In an era where health and taste stand side by side on our culinary wishlist, the air fryer has emerged as the modern kitchen's superhero. This game-changer not only promises to deliver the delicious crunch we all crave but does so without the excess calories. If you're looking for some simple ways to use your healthy fryer for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you've come to the right place. In this article, we've curated a list of five easy and delectable recipes that won't tip the scales. Dive in and let your tastebuds enjoy the journey, while your waistline thanks you!

1. Air Fryer Oat Pancakes

• Servings: 1 - 2
• Prep time: 5 mins
• Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 tsp. maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• Olive oil cooking spray
• Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, for serving

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another medium bowl, whisk egg, milk, butter, syrup, and vanilla. Fold dry ingredients into egg mixture until just combined.
2. In another medium bowl, whisk milk, egg, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
3. Grease a 6" pie dish with cooking spray, then add one-quarter (about 1/4 cup) of batter. Place the dish in an air-fryer basket. Cook at 400° until pancake is puffed and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Top pancakes with yogurt, more syrup, and sliced fruit.

Nutrition (per serving): 180kcal calories, 27g carbohydrates, 5g protein, 6g fat, 3g saturated fat, 1g polyunsaturated fat, 1g monounsaturated fat, 1g trans fat, 31mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 272mg potassium, 1g fiber, 7g sugar.

2. Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad With Homemade Croutons

• Servings: 6
• Chickenprep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 27 minutes
• Total time: 42 minutes
• Cal/Serv: 576 kcal

Ingredients:

Blackened Chicken:

• 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil
• 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
• 2 romaine hearts
• 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 1/2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
• 1/2 Tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 Tsp. thyme
• 1 Tsp. chili powder
• 1 Tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 Tsp. onion powder
• 1 Tsp. cumin
• 1 Tsp. sea salt
• 1 Tsp. black pepper

Caesar Dressing:

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 lemon juiced
• 2 Tsps. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 3 anchovies canned
• 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 Cup grapeseed oil
• 1 Pinch salt
• 1 Pinch black pepper

Homemade Air Fryer Croutons:

• 1/2 Loaf white bread
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil extra-virgin
• 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 Tsp. salt

Directions:

• Rub both sides of chicken breast with grapeseed oil.
• Mix together blackened seasoning. Generously rub each side of chicken. Let chicken sit with blackened rub for 15 minutes. Prepare croutons while waiting.
• Chop bread into 1” pieces. Add to a large mixing bowl. Pour olive oil over the bread and sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Toss to coat. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes. Once heated, add bread to the air fryer and spray lightly with canola oil. Cook for 7 minutes, stopping halfway through to shake the basket. Remove and set aside.

• Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees F for 5 minutes.
• Place chicken into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flip, and cook 10 more minutes. Cut into strips.
• Chop or tear romaine lettuce into 1” pieces and add to salad bowl.
• Prepare Caesar dressing. Add all ingredients except the grapeseed oil into a food processor or blender and puree for 5 seconds. Add ½ of the oil, and puree for 5 seconds. Add remaining oil and puree for 15 seconds.
• Pour Caesar dressing over the salad. Add parmesan and croutons and toss. Top with blackened chicken strips and serve.

Nutrition:

Calories: 576 kcal, 39g carbohydrates, 30g protein, 34g fat, 7g saturated fat, 13g polyunsaturated fat: 13g monounsaturated fat, 1g trans fat, 93mg cholesterol, 1320mg sodium, 657mg potassium, 6g fiber, 4g Sugar, 4622IU vitamin A, 15mg vitamin C, 460mg calcium, 6mg iron.

3. Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads

• Servings: 4
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calorine: 487 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 tbsp. capers, chopped
• 2 scallions, 1 finely chopped and 1 thinly sliced
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 pt. grape tomatoes
• 1 lb. skinless salmon filet, cut into 11/2 inch pieces
• 1 tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Labneh or Greek yogurt, for serving
• 4 pieces naan or flatbread, warmed
• 2 c. baby arugula or kale
• Sliced scallion, for serving
• Crumbled feta, for serving

Directions:

• In small bowl, combine red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, capers, chopped scallion, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside.
• Heat air fryer to 400°F. In bowl, toss tomatoes and remaining tablespoon oil with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Season salmon with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Place salmon in single layer on 1 side of air fryer and add tomatoes to remaining space (piling them is great). Air-fry until salmon is just barely opaque throughout, 6 minutes.
• Transfer tomatoes to bowl with vinegar-scallion mix and toss to combine, then toss with parsley.
• Spread labneh or yogurt on flatbreads, top with salmon and arugula, then spoon tomato mixture on top. Sprinkle with sliced scallions and crumbled feta if desired.

Nutrition (per serving): About 487 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated), 41g protein, 750mg sodium, 30g carb, 10g fiber.

4. Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas

• Servings: 2 - 4 serving(s)
• Prep time: 5 mins
• Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• Finely grated lime zest, for serving

Directions:

• Dry chickpeas very well with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss chickpeas, oil, chili powder, and salt.
• Transfer chickpea mixture to an air-fryer basket, scraping bowl to get all of the oil. Cook at 370° until crispy and golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes.
• Serve chickpeas warm or at room temperature. Grate lime zest over top.

Nutrition (per serving): 128 calories, 5g protein, 16g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 3g sugar, 5g fat, 7g saturated fat, 306mg sodium.

5. Air fryer muffins

• Prep time:10 mins
• Cook time:15 mins
• Serves: 6 - 8

Ingredients:

• 60ml vegetable oil
• 75g natural yogurt
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 100g golden caster sugar
• 150g self-raising flour
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 75g blueberries, chocolate chips or dried fruit

Directions:

• Heat the air fryer on 160C for 2 mins. Mix the oil, yogurt, egg and milk in a large bowl, then fold in the sugar, flour and bicarbonate of soda and combine well. Fold in the blueberries, chocolate chips or dried fruit, if using. Spoon the mixture into silicone cases or an air fryer muffin tin filled with paper cases to three-quarters full. You should be able to make 6-8 muffins, but you may have to bake them in batches.
• Place the cases or tin in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 mins until the muffins are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Nutrition (per serving): 208 calories, 9g fat, 1g saturates fat, 28g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g protein, 0.3g salt.

Want to see more healthy and easy air fryer recipes, check out the video below. Happy cooking!