18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (2024)

From McDonald's to Chick-Fil-A, here's how to get all the flavor without all the calories.

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (2)

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Top photo: Domestic Superhero

Bottom photo: The Cookful

If you don't already own an air fryer, these recipes might make you change your mind about that.

New Line Cinema, Michelle No/BuzzFeed

The air fryer is an interesting kitchen contraption that circulates super hot dry air so that your foods taste fried but without all the grease. As an added bonus, they're way less messy than deep fryers and will work on frozen foods as well as fresh. You can find them starting around $50–$60 on Walmart. If you're interested in purchasing one, be sure to read our in-depth review.

1. Copycat McDonald's French Fries

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (3)

oola.com / Via Brittany Baxter/oola.com

This recipe utilizes beef pan drippings to get that McDonald's french fry je ne sais quoi but without the hard-to-pronounce ingredients like "sodium acid pyrophosphate."

Recipe: Air Fryer McDonald's Copycat French Fries

2. Copycat Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (4)

tastefullyfrugal.org

A promising review of the recipe: "This is the first recipe I tried in my new air fryer and it was wonderful. So much easier and cleaner than frying."

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings

4. Copycat Bloomin' Onion

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hip2save.com

It's the classic bloomin' onion you know and love, made popular by restaurants like Outback Steakhouse.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Bloomin' Onion

And if you do want to indulge a little, Tasty's got the deep-fryer version here.

5. Copycat Taco Bell Crunch Wraps

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (7)

by-pink.com

Hot tip from the creator of this recipe: "To reheat, just toss it back in the air fryer for a few minutes making sure to flip it half way through."

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Taco Bell Crunch Wraps

6. Copycat KFC Potato Wedges

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (8)

myforkinglife.com

These wedges taste just like the real thing, and go through a similar process of breading using flour, eggs, and milk.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat KFC Potato Wedges

7. Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (9)

by-pink.com

If you weren't already convinced that you need to make this recipe, the recipe creator says: "This copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets recipe came out amazing, and was done in less than 20 minutes!"

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets

8. Cheesecake Factory Avocado Southwest Egg Rolls Dupe

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (10)

yummyhealthyeasy.com

Shockingly, these rolls are only 126 calories apiece. Be sure to make the dip because according to the recipe creator "what really puts these egg rolls over the top is the dip. Seriously, it is SO GOOD. Made with cool, smooth California avocados, sour cream, and nonfat Greek yogurt, this is a dip that really delivers."

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Cheesecake Factory Avocado Southwest Egg Rolls

9. Copycat Popcorn Chicken

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (11)

urbanblisslife.com

Quite possibly the most kid-friendly thing you can make in an air fryer.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Popcorn Chicken

10. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (12)

thecookful.com

Make sure your pickles are as dry as possible before cooking them.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles

11. Copycat Wingstop Fries

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masonfit.com

This recipe contains a great tip about how to cut your fries in preparation for the air fryer: "Start by washing the potatoes and drying off with a paper towel. Then cut one end (just the tip) of the potato off so you can stand it up vertically without it rolling all over the place. After the potato is upright, slice from top to bottom 4-5 times depending on how thin you’d like your fries to be."

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Wingstop Fries

12. Copycat Applebee's Mozzarella Sticks

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (14)

forktospoon.com

From Fork To Spoon: "This was one of great Superbowl (Super Bowl) Snacks that we had this past Sunday, they were amazing, and they do require some hands-off time, freezing, but they are so worth the extra time, if you have been purchasing the TGIF’s one in the freezer case, save some time over the weekend, and make these. You will not be disappointed with the results."

Recipe: Air Fryer Applebee's Copycat Mozzarella Sticks

14. Copycat Popeye's Fried Chicken

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thekitchenmagpie.com

This recipe results in surprisingly crispy chicken skin with that cajun spice we all know and love from Popeye's, thanks to the Old Bay seasoning.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Popeye's Fried Chicken

15. Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries

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recipethis.com

Secret to this recipe: you want to season before cooking to really bake in the flavor.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries

16. Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

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forfryingoutloud.com

According to the recipe creator, "The easy secret ingredient to achieving a copycat Chipotle meal is Chipotle Adobo sauce, also known as Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. It comes in a small, 7-ounce can, and is easily found at any grocery store."

