I've been air frying since before it went viral — back when people still side-eyed the countertop appliance and called it a "tiny convection oven." From Dominican tostones to Korean soy garlic drumsticks, my air fryer is hands-down the most-used appliance in my kitchen. These are my tested, perfected air fryer recipes — every one with exact times, temps, and the tips I wish someone had told me when I started. Whether you just unboxed your first air fryer or you've been using one for years, you'll find something here worth making tonight.
This is a growing collection of every air fryer recipe on Kelvin's Kitchen. Browse by category below, or use Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac) to jump to a specific dish.
Quick Weeknight Dinners (Under 30 Minutes)
These are the recipes I reach for on a Tuesday night when I want real food fast. Every one clocks in under 30 minutes from fridge to plate — no compromises on flavor.
- Air Fryer Pork Chops — Juicy, seasoned bone-in chops with a golden crust in under 20 minutes flat.
- Air Fryer Fish in 8 Minutes — Tender, flaky white fish with a light crispy coating — the fastest dinner in this entire collection.
- Air Fryer Soy Garlic Drumsticks — Sweet-savory Korean-inspired drumsticks that caramelize perfectly in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Glazed Salmon Bites — Bite-sized, sticky-sweet salmon that crisps on the outside and stays silky inside. Fifteen minutes, tops.
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs — No boiling water, no guessing — the simplest air fryer hack that gives you perfect eggs every single time.
Chicken & Poultry
Chicken is king in the air fryer. The circulating heat crisps the skin and locks in juices in a way that ovens just can't match at these speeds. These are my go-to chicken recipes.
- Air Fryer Chicharrón de Pollo — Crispy Dominican chicken bites marinated in citrus and garlic, air fried until golden and shattering-crispy.
- Air Fryer Soy Garlic Drumsticks — Korean-inspired drumsticks with a sticky soy-garlic glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
- Authentic Tandoori Chicken in Air Fryer — Restaurant-quality tandoori with charred edges and juicy meat — no clay oven needed.
- Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Wings — Sticky, sweet, and spicy wings that get perfectly crispy without a drop of frying oil.
Beef, Pork & Lamb
Ribs, chops, belly — the air fryer handles all of it. You get that caramelized bark and tender interior without heating up the whole kitchen. These are the meat recipes I keep coming back to.
- Air Fryer Country Style Pork Ribs — Tender, fall-apart ribs with a smoky bark in a fraction of the oven time.
- Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly — Shattering-crispy skin over melt-in-your-mouth meat. This one is a showstopper.
- Savory Pork Riblets in the Air Fryer — Quick-cooking riblets with a sticky, caramelized glaze that makes them disappear fast.
- Air Fryer Pork Chops — Juicy, perfectly seasoned bone-in chops with a golden crust every time.
- Perfect Air Fryer Lamb Chops — Restaurant-quality lamb with my secret marinade that makes all the difference.
Seafood & Fish
Seafood in the air fryer is a game changer — it cooks fast, stays moist, and you get a golden exterior without the mess of deep frying. These are my most-requested fish and shrimp recipes.
- Air Fryer Shrimp Boil — All the flavors of a low country boil — shrimp, corn, sausage, potatoes — without the giant pot.
- Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Glazed Salmon Bites — Bite-sized salmon glazed in honey butter and garlic — crisps on the outside, stays silky inside.
- Air Fryer Fish in 8 Minutes — Tender, flaky white fish with a light crispy coating. Eight minutes from basket to plate.
Appetizers & Snacks
The air fryer was basically made for snack food. Cheese sticks, eggs, crispy bites — everything comes out golden and perfect with zero deep frying. These are what I make when company's coming over (or when I'm just snacking).
- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks — Air Fried vs Deep Fried — Golden, stretchy cheese pulls without the deep fryer mess. I tested both methods so you don't have to.
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs — The easiest hard boiled eggs you'll ever make. Perfect for meal prep or a quick protein snack.
- Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Wings — Sweet, spicy, and addictive — the appetizer that never makes it to the table because people eat them all in the kitchen.
Sides & Vegetables
Air fryer sides cook while you focus on the main — and they come out crispier than anything you'd get from the oven. Plantains, sweet potatoes, and more.
- Air Fryer Tostones — Twice-pressed Dominican plantains that come out golden and crunchy — all the crunch, a fraction of the oil.
- Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries — Caramelized, crispy sweet potato fries with just a spray of oil. The side dish that steals the show.
Dominican & Caribbean Air Fryer Recipes
This is where it gets personal. I grew up on Dominican food — tostones, chicharrón, all of it. Adapting these classics for the air fryer means I get the same flavors and textures my abuela made, with way less oil. If you're Dominican or Caribbean and just got an air fryer, start here.
- Air Fryer Tostones — Crispy Dominican Plantains Without the Oil — The same golden, twice-pressed tostones you know — minus the cup of oil. Perfect every time.
- Air Fryer Chicharrón de Pollo — Crispy Dominican Chicken Bites — The Dominican street food classic. Marinated in lime, garlic, and sazón, then air fried to crispy perfection.
- Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly — Chicharrón-style crispy pork belly with that shattering skin — no deep fryer, no splatter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size air fryer do I need?
For one to two people, a 3–4 quart air fryer works fine. For families or meal prep, go with a 5–6 quart model — that's what I use for most of my recipes. If you cook for a crowd regularly or want to do whole chickens, look at 8+ quart models or dual-basket air fryers. The most important thing is not overcrowding the basket — air needs to circulate for that crispy finish.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
For most recipes, yes — 3 to 5 minutes at the cooking temperature. Preheating gives you a better sear and crispier results right from the start. The exception is delicate items like fish fillets or eggs, where you want a gentler start. I note in each recipe whether preheating matters.
Can I use aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, but only in the basket — never cover the bottom where the heating element or fan is. Foil is great for easy cleanup and for keeping sauces from dripping through. Just make sure it doesn't block airflow, and always weigh it down with food so it doesn't blow into the heating element.
What's the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven?
They work on the same principle — a fan circulates hot air around the food. The difference is size and speed. An air fryer's smaller chamber means the air moves faster and closer to the food, so you get crispier results in less time. Think of it as a turbocharged convection oven. I typically reduce oven recipes by 25°F and 20% of the cooking time when adapting them for the air fryer.
What are the best foods to cook in an air fryer?
Anything you'd normally deep fry or roast at high heat does exceptionally well — chicken wings, pork chops, tostones, fries, fish. Foods with some natural fat or a light oil coating crisp up best. The air fryer also excels at reheating leftovers (pizza, fries, fried chicken) far better than a microwave. Where it struggles: wet batters (like beer batter) that drip through the basket, and very large items that block airflow.
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