Who Needs an Oven? These 9 Air Fryer Dishes Are That Next Level

CNET

5 days ago

When the summer heat hits, the last thing you want is to crank up the oven and turn your kitchen into a sauna. That's where the air fryer comes in—and once you start using it, it's hard to go back. It cooks quickly, keeps the house cooler and delivers crispy, flavorful meals without the fuss.
I put it to the test and found the air fryer made a noticeable difference in kitchen temps compared to the oven. But it's not just about beating the heat. The air fryer also cuts down on prep time, skips the need for preheating and lets you walk away while it works its magic. If you're ready to simplify your summer dinners and stay cool while doing it, these air fryer go-tos are the perfect place to start.
What began as a glorified frozen-snack machine has turned into a full-on kitchen workhorse. The air fryer now handles everything from crispy chicken tenders to roasted veggies to gooey desserts. Beyond the staples, I've discovered a few surprising air fryer foods that I'm now completely hooked on.
From whole-roasted chicken and flaky salmon to vegetables and sides, such as cauliflower, potatoes and carrots, certain foods feel like they were made to cook in an air fryer. You'll find a ton of Reddit threads with home cooks asking for the ultimate air fryer recipes, and we've put together this guide to help you out with our favorites.
Looking for something great to make? Check out the nine foods you absolutely have to cook in an air fryer below.
And if you're searching for an air fryer or to upgrade your existing oven, we have a new favorite model with a glass cooking chamber that's easy to clean and doubles as a food storage container.
1. Salmon
Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium rare salmon.
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Broiled salmon is a simple, healthy weeknight dinner staple. It's not difficult to make in the oven, but if you're only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain and you'll waste a lot of energy for a small amount of food. Pan-seared salmon is great and quick, but there's almost no way to cook salmon on the stove without creating an oily and odorous mess.
I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer, and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheating time. The closed cooking chamber captures all of the grease and even hides some of the fishy smell from taking over the space.
OK, so you might catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill during warmer months, but gone are the days of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen stove.
Here's how to make perfect air fryer salmon.
2. Whole chicken
Air-fryer roasted chicken is a revelation.
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This one surprised me the most since I make a roast chicken most Sundays and had become content with my method of using the oven. I learned fast that the air fryer does an even better job since it's able to crisp the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted chicken takes about 45 minutes -- about 15% quicker than the oven -- and it's nearly impossible to screw up.
Here's how to make a quick roasted chicken in the air fryer.
3. Bacon cheeseburgers
You can cook a burger to perfect medium or medium rare with an air fryer.
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Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple around my home. The exception is during summer when the grill is in full swing, but during cooler months, I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It's not only cleaner than pan frying, but the burger doesn't cook in its own grease, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you're into that sort of thing). You can also stick the bun and a couple of slices of bacon in with the burger and you have the full meal with almost no cleanup to manage.
Here's how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer.
4. Chicken cutlets
Air fryers turn out picture-perfect chicken cutlets.
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Before the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken Parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and produces less oily fried chicken, too.
Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
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I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat content to withstand all that convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in beaten egg wash followed by bread crumbs mixed with salt, pepper and other spices. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
You can spray the cutlets lightly with a bit of oil before cooking to get an extra crispy crust, but it's not necessary. I've tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is more risk of drying out the meat.
5. Cauliflower steak
Cauliflower steak made in the air fryer has become a staple side dish in my kitchen.
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One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A slab of cauliflower makes an excellent hearty side dish or main course if you're going plant-based. Simply toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or some seasoning of your choice, and air fry for 10 or 12 minutes on high. The air fryer gives it a beautiful caramelized crust, and it cooks the dense veggie fast enough so that the inside of the cauliflower doesn't become mushy.
6. Leftover pizza
This leftover pizza got a whole new life thanks to a short trip to the air fryer.
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While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, a lot of them are. Air fryers are the perfect way to revive leftover pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life via convection heat for a crispy crust and even heating.
Here's the best way to reheat every type of leftover.
7. Hot dogs
You can cook an entire package of hot dogs in just a few minutes.
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It's hard to screw up a hot dog, but if you want a perfectly charred wiener in under five minutes with essentially no cleanup, look to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as simple gets, and the super convection oven gives them a perfect browning in two or three minutes.
Here's how to make hot dogs in the air fryer all summer.
8. Baked potatoes
Air fryer baked potatoes had crispy skin and were light and fluffy inside.
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OK, so technically this one starts out in the microwave and then gets finished in the air fryer. The microwave softens the inside in under 8 minutes while the air fryer blasts the edges and skin to a crispy perfection. It's a restaurant-quality baked potato in less than 12 minutes. Here's how to make the best air fryer baked potato ever.
Oh, and if you're still not sure what an air fryer is and how it works, check out our complete guide to air fryers.
9. Grilled cheese
This air fryer grilled cheese is as good as it looks.
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For a grilled cheese, the air fryer is working on both of the bread surfaces and the cheese all at once, resulting in a quicker melt, which adheres the cheese to the bread slices together making for a much easier flip. (Flipping is still recommended but with far less drama.)
Here's the secret to perfect air fryer grilled cheese.