Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home
Cover Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home
Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home

Search through your kitchen cupboards and bring out that air fryer you forgot you had - here are 14 dishes you can (surprisingly) cook in the ingenious device

If you can spell it, you can air fry it - okay, that may be a stretch, but there’s certainly a lot more you can do with an air fryer than just fries and chicken nuggets.

The ingenious device circulates piping hot air around the chamber, resulting in a beautifully crisp exterior with little to no oil, making it an ideal cooking method for those looking to adopt a healthier diet. Air fryers are also great for busybodies with little time to spare as they are easy to use, easy to clean, and provide rapid cooking. Depending on your preferences, air frying can even produce better results than baking or frying, like chocolate chip cookies or French toast with a crisp exterior and gooey or soft interior. Keep reading to discover 14 recipes that will make your air fryer a permanent fixture on your kitchen counter.

See also: 5 Dessert Recipes You Can Make In Your Rice Cooker

1. Salmon

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Salmon | Photo: Feel Good Foodie
Above Air Fryer Salmon | Photo: Feel Good Foodie
Air Fryer Salmon | Photo: Feel Good Foodie

Ten minutes, few ingredients, and minimal effort - if that sounds like an ideal dinner recipe, look no further than air fryer salmon. The simple recipe produces “seared edges and a tender, flaky centre” with the rich flavour of the beloved fish. Simply serve with your choice of salad, grains, or vegetables, and you’ve got a reliable meal that’s sure to be a staple in your air fryer repertoire.

Find the recipe here.

See also: 9 Healthy Recipes From Your Favourite Celebrities: Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, and More

2. Avocado Fries

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Avocado Fries | Photo: Girl With The Iron Cast
Above Air Fryer Avocado Fries | Photo: Girl With The Iron Cast
Air Fryer Avocado Fries | Photo: Girl With The Iron Cast

French fries are the ceremonial recipe for breaking in your air fryer, with sweet potato fries coming in at a close second. But did you know you could also cook avocado fries in your air fryer? As divisive as the snack may be, there’s only one way you can firmly give your take. Rescue that rapidly ripening avocado in your fruit bowl and try it out yourself.

Find the recipe here.

See also: It's Curly Fries Season: Here's 7 Places You Can Buy Them in Metro Manila

3. Popcorn Shrimp

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp | Photo: Food Network
Above Air Fryer Fried Shrimp | Photo: Food Network
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp | Photo: Food Network

Nobody enjoys deep-frying: heating up a large pot of oil is tedious, the splatter risk is nerve-wracking, and the leftover oil is a pain to deal with. Fry up some popcorn shrimp in your air fryer instead and serve alongside a spicy remoulade sauce, or even serve it up in a taco.

Find the recipe here.

See also: Where To Order Tacos In Metro Manila

4. Falafels

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Falafel | Photo: Skinny Taste
Above Air Fryer Falafel | Photo: Skinny Taste
Air Fryer Falafel | Photo: Skinny Taste

In many cases, the transition to a plant-based diet is motivated by the desire for a healthier lifestyle. Yet, many vegan and vegetarian recipes can be deceptively unhealthy. Take falafels, for example - made with chickpeas, alliums, herbs, and spices, the Middle-Eastern fare is comprised of great ingredients but is traditionally deep-fried. Forego the deep-frying process and make them in an air fryer instead for a tasty, healthy, and vegan-friendly meal!

Find the recipe here.

5. Ground Beef Wellington

Tatler Asia
Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home
Above Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home
Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington | Photo: Taste of Home

Yes, you read that right. This iteration of the classic beef wellington is cooked in an air fryer and uses ground beef for a more stress-free and weeknight-friendly affair. Paired with a luscious mushroom sauce, the recipe makes for an impressive dish that comes together in just 30 minutes.

Find the recipe here.

See also: Quarantine Recipes: Easy Steak Meals You Can Make At Home

6. Vegetable Chips

Tatler Asia
Ranch-Flavoured Veggie Chips | Photo: Carlene Thomas / Eat This, Not That!
Above Ranch-Flavoured Veggie Chips | Photo: Carlene Thomas / Eat This, Not That!
Ranch-Flavoured Veggie Chips | Photo: Carlene Thomas / Eat This, Not That!

Make your midday snacking habits a tad more wholesome, colourful, and incredibly convenient. This recipe for vegetable chips uses zucchini, sweet potato, and beet, but you could also do other root vegetables of your choice like carrots or turnips. Experiment with different vegetables, seasonings, and dips!

Find the recipe here.

7. Mozzarella Sticks

Tatler Asia
Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks | Photo: Alison Conklin / Simply Recipes
Above Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks | Photo: Alison Conklin / Simply Recipes
Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks | Photo: Alison Conklin / Simply Recipes

Of course, there are days where healthy snacking just won’t fit the bill. A continued favourite among both kids and kids-at-heart, mozzarella sticks are an indulgent treat that needs nothing more than a side of marinara sauce for the ultimate comfort food snack. 

