ºF); just fold back the foil for the last two minutes to help it crisp up. Meanwhile, soda bread is a quick no-knead option that can be ready in just 30 minutes. Read on for the recipe.

Soda bread

Soda bread contains no yeast – just mix up the ingredients, and you're ready to bake. Mix together 5oz (150g) each plain and wholemeal flour with 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda and 2 tsp sea salt. Make a well in the centre, add 1 tbsp black treacle and 10fl oz (300ml) buttermilk, then mix it all together gently. Form the mixture into a round about 2in (5cm) deep on a floured surface, make a deep cross in the top, then bake at 180ºC (350ºF) for 30 minutes. When ready, the bread should sound hollow when tapped on the base. If not, flip it over and cook it for another three to four minutes.

Fruit crumbles

Using an air fryer is a no-brainer if you want to make up to four individual desserts – like these fruit crumbles, baked in ramekins. We'd advise investing in a thick oven cloth as opposed to oven gloves, as it'll make it easier to remove the piping-hot dishes without burning your hands. You could also bake one large crumble in an ovenproof dish that fits inside your air fryer, rather than making individual ones. Times will vary according to the fruit you're using; apples will take longer to soften than raspberries. Use our berry crumble recipe as a guide.

Fruit crumbles

To serve four, you'll need buttered ovenproof dishes with a capacity of around 5fl oz (150ml) each. For the crumble, put 1.5oz (45g) butter and 3 tbsp flour into a food processor and blend to fine crumbs. Add 3.5oz (100g) granola and 2.5oz (75g) sugar, then pulse, but leave the mixture quite chunky. Divide 14oz (400g) raspberries or other soft fruit between the dishes. Stir 1 tsp sugar into each, then air fry for five minutes at 180ºC (350ºF). Top with the crumble, air fry for six minutes, then leave to stand for a few minutes before serving with cream or ice cream.

Muffins

Air-fried muffins are ready in no time, and they taste exactly like those baked in a conventional oven. A couple of tips, though – use individual silicone muffin cases (most muffin tins won't fit inside the average air fryer) and be aware that you may have to bake in batches, depending on the size of your machine. Try our very adaptable recipe for air-fried muffins, which you can tailor to include your favourite ingredients.

Muffins

You could use 2.5oz (75g) blueberries, chocolate chips or currants for this recipe, which makes around six muffins. In a bowl, mix together 4 tbsp oil, 5 tbsp yoghurt, an egg and 2 tbsp milk. Gently stir in 3.5oz (100g) sugar, 5oz (150g) self-raising flour and 0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda. Stir through the blueberries (or chocolate chips or currants) and divide between the cases to three-quarters full. Bake at 160ºC (300ºF) for around 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Chocolate fondants

Always a crowd-pleaser, these little chocolate sponge puddings with a molten centre can be on the table in just 20 minutes if you use an air fryer – and they're rather fabulous topped with a dollop of crème fraîche. Our recipe serves two; all you'll need are two ramekins (or similar dishes) brushed with melted butter and dusted with flour. Be sure to use good-quality dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids, too.

Chocolate fondants

To make a tempting pair of chocolate fondants, melt 2oz (60g) butter with 1.5oz (45g) dark chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Whisk an egg white to soft peaks, and whisk two egg yolks with 2 tbsp caster sugar until mousse-like. Then, using a balloon whisk, fold the chocolate into the egg yolk mixture, followed by the egg white. Divide between the ramekins, then bake for 10 minutes at 200ºC (400ºF). Serve immediately with cream or ice cream.

Cake

Not all cakes work as well in an air fryer as they do in a conventional oven, but there are some exceptions. You'll mostly be restricted by tin sizes – in general, an air fryer can take cake tins of up to 8in (20cm). There's also no point making layered cakes this way, as you'd have to bake them in batches. However, we've found an easy lemon drizzle cake recipe that's perfect for the air fryer. You'll need an 8in (20cm) round tin, the base and sides lined with baking paper.

Cake

Cream together 5oz (150g) soft butter with 6oz (175g) caster sugar, then fold in the zest and juice of two lemons, three beaten eggs, 5oz (150g) full-fat yoghurt and 8oz (225g) self-raising flour. Spoon the mixture into the tin, then bake at 160ºC (325ºF) for 40 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Using the same skewer, make holes around the top of the cake. Mix 5 tbsp lemon juice with 3 tbsp granulated sugar, spoon half over the cake, then leave for 15 minutes before spooning over the remainder. Leave the cake to cool in the tin.

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