Eating low carb is not difficult when we have the right methods, and ingredients, and finding great low-carb air fryer recipes to keep you eating healthy is now easier than ever.
Too often people think that low-carb foods mean sticking to dry, lean meat, salads with no dressing, or avoiding anything that is fried, but this is not the case.
With the air fryer, you can have crispy, delicious dishes without the grease and clean-up is simple and quick. Enjoying cooking, especially after a long day at the office, can now be done even quicker with the same, if not better, results.
#1. Air Fryer Sausage Balls
If you wanted to find a quick dish these easy air fryer low-carb recipes with only 3 ingredients are the way forward. Who would have thought that you could enjoy dinner and use only a handful of ingredients, well, now you can.
This goes to show that you need quality rather than quantity ingredients and your meal can still be as delicious. Simply combine all the ingredients, and form them into bite-sized balls. What’s great about this dish is that we are using almond flour rather than regular wheat flour making it perfect for keeping up with a flourless, keto-eating lifestyle.
I like to be generous with the seasoning at this stage, even more so garlic, to bring out the meaty goodness, and place it into the fryer for 10 minutes. These are gorgeous as appetizers with a dipping sauce on the side, or mixed into zucchini noodles for a filling ‘pasta’ dinner.
You could even stuff these into gluten-free brioche buns with onions or homemade coleslaw for lunch box fillers to take with you to work. There is something for all times of the day to enjoy.
#2. 10-minute chicken and veggies in the air fryer
Mediterranean veg looks amazing on the plate, color bursting from all sides, and textures from crispy to soft and in between. This is one of the healthiest meals you will ever make, and it is filling too so you could make a big batch and have a few extra portions to live on for the rest of the week.
Budget-friendly supper meals like these convection oven low-carb recipes are a breeze to make, and best of all, they freeze and reheat well so you could meal-prep for the month if you have the time.
Simply cut all the ingredients into uniform-sized pieces, spice and season, (Italian seasoning has the best of everything so a great choice), and pop into the fryer basket to cook for 10-15 minutes depending on the strength of your fryer.
Give it a shake halfway through to flip the pieces over and allow the rapid air circulation blowing hot air to work its magic. This way the food is cooked and browned evenly and is done at the same time.
Serve with simple green leaves or tossed inside for a light summer salad, and if you are feeling like something more filling, why not enjoy it with cauliflower rice which is carb-free and with added veggies. Win-win.
Zucchini is such a customizable and versatile ingredient and is essentially made up mostly of water making it great for fitness and health, and staying on track with your active lifestyle.
And this is a superb dish because you don’t need any breadcrumbs to make it crispy and filling, the ultimate dish when looking for low-carb air fryer recipes.
I have even found this dish to be beginner-friendly, so friends of mine who stay over from abroad have been hands-on in the kitchen, it is so nice to make those moments and memories together and they learn something new, to take home with them.
Even if they haven’t cooked before with an air fryer, there are only a few steps to the dish and you are good to go. Slice and dice the zucchini and season with the rest of the ingredients, pop into the fryer for 12-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them (when I’m adding them to a salad I prefer them reasonably crispy to add texture), and serve them straight from the fryer basket.
Low carb has never tasted this good or looked this appealing and I was worried when opting for a healthier diet and having been recommended a low carb method that I would have nothing to eat (at least not something tasty), but I was mistaken.
These simple-to-follow low-carb convection oven recipes have shown me that healthy food can taste great too, and they were a breeze to make.
You can find the ready-to-use peppers in the produce or frozen section in the supermarket, but just as easy to buy whole mini peppers and prep them yourself, it takes a little more time but you also have the advantage to use the top half of the pepper for another recipe later on.
Then simply mix the cream cheese and seasonings, I like to be particularly generous with the garlic and onion powders to bring out the flavors in the cream cheese which can be bland, and then fill the pepper cups. Fry till the cheese is melted and golden and served on a platter.
An option for spring onion on top for a nice pop f color is a good choice and adds a touch of zest to each bite. A crowd-pleasing dish the family will rave about.
I was reading the recipe card for this dish and was a bit skeptical because it mentions to not pre-heat the air fryer as you do with so many, if not all, the fryer recipes, but after making it I saw why.
The ingredients cook reasonably quickly and when it is preheated the initial blast of air causes the meat protein to shrink and shrivel and you end up with a dryer, less aesthetically pleasing meal, and essentially, a waste of your time and ingredients.
