40 healthy air fryer recipes to try today

woman using airfryer

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

Air fryers continue to grow in popularity and it's no surprise - who wouldn't want to enjoy healthier versions of their favourite fried treats. There are also a range of healthy air fryer recipes you can cook.

If you're new to the world of air fryers and don't know where to start, or if you're simply after some fresh inspiration, we've got a selection of healthy air fryer recipes for you to try, whether you have a dual air fryer or a small air fryer. After all, there's a lot more to air fryers than crispy chips - however much we enjoy them!

Chicken air fryer recipes

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Healthy air fryer recipes for chicken

Asian-Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs1 of 10
CREDIT: Skinnytaste.com

Asian-glazed boneless chicken thighs

With no breading, these juicy Asian inspired chicken thighs require very few ingredients. Enjoy with rice or steamed veggies.

chicken in air fryer recipe2 of 10
CREDIT: asouthernsoul.com

Whole chicken

Did you know that in many air fryers you can cook a whole chicken? Tender and juicy on the inside with crispy skin, it's a great one to do at the start of the week so you can use the chicken in your mid-week meals.

Chicken and Veggies3 of 10
CREDIT: gimmedelicious.com

Chicken and veggies

A whole meal in under 20 minutes, this recipe combines succulent chicken with plenty of fresh veggies including peppers, broccoli and more.

Chicken drumsticks4 of 10
CREDIT: therecipecritic.com

Chicken drumsticks

These crispy chicken legs will be perfect served with green beans, brussel sprouts or potatoes. They're a great finger food too!

Caprese chicken5 of 10
CREDIT: sweetandsavorymeals.com

air-fryer-caprese-chicken copy

Air Fryer Caprese Chicken is made with chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes. A healthy family dinner, that is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Chicken rissoles6 of 10
CREDIT: taste.com

Chicken rissoles

Another easy chicken air fryer recipe to add do your rotation are these rissoles made with chicken mince, panko breadcrumbs and courgette, they're great for dinner with a salad. The next day you can pop them into a bread roll with your favourite accompaniments for a quick lunch.

Chipotle chicken thighs7 of 10
CREDIT: skinnytaste.com

Chipotle chicken thighs

This quick and easy chipotle chicken recipe is made with boneless chicken thighs (or breasts), delicious for homemade burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and more.

Parmesan chicken wings8 of 10
CREDIT: eatbetterrecipes.com

Parmesan chicken wings

The crispy parmesan cheese crust is fantastic and a great way to make keto and low carb air fryer chicken wings quickly and easily.

chicken and broccoli9 of 10
CREDIT: eatbetterrecipes.com

Chicken and broccoli

Stir fries like this chicken and broccoli stir fry are so easy to make in the air fryer.

Chicken fajitas10 of 10
CREDIT: everydayfamilycooking.com

Chicken fajitas

Air fryer chicken fajitas with a homemade chili-lime fajita seasoning are an easy busy night weeknight meal!

Meaty air fryer recipes

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Healthy air fryer recipes for red meat

Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin1 of 10
CREDIT: myforkinglife.com

Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Fancy pork for dinner? This tender pork tenderloin is marinated in a gorgeous mustard glaze. Serve with a variety of sides including veggies and rice.

Air fryer steak2 of 10
CREDIT: goodfood.com

Air fryer steak

Use your air fryer to cook steak and you won’t look back. Enjoy topped with your favourite sauce and serve alongside a seasonal green salad or roasted veg.

Stuffed peppers3 of 10
CREDIT: spendwithpennies.com

Stuffed peppers

We love this stuffed peppers recipe with a delicious savoury filling of ground beef and rice. Add some tomato sauce and melted cheese on top for a new air fryer favourite!

Lamb chops4 of 10
CREDIT: PHOTOGRAPHER / JENNIFER CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST / KAREN RANKIN, PROP STYLIST / CHRISTINE KEELY

Lamb chops

It's so easy to make this lovely lamb chop recipe, with a quick red-wine vinegar marinade and herbs like rosemary and oregano add plenty of freshness. Serve alongside roasted potatoes or green beans.

Pork tenderlion5 of 10
CREDIT: delish.com

Korean-inspired pork tenderloin lettuce wraps

Pork tenderloin pairs perfectly with the spicy sweet sauce in these lettuce wraps. If you'd rather not make wraps, try out a tasty rice bowl instead!

Lamb koftas6 of 10
CREDIT: lovefoodnotcooking.com

Lamb koftas

These lamb koftas are delicious and versatile as they can be served in so many ways, as appetisers, party food, or as a main meal for a week night dinner.

Mongolian Beef7 of 10
CREDIT: airfried.com

Mongolian Beef

This easy Mongolian beef is made in the air fryer to save cooking time and clean up time. No hot grease to deal with, but you still get crispy beef coated in a sweet and savoury sauce.

Air fryer burgers8 of 10
CREDIT: hungryhealthyhappy.com

Air fryer burgers

A quick and easy way to make burgers, and healthier because you don't need to fry them in oil. Air Fryer Burgers are going to totally transform the way you make burgers.

Mediterranean meatballs9 of 10
CREDIT: skinnytaste.com

Mediterranean meatballs

Mediterranean Meatballs made with flavourful mince served over Israeli couscous and a bright, lemony cucumber tomato salad. This recipe uses turkey mince, but you could also use beef, lamb or pork mince.

Beef empanadas10 of 10
CREDIT: skinnytaste.com

Beef empanadas

These easy Air Fryer Empanadas are filled with homemade beef picadillo – they come out crispy and delicious, much healthier than deep frying!

