28 Surprising Air Fryer Recipes That Are Genius and Delicious
Your air fryer is secretly a kitchen wizard—far beyond just fries and wings! Imagine crispy desserts, golden appetizers, and even healthy meals, all made faster and with less oil. We’ve gathered 28 surprisingly genius (and delicious) air fryer recipes that will make you see this countertop gadget in a whole new light. From crave-worthy snacks to easy dinners and sweet treats, these ideas prove your air fryer can do it all. Be careful because your oven is gonna be jealous.
Air Fryer Bagels (2 Ingredients 10 Minutes)
Air Fryer Bagels (2 Ingredients 10 Minutes) skip the store run and still come out with golden bagels that don’t taste like shortcuts. Tossing dough in the air fryer sounds like chaos, but somehow it works—and that’s exactly why it earns a spot among surprising air fryer recipes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bagels (2 Ingredients 10 Minutes)
Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake
Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake throws logic out the window—in the best way. You’d never guess something this creamy and rich came out of a gadget usually reserved for fries, which makes it one of those surprising air fryer recipes that’s worth showing off.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake
Air Fryer Pear Tarts
Air Fryer Pear Tarts crisp up those flaky layers faster than your oven ever could. With sweet fruit tucked into buttery pastry, they’re proof that surprising air fryer recipes can pass for fancy without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pear Tarts
Air Fryer Sugar Cookie Whoopie Pies
Air Fryer Sugar Cookie Whoopie Pies mash up soft cookies, fluffy filling, and sprinkles like it’s no big deal. Since they come out of an air fryer, they completely defy dessert logic—and that earns them a seat at the surprising air fryer recipes table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sugar Cookie Whoopie Pies
Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer
Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer skips the oven drama and still comes out golden and crisp. While everyone else wrestles casseroles, you’ve quietly pulled off one of the best surprising air fryer recipes with zero stress.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer
Bread Bowl Baked Brie with Fig Preserves (Air Fryer Recipe)
Bread Bowl Baked Brie with Fig Preserves (Air Fryer Recipe) melts into gooey perfection while the bread turns golden in record time. It’s one of those surprising air fryer recipes that makes you rethink everything you thought about appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Bread Bowl Baked Brie with Fig Preserves (Air Fryer Recipe)
Butterscotch Glazed Pumpkin Gingerbread Bundt
Butterscotch Glazed Pumpkin Gingerbread Bundt comes out of the air fryer warm and spiced like it just got hugged by autumn. Since no one expects a bundt cake to pop out of an air fryer, it’s clearly earned its spot on the list of surprising air fryer recipes.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Glazed Pumpkin Gingerbread Bundt
Air Fryer Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Air Fryer Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake flips dessert rules and still lands sweet side up. It’s the kind of wild card entry that makes surprising air fryer recipes so fun to serve (and brag about).
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Mango Cranberry British Air Fryer Scones
Mango Cranberry British Air Fryer Scones puff up just right and come out with golden tops that beg for jam. Since they’re baked—not just heated—in the air fryer, they totally qualify as one of those surprising air fryer recipes worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Mango Cranberry British Air Fryer Scones
Air Fryer Plum Orange Bundt Cake
Air Fryer Plum Orange Bundt Cake packs bold flavor into a smaller cake that doesn’t hog your kitchen. Thanks to its air fryer roots, this one hits the list of surprising air fryer recipes without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Plum Orange Bundt Cake
Fudgy Matcha Brownies with White Chocolate Chips
Fudgy Matcha Brownies with White Chocolate Chips bring a bold green hue and a rich flavor combo that’s anything but ordinary. Thanks to the air fryer, they bake up with a crisp edge and gooey center, making them a standout among surprising air fryer recipes.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Matcha Brownies with White Chocolate Chips
Air Fryer Quesadilla
Air Fryer Quesadilla turns your favorite cheesy snack into a crispy, golden treat in minutes. It's a quick fix that showcases the air fryer's knack for transforming simple ingredients into something unexpectedly crunchy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Quesadilla
Air Fryer Breakfast Bundt Bake
Air Fryer Breakfast Bundt Bake layers eggs, cheese, and bagels into a hearty morning meal that’s far from your usual cereal. The air fryer cooks it evenly, giving you a brunch-worthy dish that surprises with its simplicity and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Bundt Bake
Air Fryer Pavlova
Air Fryer Pavlova achieves a crisp shell and soft center, topped with fresh fruit for a dessert that’s both light and indulgent. It's a testament to how the air fryer can master delicate bakes, making it a surprising air fryer recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pavlova
Air Fryer French Toast
Air Fryer French Toast delivers a crispy exterior and tender inside, all without the stovetop mess. It's a breakfast classic reimagined, showing off the air fryer's ability to surprise with its versatility.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Toast
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream Recipe
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream Recipe offers a crunchy shell encasing cold, creamy ice cream, all without deep frying. It's a delightful contradiction that highlights the air fryer's surprising capabilities.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream Recipe
Pear, Chocolate & Ginger Crumble
Pear, Chocolate & Ginger Crumble combines juicy pears, rich chocolate, and a hint of ginger under a crispy topping. The air fryer brings it all together quickly, making it a warm, comforting surprise among air fryer recipes.
