Table of Contents
About Air Fryer and Air Fryer Meal Prep:
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven designed to simulate deep frying without submerging the food in oil. A fan circulates hot air at high speed, producing a crisp layer via browning reactions such as the Maillard reaction. Some product reviewers claim that regular convection ovens or convection toaster ovens produce better results or that air frying is essentially convection baking under a trendy new name.
If you’re looking for deep fryer food preparation ideas, you’ve come to the right place.
With a good fryer, you can enjoy fried foods with fewer calories and guilt-free. But here’s the shooter. It takes less time to air fry food, so preparing food with this tool is game-changing.
That said, let’s take a closer look at some healthy and easy meal prep ideas. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Are Air Fryers Good for Meal Prep?
Definitely. You can use your deep fryer for fries and chicken wings, but you’ll be surprised how useful and versatile this appliance can be for you and your family.
One of the biggest benefits of air fryers is that you can make crispy, flavorful food using just a spray of grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil, not a huge amount for cooking.
Thanks to the small space and the high-powered fan that provides air circulation, your meal is prepared quickly. It’s a portable and lightweight device that won’t take up too much kitchen counter space.
The only drawback of air fryers is that they are not suitable for large families (more than four people). You can’t prepare tons of meals at once. That is, you will have to cook in batches.
Many people confuse air fryers with ready-made pots. However, they are completely different. If you have a good deep fryer at home, the next tips will make your cooking even easier. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
5 Tips For Successful Air Frying
- Do not overfill the basket. An overcrowded basket lengthens the cooking process and produces uneven results.
- When preparing a batch, the latter will cook a little faster, as the unit is already hot. However, you should always preheat your fryer for faster results.
- Shake potatoes, chicken wings, vegetables and other foods at least halfway through cooking time. This will prevent burning.
- When cooking fish, set your fryer to a lower temperature than recommended to prevent the outside from drying out.
- If you prefer a crispier skin, put the meat side up, as the fryers heat from the top. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Air Fryer Meal Prep: 30 Healthy & Easy Recipes For You
The list below starts with air fried chicken as it is the most popular fried food worldwide. You can easily prepare chicken wings in your air fryer or some of the next perfect recipes. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
1. Air-Fried Chicken Sandwich
If you’re craving fried chicken, why not make a sandwich? It is one of the most popular recipes in the world that will satisfy your craving.
The best part? It is well prepared and easy to prepare. You can use leftover chickens in your refrigerator. Follow the next recipe for tips. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
2. Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders And Sauce Of Your Choosing
Air fryers can be served as a weeknight dinner or game day appetizer. You can combine them with tortilla chips and a sauce of your choice. I prefer avocado dressings.
However, you can dip it in anything you like, including yogurt, tomato sauce, chili sauce, chick elephant sauce, or anything else. Watch the video below for instructions. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
3. Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? It’s freezer friendly and you can easily reheat leftover nuggets in your fryer. Air-fried chicken wings taste even better. You can serve it with roasted vegetables, different salads or garlic bread as a side dish for lunch or dinner. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
4. Air-Fryer Chicken Flautas Or Taquitos
You perceive leftovers as boring until you buy a deep fryer. However, they are far from boring. Next time you have chicken left in the fridge, cook up some chicken taquitos/flautas.
Tortilla shells are perfectly cooked in the air fryer. They’re also freezer-friendly, so you can easily place them in an airtight container and air-fry them in the future by following the next recipe. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
5. Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs
Chicken legs have a superior taste. That’s why they are my favourite. With the air fryer, you will get crispy outside, juicy inside and perfectly cooked chicken legs. They go well with barbecue sauce or any other sauce of your choice. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
6. Everything But The Bagel Chicken Wings
This recipe includes seasoned chicken like anything bagel, but there’s no bread in this recipe. I love this dish because it’s rich in protein and a great source of healthy fats because of the seeds. The best part? It is easy to make by following the next recipe. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
7. Stuffed Chicken Parm
While this recipe isn’t low in fat and carbs, it’s delicious. Chicken breasts are stuffed with mozzarella and topped with grated parmesan and light marinara sauce. I love this dish as it is rich in protein. It can be served as lunch or dinner with roasted vegetables, bread or salad on the side. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
8. Chicken Potstickers
Chicken pots crisp up nicely in the air fryer. So it’s only natural to include them in this list of best air fry food prep ideas. It’s easy to prepare from scratch and make great appetizers. If you’re looking for the perfect comfort food, look no further than chicken potters. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
9. Bang Bang Chicken Wings
It’s easy to prepare wings in your fryer as it’s faster than a conventional oven. It’s also less messy than a regular fryer. You can coat the wings with potato starch and egg whites to keep their calorie content low. Or cook it plain for extra flavor and dip it in a sweet chili Bang Bang sauce. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
10. Zucchini Fritters
You can enjoy pumpkins in many ways. I fried them in the air. They are my go-to food when I want a quick and healthy snack. This easy recipe takes about 15 minutes in the deep fryer and makes a great appetizer. Sprinkle with some grated cheddar cheese or parmesan and enjoy. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
11. Brussel Sprouts With Dijon Aioli
This dish is very popular for good reason. Brussels sprouts will look golden and crispy in your deep fryer. But here’s the shooter. They’re easy to do. And you’ll want to pair them with Dijon Aioli for a boost in flavor. It takes a minute to prepare and pairs nicely with Brussels sprouts. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
12. Cauliflower Balls With Pesto Dipping Sauce
Did you know you can make cauliflower in a deep fryer? Relax, it’s not as complicated as it seems. They’re just air-fried rice balls made with cauliflower rice. You can pair it with pesto dipping sauce or any other sauce of your choice. This recipe will only take 10 minutes of your time. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
13. Corn Ribs
If you’re looking for the perfect snack, side or appetizer, look no further than corn ribs. The air fryer will prepare them for you in just 10 minutes. Watch the video below for instructions. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
14. Air-Fryer Asparagus
If you are vegan or vegetarian, this dish is for you. Asparagus is another vegetable that cooks beautifully in the deep fryer. Season your asparagus with some grapeseed oil, salt, and pepper for cooking.
