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Remember life before air fryers? It seems crazy now! They’ve become a total kitchen must-have, and for good reason. If you crave crispy, flavorful food, the air fryer is your new best friend. We’re talking BBQ ribs, gooey mozzarella sticks, even coconut shrimp! Ditch the takeout menus and get ready for easy, delicious, air-fried perfection. Anyone can whip up these air fryer main dish recipes using the super-handy and versatile air fryer!

BBQ Ribs with the Best Dry Rib Rub

Smoked ribs stacked on a white plate.
Smoked Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Air fryer BBQ ribs make a quick dinner for those evenings you get back late and don’t have the energy for a complicated supper. The best dry rib rub adds plenty of amazing flavour to pork or beef ribs, and air frying ribs is much faster than oven-roasting.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Ribs – Best Dry Rib Rub

Air Fryer Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts that have been stuffed with bruschetta on a plate.
Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This air fryer bruschetta stuffed chicken breasts recipe infuses chicken with the best Italian flavours. Chicken, tomatoes and provolone cheese pair up beautifully in this easy chicken recipe. Whip up this easy bruschetta chicken bake for dinner and you won’t be disappointed. It is such a great air fryer chicken recipe that you can enjoy year round.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad

 Salad in a bowl.
Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

How good does a blackened chicken Caesar salad sound right now? Imagine this easy summer salad recipe on your table this evening. This is a great air fryer blackened chicken recipe with air fryer homemade croutons and the best homemade Caesar dressing. Knowing how to make blackened chicken means you can make this, tasty chicken tacos, and much more.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad

Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Cheesy bacon hasselback chicken on a plate.
Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cheesy bacon hasselback chicken recipe is so good! Combining chicken with cheese, bacon, spinach, herbs, and spices, this creamy bacon chicken is low in carbs but high in flavour.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Beef Taquitos

Beef taquitos with sauce on top.
Gluten Free Beef Taquitos. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This is the best air fryer recipe for taquitos, and you don’t need any hard-to-get ingredients either. Whether it’s ‘taco Tuesday’ or not, switch things up by making this easy taquito recipe instead of tacos. I promise this Mexican dinner will wow you!
Get the Recipe: Beef Taquitos

Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Honey mustard pork chops on a plate.
Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Get ready for a mouth-watering meal with these crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops. Coated in a delicious honey mustard sauce and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, these pork chops are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Air Fryer Meatballs

Spaghetti with meatballs on a plate.
Air Fryer Meatballs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These gluten free air fryer meatballs are full of spice and flavour, and they pair beautifully with a tasty marinara sauce. These vegan meatballs with spaghetti marinara make a quick dinner that is a crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs

Parmesan Pesto Crusted Salmon Fillets

Parmesan pesto salmon on a platter.
Parmesan Pesto Crusted Salmon Fillets. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Fish comes out perfect when you’re using the air fryer and parmesan pesto crusted salmon fillets are no exception. This is a simple air fryer salmon recipe which includes parmesan, garlic and homemade pesto.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Pesto Crusted Salmon Fillets

Chicken Mozzarella Sticks

Overhead view of homemade chicken mozzarella sticks on a platter.
Chicken Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These crispy air fryer chicken mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer. Made with ground chicken and mozzarella sticks, this easy recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Mozzarella Sticks

Air Fryer Egg Rolls

Two egg rolls on a white plate. One has a bite taken.
Air Fryer Egg Rolls. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

You’ll love these easy-to-make gluten-free egg rolls, complete with homemade egg roll wrappers made in the air fryer. With a perfect texture and flavor, these egg rolls are a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious gluten-free snack or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Double Crust Quiche

Ham and cheese quiche with a pie pan.
Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Double Crust Quiche. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This air fryer quiche recipe means you can make a rich and delicious quiche in one of your favourite kitchen appliances. It’s a filling, hearty recipe with a crust on top that looks impressive and tastes even better!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Double Crust Quiche

Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

A biscuit pocket with ground beef filling on a plate.
Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Unsloppy joes biscuit pockets are a delicious take on classic sloppy joes. Basically, these are not so sloppy sloppy joes for when you want all the flavour without the mess! These manwich sandwiches are easy to make with Pillsbury biscuit dough and ground beef in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

Kielbasa and Peppers

Sausage, peppers and potatoes cooked in an air fryer.
Kielbasa and Peppers. Photo credit: My Air Fryer Kitchen.

Let your air fryer do the work of making a classic dish like kielbasa and peppers. This recipe has potatoes for a fuss free meal that requires so little prep or clean up after you have cooked it.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Peppers

Nashville Hot Chicken

A platter of Nashville hot chicken with fries and pickles.
Nashville Hot Chicken. Photo credit: Sugar and Soul.

Use your air fryer to bring the flavor of Nashville to your table. This hot chicken is finger licking good, but made healthier by skipping the grease fry of your average chicken.
Get the Recipe: Nashville Hot Chicken

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

A platter of air fryer lobster tails with lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Lobster Tails. Photo credit: Jo Cooks.

Did you know you can make perfect lobster tails in the air fryer? These turn out to be so succulent, and this method is easy enough that you can make them for brunch or dinner any night of the week when you crave something elegant.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lobster Tails

Air Fryer Mini Pizzas

Mini pizzas on a plate.
Air Fryer Mini Pizzas. Photo credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.