Get the Recipe: Pear, Chocolate & Ginger Crumble
Air Fryer Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
Air Fryer Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake starts strong with a cocoa-packed base that gets golden and crisp without heating up your kitchen. Between the juicy berries and the cloud of non-dairy whipped cream, this dessert proves air fryers don’t stop at fries—they go straight for the sweet stuff too.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
Easy Dulce de Leche and Apple Empanadas (Baked)
Easy Dulce de Leche and Apple Empanadas (Baked) wrap spiced apples and creamy caramel in a flaky pastry, baked to perfection. The air fryer handles them effortlessly, making this dessert a surprising addition to your air fryer repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Easy Dulce de Leche and Apple Empanadas (Baked)
Air Fryer Mini Tacos
Air Fryer Mini Tacos pack bold flavors into bite-sized shells that crisp up beautifully. They're a fun and unexpected way to use your air fryer for more than just reheating leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mini Tacos
Air Fryer Ham with Orange Maple Glaze
Air Fryer Ham with Orange Maple Glaze cooks a juicy ham with a sweet, citrusy glaze, all without heating up the oven. It's a holiday-worthy dish that proves the air fryer can handle more than just snacks.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham with Orange Maple Glaze
Air Fryer Sub Sandwiches
Air Fryer Sub Sandwiches toast up with melty cheese and warm fillings, giving you a deli-style experience at home. It's a quick, satisfying meal that highlights the air fryer's versatility.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sub Sandwiches
Air Fryer Parmesan & Garlic Mayo Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Parmesan & Garlic Mayo Corn on the Cob takes sweet corn and adds a savory, cheesy topping that crisps up nicely. It's a side dish that surprises with its bold flavors and ease of preparation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parmesan & Garlic Mayo Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Banana Bread
Air Fryer Banana Bread comes out moist and flavorful, with a golden crust that's hard to resist. It's a comforting bake that showcases the air fryer's ability to handle traditional recipes in a new way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Banana Bread
Air Fryer Cherry Breakfast Biscuits
Air Fryer Cherry Breakfast Biscuits combine sweet cherries with fluffy biscuits for a morning treat that's both quick and delightful. The air fryer bakes them to perfection, making breakfast a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cherry Breakfast Biscuits
Apple Pie Egg Rolls (Deep Fry or Air Fryer)
Apple Pie Egg Rolls (Deep Fry or Air Fryer) wrap spiced apple filling in a crispy shell, offering a handheld dessert that's both fun and flavorful. The air fryer version keeps it light and easy.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Egg Rolls (Deep Fry or Air Fryer)
Air Fryer Cake (Baking an Easy Confetti Birthday Cake)
Air Fryer Cake (Baking an Easy Confetti Birthday Cake) brings the party with colorful sprinkles and a moist crumb, all baked without an oven. It's a festive surprise that shows off the air fryer's baking chops.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cake (Baking an Easy Confetti Birthday Cake)
Easy Mushroom Pasta with Air-Fried Shiitake Chips
Easy Mushroom Pasta with Air-Fried Shiitake Chips pairs creamy pasta with crispy mushroom chips for a textural delight. The air fryer adds crunch to the dish, making it a surprising air fryer recipe.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mushroom Pasta with Air-Fried Shiitake Chips
25 Air Fryer Side Dishes So Good You’ll Skip the Entree And Make Again
25 Air Fryer Side Dishes So Good You’ll Skip the Entree And Make Again offers a variety of sides that steal the show, from crispy veggies to savory bites. These recipes highlight the air fryer's ability to elevate any meal.
Get the Recipe: 25 Air Fryer Side Dishes So Good You’ll Skip the Entree And Make Again
24 Air Fryer Dinners So Flavorful They’ll Become Your Go-To
24 Air Fryer Dinners So Flavorful They’ll Become Your Go-To features main courses that are both easy and delicious, showcasing the air fryer's capacity to handle hearty meals with ease.
Get the Recipe: 24 Air Fryer Dinners So Flavorful They’ll Become Your Go-To
