11 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less

When the goal is to get something on the table like, right now.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published September 02, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Air Fryer Salmon on a Plate with Lemon Wedges

Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

Are you on Team Air Fryer, too? I've dipped into guides on how to best use them, pulled together a list of air fryer dinners, and eaten plenty of my dad's favorite thing to make in an air fryer: bacon. One of the best things about an air fryer is how quick they can cook various foods, and the recipes below showcase that benefit perfectly—they all take 20 minutes or less to make. Air fryer salmon, crispy tofu, even burgers and hot dogs—which will you make first?

  • Air Fryer Hamburgers

    Air Fryer Burger with Onion Rings on a Plate Next to Air Fryer Basin with More Burger Patties

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "I’m a firm believer that fat is flavor when it comes to burgers, so I always look for at least an 85-15 blend for ground beef when I’m making burgers. You can also purchase an 80-20 blend."—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu in Air Fryer Basin

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "The marinade also makes a flavorful sauce for the fried tofu—just double the ingredients and reserve it."—Kayla Hoang, Recipe Developer

  • Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

    Close-up of Garlicky Air Fryer Cauliflower

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "Just a little garlic salt is all that’s needed to take your air-fried cauliflower from good to great. I toss the cauliflower with oil and garlic salt in a large, lightweight mixing bowl to make sure the seasonings are evenly distributed."—Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Bacon

    Air Fryer Bacon on Plate and in Air Fryer

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "For a special twist, sprinkle a little brown sugar and a drizzle of Sriracha on each strip right after you flip them. The sugar will caramelize as it cooks. It’s amazing!"—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 11 below

  • Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

    Frozen mozzarella sticks in air fryer

    Simply Recipes / Alison Conklin

    "Not all cheese sticks are created equally. I used regular, full-fat mozzarella sticks. You can also make these with low-fat sticks, but I found the texture slightly rubbery. I cannot vouch for what will happen to nonfat mozzarella sticks."—Carrie Havranek, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon on a Plate with Lemon Wedges

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "Tuck lemon slices under the salmon in the air fryer basket. The lemon will act as a barrier so that the salmon skin doesn’t get stuck. This tip goes for any fish, but it works particularly well with salmon."—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Asparagus

    air fryer asparagus on a platter with lemon slices at a table with a bowl of cracked pepper and a bowl of salt flakes

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "A little garlic salt adds flavor, but you can switch it up and add taco seasoning or ranch seasoning, if that appeals to you."—Claudia Cash, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Hot Dogs

    A Plate of Air Fryer Hot Dog in a Bun Topped with Mustard and a Side of Pickles and Pretzels. Next to It Is the Air Fryer Basin with Another Hot Dog in a Bun and a Bowl of Pretzels.

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "While you can absolutely air fry any hot dog you have, I prefer to purchase all-beef hot dogs in a natural casing which will crisp up slightly in the air fryer."—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 11 below

  • Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

    A bowl of crispy air fried chickpeas

    Simply Recipes / Alison Conklin

    "Make sure to dry your chickpeas well, you want them to be as dry as possible so they will absorb the little bit of oil you’ll put on them and so that they get as crispy as possible in the air fryer."—Carrie Havranek, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower

    A plate of air fried cauliflower with dip, ready to be served

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "This crispy cauliflower is best to eat as soon as possible out of the air fryer, so it’s warm, and the breading is crispy. It’s okay to let it sit for a few minutes while you finish another batch, but if it sits for too long (over 30 minutes) it starts to lose some of its crispiness."—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Lemon Pepper Salmon

    3-ingredient salmon dinner

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "I serve this three-ingredient salmon with a few side dishes for a fuss-free dinner. Boxed rice pilaf, steamed frozen veggies with butter and garlic salt—this is an easy dinner meant to be paired with easy sides. A little store-bought tartar sauce is great to have, too."—Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

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