10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Make in an Air Fryer

Air-fried grilled cheese? Yes, please.

By: Heather Baird

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

Who Knew?

Yes, it's common knowledge that the air fryer can churn out perfectly-crispy french fries. But did you know that this magical machine can also handle hard-boiled eggs, grilled cheese and gooey crab Rangoon? Keep reading to snag some of our favorite unexpected treats you can whip up in this hot new kitchen appliance.

Bite-Size Churros

Bite-size churros are deliciously poppable! Whip up your favorite homemade churro batter and pipe onto baking sheets in 3-inch lengths. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. Cook the frozen dough in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Brush mini churros with butter and roll in cinnamon-sugar. For a truly decadent treat serve with salted caramel sauce.

Gooey Grilled Cheese

The best things in life are cheese, cheese and more cheese! Air-fried grilled cheese sandwiches are soft on the inside and crispy golden perfection on the outside. Simply place your favorite cheese between two pieces of thick sandwich bread, then smear with a scant amount of room temperature butter (about 2 teaspoons). Bake at 370 degrees F for 4 minutes, then flip and bake for another 3 minutes.

Crispy Apple Chips

Homemade apple chips are a healthy snack, but they can take more than an hour to bake in a regular oven. Air-frying greatly reduces the cook time and yields a crunchy, satisfying treat. Choose your favorite apple variety and slice it into quarter-inch rounds. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over the chips before serving.

Hard "Boiled" Eggs

An air fryer cooks eggs to perfect hard-boiled firmness. (Surprised? We were too!) Place six eggs straight from the refrigerator into the fryer basket. Cook at 300 degrees F for 12 minutes. Place the cooked eggs in cold water and the shells will peel away easily.

Corn on the Cob

Fried corn on the cob is bursting with sweet flavor! A standard fryer will hold about four medium ears of corn broken in half. Brush them lightly with olive oil and fry at 370 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. We suggest flake sea salt and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to finish.

Instant Garlic Bread

Crunchy garlic bread is just five minutes away! Slim baguettes, quartered, yield excellent results when air-frying. Lightly butter the centers of each piece of bread and add minced (or powdered) garlic. Fry two pieces at 350 degrees F for 5-6 minutes.

Air-Fried Pickles

Craving a salty bite? Fried pickles are just the thing! Thick-cut store-bought pickle chips work best in an air fryer. Pat pickles dry, dip them in beaten egg, then roll in panko breadcrumbs. Fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.

Mouthwatering Donuts (+ Donut Holes!)

Ordinary canned biscuits are transformed into golden, puffy donuts in just 5 minutes. Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter to remove the centers from the biscuits, and don't forget to save the donut holes! Work in batches of four and fry the donuts for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. Fry all of the donut holes at once for 3 minutes. Lightly brush hot donuts with butter and roll in cinnamon-sugar.

Crab Rangoon

Skip the deep-fryer for a healthier version of everyone's favorite take-out appetizer: Crab Rangoon! Use your favorite recipe and air fry for 5 minutes at 360 degrees F. Serve with ready-made duck sauce for the quickest fix.

Crunchy Croutons

Give day-old bread a gourmet makeover in the air fryer. Roughly cube bread and lightly brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the cubes with salt and pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes at 370 degrees F for extra-crunchy croutons.

10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Make in an Air Fryer

Related To:

Shop This Look

Who Knew?

Bite-Size Churros

Gooey Grilled Cheese

Crispy Apple Chips

Hard "Boiled" Eggs

Corn on the Cob

Instant Garlic Bread

Air-Fried Pickles

Mouthwatering Donuts (+ Donut Holes!)

Crab Rangoon

Crunchy Croutons

Make Your Own Natural Weed Killer

Make Your Home Smell Just Like Your Favorite Hotel With These Scented Products

20 Best Plants for Cleaning Indoor Air 21 Photos

10 Tips for Maintaining a Wood-Burning Fireplace

How to Make a Paper Airplane

10 Things to Know Before You Build a Pond

Related Pages