Then, toss it in your fryer. This recipe is suitable for any diet, including Keto, Paleo, and Whole30. You can pair it with meat, pasta or anything else of your choice and have a healthy side dish. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
15. Baked Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for something easy to make, baked sweet potatoes are the perfect choice for you. I’m not a big fan of sweet potatoes.
However, my family and friends love them, especially air fried. It turns out crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside in just 40 minutes. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
16. Air Fryer Delicious Baked Potato
I may not be very fond of sweet potatoes, but I love regular potatoes in every way possible. It takes less time to cook the potatoes in your deep fryer. And they turn out great. You can serve them with different toppings like salsa, avocado, bacon or chili. They’re super versatile and super delicious. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
17. Mini Pizza
Did you know that you can make pizza from scratch and cook it in your deep fryer? You can either use a store-bought dough and add the ingredients you want, make a vegan or vegetarian dough from scratch, or bake frozen pizza. If you add raw meat on top, make sure it is cooked. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
18. Skinny Fish And Chips With Tartar Sauce
Fish and chips is a classic combination both in the UK and around the world. It is a pub dish of french fries and fried fish. You can easily fry both foods in your air fryer. You can use store-bought potatoes or make your own. A healthy meal that you can make by following the next recipe. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
19. Yummy Garlic Shrimps With Lemon
If you like seafood, fried shrimp will make you happy. They make a nice cuttable meal. And they’re just as delicious as the real thing, but without that greasy coating. The recipe needs some prep work. However, you can speed things up by purchasing pre-cooked and peeled shrimp. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
20. Honey Sriracha Salmon
If you like salmon, you’re in luck. You can cook salmon in the deep fryer in less than 10 minutes. Combine honey, garlic, water, lemon juice, soy sauce, sriracha hot sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. Marinate your salmon and put it in your basket. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook it correctly. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
21. Honey Mustard Pork Chops
If you’re a fan of pork chops, you can now cook them in the deep fryer. They pair well with honey mustard sauce. Serve the air-fried pork chop with mini potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or your favorite vegetables. Roasted vegetables make a great side dish, so get creative in the kitchen. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
22. Frozen Meatballs
Who makes their meatballs these days? You can run to the market and buy frozen meatballs. They make a delicious appetizer or part of a main course. My favorite thing about frozen foods is that they are easy to make, especially in the deep fryer. Check out the next video for details. (Air Fryer Meal Prep)
Watch this video for more information:
23. Crispy Beef And Broccoli
Are you a fan of Asian cuisine? If so, try the beef and broccoli today. The perfect combination for cooking and preparing meals at home. Remember to use your fryer pan or line the basket with aluminum foil to prevent the ingredients from losing all their juices. The next video explains it all.
Watch this video for more information:
24. Mouth-Watering Frozen Burgers
Cooking frozen burgers in a deep fryer is a walk in the park. It only takes a few minutes and cleaning is a breeze. You can serve them with some french fries and enjoy a healthier version of fast food.
Watch this video for more information:
25. Frozen Lasagna
Most of the time I do my best to prepare homemade lasagna, but when I’m not in the mood to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I order frozen lasagna online and cook it in my deep fryer. It is quite easy to make and goes well with different side dishes.
Watch this video for more information:
26. Fudgy Brownies
Dessert time! The air fryer is so versatile that you can use it to bake cakes. You don’t need a special cake tin for this recipe. Only use the baking tray in the accessory set.
Watch this video for more information:
27. Apple Fritters
If you’re a sweet lover like me, but don’t want to go crazy and eat cake by yourself, this dessert is for you. Apple pie is a healthy dessert. Each contains only 1 gram of fat. Watch the video below on how to prepare delicious apple fritters in your air fryer.
Watch this video for more information:
28. Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts
This recipe consists of few ingredients but tastes great. Cinnamon sugar buns take 10 minutes to make. Follow the next steps and you’ll be enjoying fluffy and delicious donuts in no time. Keep leftover donuts fresh in the fridge and surprise your loved ones with a quick but unforgettable dessert.
Watch this video for more information:
29. French Toast Sticks
You can snack on these French toast sticks in the morning before work or school. They make a quick breakfast for those on the go, but they also work well as a side dish for a healthy breakfast. The air fryer will make them crunchy on the outside and delicious and soft on the inside.
Watch this video for more information:
30. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Speaking of breakfast, you can use the fryer to cook some hard-boiled eggs in the morning. It is more convenient than cooking eggs in a pot of boiling water.
Watch this video for more information:
Air Fry Everything
How did you find my list of deep fryer food prep ideas? Have you tried any of the above-mentioned recipes or want to share your own?
I’m a big fan of air fryers. If you share my passion for air fried food, you will find this article useful and varied. There is something for everyone.
Feel free to share your breakfast, dessert, dinner or lunch prep ideas in the comments. Also, share this article with other fryer enthusiasts.
Also, don’t forget to pin/bookmark and visit our blog for more interesting but original information. (Vodka And Grape Juice)
Thank you for providing the necessary information.