To live to a long age ideally you need to eat healthily, stay as active as physically possible, and source food that is nutritious and rich in vitamins. The problem that most people have is that they simply don’t have the time to think about food and its nutritional value but rather opt for something quick and easy when they come home from work after a long day.
This is why you need these carefully curated healthy air fryer recipes to keep you eating well throughout the week, and you’ll find that great-tasting food doesn’t necessarily need to take hours to cook, nor be drenched in copious amounts of oil.
You simply need to make the most of the ingredients that you do have, work within your budget, and find alternatives to ingredients you love for others that are similar but healthier.
#1. Chicken Fajitas
The great thing about this dish is that you don’t even realize how healthy it is until you make it yourself and see that there is minimal oil used, and even the oil you do use is a few teaspoons worth it when using olive oil is perfectly fine.
Then, the chicken is a lean protein keeping you well on track with your diet, paired with sweet and savory peppers and a generous amount of paprika, even smoked paprika is amazing. This is feel-good food without the calories, so getting over that mid-week hump we all despise is overshadowed by a delicious dinner.
Finding healthy air fryer recipes that are so simple makes cooking fun again, and the meal is done before you know it. Simply spice and toss all the ingredients together to coat evenly and pop everything into the fryer basket to cook till the chicken is done. Shake the mix halfway through to keep the rapid air circulation flowing and to ensure an even cooking process.
Juicy pieces of meat that fall apart and melt in your mouth when you chew it is just the kind of convection oven healthy recipes you need to have in your collection.
This may be a simple dish, but it is elegant and works for so many functions from appetizers for friends or family that visit, thread onto skewers with veggies for a BBQ, or even just piled high onto a platter with a garlicky butter sauce on the side to dip into.
And depending on how you like your meat to cook you can leave it a little longer in the fryer for up to around 12-15 minutes to get an even crisp coating on the outside, or less crispy but cooked to a medium-rare consistency then give them a check at around the 10-minute marker.
Steak cooked is a great source of protein, a good choice to have in your lunch bag for work to snack on and be fueled for the gym session after work. Some people prefer meat with all the fat edging completely taken off, but a little fat helps keep the endurance going to help you get that last set in.
If you already incorporate fish into your weekly dinner or lunch menu rotation then you are one step ahead of so many people who more often than not only eat fish if they go to a restaurant or if they see it on special at the supermarket.
But, fish is one of the best protein sources you can have, rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are great for preventing and reducing inflammation, significantly aids digestion, and offers a generous dose of potassium.
That being said, finding these easy air fryer healthy recipes changed my mind about fish, and even more so this taco version which when packed into a taco shell and topped with fresh homemade salsa is divine.
Line these up on a platter and serve topped with lemon coriander your guests will quickly grab for a second helping. A light meal, perfect for those warm summer months, and when using gluten-free taco shells or tortilla wraps make this carb-free. A winning dish that fills the gap.
Growing up my grandmother always believed it was better to use yogurt in your meals than milk, and she was not wrong. The natural bacteria in the yogurt, especially when using thick Greek yogurt, act as a natural immune protector and keeps the digestive system moving in your body.
I found this dish great for kids too, so when my family and nieces and nephews come round I make sure to have a big platter of these for them to grab from. They are easy to pick up without filling falling out everywhere, and because the carrots are already combined and cooked in the mixture, the kids don’t even realize they are eating healthy veggies.
We adults give each other a high five, the kids eat vegetables, and all seems right in the world.
Try gluten-free wraps to keep it super low carb or even almond flour tortillas to make the whole dish keto-friendly, and while they are frying, brush them with melted butter in the last couple of minutes to get that extra crisp to them and an even more golden hue.
A winner all around and a dish that ticks all the boxes.
Mushrooms are a great meal filler, reasonably cheap to buy so they are easy on the wallet, and when paired with garlic you can’t go wrong. I eat mushrooms at least once a week, they are so versatile and can easily be adapted or added to any recipe and somehow they just work together.
What I do enjoy about this dish is that it is so easy even beginners can make it successfully, and a great place to start if you are new to the world of cooking. Feel free to tweak and edit the herbs or specific ingredients in the recipe if you have allergies or preferences, but in just 10 minutes of cooking and a shake halfway through, these mushrooms make a super side serving to add to the dining table.
