5 Slimming Air Fryer Recipes

Air fryers can be used for so much more than making healthy potato chips, which is probably what they’re best known for.

You can prepare fish, meat, roast vegetables, pastries, puddings, cake and even bacon in your air fryer, meaning your entire meal is covered. They work by circulating hot air around the food and use a lot less oil than conventional fryers. They also cut down on mess, and the time spent cooking food.

Air fryers are also really popular with people on a health kick, using programmes such as Slimming World and Weight Watchers. It allows you to enjoy the food you love, by just making a few extra changes in the way you cook it.

There are so many Air fryer recipes out there, but some are so simple and delicious that they just can’t be beaten.

Five of our favourite Air Fryer recipes:

MEATY MAIN DISH –

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Being able to make fried chicken at home in less time than it would take to nip out and buy some is a pretty good idea. As is the fact it is so much healthier than anything you could buy makes it even better.

Ingredients:

• 65g/ ½ cup plain flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 125g breadcrumbs
• 340g chicken tenders/pieces
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 330°F/165°C
2. In three separate bowls, separate the flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and season the breadcrumbs with the salt and pepper
3. Coat the breadcrumbs with the oil and combine well
4. Dip each chicken piece in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture
5. Press the breadcrumbs firmly to the chicken to ensure it is fully coated and shake off any excess
6. Place in the air fryer, and cook for 10 minutes before turning up to 200°C for another five minutes
7. Ensure the chicken is at least 75°C before removing

VEGGIE MAIN –

Courgette & Chickpea Burgers

Courgettes and chickpeas are two staples in most vegetarian recipes, and they come together really nicely to make this spicy meat alternative.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• Large onion, diced
• 1 courgette, finely sliced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 medium potatoes, mashed
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas and onion together
3. Add the courgette, spice, garlic powder, salt, pepper and potatoes and combine
4. Slowly add the egg until you have a firm, mouldable consistency. If it is too sloppy, you can add some plain flour
5. Shape – it should make four generous sized burgers
6. Cook for 15 minutes in the air fryer until cooked throughout

Recipe Notes: The mashed potato can also be substituted for 30g plain flour, but the potato gives it a thicker and more ‘solid’ consistency. You can also add 30g grated cheese and some chilli powder to taste.

CHIPS –

Sweet Potato Fries

These sweet potato fries come out of the fryer perfectly crispy and so much healthier than if made in a deep fat fryer.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• ½ tsp salt and pepper to taste
• ½ tsp garlic powder or paprika (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat the fryer to 200°C
2. Slice the sweet potatoes into fries – make sure they’re all a very similar size for even cooking
3. Toss with the oil and salt/pepper/optional spices
4. Pop in the basket and cook for 8 minutes

SIDE VEG –

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

Mediterranean vegetables will go with almost anything, and the contents are perfectly adaptable to whatever veggies you need to use up.

Ingredients:

• 1 large courgette
• 2 large bell peppers
• 1 medium carrot
• 2 large onions
• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 2 tsp mixed herbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 6 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C
2. Slice/cube the vegetables as desired – try to keep quite chunky and all a similar size
3. Add to a bowl and toss in the oil, herbs and garlic powder
4. Transfer to air fryer and cook for 15 minutes until soft

PUDDING –

Air fryer Chocolate Muffins

Chocolate muffins aren’t well known for being healthy, but preparing them in an air fryer cuts out a lot of the added calories.

Ingredients:

• 200g self-raising flour
• 225g caster sugar
• 25g cocoa powder
• 100g milk chocolate chips
• 2 medium eggs
• 100g butter
• 100ml milk

Method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C
2. Mix the flour, sugar and cocoa powder together in a bowl
3. Add in the butter and mix until a breadcrumb consistency
4. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl and add to the flour mix
5. Add the chocolate chips and combine together
6. Spoon into bun cases and place in the air fryer for 10 minutes, then for 5 minutes at 150°C

If you want to make the switch to using an Air fryer rather than your traditional oven or deep fryer, we have reviewed the best on the market, making it easier to find the one for you.