Fish air fryer recipes

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Healthy air fryer recipes for fish

 Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze1 of 10
CREDIT: Skinnytaste.com

Salmon with maple soy glaze

Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and a fantastic source of protein, salmon is a great option if you're trying to eat healthier. This recipe takes less than half an hour and the salmon is smothered in a delicious maple soy glaze.

white fish with garlic and lemon pepper sauce2 of 10
CREDIT: airfryerworld.com

White fish with garlic and lemon pepper

This versatile recipe is low carb and can be used with any white fish - basa filets would work great. You can also play with the seasonings you use to create new flavours and taste sensations.

salmon fish cakes3 of 10
CREDIT: insanelygoodrecipes.com

Fish cakes

These salmon fish cakes are golden and crispy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside, and delicious in every bite.

crumb topped sole4 of 10
CREDIT: tasteofhome.com

Crumb topped sole

Looking for a low-carb supper that's ready in a flash? These buttery sole fillets are covered with a rich sauce and topped with toasty bread crumbs. A great healthy alternative to fish and chips.

Paprika prawn skewers5 of 10
CREDIT: thehappyfoodie.co.uk

Paprika prawn skewers

This super simple air fryer recipe delivers plump prawns in a fresh and gently spiced marinade. Serve with wraps or a summer salad.

Chilean sea bass6 of 10
CREDIT: cookedbyjulie.com

Sea bass with honey and soy sauce

Sea bass is packed with healthy fish oils, this recipe is sweet and savoury with honey and soy sauce giving this tasty fish a punch of flavour.

Air fryer tuna steaks7 of 10
CREDIT: enjoycleaneating.com

Air fryer tuna steaks

These juicy and tender air fryer tuna steaks are so easy to make, you don't even have to marinate them. Serve with a dipping sauce that adds so much flavour to the fish.

Fish fingers8 of 10
CREDIT: littlesunnykitchen.com

Homemade fish fingers

Fish fingers taste so much better when they’re made from scratch rather than cooked from frozen shop-bought ones. Dipped in flour, egg, and dried breadcrumbs makes a delicious and perfectly crispy breading, ideal for fish finger sandwiches and they make a great recipe for cooking for a family of four in the air fryer!

Chinese steamed fish9 of 10
CREDIT: iheartumami.com

Chinese steamed fish

You don’t need a steamer for this delicious steamed cod with ginger and spring onions, this recipe shows how to make steamed fish perfectly in the air fryer.

Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce10 of 10
CREDIT: GINA DESIMONE/cookinglight.com

Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce

For a tasty side dish for salmon, what about this crunchy roasted broccoli with creamy cheese sauce? It pairs perfectly with fish dishes.

Vegetarian and vegan air fryer recipes

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Healthy vegetarian and vegan air fryer recipes

ratatouille filo parcels1 of 10
CREDIT: taste.com

Ratatouille filo parcels

These individual filo pastry parcels are packed with vegies. Serve with basil pesto and you are sure to have a dinner-winner for the whole family.

Sweet Potatoes2 of 10
CREDIT: therecipecritic.com

Sweet Potatoes

Swap out your baked spud for the healthier alternative made in the air fryer. Perfectly fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, simply finish with your favourite topping.

Aubergine Parmigiana3 of 10
CREDIT: forksoverknives.com

Aubergine Parmigiana

In this plant-based take on an Italian favourite, air-fried aubergine slices sit atop linguine in marinara sauce with fresh basil.

Cauliflower bites4 of 10
CREDIT: enjoycleaneating.com

Cauliflower bites

A healthy snack option, these crispy bite-sized pieces of cauliflower are coated with a panko and parmesan crust and finished with Italian seasoning.

Tikka with Bombay potatoes5 of 10
CREDIT: Quorn.co.uk

Tikka with Bombay potatoes

This meal makes a great alternative to a takeaway – crispy, fragrant Bombay potatoes with a tasty Quorn Tikka made with Quorn Pieces, all cooked in the air fryer for a healthier take on the takeaway classic.

Avocado Fries6 of 10
CREDIT: lifemadesweeter.com

Avocado Fries

We bet you haven't tried these before! You may need a few unusual ingredients for these avocado fries but we're sure they'll be worth it!

air-fryer-burgers7 of 10
CREDIT: forksoverknives.com

Air-Fryer portobello burgers

Breaded, air-fried, and topped with a creamy vegan Thousand Island Aïoli, these aren’t your basic vegan burgers.

Apple chips8 of 10
CREDIT: delish.com

Apple crisps

We all love a bag of crisps now and again but by using your air fryer, you can create a healthier alternative to snack on - apple crisps!

air fryer falafel9 of 10
CREDIT: simplyrecipes.com

Air fryer falafel

Falafel made in the air fryer is crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Stuff them in a pita packed with veggies and tahini sauce for an easy healthy meal!

Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos 10 of 10
CREDIT: sweetpeasandsaffron.com

Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

These tasty tacos are made by frying cauliflower florets and chickpeas in the air fryer for a quick roast – bringing out their intense, nutty flavour. Piled into corn tortillas with avocado, red cabbage and coconut yoghurt, they make the perfect Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday dinner.

How do air fryers work?

First of all, air fryers don't actually fry. Instead, the food goes into a perforated basket and the machine cooks the food by blowing hot air around it. The force of the air produces a convection effect that cooks and browns the exterior of the food in the basket.

Is using an air fryer healthier?

Since Air fryers use significantly less oil than deep fat fryers, foods cooked using an air fryer are substantially lower in fat. An air fryer does this by heating the food in hot air which contains fine oil droplets. It cuts calories by 70% to 80%.

Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilberthas been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.

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