I love cooking, in general, but find effortless convection oven healthy air fryer recipes like these make life so much more efficient, and I have time to get the rest of the meal together without stressing. Make these ahead of time to refry for a few seconds when guests arrive, serve with a brushing of melted butter to keep the sheen, and a good sprinkle of fresh parsley to top it all off.
#6. Perfectly crispy and crunchy Air Fryer Pickles recipe
Vegetables that have been pickled or brined have been around for centuries and are the best way to preserve foods, but also extremely good for the body. I never used to like pickles or gherkins but since trying these at a party once I decided to give them a second chance by making them at home to be in control at every step of the process so I could see what was going on.
And it was so quick and easy, that I ended up making a double portion because I was snacking along the way and picking at them.
The crunchy skin is beautifully firm but not overwhelming that you break your teeth to chew it, and the tartness of the pickle itself goes superbly with the crumbed exterior. I used almond flour for my egg wash and flour panning stages to keep it keto-friendly, and it turned out brilliantly.
A big bowl of these and a sweet chili dipping sauce or even a gorgonzola cream cheese dip and you can eat just these for lunch and be completely satiated. You always want to look for healthy convection oven recipes that don’t cost a fortune and are great on their own or as part of a meal.
#7. Insanely juicy chicken breasts in the air fryer
I have always steered clear of chicken breasts because unless you keep an eye on them like a hawk while cooking they always end up dry and chewy, and completely put me off chicken breasts. But I had been reading rave reviews about chicken being done in the air fryer and being the juiciest thing anyone has ever tasted, so I knew I had to jump on this dish.
The difference I believe that makes it so flavorful is that you essentially massage the rubbing paste into the meat and get into all the nooks and crannies that may be missed by a simple brushing over. I even like to save some for halfway during the cooking time to give it another quick smothering of the basting rub and intensify the flavor as much as possible while sealing in those meaty juices. And it worked flawlessly.
There was some skepticism I will admit, but having now cooked and tried it myself, chicken breasts are now back in the dinner rotation men. Serve these whole with cauliflower rice, or slice it up to toss into a salad for light lunch during the summer months when all mealtimes call for outdoor dining.
Quick and easy with every day pantry basics, this dish is a winner every time.
Just like chicken turkey is a white meat that is lean and easy to use in so many recipes, and if you have ever seen a turkey breast or leg you will know the sheer size could keep you fed for a month. Buying a few portions of turkey parts to keep in the freezer is always good for a rainy day, and taking out one portion could essentially feed an army as they say.
A 2-step dish and you have a ready meal sounds too good to be true? Well, believe it. Easy air fryer healthy recipes that are a one-pot wonder make meal times a breeze.
Everything is mixed in the bowl till all the spices and seasonings are incorporated, and then formed into uniformed-sized meatballs popped into the fryer basket. You could enjoy these with celeriac mash and homemade gravy, or as a big bowl piled high for picky nibbles when having guests over.
I loved this recipe because it was almost too easy for words, took only 10 minutes to cook, and the meat was juicy and moist and the outside firm and crispy, perfect in a bite. If you want an effortless filling dish then look no further, dinner this evening is going to be a breeze.
And you can store any leftovers in the fridge for the next day, reheat just as deliciously in the air fryer for several minutes, or make a double batch and freeze half of the un-fried balls for later in the month.
This is everything as impressive as you see in the picture and recipe card, and everyone on the dining table will for sure cheer or clap or be speechless and how good it looks, I didn’t think so till I tried it as a surprise one Sunday lunch and the family shrieked.
Onions are one of those veggies that are rarely the star of the show but always the complimenting, sautéing addition needed to get the dish moving. Now it can confidently hold its own at the table and it is a true crowd-pleaser, even for non-onion lovers.
I will say I did swap out the milk and flour for almond versions to keep me in ketosis and on my eating plan, but I don’t think it made that much of a difference, and no one noticed either.
