We all love a deep-fried snack (who doesn’t?) but without the greasy mess and having to clean up afterwards. A deep or a shallow fry always ensures the latter so we decided to kick things off with an easy solution – the air fryer. It takes half the time, barely any oil yet delivers like a champ (thanks to its hot air convection) Imagine enjoying a crunchy snack without feeling like you’ve been caught in a rainstorm of grease in your kitchen. Sounds good? We’ve curated 8 easy recipes for the occasion, especially with the change in seasons.
Chicken Tenders
Seriously, who doesn’t love chicken tenders? This variant is far superior to your average KFC and will have you recreating this every weekend.
Ingredients:
- Chicken tenders
- Whipped Cream
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Give the chicken tenders a quick pat-down with a paper towel and sprinkle some salt on them.
- Set up three shallow dishes – our crumbing station essentially. First, whisk together eggs. In the second, mix breadcrumbs and the seasoning. In the third, toss in breadcrumbs.
- Coat each tender in flour, then egg, and finally give it a breadcrumb bath.
- Arrange the tenders in the air fryer basket. Give them a light spritz of cooking spray. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
- Dig into your crispy chicken tenders with your go-to dipping sauce and bask in your culinary glory.
Crispy Feta Bites with Hot Honey
Did someone say hot honey? If you’ve never tried this dip, this is your time. Feta bites are criminally good but pairing them with hot honey makes its ten times better. Here’s how you can recreate yours at home.
Ingredients:
- Feta cheese
- Flour
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
For the Hot Honey:
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Garlic powder
Instructions:
1. Set up three bowls (yes, our crumbling station) Put some flour in one and add a pinch of salt. In the second bowl, whisk a couple of eggs. In the third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
2. Cut your feta cheese into cubes. Roll each cube in the flour, dip it in the egg, and then coat it with the breadcrumb mix. Place them in the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil, and cook at 200ºC (390ºF) for about 10-12 minutes until they’re chirping crispy and golden.
3. While the feta bites are cooking, make your hot honey. Mix a dollop of honey with chili flakes and garlic powder in a small pot. Heat it until it’s warm and bubbly, then let it cool.
4. Serve your crispy feta bites with the hot honey for dipping and maybe a lemon wedge if you like. Enjoy!
Zucchini Fritters
The last time we discussed zucchini, it was in our desserts. We promise, this time it gets even better. Here’s how.
Ingredients:
- Zucchinis
- Breadcrumbs
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Baking Powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cooking Spray
Instructions:
- Grate the zucchinis into a bowl. If they’re too wet, wrap them in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the extra moisture until they’re dry.
- Add the egg, flour, baking powder, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s all mixed well.
- Using your hands, roll it into small oval shapes, each about the size of 2 tablespoons. You should end up with around 12 fritters. Next, give your air fryer basket a quick spray of cooking oil and place the fritters inside like they’re settling in for a comfy nap.
- Air fry these zucchini nuggets at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Give the basket a shake halfway through for even crispiness.
- Carefully remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce—we love a good ranch, or maybe a zesty aioli.
French Toast
The mother hen of all brunches, French toasts are a classic on the weekend. Here’s how you can make this low key healthier version.
Ingredients:
- Sliced brioche bread (or any)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
Instructions:
- Start by mixing together eggs, milk, a splash of vanilla, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Give it a good whisk until it’s all combined.
- Dip each slice of brioche into this delicious batter, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, pop those coated slices into the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not touching—space them out for the best results.
- If your air fryer basket isn’t non-stick, a bit of parchment paper should help. Cook them at 375ºF (190ºC) for about 8-10 minutes, and watch as they turn golden brown and crispy.
- When they’re done, you’ll have these warm, crispy French toast sticks ready to dip in syrup, toped with fresh fruit, or a drizzle of icing sugar. You choose.
Corn Dogs
Often considered as a evening snack, or an on the errand quick bite, corn dogs are sinfully delicious. Here’s how you can make your very own.