Make mini pizzas in the air fryer for a fast and fun meal option. You can add whatever toppings you are in the mood for, and mix things up if you like! You are going to love these for lunch or dinner any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mini Pizzas

Air Fryer Scallops

Scallops drizzled with butter on a baking sheet.
Air Fryer Scallops. Photo credit: Pure and Simple Nourishment.

Skip the trip to a fancy seafood spot and get the elegant flavor of scallops at home, from your air fryer. This recipe has an absolutely drool worthy lemon butter that compliments the scallops perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops

Chicken Fried Steak

Gravy pouring over chicken fried steaks.
Chicken Fried Steak. Photo credit: Couple in the Kitchen.

These chicken fried steaks are so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are also so much healthier as they are air fried and skip the greasy stove top fry.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Garlic Butter Steak

Steak with garlic butter on top.
Garlic Butter Steak. Photo credit: Sparkles to Sprinkles.

On a busy night you can skip the grill and still get one amazing steak on the table for dinner. This method uses an air fryer to cook a steak to juicy perfection, and it uses plenty of garlic butter so it has steakhouse quality flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak

Empanadas

A platter of empanadas with sour cream and salsa on the side.
Empanadas. Photo credit: Bottom Left of the Mitten.

With a flaky crust, plenty of beef and cheese, and whatever veggies you want to add, you could totally make a meal of these empanadas. They are are air fried to make them healthier, so go ahead and grab two. Dip them in sour cream and salsa for the best flavor.
Get the Recipe: Empanadas

Spiral Sliced Ham

Spiral sliced ham with cherries and pineapple in an air fryer.
Spiral Sliced Ham. Photo credit: My Air Fryer Kitchen.

Save the oven space for all of the sides with this recipe. Who knew you could make the perfect spiral cut ham in your air fryer?!
Get the Recipe: Spiral Sliced Ham

Crunchy Coconut Shrimp

A plate of crunchy coconut shrimp with lime wedges.
Crunchy Coconut Shrimp. Photo credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These crunchy shrimp have a wonderful coconut coating. Squeeze a little lime over them and dip them in yumyum sauce for a great air fryer dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Coconut Shrimp

Strip Steaks

Strip steak with potatoes on the side.
Strip Steaks. Photo credit: Lara Clevninger.

These strip steaks turn out so tender and tasty no one would ever believe you made them the easy way. You air fryer can make short work of delivering perfect flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Strip Steaks

Easy Chicken Caprese

A skillet of caprese chicken.
Easy Chicken Caprese. Photo credit: Dish in the Kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts stuffed with tomato and mozzarella cheese make for such a satisfying summer meal you can make in your air fryer. This comes together fast and is so flavorful and filling. Serve with a salad for an easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Caprese

Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Crispy tacos on a plate.
Crispy Air Fryer Tacos. Photo credit: Midwexican.

If you love crispy, crunchy tacos, then you are going to love this easy air fryer recipe. You can get these on the table in no time; serve with spicy rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tacos

Panko Crusted Chicken

Panko crusted chicken with potatoes on a plate.
Panko Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Smells Like Delish.

Craving some crispy coated chicken? This recipe uses panko crumbs and the air fryer to achieve a delicious and healthy crispy breading that is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Panko Crusted Chicken

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Glazed barbecued chicken legs served with celery and carrot sticks on a plate.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks have a mouth-watering crispy skin and juicy, tender meat in every bite. Easily adjust the heat level, they’re always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Meatloaf on mashed potatoes with peas.
Air Fryer Meatloaf. Photo credit: The Fast Recipe.

Get a classic meal on the table, without even turning on the oven. This meatloaf is tasty and tender, and it cooks in your air fryer to trap moisture in for maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer Burgers

A hand holding a loaded cheeseburger on a bun.
Air fryer Burgers. Photo credit: Crayons and Cravings.

This method makes awesome burgers and you can avoid that dreaded grease splatter from cooking them on the stovetop. Pile these air fryer burgers with cheese and veggies for a great weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Air fryer Burgers

Buffalo Shrimp

A platter of buffalo shrimp with dip.
Buffalo Shrimp. Photo credit: Yellow Thyme.

This air fryer recipe makes the best crispy shrimp! Plenty of buffalo flavor makes this into a flavorful and fast meal you can make on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Shrimp

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash stuffed with cheese and sauce; a fork lifting a bite out.
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Hilda’s Kitchen.

This healthy dish cooks in the air fryer and delivers all of the things you love about pasta for dinner with plenty of veggies. Make this for a fast summer meal that doesn’t need any time in the oven or a lot of prep time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taquitos

Sweet potato and black bean taquitos on a plate.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taquitos. Photo credit: Healthy Family Project.

You might not think taquitos equal a meal, but this recipe is absolutely loaded with healthy ingredients. Sweet potato and black beans will fill you up with the good stuff, and the delectable crunchy wrapper will keep you reaching for just one more.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taquitos

Air Fryer Carne Asada

A bite of carne asada from the air fryer.
Air Fryer Carne Asada. Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

Who knew you could get such a good carne asada on the table in such a short amount of time? Use your air fryer for a fuss free dinner that has restaurant quality flavor but cooks so quick.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carne Asada

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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