What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer? The Complete List

Quick Answer

You can cook almost anything in an air fryer that you'd normally fry, roast, or bake: chicken wings, salmon, french fries, vegetables, frozen foods, and even cookies. Avoid wet batters, large whole chickens, raw rice/pasta, and loose cheese.

RecipesQueen Editorial

Tested & verified in our kitchen

Everything you can (and can't) cook in an air fryer — from proteins to vegetables to desserts to reheating leftovers.

What Works Great

Proteins

Chicken wings, thighs, breasts, tenders
Salmon, shrimp, fish fillets
Steak (thin cuts), pork chops
Tofu

Vegetables

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower
Zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus
Sweet potatoes, regular potatoes
Frozen vegetables (no thawing needed)

Snacks & Sides

French fries (fresh and frozen)
Mozzarella sticks, egg rolls
Chicken nuggets, fish sticks
Croutons, nuts

Baked Goods & Desserts

Cookies, brownies (in a pan)
Apple chips, banana chips
Cinnamon rolls, biscuits

Reheating

Pizza (comes out crispy, not soggy like microwave)
Fried chicken, French fries
Roasted vegetables

What Doesn't Work

Wet batters — they drip through the basket
Large whole chickens — don't fit, cook unevenly
Raw rice or pasta — needs boiling water
Fresh cheese — melts everywhere
Leafy greens — blow around, burn

Our Best Air Fryer Recipes

[[RECIPE: air-fryer-chicken-wings]]
[[RECIPE: air-fryer-salmon]]
[[RECIPE: air-fryer-french-fries]]
[[RECIPE: air-fryer-roasted-vegetables]]
[[RECIPE: air-fryer-chicken-breast]]
[[RECIPE: air-fryer-frozen-vegetables]]

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Extra crispy chicken wings with no deep frying. The air fryer delivers restaurant-quality crunch with 80% less oil.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook a full meal in an air fryer?

Yes — cook protein first, then vegetables. Many air fryers have divider accessories for cooking multiple items simultaneously.

Can you bake in an air fryer?

Yes — cookies, brownies, muffins, and cinnamon rolls all work. Use an oven-safe pan or silicone mold that fits inside the basket. Reduce temperature by 25°F compared to oven recipes.

Is an air fryer just a small convection oven?

Essentially, yes — but the compact size means air circulates faster and more concentrated, creating crispier results than a full-size convection oven.

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