Simply fill the fryer basket with the chicken for the first 10 minutes, then add in the broccoli and onion mix and cook for a further 10 minutes. Everything is ready once the chicken is fully cooked, check the internal temperature with a thermometer or take a piece out and cut it open to ensure there is no pink flesh.
A filling dish that looks great on a plate, tastes fantastic with the flavor combinations being so well-balanced and freezes well too so you could make a big batch and freeze half down for later in the month. Then pop it back in the fryer for several minutes to reheat.
A potato substitute to keep you eating low carb but still enjoying your favorite, generic takeout dishes in a new way.
Jicama is firm yet crisps up nicely in the fryer and with the subtle flavor you can season to your liking, sometimes opting for a bit of heat using Cajun and dried chili flakes, or a more easy-going option of BBQ or even plain salt (I like to use the pink Himalayan version for a nice touch of color, albeit subtle, but it is more kosher).
Slice into fries, season slightly, and cook for around 40 minutes, depending on the strength of your air fryer, and give them a flip or generous shake halfway through to increase the rapid air circulation blowing hot air to ensure an even cooking process.
They store well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an air-tight container but need reheating and crisping for 10 minutes again. A quick option for a healthy snack food when unwinding for the day, getting ready for the weekend, and when you don’t want to cook.
Yes, we all love pizza, to be honest, I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t. And for good reason too, it is so darn delicious. But, there is a downside, the endless carbs that come with it, leaving us feeling bloated and lethargic afterward and not wanting to move for the next hour. No thank you.
Well, now you can have the best of both sides of the coin, enjoy your all-time favorite dish, and eliminate the carb count and calories while doing so.
Zucchini has long been a versatile vegetable that has lent itself to hundreds of recipes successfully, and this one is no different.
The base is packed with natural vitamins and minerals and the toppings are endless, these are the kinds of healthy air fryer low-carb recipes that will change your life. Simple steps, top-quality ingredients, and a filling nutritious meal that keeps you eating healthily and on track with your meal plans.
Slice the baby marrow reasonably thick, and sprinkle with salt to excrete excess water. While that is happening, slice your pepperoni or other ingredients you want as toppings and take out your marinara sauce.
Then pat the slices dry and layer in the fryer basket without overlapping, top with the sauce and the pepperoni slices, a good sprinkle of cheese, and fry till the cheese is melted and golden. The zucchini will be firm yet fork tender and you have the goodness of pizza but with a healthy twist.
This is one of those more effort-worthy convection oven low-carb recipes that although it takes a bit more time from start to finish it is well worth it and it tastes divine. I like to make a significantly large batch because there are more steps involved than the usual recipes, but because it freezes well you can store it easily for later use.
With a keto-eating lifestyle your friends are going to be almond and coconut flour, these are the best alternatives to generic wheat flours, and won’t kick you out of ketosis when you use them. Having a few packets of these in your pantry will make life a whole lot easier and cooking that much simpler.
The key to this dish is the freezing of the breaded cheese sticks, this helps to keep them firm and crisp while the cheese softens and melts inside without running out all over the place by the time the exterior is golden and crispy.
You can enjoy these with a homemade spicy Italian tomato sauce which pairs perfectly with the subtle cheese flavor, or simply garlic mayo for a light bite. Be sure to use organic, whole ingredients when making your dips and sauces to keep them keto and low carb.
A perfect appetizer snack to serve to friends or guests, or to take with you to work for lunch when you need something to keep you going but not want a bready bap from the canteen.
I love this ingredient, it is by far one of the easiest to use, most versatile, but unfortunately underused vegetables. There are endless recipes that use cabbage as a main ingredient or a complementary additive, and on its own, it confidently holds its own as the star of the show.
Cabbage also has a whole host of health benefits, it is packed with nutrients that keep inflammation in the body regulated and prevent it from flaring up, and it has a good dose of vitamin C which we all know is the key to a strong immune system, is cabbage is great for digestion.
These simple facts alone make it my go-to veggie when shopping for dinner and snack meals but not sure what to make, as I know I can find something great to whip up and enjoy the benefits of its health properties.
This recipe takes only 20 minutes to complete, and is the perfect alternative to a crudité platter or makes for a great veggie side dish option. Flip the cabbage wedges or slices over around the 10-minute mark to get them charred and browned on both sides for added flavor.
Chicken has long since been a lean protein that people opt for to stay on track with their fitness and not add any unwanted and unnecessary calories, and made in the air fryer cuts down the cooking time, adds a good outer crisp, and needs minimal supervision.
