These Are Surprising Foods You Can Make in Your Air Fryer – and They’re Delicious!
Your air fryer can do more than fries – from crispy bacon to mini cheesecakes, these delicious surprises will blow your mind! 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #Food #Recipes
ST. PAUL, MN – I’ll admit, I used to think the air fryer was just for making fries and reheating leftovers. But after using it a few times, I realized it’s like a mini-miracle worker in the kitchen! You can make so many foods you’d never think of—quick, easy, and super tasty.
If you’ve got an air fryer sitting on your counter, it’s time to dust it off and get creative. Here are some surprising (and delicious!) foods you can make in your air fryer.
1. Crispy Bacon Without the Mess
Who doesn’t love crispy bacon? But the cleanup from the grease splatters? Not so much. The air fryer is your new best friend when it comes to making bacon. Not only does it cook evenly, but the grease drips away into the bottom tray, leaving you with less mess and perfectly cooked bacon every time.
Instructions:
- Place bacon slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for extra crispiness.
- Remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
Pro tip: You can adjust the cooking time for how crispy you want your bacon. Check at the 8-minute mark and add more time if needed.
2. Homemade Donuts with Minimal Effort
No need for a deep fryer or even a trip to the bakery! With the air fryer, you can whip up a batch of donuts using just biscuit dough. These are a fun, easy treat, especially for weekend breakfasts or dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Use a small round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit (so they look like donuts).
- Place the biscuits in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush each donut with melted butter and dip in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
These donuts are light, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!
3. Hard-Boiled Eggs – Yes, Really!
Boiling water and waiting for eggs to cook is a thing of the past. The air fryer can perfectly cook hard-boiled eggs, and it’s as simple as popping them in and walking away.
Instructions:
- Place eggs directly in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 270°F for 15 minutes for hard-boiled, 12 minutes for soft-boiled.
- After cooking, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool.
No peeling frustration, just perfectly cooked eggs every time!
4. Juicy Steak – Grilled Indoors
Steak in an air fryer? Yup! You can get that same juicy, tender steak with a nice sear—no grill needed. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you don’t feel like firing up the barbecue.
Ingredients:
- 1 ribeye or sirloin steak (1-1.5 inches thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper (or your favorite steak seasoning)
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Rub the steak with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Place the steak in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, flipping halfway through (adjust time depending on your preferred doneness).
- Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
It’s like grilling, but faster and easier!
5. Perfectly Toasted Grilled Cheese
Air fryer grilled cheese is the crispiest grilled cheese you’ll ever make. The bread gets extra crunchy, and the cheese melts perfectly. Once you try this, you’ll never go back to the stovetop version.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 slices of cheese (cheddar, American, or your favorite)
Instructions:
- Butter one side of each bread slice.
- Place cheese between the bread, butter side out.
- Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook at 370°F for 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Slice and enjoy the perfect crispy, cheesy bite.
6. Roasted Vegetables That Are Better Than the Oven
Roasting veggies in the air fryer makes them extra crispy in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re cooking Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or carrots, they turn out golden and perfectly cooked every time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of your favorite vegetables (e.g., Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and seasoning of choice
Instructions:
- Toss the veggies in olive oil and seasonings.
- Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
These veggies come out crispy and caramelized, with way less cooking time than in the oven.
7. Air-Fried Pizza Rolls for a Quick Snack
This is my hubby Jack’s favorite treat, especially when the Vikings are playing! Frozen pizza rolls become extra crispy in the air fryer, perfect for a snack or game-day treat. They cook faster and taste better than in the oven.
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Place frozen pizza rolls in a single layer in the basket.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Warning: They’ll be super hot, so let them cool a bit before digging in!
8. Delectable Cheesecake for Dessert
Believe it or not, you can make a creamy, rich cheesecake in your air fryer. It’s the perfect size for a small gathering or when you don’t want a huge dessert leftover.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and press into the bottom of a small springform pan.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
- Place the pan in the air fryer and cook at 300°F for 25-30 minutes until the cheesecake is set.
- Let it cool before slicing.
Don’t Be Afraid To Get Creative!
As you can see, the air fryer can do so much more than just fries and wings. It’s a versatile kitchen tool that can cook everything from breakfast to dessert in a snap. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try out new recipes! Do you have a favorite surprising air fryer recipe? Let us know in the comments!
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