10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Make in an Air Fryer
Most people buy an air fryer for french fries and chicken wings, and then completely stop there. But here is the thing: your air fryer is essentially a tiny, turbocharged convection oven. That means it can do so much more than just crisp up frozen snacks from the freezer aisle.
If you are ready to push your machine a little further, here are 10 surprising things to make in an air fryer that you probably didn’t know you could.
1. Hard-“Boiled” Eggs
You can completely skip the pot of boiling water. Just place your whole, raw eggs straight into the basket and cook them at 130°C / 270°F for about 15 to 17 minutes. Immediately drop them into a bowl of ice water afterward, and you will find the shells peel off seamlessly every single time.
2. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
Drain a can of chickpeas, dry them completely with a paper towel, toss them with a little oil and your favorite spices, and air-fry at 190°C / 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Give the basket a good shake every few minutes, and you get a crunchy, high-protein snack with none of the deep-frying mess.
3. Sweet Roasted Garlic
Slice the very top off a whole bulb of garlic to expose the cloves, drizzle it with olive oil, and wrap it loosely in a small piece of foil (making sure it’s weighed down). Cook at 180°C / 350°F for about 20 minutes. You will end up with sweet, spreadable, caramelized garlic that is perfect for pasta, dips, or spreading over warm toast.
4. Small-Batch Granola
Mix together some rolled oats, chopped nuts, a drizzle of oil, and a splash of honey or maple syrup. Spread it out in a lined air fryer basket and cook low and slow at 150°C / 300°F. Give it a gentle stir every few minutes until it is perfectly golden and fragrant.
5. A Quick Cake or Fudgy Brownies
Yes, you can actually bake in an air fryer! If you have a small cake tin, a silicone mold, or oven-safe ramekins that fit inside your basket, you are good to go. Just remember to lower the temperature by about 10–15°C compared to your usual oven recipe and check on it early—the air fryer bakes fast, and things can overcook quickly.
6. Perfectly Toasted Nuts and Seeds
Need to toast some pine nuts, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds for a salad or a baking recipe? Toss them in the basket for just a few minutes at 160°C / 320°F, shaking once or twice. They get perfectly, evenly toasted without the constant risk of scorching them in a dry pan on the stove.
7. Crispy Bacon (The Mess-Free Way)
Lay your bacon strips in a single layer and cook at 180°C / 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes. It comes out incredibly even and crisp, and all the grease drips away down into the drawer instead of spitting all over your clean stovetop. (Pro-tip: add a splash of water to the bottom drawer first to catch the drips and stop any smoke!).
8. Crunchy Homemade Croutons
Don’t throw away that stale loaf of bread. Cut it into bite-sized cubes, toss them in a bowl with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and dried herbs, then air-fry at 180°C / 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes. It is a brilliant way to rescue bread that is past its prime.
9. Roasted Whole Vegetables
Think beyond standard chopped veggies. Try throwing in whole baby potatoes, halved bell peppers, thick cauliflower “steaks,” or even a small halved butternut squash. The intense, dry circulating heat caramelizes the natural sugars and edges beautifully, giving them a much deeper flavor than boiling or steaming ever could.
10. Dried Fruit and Veggie Chips
If you slice apples, bananas, or beetroots super thin, you can cook them at a very low temperature (around 120–130°C / 250–270°F) for a longer period to slowly dry them out into crisp chips. While it won’t replace a massive, dedicated food dehydrator, it is a fantastic, no-extra-gadget way to make a healthy snack.
3 Quick Tips for Things to Make in an Air Fryer
- Check your dishes: Any dish that is explicitly labeled oven-safe—whether it’s ceramic, metal baking tins, or silicone molds—is completely fine to use in your air fryer.
- Drop the temp and peek early: Because the air fryer is so compact and powerful, it cooks faster than a traditional oven. When baking or toasting, check your food a few minutes early so it doesn’t go from golden to burnt.
- Don’t crowd the air: Whatever dish or mold you use, make sure there is still plenty of open space around the edges so the hot air can actually circulate. If you block the airflow completely, your food won’t cook evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really bake a cake in an air fryer?
You absolutely can. As long as your cake tin or ramekins fit comfortably inside the basket with a bit of breathing room around the sides, it works beautifully. Just turn the temperature down a bit compared to a standard oven recipe and keep an eye on it, as it will bake much faster.
Can I put a ceramic or glass dish in the air fryer?
As long as the manufacturer explicitly states the ceramic, glass, or metal dish is oven-safe, it is perfectly fine to use. Just avoid standard glassware or cheap ceramic plates that aren’t built to handle high oven heat.
Can an air fryer dehydrate food?
To an extent, yes! By dropping the temperature as low as it goes and letting it run, you can easily dry out thin slices of fruit and veggies into crispy chips. It’s perfect for quick, fun batches, though a dedicated dehydrator is still best if you are looking to preserve massive amounts of garden produce.
Feeling adventurous? Take it even further with our full air-fryer recipes—complete with exact measurements, step-by-step steps, and pairing ideas.