Find the recipe here.

See also: 8 Luxurious Mac And Cheese Dishes With Truffle, Lobster, Caviar, And More

8. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies | Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani / The Kitchn
Above Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies | Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani / The Kitchn
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies | Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani / The Kitchn

Thought you’ve had this classic baked good every which way? Think again. Made in an air fryer instead of a conventional oven, these chocolate chip cookies are “crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey on the inside” and bake in just five minutes.

Find the recipe here.

See also: Do You Love Dessert? Here Are 6 Youtube Channels To Follow

9. Korean Fried Chicken

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken | Photo: I Am A Food Blog
Above Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken | Photo: I Am A Food Blog
Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken | Photo: I Am A Food Blog

Slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and absolutely mouthwatering, gochujang-laced Korean fried chicken packs an addictive flavour that begs to be enjoyed with a couple of beers. Skip those frozen chicken nuggets your air fryer has grown sick of seeing and spice up your dinner with this easy-to-follow recipe.

Find the recipe here.

See also: Where To Order: Tatler's Guide To The Best Korean Fried Chicken In Metro Manila 2021

10. Breakfast Frittata

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Breakfast Fritata | Photo: Effortless Foodie
Above Air Fryer Breakfast Fritata | Photo: Effortless Foodie
Air Fryer Breakfast Fritata | Photo: Effortless Foodie

This classic breakfast dish follows an infallibly straightforward process: mix, pour, and cook. Highly adaptable, you can toss in any quick-cooking vegetables and leftovers you have in your fridge, be it bacon, ham, or chorizo, making frittatas a great way to reduce your food waste in a delicious and convenient way. Better yet, you can store these in the freezer for up to three month - simply de-frost in the fridge the night before, and you’re set for breakfast the following morning.

Find the recipe here.

11. Churros

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Churros | Photo: Plated Cravings
Above Air Fryer Churros | Photo: Plated Cravings
Air Fryer Churros | Photo: Plated Cravings

Another traditionally deep-fried dish made healthier and hassle-free, these churros are guaranteed to be a go-to dessert in your collection of air fryer recipes. Enjoy coated in the classic cinnamon-sugar blend, dip into some Nutella, or go the extra mile and whip up your own chocolate or caramel sauce.

Find the recipe here.

12. Vietnamese-Style Spring Roll Salad

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer Vietnamese-Style Spring Roll Salad | Photo: Taste Magazine
Above Air Fryer Vietnamese-Style Spring Roll Salad | Photo: Taste Magazine
Air Fryer Vietnamese-Style Spring Roll Salad | Photo: Taste Magazine

Filling yet refreshing, Vietnamese bún is a great lunchtime option. However, the meats that accompany the salad can be quite heavy, slowing you down throughout the rest of the day. For a lighter alternative, make the pork spring rolls for your bún chả giò chay in your air fryer instead and power through that afternoon slump.

Find the recipe here.

See also: HuChi: Have Your Fill of Southeast Asian Cuisine With The Moment Group's New Restaurant

13. French Toast

Tatler Asia
Air Fryer French Toast | Photo: Tastes Better From Scratch
Above Air Fryer French Toast | Photo: Tastes Better From Scratch
Air Fryer French Toast | Photo: Tastes Better From Scratch

Some like them soggy, some like them crisp, but the true French toast connoisseur likes them both ways: audibly toasted on the outside, and pillowy soft in the centre. If that sounds like your cup of tea, say au revoir to your skillet and try making the breakfast indulgence in an air fryer. 

Find the recipe here.

See also: Where To Order The Best Pancakes In The Philippines

14. Prosciutto Egg Cups

Tatler Asia
Prosciutto Egg Cups | Photo: Cook At Home Mom
Above Prosciutto Egg Cups | Photo: Cook At Home Mom
Prosciutto Egg Cups | Photo: Cook At Home Mom

Salty, umami prosciutto and a perfectly-cooked egg with a runny yolk - a certifiable match made in heaven. Toss in some vegetables like spinach or bell peppers and top with some freshly cracked black pepper, and these prosciutto egg cups make for an easy yet elegant breakfast. Salty, umami prosciutto and a perfectly-cooked egg with a runny yolk - a certifiable match made in heaven. Toss in some vegetables like spinach or bell peppers and top with some freshly-cracked black pepper, and these prosciutto egg cups make for an easy yet elegant breakfast.

Find the recipe here.

Topics

Lauren Golangco
Tatler Dining associate editor, Tatler Philippines
Tatler Asia
Photo: Ralph Mendo

About

Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.

Work

As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.

For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.

Photo: Ralph Mendo