I didn’t set out to stop using my oven. It happened gradually, one food at a time, as the air fryer turned out better results with less effort and I stopped seeing a reason to go back. The oven still gets used — for things that genuinely need it, which turns out to be fewer things than I expected. Nine foods in particular made the shift feel permanent. These are the ones that convinced me the air fryer wasn’t a supplementary appliance but a replacement for most of what the oven used to do in my kitchen every week.
When I first hauled in an air fryer many years ago, I was mostly making the classics: wings and fries. However, my air fryer repertoire has expanded to include items I never thought I’d be cooking in a small countertop contraption. I’m talking about fresh salmon, cheeseburgers and even whole roasted chicken.
The air fryer is fast, forgiving, easy to use and even easier to clean. It’s no wonder the appliance has enjoyed unparalleled popularity over the last decade — a true once-in-a-lifetime kitchen craze.
So what are the most surprising foods I make in the air fryer? I’ve listed nine below, but the list grows longer every year. 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.
9 foods I’ll only make in the air fryer from now on
1. Hard-‘boiled’ eggs
From runny yolks to jammy to hard-cooked, the air fryer can do it, and there’s no waiting for water to boil or forgetting to set a timer (air fryers have a built-in timer). There’s a lot of internet voodoo about dos and don’ts for boiling eggs in the air fryer, but in my experience, you can disregard most of it and still end up with beautifully cooked eggs with perfectly set yolks every time.
Here’s how to make “hard-boiled eggs” in the air fryer
2. Salmon (and most other fish)
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 excellent 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 the grease and even helps hide 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.
3. Roasted chicken
This one surprised me the most because I make roast chicken most Sundays and had grown content with my oven method. I learned quickly that the air fryer does an even better job because it crisps 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.
4. Bacon cheeseburgers
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 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 add the bun and a couple of slices of bacon to the burger, making it a complete meal with minimal cleanup.
Here’s how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer.
5. Chicken cutlets
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.
I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat to withstand convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in a beaten egg wash, followed by breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, and other spices. Cook at 375°F for about 15 minutes.
You can spray the cutlets lightly with oil before cooking to achieve an extra-crispy crust, but it’s not necessary. I’ve tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is a greater risk of drying out the meat.
6. Cauliflower steak
One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A cauliflower slab 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, salt, pepper, or your preferred seasoning, then air-fry at high heat for 10-12 minutes. 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.
7. Leftover pizza
While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, many 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 with convection heat, delivering a crispy crust and even heating.
Here’s the best way to reheat every type of leftover.
8. Hot dogs and sausage
It’s hard to screw up a hot dog but if you want a perfectly charred wiener in less than five minutes with essentially no cleanup, look to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as they get, and the super convection oven gives them perfect browning in two or three minutes.
Here’s how to make hot dogs in the air fryer all summer.
9. Baked potatoes
OK, so technically, this one starts in the microwave and finishes in the air fryer. The microwave softens the inside in less than 8 minutes, while the air fryer blasts the edges and skin to 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.
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
For a grilled cheese, the air fryer cooks both the bread surfaces and the cheese at once, resulting in a quicker melt. This 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.The air fryer’s ability to crisp, roast and even boil makes it the most versatile appliance on my counter.
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