Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for many people, and it’s easy to see why. They allow you to cook your favorite foods with little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. And while air fryers are often associated with main dishes, they’re also great for making delicious appetizers.
Air fryers are a great way to make delicious appetizers with little to no oil. Some popular recipes include Mozzarella Sticks, Buffalo Wings, Jalapeño Poppers, Onion Rings, and Sweet Potato Fries. These recipes are quick, easy, and sure to be a hit with your guests.
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the food. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to find your perfect air fryer appetizer recipe.
One of the best things about using an air fryer to make appetizers is that the food cooks quickly and evenly, ensuring that it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, the food retains its natural flavors and juices, making it taste even better than deep-fried versions.
Here are some of the best air fryer recipes for making appetizers that are sure to impress your guests:
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
These are a classic appetizer that everyone loves. To make them, you will need:
- Mozzarella sticks
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup (0.24 l) of bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
- Set up a breading station: place flour in one shallow dish, beaten eggs in another, and panko bread crumbs in a third.
- Season the flour with salt and pepper.
- Dip each mozzarella stick in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip in the beaten eggs and finally coat in the panko bread crumbs.
- Spray the mozzarella sticks with oil before placing them in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
Tips and Variations
- You can also use other types of cheese such as cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- You can also use whole wheat flour or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier version.
- You can also add some herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper or paprika to the flour mixture for extra flavor.
- You can also try using panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for a different texture.
- You can also serve them with ranch or other dips like BBQ, honey mustard, etc.
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
These are a perfect party food and are sure to be a hit with your guests. You will need:
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) chicken wings
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
- Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the wings for 18–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.89 °C), flipping them halfway through.
- Once done, remove the wings from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- To make the wings extra crispy, you can lightly coat them with flour or cornstarch before cooking.
- For more heat, add more hot sauce or use a hotter sauce such as Sriracha.
- For a sweeter variation, you can add a touch of honey or brown sugar to the sauce mixture.
- You can also try different spices and herbs such as cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or cumin to give the wings more depth of flavor.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken wings.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
- 8 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
- 4 ounces (0.15 kg) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture, making sure not to overfill them.
- In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Dip each jalapeño popper in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure they are well coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
- Place the poppers in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the poppers for 8–10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
- Once done, remove the poppers from the air fryer and let them cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the poppers warm with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- For a spicier version, leave some or all of the seeds in the jalapeños.
- For a milder version, remove all the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños.
- You can also try different cheeses such as pepper jack, gouda, or blue cheese to change up the flavor.
- Instead of breadcrumbs, you can also use crushed crackers or cornflakes for a different texture.
- You can also add in some cooked bacon or sausage to the cream cheese mixture for an extra boost of flavor.
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
- 1 cup (0.24 l) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup (0.24 l) buttermilk
- 1 cup (0.24 l) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- In another shallow dish, pour the buttermilk.
- In a third shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture, then into the buttermilk, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
- Place the onion rings in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the onion rings for 8–10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
- Once done, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and let them cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the onion rings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- For a healthier version, you can use whole wheat flour or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- For a more flavorful version, you can add in some herbs and spices such as thyme, cumin, or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- You can also try different types of breadcrumbs, such as Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, for a different texture.
- You can also add in some grated cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor.
- You can also try using other types of onions such as sweet onions, red onions, or shallots.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick fries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potato fries, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss well to coat the fries evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
- Place the sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the fries for 12–15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
- Once done, remove the fries from the air fryer and let them cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the fries with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- For a spicier version, add in some cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- For a sweeter version, add in some cinnamon or nutmeg to the seasoning mix.
- For a healthier version, you can use coconut oil or avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- You can also try different types of sweet potatoes, such as purple sweet potatoes or Japanese sweet potatoes.
- You can also cut the sweet potatoes in different shapes such as wedges or rounds for variety.
- You can also add in some fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
Additional Recipes
Other appetizer options that can be made in an air fryer include:
- Mozzarella Sticks: Cut mozzarella cheese into sticks, coat in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy.
- Zucchini Fries: Cut zucchini into fries shape, coat in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy.
- Crispy Chicken Tenders: Cut chicken breasts into tenders, coat in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy.
- Fried Pickles: Dip pickle spears in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy.
- Empanadas: Prepare your favorite empanada dough, fill it with your favorite fillings, and then air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy.
- Falafel: Form falafel mixture into balls, place them in the air fryer and cook them for a few minutes until golden brown.
- Tater Tots: Place frozen tater tots in the air fryer and cook them for a few minutes until golden brown.
- Pork Belly: Cut pork belly into bite-size pieces, season with your desired spices, and then air fry for a few minutes until crispy.
These are just a few examples of the many appetizer options that can be made in an air fryer. With a little creativity, you can come up with many more delicious and healthy appetizers to enjoy.
Tips of Using Air Fryer for Making Appetizers
- Preheat the air fryer: Before adding any food to the air fryer, make sure to preheat it to the desired temperature. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and quickly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: It’s important to give your food enough room to cook properly. Overcrowding the basket will cause the food to steam instead of fry, resulting in soggy appetizers.
- Use a light coating of oil: While air fryers do not require a lot of oil, a light coating can help the food crisp up and achieve that traditional fried texture.
- Shake the basket occasionally: Shaking the basket occasionally during cooking will help your food cook evenly.
- Keep an eye on cooking times: Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the food. Be sure to keep an eye on your food and adjust the cooking time as necessary.
- Use a cooking thermometer: To ensure that your food is cooked to the right temperature, use a cooking thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food.
- Let the food cool down before serving: Allowing the food to cool down for a few minutes before serving will help it to set and make it easier to handle.
- Use liners or parchment paper: For easy clean up, use liners or parchment paper in the air fryer’s basket, it will make the cleaning process easy.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make delicious and crispy appetizers in your air fryer with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about using an air fryer for the first time:
Q: Can I make frozen appetizers in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make frozen appetizers in an air fryer. In fact, many frozen appetizers such as mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets and tater tots are specifically designed to be cooked in an air fryer.
Q: How long should I cook appetizers in an air fryer?
Cooking times will vary depending on the size and thickness of the food, as well as your personal preference for doneness. Generally, most appetizers can be cooked in an air fryer for 10–20 minutes at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
Q: Can I use any type of oil in an air fryer?
You can use any type of oil in an air fryer, but it’s best to use oils with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola or avocado oil.
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking appetizers?
Yes, it’s important to preheat the air fryer before adding any food. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and quickly.
Q: Can I cook multiple types of appetizers at the same time in an air fryer?
It’s best to cook similar types of food together in the air fryer, as different foods may have different cooking times and may release different amount of moisture, which can affect the cooking process.
Q: How to clean an air fryer after cooking appetizers?
After cooking, you should unplug the air fryer and let it cool down before cleaning. Most air fryers have a removable basket and drip tray that can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand with warm soapy water. Make sure to wipe down the inside and outside the air fryer with a damp cloth, and don’t forget to clean the heating element.
Conclusion
In conclusion, air fryers are a great way to make appetizers that are healthy, delicious, and easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a quick snack, these recipes are sure to be a hit with your guests. So, next time you’re looking to make an appetizer, consider using an air fryer and discover a whole new world of delicious possibilities.
