Top Air Fryer Recipes

Top Air Fryer Recipes - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

If you love your air fryer as much as we love ours, your oven probably doesn’t get a look-in these days. Once you know How to Convert Recipes to an Air Fryer, you’ll be using it for almost every meal. 

Air fryers cook by circulating hot air, so they get food all crispy and crunchy with little or no oil. If you’re on a slimming journey, they’re worth every penny. For anyone looking to jump on the air fryer bandwagon, our guide to The Best Air Fryers to Buy is a good place to start. 

And, if you’re in the market for a new air fryer, don’t forget to check our Amazon page – we’ve added all of our favourite air fryers, so you don’t have to scroll around looking for the best ones! Browse our Amazon page here

Once you’re all set up, you’ll need some recipes! Today we’re running through our Top Air Fryer Recipes and they’ve got you covered on all bases – from snacks and sides to delicious dinners. 

Recipes made for your air fryer 

We’re sure you’ve heard all the hype about air fryers, but they really are as handy as they seem. Turn them on, let them pre-heat and throw your food in – that’s all there is to it. Food cooks so much faster than in the oven, with that irresistible crunchy texture. 

We’ve created a fair few recipes now, especially for air fryers, with simple-to-follow steps for crispy perfection every time. 

There’s also no shortage of inspiration in our Air Fryer cookbook. From fakeaways and bakes and roasts to light bites and sweet treats, all 75 of the slimming-friendly dishes inside are so simple to make with your new-favourite kitchen gadget at your fingertips.

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Air Fryer Veggie Dippers

This veggie-friendly dish is one of our top air fryer recipes for good reason. Healthier and tastier than the fast food shop, these Air Fryer Veggie Dippers are a must-try. Not only are they packed full of vegetables, they have a panko breadcrumb coating that gets all golden and crispy as it cooks. 

Made to be dipped, our recipe even includes an unmissable spicy ketchup that’s tangy, slightly sweet and so easy to make. Whether served as a snack or with some chips on the side, these little bites of veggie goodness never disappoint. 

Veggie Dippers - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Nuggets

If you like your chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce, we think you might enjoy this next recipe! Our Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Nuggets are made from chicken that’s been marinated in a smoky, sweet sauce, coated in homemade breadcrumbs and then air-fried until it’s super crisp. 

These cook in just 15 minutes, but the longer you leave the chicken to marinate, the stronger that BBQ flavour will be. So tasty, and just 287 calories per serving, these slimming friendly nuggs are a great midweek meal that the whole family will love. 

BBQ Chicken Nuggets - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Air Fryer Crispy Green Beans

You might not think to cook your veggies in the air fryer, but the right recipe can turn your boring green veg into a side dish to be celebrated. That’s exactly the case with these Air Fryer Crispy Green Beans – you’ll want to serve them with every meal. 

Herby, crunchy and cheesy, you won’t feel cheated if you dish these up for burger night instead of fries or chunky chips. Topped with panko breadcrumbs and salty Parmesan, this recipe takes green beans to the next level. They’ll get so crispy after just 10 minutes in the air fryer. 

Crispy Green Beans - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Air Fryer Cauliflower Hot Wings

Next time you get a bit peckish, rather than reaching for the crisps, give these Air Fryer Cauliflower Hot Wings a whirl. They’re fast, flavourful, and a firm favourite in our house. 

Like most air fryer recipes, you could make them in the oven, but just LOOK how crispy they get in the air fryer. 

These have got a real kick to them too – they’re dipped in hot sauce towards the end of the cooking time to give the coating that fiery crunch. Don’t worry though, we’ve included a cooling yoghurt and Sriracha dip to help balance out those spicy flavours. 

Cauliflower Hot Wings - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Air Fryer Vegan Nuggets

Even if you’re not vegan, you’re sure to appreciate just how yummy these Air Fryer Vegan Nuggets are. They’re a winner if you’re trying to sneak more veggies past any fussy eaters.

You’ve got cauliflower, carrots and red peppers in the mix, as well as some cannellini beans for extra protein. 

