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5 Surprising Foods You Can Cook in an Air Fryer

  • By: Kitchen Informant
  • Date: March 20, 2024

5 Surprising Foods You Can Cook in an Air Fryer



5 Surprising Foods You Can Cook in an Air Fryer. Air fryers have become a popular appliance in many kitchens due to their ability to fry foods with little to no oil, resulting in healthier versions of fried favorites.

While it may be obvious that you can cook traditional fried foods such as French fries and chicken wings in an air fryer, there are a variety of other surprising foods that can be cooked to perfection in this appliance.

Here are five surprising foods you can cook in an air fryer:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

2 Grilled cheese sandwiches stacked on top of one another. The top sandwich is cut in half diagonally with melted cheese dripping out of it.


An air fryer can be used to make perfectly crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in an air fryer by following a few simple steps.

Start by buttering one side of each slice of bread and place the bread, butter side down, in the air fryer basket.

Next, add cheese between the slices of bread to make a sandwich. You can add additional ingredients, such as tomatoes or bacon, to the sandwich if you wish.

Finally, close the sandwich and cook it in the air fryer for approximately 5 to 7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Don’t walk away from the air fryer while it’s cooking because cooking times may vary depending on the model of air fryer you are using.

When the sandwich is done, take it out of the air fryer and enjoy!

Falafel

Falafal on a bed of lettuce with a small dish of white dip.


Falafel is a delicious Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, herbs, and spices. It is typically deep-fried but can also be made in an air fryer for a healthier option.

To make falafel in an air fryer, start by mixing together the chickpea or fava bean mixture with herbs and spices such as parsley, cilantro, cumin, and garlic.

Next, form the mixture into small balls or patties, and place them in the air fryer basket.

Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Serve the falafel in pita bread with toppings such as tahini sauce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Alternatively, you can also serve them as a side dish with hummus or yogurt sauce.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted Vegetables in a rectangular pan


Roasting vegetables in an air fryer is a convenient and healthy way to prepare a tasty side dish. Some great vegetables to use include broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.

To start:

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. While it’s heating up, wash and chop your chosen vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Toss the vegetables with a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer.
  4. Once the air fryer is preheated, place the vegetables in the fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally until they are tender and lightly browned.

Cooking time may vary depending on the type and thickness of the vegetables, so keep an eye on them as they cook.

Once they’re done, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately for a delicious and healthy roasted vegetable dish.


Hard-boiled eggs

Hard boiled eggs cut in half next to whole eggs in the shell.


Hard-boiling eggs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make perfectly cooked eggs.

To start, preheat your air fryer to 320°F.

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the eggs in the basket or on the tray of the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd them.

Cook the eggs for 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the eggs and your desired level of doneness.

Once done, carefully remove the eggs from the air fryer and place them in a bowl of ice water to cool down.

Once cooled, the eggs can be peeled and enjoyed as a healthy, protein-packed snack.

Frozen Pizza

A cooked frozen pizza sitting on a wooden surface.


Making frozen pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a crispy and delicious pizza without having to preheat your oven.

If your Air Fryer is too small to fit a whole pizza, you can cut it in half.

To start, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then, place the frozen pizza in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the crust and how many toppings on your pizza.

To ensure even cooking, you can rotate the pizza halfway through the cooking time.

Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, take it out of the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!



These are just a few examples of the many surprising foods that can be cooked in an air fryer.

From sandwiches and falafel to vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, this appliance can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes to crispy perfection.

So next time you’re looking for a healthier alternative to deep-frying, consider using your air fryer to cook up something unexpected.

Graphic for Pinterest of 5 Surprising Foods You Can Cook in an Air Fryer.