What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer is more versatile than most people realize. Far beyond just fries and nuggets, a good air fryer can handle proteins, vegetables, baked goods, reheating, and even dehydrating. Here's a comprehensive guide to what you can cook — and how.

Proteins

Chicken

One of the best things to cook in an air fryer. The circulating hot air crisps the skin beautifully while keeping the interior juicy. Works for wings, drumsticks, thighs, breasts, and tenders. See our guide on how to cook chicken in an air fryer.

Fish and Seafood

Fish fillets, shrimp, scallops, and crab cakes all cook excellently in an air fryer. Fish cooks in 8–12 minutes at 400°F and comes out flaky inside with a lightly crisp exterior. See our guide on how to cook fish in an air fryer.

Steak and Pork

Steaks, pork chops, and pork tenderloin cook well in an air fryer. Sear at 400°F for a browned exterior, then reduce temperature to finish cooking through. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.

Bacon

Air fryer bacon is crispy, less greasy than pan-fried, and doesn't splatter. Cook at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. Line the basket with a parchment paper liner to catch grease and make cleanup easy.

Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs can be "baked" in the air fryer at 250°F for 15–17 minutes. Frittatas and egg bites work well in small ramekins placed in the basket.

Vegetables

Air-fried vegetables are a revelation — caramelized edges, tender centers, and far better texture than steamed or boiled. Works especially well for:

• Broccoli and cauliflower (375°F, 10–12 min)
• Brussels sprouts (375°F, 12–15 min)
• Asparagus (400°F, 6–8 min)
• Zucchini and squash (375°F, 10–12 min)
• Bell peppers and onions (375°F, 10–12 min)
• Corn on the cob (400°F, 10–12 min)

Toss with 1–2 teaspoons of oil and season before cooking. See our full guide on how to cook vegetables in an air fryer.

Frozen Foods

The air fryer excels at cooking frozen foods — faster than an oven and crispier than a microwave. Frozen fries, nuggets, fish sticks, mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, and pizza rolls all come out significantly better than oven-baked. See our guide on how to cook frozen food in an air fryer.

Baked Goods

The air fryer functions as a small convection oven for baking. Works well for:

• Muffins and cupcakes (in silicone molds)
• Cookies (on parchment liner)
• Brownies (in a small baking pan)
• Cinnamon rolls
• Donuts

Use the Bake setting at 300–325°F. The Air Fryer Accessories Set (12 pieces) includes baking pans, cake molds, and racks compatible with most 4–5.8 QT air fryers.

Reheating

The air fryer is the best way to reheat leftovers. Unlike a microwave, it restores crispiness rather than making food soggy. Especially good for:

• Pizza (350°F, 3–4 min — crust becomes crispy again)
• Fried chicken (375°F, 4–6 min)
• French fries (400°F, 3–4 min)
• Spring rolls and egg rolls (375°F, 3–5 min)

Dehydrating

Air fryers with a dehydrate setting (like the Ninja XL 5.5 QT Air Fryer) can make beef jerky, dried fruit, and vegetable chips at 130–160°F over 2–8 hours.

What Air Fryers Don't Do Well

• Large roasts or whole birds (unless you have a large oven-style model)
• Wet batters (they drip through the basket)
• Large quantities at once (limited basket space)
• Boiling or steaming

The air fryer handles the vast majority of everyday cooking tasks faster and with less oil than traditional methods. Once you start using it for vegetables and reheating, you'll wonder how you managed without it.