10+ Healthy Air Fryer Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

10+ Healthy Air Fryer Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Using an air fryer is a solid way to whip up meals that are both tasty and better for you. You get to enjoy your favorites with less oil, which means fewer empty calories and less guilt.

Healthy air fryer recipes make it easy to cook up nutritious meals in a snap.

Close-up of healthy air fryer dishes with crispy vegetables and lean proteins on a white marble countertop.

You don’t need to be a seasoned chef to get the hang of an air fryer. It works for so many dishes, from veggies to snacks and proteins.

If you like experimenting, you’ll find plenty of healthy air fryer options that fit your cravings and health goals. Eating well doesn’t have to mean fussing in the kitchen for hours.

1) Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Close-up of a cooked salmon fillet with lemon slices and dill on a white marble countertop.

You can throw together a fresh, healthy salmon dish in your air fryer in no time. Lemon and dill bring a pop of flavor without piling on calories.

It’s a weeknight dinner that feels a bit special but takes maybe 15 minutes. The salmon comes out flaky and moist, with a crisp edge that’s just right.

You’ll only need a handful of ingredients. Honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 1 lemon (sliced and juiced)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Brush salmon with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. Lay the salmon in the air fryer basket.
  4. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily.
  5. Squeeze lemon juice over the fillets and scatter on the dill.
  6. Serve while it’s hot.

For more, check out this air fryer salmon with lemon dill recipe.

2) Crispy Chicken Tenders with Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs

Close-up of golden crispy chicken tenders coated with whole wheat breadcrumbs on a white marble countertop.

You can get crispy chicken tenders with a healthy twist by using whole wheat breadcrumbs. Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper.

Dip each piece in beaten eggs, then coat them well with the breadcrumbs. The air fryer does the rest, crisping the outside without drowning everything in oil.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Toss the tenders in and cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them once so both sides get golden.

You end up with juicy chicken and a crunchy coating—no deep fryer needed. It’s a quick fix for lunch or dinner when you just want something easy.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken tenders
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
  3. Beat the eggs in a bowl.
  4. Dip chicken in eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs.
  5. Arrange tenders in a single layer in the basket.
  6. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  7. Sprinkle the rest of the salt before serving.

Get the full details at this air fryer chicken tenders recipe.

3) Air Fryer Baked Potato with Olive Oil and Herbs

Close-up of a baked potato with olive oil and herbs on a white marble countertop.

Making a baked potato in the air fryer is honestly so simple. Rub your potato with olive oil to get the skin crispy while the inside stays fluffy.

Sprinkle on your favorite herbs—rosemary, thyme, parsley—and a little salt. That’s all it takes to boost the flavor.

Toss the potato in at 400°F (200°C) and let it cook for 40 to 50 minutes. Flip it halfway for even crispiness.

You don’t need to turn on the oven or use much oil. The result is a potato that’s healthy, filling, and way better than a microwaved one.

Ingredients

  • 1 large potato
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon mixed dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the potato.
  2. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and herbs.
  3. Place in the air fryer basket.
  4. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 40-50 minutes.
  5. Flip halfway through.
  6. Poke with a fork to check if it’s soft inside.

4) Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles

Close-up of turkey meatballs on zucchini noodles on a white marble surface.

Turkey meatballs in the air fryer are quick and come out perfectly juicy. Crank the temp up to 400°F (200°C) and you’re good to go.

Pair the meatballs with zucchini noodles—zoodles, if you’re feeling fancy. They’re light, healthy, and let you skip the carb-heavy pasta.

Mix up the turkey with seasonings like garlic, oregano, and a little parmesan. Shape into meatballs and air fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, turning them once.

Serve the meatballs over the zoodles with your favorite tomato sauce. It’s a meal that feels fresh and comes together fast.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz ground turkey
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups zucchini noodles
  • 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, and spices in a bowl.
  2. Shape into small meatballs.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Place meatballs in the basket.
  5. Cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking or turning once.
  6. Warm tomato sauce while meatballs cook.
  7. Serve meatballs on zoodles with sauce.

5) Marinated Chicken in White Wine and Lemon Juice

Close-up of marinated chicken cooked with white wine and lemon juice on a white marble countertop.

Marinate chicken thighs in white wine and lemon juice for a dish that’s bright and flavorful. The marinade keeps things juicy and adds a fresh twist.

Let the chicken soak for about five hours, or overnight if you’re patient. The longer, the better, honestly.

When you’re ready, cook the chicken in your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) until it’s done. You’ll get tender chicken with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

  • 5 skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix white wine, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Add chicken thighs and marinate for at least 5 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  4. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket.
  5. Cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  6. Make sure the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C) before serving.

6) Air Fryer Tuna Pasta Bake

Close-up of a baked tuna pasta dish with melted cheese on a white marble surface.

