You bought an air fryer, made fries a few times and then started wondering if that’s all it’s good for. It’s sitting on your counter, and you’d love to use it for more than frozen snacks.
The good news is that it can handle far more than most people expect. Breakfast, weeknight dinners, sides and even dessert all fit in that basket.
You paid for a versatile appliance, so it should work hard for its counter space every day. Once you see how much it can do, it can take over a big part of your weeknight cooking.
If you’ve been asking what can you cook in an air fryer, here are 45 ideas to get you started, plus times and tips so your first tries turn out well.
Starting Times From the Manufacturer
Cosori’s cooking chart gives helpful starting points:
Food | Temperature | Time |
Thin-cut frozen fries | 395°F | 14 to 18 minutes, shaken |
Chicken wings (2 lb) | 400°F | 16 to 22 minutes, shaken |
Salmon fillet (1 inch) | 380°F | 6 to 12 minutes |
Broccoli | 425°F | 5 to 9 minutes, shaken |
Sliced carrots | 425°F | 10 to 16 minutes, shaken |
Cosori also recommends preheating for about 3 minutes for most foods.
Chicken and Poultry (7 Ideas)
Chicken is one of the best foods to cook in an air fryer because the outside crisps while the inside stays juicy.
- Chicken wings
- Chicken breasts
- Chicken thighs
- Chicken tenders
- Chicken drumsticks
- Turkey burgers
- Turkey meatballs
Always check doneness with a thermometer. FoodSafety.gov lists 165°F as the safe minimum for poultry.
Vegetables (7 Ideas)
Vegetables roast quickly and need only a light coating of oil.
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Green beans
Seafood (5 Ideas)
Seafood cooks fast, so check it early. FoodSafety.gov lists 145°F for fish, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Cod
- Tilapia
- Crab cakes
Frozen Foods (6 Ideas)
Frozen foods are some of the easiest things to cook in an air fryer, and most need no added oil.
- French fries
- Chicken nuggets
- Mozzarella sticks
- Fish sticks
- Tater tots
- Frozen dumplings
Breakfast (7 Ideas)
Mornings get easier when breakfast cooks in minutes.
- Bacon
- Breakfast sausage
- Hash browns
- Breakfast potatoes
- Egg bites
- Cinnamon rolls
- Breakfast burritos
Snacks and Sides (6 Ideas)
These work well for movie nights and get-togethers.
- Onion rings
- Potato wedges
- Garlic bread
- Jalapeño poppers
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Spring rolls
Desserts (7 Ideas)
The small chamber bakes small batches quickly. You’ll need a pan that fits your basket, and Best Air Fryer Accessories covers the ones worth buying.
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Brownies
- Apple crisp
- Mini cheesecakes
- Cinnamon sugar donuts
- Blueberry muffins
- Baked apples
Where Beginners Should Start
The best air fryer recipes for beginners are forgiving and quick. Chicken tenders, frozen fries, salmon, broccoli and sweet potatoes all cook well with simple settings.
Once you’re comfortable, you can mix and match into easy air fryer meals, like salmon with broccoli or chicken with potato wedges. A dual-basket model lets you cook both at once, which Best Air Fryer for a Family of Four explains.
To avoid soggy or uneven results on your first tries, read Common Air Fryer Mistakes. It covers the habits that make the biggest difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make besides fries?
Almost anything that benefits from a crisp outside works well, including chicken, fish, vegetables, breakfast foods and small desserts.
Can I bake in an air fryer?
You can bake cookies, brownies and muffins using a small, oven-safe pan that fits the basket.
Can I cook raw meat in an air fryer?
Raw meat cooks well in an air fryer. Use a thermometer to confirm it reaches the safe minimum temperature, such as 165°F for poultry and 160°F for ground beef.
Is an air fryer good for beginners?
It’s one of the easiest appliances to learn. Most recipes need only a temperature, a time and a shake halfway through.
Can I reheat leftovers too?
It’s one of the best uses for it. Can You Reheat Food in an Air Fryer? explains how to bring pizza and fries back to crisp.
Conclusion
Your air fryer can do far more than fries. Start with chicken, vegetables and frozen favorites, then branch out into breakfast and desserts once you know how your model cooks.
If you’re still shopping, Best Air Fryers of 2026 helps you find the right size and style. And if healthy meals are your goal, Is an Air Fryer Healthy? explains how to make the most of it.
You don’t have to decide today, and you don’t have to remember any of this. Pin the images from this post to my Pinterest, @sianahskitchenguide, so they’re waiting when you’re ready, and follow me there too. If you’d rather browse everything I’ve picked in one place, my Amazon storefront, Sianah’s Lifestyle Finds, is open anytime. It has the recommendations from both my Lifestyle Blog and this blog.
I’m glad you were here.