They’re coated in panko breadcrumbs that turn so crunchy and golden when you air-fry them. We’ve even included a spicy ketchup that you can serve on the side or use as a dip. They taste too good to be slimming friendly but we promise it’s true – there are just 176 calories in each serving of nuggety goodness. 

Vegan Nuggets - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Air Fryer Full English

Yes, you read that right! This recipe says goodbye to piles of washing up, and hello to sausage, egg, bacon, beans, mushrooms and tomatoes, all cooked in your air fryer. 

Our Air Fryer Full English is on the table in just 30 minutes, for only 351 calories per serving. Breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, we’ll take any excuse to rustle this one up!

Air Fryer Full English - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Don’t miss any of our easy air fryer recipes! We’ve dropped the links to even more healthy, delicious dishes below:

Recipes to adapt for your air fryer

Of course, it’s not only air fryer-specific recipes that can be cooked in your air fryer. Converting traditional oven recipes is super simple, and you’ll be so impressed with the results, you might just stick to the air fryer in the future! Check out our conversion table in this article to find out how to adjust the cooking time and temperature. 

Roast Potatoes

If you haven’t tried air-fried roasties yet, we can confirm you’re missing out! Although delicious when cooked in the oven, these Roast Potatoes are EPIC when you pop them in the air fryer instead. 

It guarantees the dream combination of golden brown crispiness, with fluffy potato on the inside. It may take up to 50 minutes to achieve this in the oven but they’ll cook 20% faster in the air fryer. Make sure you give them a shake after 20 minutes and keep an eye on them for the final 10 – they’ll crisp up quickly when they’re nearly done. 

Roast Potatoes - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Homemade Oven Chips

If you know anyone with an air fryer they’re sure to have sung the praises of making chips in them! Our recipe for Homemade Oven Chips is easily adapted to the air fryer. It makes them even crispier, and gives deep fried chips a run for their money. 

If you’d rather skip the chip shop on Friday night, you’ll not feel like you’re missing out if you make a batch of these instead. You can try adding any kind of seasoning you like – think smoky paprika or a sprinkle of fiery chilli powder. 

As a side dish, or even a snack, they’re impossible to beat. Each serving is just 96 calories! 

Homemade Oven Chips - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Fish Fingers

Soft, flaky fish coated in crunchy breadcrumbs – these Fish Fingers are far too good to be just for the kids! Using simple ingredients, you can make a healthy, tasty dinner that feels like such a treat. 

We’d usually cook these on a tray in the oven, but the air fryer does an even better job. All you need to add is a few oven chips and some peas for a family friendly midweek meal. Better yet, squish a couple between some bread to make a fish finger sandwich. Is there a better lunch?

Fish Fingers - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

KFC Fakeaway

This KFC Fakeaway isn’t just one of our top air fryer recipes, it’s one of our favourite recipes too! It’s such a crowd-pleaser and when you make it in the air fryer it tastes even more like a real KFC! 

The chicken inside stays juicy and succulent while the panko breadcrumb coating crisps up nicely. Who needs a secret blend of spices? This will help you kick the craving for a weekend takeaway, without straying from your diet plan. 

Each fillet is just 255 calories, so serve in a bread roll, with chips or even with some homemade Coleslaw.

KFC Fakeaway - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Samosas

Whether as a snack, or as a side for a Fakeaway feast, these Samosas turn out so well when you pop them in the air fryer. While similar recipes may be fried in lots of oil to get crispy, flaky pastry, our recipe offers a far healthier alternative. 

Without compromising on taste, we’ve used sheets of filo pastry and plenty of veggies in the filling. These are little parcels of delicately spiced, Indian-inspired deliciousness!

They go down a treat at a buffet and can be packaged up for packed lunches and on-the-go snacking. 

Samosas - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

Looking for more air fryer inspiration?

If you’re wondering what else you can cook in your air fryer, look no further. Our What Can I Cook in an Air Fryer article has got you covered. We’ve got lots of other handy air fryer info, inspiration and recipe ideas in theses articles:

What are your top air fryer recipes? Head on over to our Facebook Group to share your ideas and find inspiration. There are almost 1 million members already sharing motivation and support for your slimming journey. 

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