And the best part, cleaning up afterward is a breeze.
The rub and paste made is easily customizable and can be made spicier or more subtle according to your preferences. Adding chili flakes for a bit of heat is a good way to increase your temperature to an extent which in turn kick starts your metabolism, and we could all use a moment for a faster metabolism right? The food is broken down quicker, the necessary nutrients absorbed, and the rest digested as needed.
You can make a few breasts to split between various dishes and meal preps from chicken slices for a salad, to add into a gluten-free bun with homemade coleslaw for a lunch box sandwich, or served on top of cauliflower rice for a feel-good dinner.
Pickles are essentially cucumbers that have been brined but are a great filling source of veggies when you want something other than your typical fried or roasted vegetable. I can eat pickles every day, the saltiness and tang of the brine brings out the flavors of the rest of the meal, and I always have a jar of these budget-friendly bites in the fridge.
Now, add to that the crunch and richness of ground pork rind and you have yourself a winning snack.
To keep these keto-friendly and most importantly low carb we use coconut flour, but almond flour works just as well. Coat them in the flour, dip them into the egg wash, and finally toss them in the seasoned ground pork rinds.
Lay them in a single layer in the fryer basket (you will more than likely need to do this in batches depending on the size of your basket), fry for 10 minutes, and flip halfway through the cooking time.
Serve immediately with your dipping sauce of choice and enjoy. This dish ticks a lot of the boxes you want in a great-tasting snack food from flavor to seasoning to texture, you have it all.
I could eat fries every day, I love them, but traditional potato fries are packed with carbohydrates and I just don’t enjoy the physical effects afterward. I feel lethargic, bloated, and heavy after eating potatoes, and what’s the point when you can rather have something similar and healthier.
Zucchini fries are a great alternative to have on the side your main course protein and are quick to make while the main course is in the oven.
Pat the fry-cut zucchini dry with a paper towel to absorb any water excreted, coat in the seasoned flour and into the egg, and layered into the fryer basket.
Fry till crisp and golden and drain on a paper towel to rid of any grease, although there is hardly any considering you are taking advantage of the rapid air circulation, and serve next to your cooked meat from the oven.
They also look great piled high on a platter with a dipping sauce, or part of a crudité platter for a veggie option with a different added texture and crunch.
I had never considered making chops in the air fryer for fear they would dry out and be chewy, but since trying these easy low-carb air fryer recipes I have had a change of heart. Simple, easy-to-follow, and a great tasting dish in just 20 minutes (depending on how thick your chops are).
Usually, I opt for a thicker cut because they have a good later of fat on the outside, and many people have the notion that ‘fat makes you fat,’ but the fat is rather the best source of energy to fuel your body to increase your endurance.
You can play around with the seasoning for these chops which makes them customizable to your liking, and you can make different flavors without much more effort so everyone at the table can have their favorite.
Pork chops pairs well with so many vegetables, and even cauliflower rice if you enjoy rice but don’t want the carbs. Homemade gravy is great to pour over and soak into the rice and cover the meat and adds even more flavor to the overall dish.
This is one of the easiest low-carb air fryer recipes I have seen yet, and since making it I rave about it to anyone who will listen.
What I found to be the best part of this dish was that everything is done in the fryer basket, from the seasoning to the mixing to the oiling, and you have a perfectly browned and charred dish at the end to the serve.
You can have a good portion of this next to a fresh green salad, or gluten-free wraps for a chicken tortilla wrap to take with you to the office. Slicing the ready ingredients thinner allows you to toss them with the salad leaves for a light summer salad meal that is filling but not overwhelmingly heavy.
Chicken is the perfect option to stay on track for a low-carb meal plan, and is one of the cheaper cuts of meat making it easy on the wallet and budget-friendly. Making a double or triple batch of this recipe is a good idea as the mix freezes perfectly and reheats from frozen just as well for use later in the month.
A magazine-worthy-looking dish that will wow your guests when you place it down on the dining table. Onions are so delicious and often seen as simply the go-to ingredient to add when sautéing other meats or proteins, but it is more than capable to hold their own as the main course.
You usually make this using generic flour but since we are keeping it as low carb as possible, almond flour is a perfect substitute and keeps you in ketosis (the fat-burning period of fasting when following a keto-friendly eating plan).
If you have a nut allergy then coconut flour or gluten-free flours are just as good.
This recipe might take a few tries initially till you work out all the kinks but once you have it down it becomes second nature to make and is well worth it when you plate it up and taste it.