The trickiest part about the dish is cutting the onion, I will say I had a few tries (and a bath of onions that needed chopping up for other uses) but once you get the hang of it, the slicing becomes second nature. And as you pull apart the pieces to make the onion ‘bloom’ essentially, even you will feel a thrill of excitement to see how it turns out golden and gorgeous. A dish to impress, and if you want to just make it for yourself to enjoy with some sweet chili mayo, why not.
There is something funny about Brussel sprouts that make people either love them or hate them, never something in between, but after giving this recipe a go, you will wonder what the fuss about steering clear of them was all about. They are amazing.
And so good for you too. They are classified along with the other cruciferous veggies for their contributing nutrients that fight cancers within the various organs and keep your heart regular to rule out the risk of heart disease and prevent high blood pressure.
When I make these I particularly like the edges to be burnt, almost charred, so I leave them in for a little longer but this is optional. Soak in water once you have cut off the stalk and halved them, and season generously with both a simple salt and pepper combination or even a bit of Cajun to crank up the heat a bit.
Pop in the fryer for around 12-15 minutes depending on the strength of your air fryer, and give the basket a good shake at 5-minute intervals. Serve as is with a touch more salt or sprinkle parmesan over the top for added richness. I have even crumbled over some blue cheese I had leftover in the fridge that needed using up and it was divine, one of my top serving choices.
Who said that all healthy food had to be savory, a treat of something sweet once in a while is more than welcomed, and prevents you from overindulging when you do get your hands on something non-savory.
Apples are a good choice for a healthy treat because they tend to be in season year-round depending on the variety, but even the green sour apples work well, as the sweetness helps to balance it out nicely.
The title says 5 minutes and that is just what it takes, I couldn’t believe it. I was craving something but had no will or energy to be baking something or thinking of a sweet dessert, flipping through my fryer recipes (because we all know they have food ready to go in less than 30 minutes) and I came across this recipe.
I tried it and it was heaven in a bite. I then proceeded to have it for the next two nights without guilt, I loved it. Quick and easy, a generous coating of butter and gluten-free crackers, cinnamon, and an erythritol sugar sweetener version (my personal choice) but sugar as per the recipe card, and just 5 minutes of your time.
Dessert has never been this delicious and healthy at the same time.
The world’s best ingredient hands down (in my humble opinion) and now finding a great air fryer healthy recipe to make it without all the oil and grease, my dreams have come true.
Usually, people would make their bacon strips in a pan with oil or butter but unless you have a lid on it there tend to splatter everywhere making clean up afterward a dreaded nightmare. And then with the lid on, it never gets as crispy as you like it, until now.
The air fryer bacon version is the only way I cook bacon now, grease-free, effortless clean-up, and they are as crunchy or as flexible as my heart desires at the time.
Making a big batch of these is a must, to have in the fridge at all times. I have them as snacks to nibble on when I’m feeling peckish but don’t want to cook a whole meal, cut up into squares to sprinkle over and through my lunch salad, or even added to almond-flour pancakes with butter and lemon for a gorgeous sweet and savory combination.
There is nothing better and this recipe will more than likely remain at the top of the collection.
I love a dish where the serving container is edible. Living in Europe and traveling around the Balkans I have had my fair share of stuffed peppers which is traditional to these nations, but never have I tried them in the air fryer.
They are gorgeously tender yet still hold their shape, and mixing in the ground beef and rice (I used cauliflower rice for a healthier, more low-carb option) everything cooks in its juices while absorbing and taking on the flavors of the other ingredients.
A flavorful meal that is ready in under 30 minutes, serve it with thick Greek yogurt to add freshness to the meal and overall taste but to allow the pepper and its contents to be the star of the show. The peppers are ready when the cheese you added in the final cooking minutes is melted, serve hot.
This is a filling dish and hits the spot every time, if it’s been a long day then this comfort food will take your blues away.
This may not be everyone’s favorite vegetable but it is certainly a winner in my book.
I have since doubled and sometimes tripled (when I have time to make hundreds to portion and freeze down for later in the month-yes you can cook them from frozen) the recipe yield to make sure there are enough to balance out my snacking and constant taste testing along the way.
Wash and trim the beans, coat in coconut or almond flour, and then in the egg. Shake off the excess and cover generously with the gluten-free crumbs or flour-free panko mix which has the parmesan in it. Fry for 5 minutes and enjoy.