Ingredients:
- Hot dogs
- Skewers
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- All-purpose flour
- Cornmeal
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Cooking Oil
Instructions:
1. Pat the hot dogs dry with paper towels. Insert a wooden skewer or popsicle stick into each hot dog, leaving enough stick to hold onto.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Gradually add the buttermilk and egg, stirring until the batter is smooth and thick.
3. Pour the batter into a tall drinking glass, filling it up almost to the top but leaving some space. Take each hot dog and dip it into the batter, making sure it’s completely covered. Let any extra batter drip off before cooking.
4. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Carefully place the coated hot dogs in a single layer in the basket.
5. Air fry the corn dogs at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
6. Carefully remove the corn dogs from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. They’re worth the wait—we promise!
Scotch Eggs
A British classic, this one is a total keeper and we suggest you make your own, ASAP. Here’s how.
Ingredients:
- Large Eggs
- Mince Chicken
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Breadcrumbs
- Olive Oil
- All-Purpose Flour
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions:
- Start by letting the eggs sit at room temperature—this prevents them from cracking when they cook. Pop them into the air fryer basket at 300°F for 12 minutes.
- Once they’re done, dunk them into an ice-cold water bath for 5 minutes. Be gentle when peeling the eggs; they might be a bit squishy and break easily, but that’s okay. The egg whites will be set while the insides stay delightfully soft.
- Grab some mince chicken and mix it with Worcestershire sauce. Divide the mixture into 4 portions, about half a cup each. Flatten each portion into a thin patty. Place one of those soft-boiled eggs right in the center and wrap the chicken mince around it until the egg is completely covered. You want it evenly wrapped just so it cooks right.
- Mix flour with the seasonings in a shallow dish. In another bowl, scramble eggs for the egg wash. Then, in a microwave-safe dish, toss 2 tablespoons of cooking oil with breadcrumbs and microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it turns golden brown.
- Dredge each chicken-wrapped egg in the seasoned flour, dip it in the egg wash, and coat it with the crispy breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess coating and give them a quick spray with cooking oil in the air fryer basket. Cook them at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through. If want them crispier, give them a light spray with cooking oil.
- When they’re done, slice them in half and get ready for an explosion of flavours.
Korean Fried Chicken
Okay, we cannot profess our love enough for this classic. Although we may have picked it up from our favourite K-drama, we simply cannot get over how good this is. Here’s how you can make this for yourself.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Rice Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
- Fresh Ginger
- Garlic
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking Powder
For the Sauce:
- Gochujang Paste
- Sugar Ketchup
- Honey
- Soy Sauce
- Rice Vinegar
- Garlic
Instructions:
- First, grab a sealable plastic bag and mix together rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken thighs into the bag, seal it up, and give it a good shake. Pop it in the fridge and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes or overnight if you’ve got the time.
- Next, get another sealable bag and mix flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Take the chicken out of the marinade (make sure to shake off any excess), and put it into the flour mixture. Shake the bag around to coat the chicken evenly, then stick it back in the fridge for another 20 minutes.
- While that is chilling, let’s prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine gochujang paste, reduced sugar ketchup, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic. Stir it all together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens up a bit. Set it aside.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400ºF (200ºC).
- Once the chicken is ready, give it another shake to make sure it’s coated well. Spray the air fryer basket with some cooking oil, place the chicken pieces in and spritz them with more oil. Air fry at 400ºF (200ºC) for 8 minutes, then flip them over, give them another spritz of oil, and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they’re crispy and cooked through.
- Finally, toss the hot, crispy chicken in the sauce you made, viola! Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Stuffed Mini Peppers
We were in two minds about this dish too, but wait till you try it. Stuffed cheesy peppers is a thing of beauty, and here’s how you can make it.
Ingredients:
- Bell Peppers
- Cream Cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Crumbled Bacon/Sausage
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cooking Spray
Instructions:
- Wash and cut the bell peppers in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membranes to create a hollow space for the stuffing.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon or sausage, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into each mini bell pepper half, pressing it down slightly to pack it in.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry the stuffed mini peppers at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is golden and bubbly. Check halfway through and adjust the time if needed for even cooking.
- Gently take the stuffed peppers out of the air fryer and let them cool for a bit. Serve warm as a tasty appetizer or a side.
Images: Pinterest