A big onion gives that great blooming effect as it has many petals that make the wow factor, and once you see how quick it is to make, you could try with smaller onions for guests to have individual onions to be the ‘hostess with the monsters as the classic saying goes.
Try this as a culinary experiment to step out of your comfort zone, and who knows, it may well just becomes your signature dish.
Oh, the humble chicken wing. Many people opt for the breast or thigh of the chicken, but the wing has a generous amount of flavor and meat and is not used to its full potential.
The wings are also the cheaper option when it comes to chicken so you can buy a lot without the scary price point, and if buying in bulk freeze for later.
Frying in the air fryer rather than the deep fried-in-oil version makes it the perfect way to enjoy comfort food without all the grease.
And once they are cooked, not only do you have juicy, moist wings, but they are wrapped in gorgeously crispy skin so the balance in texture means it is even more delicious. Then you can choose to eat them as is because they will for sure be finger-licking good, or toss them in a homemade BBQ sauce or even a garlic butter sauce if you are like me who loves everything garlic.
Serve them on a big platter, and you will want to make a lot because once your guests taste these wings they will be gone in no time. A winning recipe that ticks all the boxes for effortlessness and taste.
This dish has something for everyone and can be made using raw or frozen cauliflower, so if you forgot to stop by the veggie shop on the way home you can still grab the handy bag of frozen florets you have tucked in the freezer.
I enjoyed trying this recipe when I came across it because it gives options of the coating to use from flour for a non-gluten-free option, or ground pork rinds or even better, gluten-free crackers for a more intense flavor profile.
Coat the florets with an oil spray (avocado oil is a good one because it has a higher burning point and adds flavor), but I more often than not use melted butter as the richness is deep and delicious. Then toss with your coating of choice and layer in the fryer basket to cook, and shake at intervals to keep the rapid air circulation flowing smoothly for an even cooking process.
A perfect accompaniment to the dinner table and even adamant meat-eaters will tuck into this dish, just be sure to tell vegetarians if you have opted for the pork rind coating. A must-have recipe in your collection.
A dish that ticks so many boxes, is perfect for multiple eating plans, and is done in only a few minutes, what more do you need from a dish?
The rub and seasoning are tailored to your preference, and once cooked you are left with gorgeously tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of steak that are crispy on the outside and packed with flavor.
These air fryer low-carb recipes are perfect for sticking to your gluten-free, paleo diet eating plans, and take no time at all to pull together. And you can use them as the perfect appetizers when entertaining guests, but also tossed in a wok with mushrooms and zucchini noodles for filling supper serving that will keep you satiated throughout the night.
Feel free to add dried chili flakes to your pre-seasoning, or sprinkle with freshly chopped chilies when serving. It goes well with so many ingredients and is a great way to get your protein requirement for the day.
Air fryer cooking has made life in the kitchen more efficient and effortless, and having a great collection of recipes to choose from is a must for saving time.
Time spent when you could be focused on more important things in life, like spending moments with friends and family.
A delicious recipe that brings back those great memories from your childhood spent at the fun fair, and which uses only 3 ingredients to recreate a healthier version is something that was like a blessing sent to me from above.
I love corn dogs, they are filling and tasty, and the perfect picky food to nibble at for your outdoor dining event, and they are so cute to look at too, especially when skewered on bamboo swizzle sticks or paddles for added impressiveness.
Making a fat head dough (as it is called in the keto eating plan) is simple, cheese and almond flour, this essentially makes the batter coat the sausages and you are good to go. Wrap the ready dough around the Vienna’s, place it in the fryer without touching each other, and fry till golden on all sides.
The sticks make it simple to pick up and eat without your fingers getting messy, and they are easily dipped into home sauces or even just garlic mayo which has become one of my favorites. An effortless dish that is comforting food at its best, amazing.
Low carb, amongst others, is becoming the way of the future for people who are opting to live longer and to do so in the healthiest way possible. Finding great low-carb air fryer recipes to keep you eating healthy is now a breeze, and the great dishes you can try and experiment with are more delicious than you may have initially thought.
Now you have a chance to try something new and for more great choices, head to our blog for other recipes to give a go and to add to your meal rotation menu.
Every day can be a chance to find what foods you like the best, and with the air fryer, these are ready in 30 minutes or less so you always have time for great-tasting dishes.
Born and raised in South Africa and being immersed in the rich culture, Candace soon found a passion for all things food related. Exploring and experiencing new flavors and taste profiles she pursued her career as a qualified chef in silver service specialized in fine dining.