I will say that not over-crowding the air fryer allows the rapid air circulation to work its magic and the beans crisp up well. If you plan to freeze them for later, do it after the crumbing stage and before frying. Lay them flat on parchment paper in the freezer till hard and then transfer to a zip lock bag or if possible a hard-cased container so they don’t get squashed.
There is something about spicy food that although our mouth feels like it is on fire, we go back for more, and these poppers do just that.
Sure they are filled with velvety smooth low carb creamed cheese and bacon, the heat still comes through, and even the strong cheddar on top that melts and smothers the entre popper is no match for the kick.
Spicy food is a great metabolism booster and many gym users claim that they eat a spicy meal at the beginning of the day they are going to train to kick start the metabolism, or at the very end of the day to increase the fat-burning process they just kicked into gear at the gym before heading home.
I usually enjoy these as is because what else do you need, they have all the goodness neatly wrapped into a spicy case, and the cheese dissolves in your mouth leaving you wanting more. Who knew convection oven healthy recipes could bring so much to the table.
Line these up on a platter for your friends to dig into, but be sure to have a few extra because there will be some who come for second helpings.
I love sweet potatoes and finding healthy air fryer recipes that turn one of the best veggies into crisps, I am all for it. I make big batches of these when I do make them so I have a few portions to snack on at work or in the car throughout the week rather than grabbing a vending machine bag of crisps that is filled with unwanted additives and preservatives.
If you have a mandolin or slicing machine I highly recommend using it so you can get all the pieces the same size as much as possible, otherwise be careful with a knife and go slow. You don’t want them to be wafer-thin or they will burn quickly, but then also not too thick or they won’t crisp up and you have something similar to apple crisps.
Fry for around 7-9 minutes but keep a close eye on them towards the end because that crunch and crispiness can soon turn to burnt.
A nice change to the chip and dip appetizer serving, and great to scatter little bowls full around a part for people to pick at.
Fruit is so versatile to add to your diet, and there are hundreds of choices, sure some are better than others in terms of sugar content, but it is so much tastier when the dish is homemade.
I have heard of and seen deep-fried bananas in usually a thick batter, and then dipped into a bathtub of oil, so finding an oil-free version that tastes just as good if not better as an experiment I wanted to try.
Bananas are high in fiber and potassium so good for keeping your digestive system working and regular and are filling too so you stay satiated for longer preventing naughty snacking habits. And you don’t need to because these are so quick to make the moment you feel that sugar-craving monster poke its ugly head out.
Combine everything except the bananas, then peel and halve the bananas and toss them in the sauce to coat completely. Place in the fryer basket on a sheet of foil with holes poked into it to prevent the bananas from sticking to it once the sugar begins to caramelize, and fry for 5 minutes on one side, flipping over for a further 3 minutes.
Enjoy with ice cream or even a dollop of heavy whipped cream, a low-carb dessert never tasted so good.
The humble carrot that seems to have stood the test of time, often under-estimated and under-utilized, but so highly versatile in hundreds of recipes from sweet to savory and everything in between.
This effortless dish needs only 3 ingredients, 10 minutes of cooking time, and you have ready carrots to add to the main course, throw into a bowl with a dollop of butter and sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, or left to cool for lunch box and meal prep. There is something everyone can use.
We spray the carrots to increase the crispiness of the exterior while the internal flesh is fork-tender and I l like to use avocado oil spray because it has a higher burning point and adds a subtle extra flavor. But regular oil spray works just as well if that is what you have on hand, just keep an eye on them giving them a few shakes halfway through.
A great color pop to the dining table, and a delicious veggie option to add to a crudité platter.
Eating healthy is often mistaken for eating bland, tasteless food that has been cooked to death to rid it of the carbs and calories, but this couldn’t be more wrong. You want healthy air fryer recipes to keep you eating well throughout the week and without all the grease.
Tasty food doesn’t only mean baked or deep-fried, the air fryer is a brilliant addition to the kitchen, and if you enjoy these easy-to-follow recipes be sure to head to our blog for more simple air fryer recipes for the upcoming work week.
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.