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

17. Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (19)

everydayteacherstyle.com

They might turn out a little heavier than the Krispy Kremes you're used to, but they'll satisfy the cravings while saving you hundreds if not thousands of calories.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts

18. Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (20)

domesticsuperhero.com

Bang Bang shrimp is a dish served at various restaurants like Bonefish Grill. The secret is in the sauce, and making it with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to lower the calories and fat without sacrificing taste.

Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

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    18 Air Fryer Recipes For Anyone Who Really Misses Eating Fast Food (2024)

    FAQs

    Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

    People getting rid of air fryers in favour of kitchen appliance that's cheaper to run. Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

    What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

    Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
    • Wet Batters. ...
    • Cheesy Items. ...
    • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
    • Baked Goods. ...
    • Greens. ...
    • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
    • Too Much of Anything.
    Apr 14, 2023

    Why don t chefs like air fryers? ›

    Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth. Some swear by it for a few things like frozen french fries and nuggets.

    What is negative about air fryers? ›

    The two biggest concerns are potential carcinogens called acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are created in the process of cooking.

    What are people replacing air fryers with? ›

    AIR fryers have been a hot topic in recent years, with a huge rise in sales as people look for healthier and more cost-effective ways to cook food. But now shoppers are searching for an alternative kitchen appliance that's said to be a better (and cheaper) alternative to air fryers: halogen ovens.

    What Cannot be cooked in an Airfryer? ›

    8 Things You Probably Shouldn't Cook in an Air Fryer
    1. Battered foods. Avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer. ...
    2. Fresh greens. Leafy greens like spinach will cook unevenly because the machine uses high-speed air. ...
    3. Whole roasts. ...
    4. Cheese. ...
    5. Raw grains. ...
    6. Hamburgers. ...
    7. Toast. ...
    8. Popcorn.
    Mar 11, 2024

    Why shouldn t you cook hamburgers in an air fryer? ›

    According to the USDA, burgers only need to reach 160 F for the harmful bacteria to die. Because most air fryers are so powerful, the burger will reach that temperature rather quickly. However, since most burger patties are relatively small, the burger will cook through in a matter of minutes.

    Is it true air fryer is not healthy? ›

    Maybe you're considering adding an air fryer to your kitchen gadget lineup, but is air frying healthy? “Air frying is a healthier option because it essentially eliminates added oils,” confirms registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD.

    What I wish I knew before I get an air fryer? ›

    6 things I wish I'd known before I bought an air fryer
    • Air fryers do not fry. Deep fried foods: not like air fried ones. ...
    • The air fryer parts you use most are easy to clean but the outer parts… not so much. ...
    • There's a war going on in the air fryer community! ...
    • Air fryers can be quite large.

    What is the real truth about air fryers? ›

    Researchers state that air fryers use heated air that contains fine oil droplets to take the moisture out of the foods. The result is a product that has similar characteristics to fried foods, though with significantly lower levels of fat.

    Why does James Martin not like air fryers? ›

    You can't do this in a bl***y air fryer. It's got to be deep fried to get the colour, texture and flavour". It comes after James recently revealed his secret to losing three stone.

    What are the cons of the Ninja air fryer? ›

    Cons of the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer:
    • Pricey: It's more expensive than some other air fryer models.
    • Size limitations: Smaller drawer size may limit the quantity of food you can cook at once.
    • Learning curve: Some users may need time to familiarize themselves with its settings and cooking times.
    Nov 16, 2023

    What are the best foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

    We're talking omelets, muffins, avocado toast, sausage, bacon, pancakes… We know, WILD, right? It's just as good at helping you make delicious lunches and dinners too. If you've got a main dish you want to spend more hands-on time with, pop your sides in the air fryer and let it do all the work.

    Does an air fryer use a lot of electricity? ›

    Do air fryers use a lot of electricity? Air fryers don't use a lot of electricity, with most requiring between 800 and 1800 watts (W) to run, though some large models need more. Air fryers also use less electricity than electric ovens, which typically use around 2,200 W to 5,000 W, and therefore cost more to run.

    Are air fryers losing popularity? ›

    Sales are still steady, but nothing like the astronomical levels reached last year. And according to a recent report by retailer Currys, microwaves are rising fast on the air fryer's tail, with sales up by 50 per cent since last year.

    Are air fryers going out of fashion? ›

    Anything that significantly reduces the litres of oil required for deep-fat frying is still an attractive prospect. Although air fryers have been around for more than a decade, Google Trends data shows interest climbed vertiginously in 2020, with little sign of slowing. Sales at John Lewis were up 400% in 2021.

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