If you have a Pinterest account and an interest in cooking, you probably know that air fryers are the new Instant Pot. The countertop appliance uses convection heat, super-hot air, and a little bit of oil to give foods a taste and texture that’s similar to real deep-frying—minus most of the fat. Basically, they’re great if you love fried foods but want to keep your fat intake in check.
Healthy eating experts love that the air fryer gives you control over how much salt and oil you add, and note that it’s not just great for making healthier versions of your favorite fried foods. You can also crisp vegetables, roast chicken, and even cook a steak in the air fryer.
They’re also great from a convenience standpoint. If you don’t love cooking, an air fryer will yield tasty results without a lot of effort (or dishes to wash). These 20 healthy air fryer recipes range from meaty mains to nutrient-packed vegetable sides, and all of them are easy enough for beginners.
Platings and Pairings
Zucchini Fries
These crispy, dippable fries count as a serving of veggies, and are so good even your kids might eat them. If you want to cut some fat, swap the aioli for Greek yogurt-based dipping sauce.
Per serving: 433 calories, 35 g car (4 g saturated), 21 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 285 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 9 g protein
Get the recipe from Plates and Pairings.
Skinny Taste
Turkey Breast
Cooking a whole turkey may only be appropriate during the holidays, but a single turkey breast is a healthy option all year long. This one comes out super-tender, and makes great sandwiches the next day.
Per serving: 226 calories, 10 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 296 mg sodium, 32.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
Skinny Taste
Whole-Wheat Chicken Nuggets
This “kid food” is totally appropriate for adults. These nuggets are made with whole-wheat breadcrumbs and Parmesan, so they’re flavorful with a little bit of crunch.
Per serving: 188 calories, 4.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 8 g carbs, 0.5 g sugar, 427 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 25 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
Skinny Taste
Sweet Potato Fries
The perfect side dish for pretty much any main, sweet potatoes deliver healthy carbs and tons of nutrients in a single bite. The air-fried version is a little bit lower in fat than regular sweet potato fries, but you won’t notice the difference.
Per serving: 221 calories, 5 g fat (0 g saturated), 42 g carbs, 7 g sugar, 302 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
Skinny Taste
Crispy Breaded Pork Chops
Chicken is great, but give the other white meat a try by adding pork chops to next week’s meal plan.
Per serving: 378 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated), 8 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 373 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 33 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
Cotter Crunch
Cajun Breakfast Sausage
Sick of eggs? Try these air fryer sausages for breakfast, which are made with pre-seasoned breakfast sausage meat plus a whole bunch of other seasoning.
Per serving: 126 calories, 4.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 11.5 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 85 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 11 g protein
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Food Faith Fitness
Roasted Asian Broccoli
The air fryer gives this “roasted” broccoli an extra crisp, while Asian condiments like soy sauce and rice vinegar add a ton of flavor.
Per serving: 154 calories, 11 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 11 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 318 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 6.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Food Faith Fitness.
Cotter Crunch
Sweet Potato Cauliflower Patties
These patties are great over a salad or on a sandwich if you’re looking for a meatless option. There’s an air fryer cooking method that makes them crispy on the outside and moist on the inside!
Per serving: 85 calories, 3 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 1.5 g sugar, 200 mg sodium, 3.5 g fiber, 2.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Cotter Crunch
Whole30 Salmon Cakes
These tender salmon cakes are made with mashed avocado, tapioca starch, and flaked coconut instead of the traditional flour and breadcrumbs. To cut back on sodium, omit salt from the recipe and season the finished cakes to taste instead.
Per serving: 519 calories, 29 g fat (10.5 g saturated), 26.5 g carbs, 0.5 g sugar, 981 mg sodium, 11 g fiber, 41 g protein
Get the recipe from Food Faith Fitness.
The Gracious Pantry
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These sprouts are covered in flavorful herbs and spices, and have just enough crispy leaves to be delicious without tasting too bitter.
Per serving: 79 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 12 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 154 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein
Get the recipe from The Gracious Pantry.
Tiffany McCauley | TheGraciousPantry.com
Crispy Chickpeas
These crunchy, fiber-packed chickpeas make the perfect snack, but are also great as a salad topper.
Per serving: 197 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated). 27 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 424 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 8 g protein
Get the recipe from The Gracious Pantry.
Courtney’s Sweets
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baking a sweet potato in the air fryer takes about 40 minutes, slightly less time than it would take in the oven. The skin comes out a little crispy, while the insides are creamy. Cut back on the salt in the recipe if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Per serving: 153 calories, 4 g fat (0 g saturated), 26 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 846 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein
Get the recipe from Courtney Sweets.
White On Rice Couple
Baked Salmon
Cooking salmon in the air fryer is less messy than pan-searing it on the stovetop, and you don’t run the risk of it drying out in the oven.
Per serving: 350 calories, 23 g fat (5 g saturated), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 197 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 35 g protein
Get the recipe from White on Rice Couple.
Glue and Glitter
Crispy Tofu
Hate soggy tofu? Make it in the air fryer and you’ll get the outside perfectly crispy.
Per serving: 159 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated), 7 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 370 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 14 g protein
Get the recipe from Glue and Glitter.
A Pinch of Healthy
French Fries
Potatoes are rich in potassium and healthy carbs, making these “fries” a perfect healthy side dish.
Per serving: 278 calories, 10 g fat (1 g saturated), 39 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 31 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 8 g protein
Get the recipe from A Pinch of Healthy.
Glue and Glitter
Buffalo Cauliflower
Whether you’re a vegetarian, or just don’t feel like chicken, these buffalo cauliflower bites are a worthy substitute.
Per serving: 201 calories, 16 g fat (4 g saturated), 11 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 366 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
Get the recipe from Glue and Glitter.
Healthy Slow Cooking
Twice-Air-Fried Potatoes
An easy vegan side dish made with non-dairy milk and yogurt.
Per serving: 121 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 22 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 315 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein
Get the recipe from Healthy Slow Cooking.
Recipe Diaries
Steak
Throw a seasoned steak in your air fryer for 12 minutes, and it’ll come out perfectly every time.
Per serving: 250 calories, 17 g fat (7 g saturated), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 60 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 23 g protein
Get the recipe from Recipe Diaries.
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