Tuna pasta bake in the air fryer? Yep, it works. You get a crispy, cheesy top and everything cooks fast.

Mix cooked pasta with tuna and your favorite sauce. Pile on some shredded cheddar and let the air fryer do its thing.

Set it to 350°F (180°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes. The cheese melts and gets golden, and the whole thing is ready before you know it.

This one’s perfect for a quick lunch or when you just want comfort food without waiting forever.

Ingredients

  • 200g cooked pasta
  • 2 tins of tuna
  • Pasta bake sauce or tomato sauce
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Mix pasta, tuna, and sauce in a bowl.
  3. Scoop into an oven-safe dish that fits the air fryer.
  4. Top with cheddar cheese.
  5. Cook for 8-10 minutes until hot and the cheese is bubbly.

Full recipe here: Air-fryer tuna pasta bake recipe.

7) Pork Kofte with Yogurt Sauce

Close-up of pork kofte topped with yogurt sauce on a white marble countertop.

Pork kofte is easy to pull off in the air fryer. Just mix the pork with spices and herbs, then shape into small kebabs.

The air fryer cooks the kofte quickly, keeping them juicy and flavorful. Less oil, less hassle.

Whip up a quick yogurt sauce—just plain yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. It cools down the spice and adds a creamy finish.

Serve the kofte with the sauce on the side. Add a salad or some roasted veggies if you want to round things out.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Combine pork, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  3. Shape into small oval patties.
  4. Place kofte in the basket.
  5. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until browned and cooked through.
  6. Mix yogurt with lemon juice and a pinch of salt for the sauce.
  7. Serve hot with yogurt sauce.

More on pork kofta in the air fryer here.

8) Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbreads

Close-up of Mediterranean vegetable flatbreads topped with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs on a white marble countertop.

You can whip up Mediterranean vegetable flatbreads in the air fryer in almost no time. They’re just right for a light meal or when you want a snack that doesn’t feel like junk food.

The veggies get a little charred and crisp, which brings out their best flavors. I love topping my flatbread with a mix of red onion, artichoke hearts, and bell peppers for that colorful, Mediterranean vibe.

A bit of soft goat cheese and some fresh basil on top adds a creamy, herby finish. If you want, drizzle a touch of olive oil before serving for extra richness.

The air fryer gives the flatbread a crispy base without a ton of oil. It’s honestly a super simple way to eat something healthy and tasty without much fuss.

Ingredients

  • Flatbread
  • Red onion, sliced
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Bell peppers, sliced
  • Goat cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Olive oil (optional)
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Take the flatbread out of its packaging and lay it in the air fryer basket.
  3. Pile on the red onion, artichokes, and bell peppers.
  4. Cook for around 8 minutes, until the veggies are tender and the edges go crispy.
  5. Add goat cheese and basil after cooking.
  6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and you’re good to go.

9) Falafel with Tahini Sauce

Close-up of golden falafel balls topped with tahini sauce on a white marble surface.

Falafel in the air fryer is seriously a game changer. The outside crisps up nicely, but the inside stays soft—no deep fryer required.

Serve your falafel with a generous drizzle of creamy tahini sauce. That nutty, tangy sauce just works so well with all the spices.

You can tuck the falafel into pita bread or just snack on them with fresh veggies. Either way, it’s a solid, healthy option.

Air frying makes things easy and keeps oil to a minimum. Just heat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for about 10-12 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For tahini sauce:

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Water to thin
  • Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Drain the chickpeas and blend them with onion, garlic, parsley, and spices until you get a coarse mix.
  2. Shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Lightly brush or spray the falafel with olive oil.
  5. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping them halfway through.
  6. Mix tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and just enough water to make it smooth.
  7. Serve the falafel with the tahini sauce and dig in.

Need more ideas? Check out this healthy air fryer falafel recipe.

10) Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli

Close-up of cheesy baked potatoes topped with broccoli on a white marble countertop.

Cheesy baked potatoes with broccoli are about as cozy as it gets, and the air fryer makes them super easy. Start by scrubbing your potatoes and poking them with a fork—don’t skip this step, or you’ll regret it.

Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on a little salt. Pop them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 25-35 minutes, flipping once so they cook evenly.

When they’re done, slice the potatoes open and pile in steamed broccoli. Top everything with a generous handful of shredded cheddar cheese and let it melt.

It’s a quick dinner that feels comforting without being heavy. Honestly, it’s hard to beat.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium potatoes
  • 1 cup broccoli florets (steamed)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Grab your potatoes and pierce them all over with a fork.

  2. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle on some salt.

  3. Pop them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C). Let them cook for 25-35 minutes. Flip them over halfway through—don’t forget!

  4. While the potatoes do their thing, steam your broccoli.

  5. Once the potatoes are done, cut them open. Add your steamed broccoli and pile on the cheese.

  6. Slide everything back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese gets nice and melty.

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