8 Foods You Might Not Know You Can Make in an Air Fryer

The air fryer has become a kitchen favorite, but it can do much more than crisp up fries and chicken wings. From breakfast and snacks to dessert, its circulating hot air makes it useful for cooking, toasting, reheating, and even some dehydrating. Here are eight foods you might not think to make in your air fryer.

Make Hard-Boiled Eggs

Air fryer eggs are a convenient alternative to boiling them on the stovetop. Place the eggs in the basket and cook them until they reach your preferred level of doneness, then transfer them to an ice bath to cool. Cooking times can vary between air fryer models, so you may need to experiment with your particular appliance to get the yolk exactly how you like it.

Toast Nuts and Seeds

Your air fryer can double as a quick little nut roaster. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds can all be toasted in a relatively short amount of time. Keep a close eye on them because nuts and seeds can go from toasted to burnt quickly, especially in the smaller cooking chamber of an air fryer.

Bake Small Batches of Cookies

You don’t always need to heat up the oven for a small batch of cookies. An air fryer can bake a few cookies at a time, making it handy when you want a warm dessert without making a full batch. Use parchment designed for air fryers when appropriate, leave enough space between the cookies for air circulation, and watch the first batch closely since cooking times can be shorter than in a conventional oven.

Make Fruit Chips

Thinly sliced fruit can be turned into a naturally sweet snack using an air fryer with a dehydration setting, when available. Apples, bananas, and strawberries are popular choices, although the exact time and temperature depend on the fruit and your appliance. You don’t need to add sugar, and thinner slices generally dry more quickly and evenly.

Reheat Leftovers

One of the most useful things you can do with an air fryer is reheat food that you want to stay crispy. Pizza, french fries, chicken tenders, roasted vegetables, and other fried or baked foods often reheat better this way than in a microwave. Use a lower temperature and check the food frequently so the outside doesn’t become overly crisp before the center is hot.

Roast Vegetables

You don’t need to fire up the outdoor grill to get nicely browned vegetables. The air fryer’s circulating heat can caramelize the edges of vegetables such as zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and bell peppers. Toss them with a little oil and seasoning, spread them out rather than overcrowding the basket, and cook until they’re tender and browned to your liking.

Make Nachos

When you only want enough nachos for a snack or a couple of people, the air fryer can be a convenient option. Layer tortilla chips with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings, then cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep the toppings relatively light and use an air-fryer-safe pan or liner when needed to prevent smaller ingredients from blowing around.

Warm Up Pastries

An air fryer is also handy for warming pastries and baked goods. Croissants, muffins, biscuits, and similar items can regain some of their warmth and crispness without turning on the oven. Use a moderate temperature and a short cooking time, checking frequently so delicate pastries don’t dry out.

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