Chefs share 16 of the best foods to make in an air fryer

Sophia MitrokostasJun 30, 2020, 23:16 IST

Putting food in an air fryer can make it crispy.Shutterstock

- Insider asked chefs to share their favorite things to make in an air fryer.
- Some of their favorite dishes to make in this appliance include kale chips, gnocchi, and crunchy chickpeas.
- It's also possible to make flavorful steak, bacon, and chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

Air fryers use hot air to cook and crisp food while using a fraction of the oil needed for a deep fryer.

Though they're often touted as a way of shaving calories and fat from classic comfort foods, air fryers can actually be used to cook a wide range of dishes.

And so, Insider asked chefs to share their favorite snacks and meals to prepare in this appliance.

Here are some of the best things to make in an air fryer, according to the pros.

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is pretty easy.

Air-fried bacon may not be as greasy as if you cooked it on the stovetop. Nataliya Arzamasova/Shutterstock

For a quick dessert, try cooking up some bananas.

You can pair your air-fried bananas with some ice cream, too. Sandra Mu/Getty Images

You can cook a flavorful steak in an air fryer.

Be sure to flip your steak halfway through cooking. iStock

Fry up chickpeas for a crispy, savory treat.

You can season chickpeas before you pop them in the air fryer, too. Hilary Brueck / Insider

Air-fried doughnuts are often light and fluffy.

You may want to top your doughnuts with powdered sugar. Getty Images / RF / fotoedu

This appliance can help you make crunchy, homemade chicken nuggets.

For an extra crispy nugget, double-dip your chicken in your breading. Shutterstock

You don't need breading to prepare juicy chicken breasts.

Be sure to season your chicken breasts before you cook them. iStock

Some types of fish will become moist and flaky when you air fry them.

You can prepare fish and chips in an air fryer. Yudai/Shutterstock

Personal pizzas are just the right size for cooking in this appliance.

Personal pizzas are easy to customize. Joe Kohen/Getty

Air fryers can take gnocchi from gummy to golden.

If you've got gnocchi in your freezer, try popping it in the air fryer. Francesco Lentini / EyeEm / Getty Images

You can make sweet and savory baby carrots in an air fryer.

Baby carrots can cook fairly quickly in an air fryer. iStock / Getty Images Plus / Brycia James

Use the appliance to make your own kale chips.

Be sure to toss the kale in an oil before putting it in the air fryer. Getty Images

Stuffed peppers are an easy and versatile air-fryer dish.

You can get creative with the fillings, too. belchonock/ iStock

Air-fried zucchini makes for a crispy snack or side dish.

Zucchini chips pair well with a sandwich. Joey Hadden/Insider

You can make your own potato chips with an air fryer.

You can also use sweet potatoes. Savanna Swain-Wilson

It's possible to cook crunchy chicken wings in an air fryer.

You can bread chicken wings before popping them in an air fryer. iStock / Getty Images Plus / LauriPatterson

I got the same breakfast at Tim Hortons in Canada and Dunkin' in the US to see how they stack up

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