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What can you put in an air fryer?

Amina19 APRIL 2026
Roast chicken on a platter with tomatoes and lemon slices, plus sides of broccoli, bread, and potatoes on a table.

Did you know that with an air fryer you can do much more than just prepare tasty, deep-fried snacks and fries? With the push of a button, you can prepare delicious dishes: from chicken and fish to even bread and cake. Discover here what you can make in an air fryer.

What can you prepare in the air fryer?

A black air fryer sits on a kitchen counter, filled with cooked food. Jars, fruit, and vegetables are nearby, with cabinets in the background.

The air fryer is a real all-rounder in the kitchen, if you check whether your ingredients can go in the air fryer. This way you can be sure that you can prepare the products without damaging your device. With an air fryer you can make crispy fries and snacks, but also a lot more. Think juicy chicken breasts and salmon or even roasted vegetables. In addition, the air fryer is suitable for baking cakes, muffins or cupcakes. Do you have bake-off rolls at home? You can also put them on the table in a few minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Discover our air fryers

Potato dishes and savoury snacks in the air fryer

The most famous products for the air fryer are classics such as fries and snacks. But there are many other potato dishes and savoury snacks that you can prepare in no time. For example, consider these delicacies:

An air fryer with an open drawer holds seasoned potato wedges; above, a digital panel glows and a finger presses sync.

French fries and potatoes

Potato dishes and an air fryer are an excellent match. Thanks to the circulating air, potatoes get a crispy, golden-brown outside, while the inside remains creamy. Be sure to try these preparations:

  • Frozen or fresh fries
  • Baby potatoes with herbs
  • Potato gratin in a heat-resistant dish
  • Hasselback potatoes

Tip: sweet potatoes also do well in the air fryer. So be sure to check out our recipe for sweet potato fries!

A white fryer stands on a wooden counter; beside it lie chips, croquettes and a small bowl of sauce in a bright kitchen.

Snacks

Do you want to quickly put a tasty snack on the table for the aperitif or in front of the TV? With these air fryer-proof snacks you can quickly make the evening even more enjoyable:

  • Bitterballen, cheese croquets or mini spring rolls
  • Pizza snacks or mini quiches
  • Vegetarian snacks such as falafel or vegetable balls

Meals in the air fryer

An air fryer is surprisingly versatile. You can do much more with it than prepare a few fries and snacks. Even complete meals can be prepared in no time. We help you on your way to experimenting in the kitchen:

An open black Tefal air fryer sits on a wooden counter; inside the drawer, a juicy piece of grilled meat with herbs rests on the grill.

Chicken and meat

The high temperature gives chicken and other meats a beautiful golden-brown exterior and a juicy interior. Our favourites:

  • Chicken drumsticks, chicken fillets or chicken wings
  • Meatballs of burgers
  • Steak (briefly fried at high temperature)
  • Bacon strips for salads or pasta

Salmon fillets rest on broccoli in an air fryer, while golden chicken pieces cook in the drawer below on the worktop.

Fish

Pan-frying fish can sometimes be tricky because most varieties fall apart quickly. In the air fryer, your fish fillet will remain nicely intact and cook evenly. An air fryer is therefore highly recommended for fish lovers. Some examples:

  • Salmon fillets or cod
  • Fish fingers or breaded fish
  • Scampi or prawns

Tip: you can also prepare most meat substitutes in the air fryer.

Green beans cook in an open air fryer, with a few pieces of onion and red chilli visible in the basket on a white surface.

Vegetables

Do you also want to prepare a healthy portion of vegetables in the air fryer? Here are our favourites:

  • Zucchini, paprika and eggplant
  • Cauliflower or broccoli florets with herbs
  • Roasted mushrooms
  • Corn on the cob

Pastry in the air fryer

An air fryer works like a mini convection oven and is ideal for small portions of savoury or sweet pastries.

Crusty bread rolls rest on a cloth, baked golden brown with a rustic crust and deep slashes across the tops.

Bread and bake-off rolls

Making fresh bread or preparing bake-off rolls: an air fryer does it at the touch of a button. In a few minutes you can put these delicacies on the table:

  • Small sandwiches
  • Focaccias or ciabatta's
  • Naan bread

Tip: if you want to bake fresh bread, it’s best to choose an XL air fryer or XXL air fryer.

Savoury egg muffins with vegetables and cheese sit golden brown in a blue silicone mould on a wooden board.

Cakes and muffins

Cakes and pastries also rise nicely in the air fryer. Use a suitable tray and keep a close eye on the time and temperature for a fluffy and evenly baked result.

  • Vanilla or chocolate muffins
  • Cake in a small baking pan
  • Brownies
  • Apple fritters or puff pastry bites

What can't go in the air fryer?

A glossy golden drop of oil rests on soft beige fabric with flowing folds in warm, muted light.

While an air fryer is versatile, there are some ingredients that you shouldn't use in the air fryer:

  • Liquid dough like that for oliebollen, unless you have a specific variant for the oven or air fryer.
  • Fatty meat: the heat coil sucks up fat droplets, which causes smoke in your air fryer.
  • Sweet marinades: sugar will caramelise under high heat and then burn, which can also lead to smoke.

Hands unroll a sheet of baking parchment on a flat surface, ready for use in cooking or baking in the kitchen.
  • Baking paper: although it may be tempting to use baking paper for a clean air fryer, you should avoid this. The paper obstructs air circulation and can even get into the ventilation.
  • Frying oil or fat: use a few drops of olive or sunflower oil at most. Drizzle the oil onto the food items and do not pour directly into the basket.
  • Water: in certain situations, a little water is acceptable, for example for cleaning the air fryer.

Frying, baking, grilling and roasting

Grilled steaks with clear char lines sit beside vine tomatoes on a black grill plate, with vegetables served around them.

With an air fryer, you can prepare all kinds of meals in different ways: frying without fat, baking, grilling, and even steaming is among the possibilities. Depending on what you want to prepare, you may need additional accessories. Do you want to use the air fryer for healthy frying? You can opt for a bag of frozen fries, but you can also peel fresh potatoes or prepare homemade fries for the air fryer. Are you a baking enthusiast? With the air fryer you can make delicious cakes, pies and muffins. In that case, choose an air fryer with a large capacity and provide yourself with a suitable baking pan. For grilling, you need a grill plate, and for roasting, a grid or basket is required.

Handy Air Fryer Accessories

Flaked almonds cover a golden baked cake in a black tin, beside a red oven glove on a patterned cloth.

Want to get even more out of your air fryer preparations? With the right accessories, you can get the most out of your device, such as:

  • Baking pans: a must if you like to bake or make oven dishes. Use them for a quiche, lasagna, gratin or a small cake. Choose heat-resistant materials such as silicone or ceramic.
  • Silicone baking mats: suitable for baking puff pastry snacks, cookies or roasted vegetables such as bell pepper or mushrooms.

Two golden-brown pies sit on the worktop, one in an air fryer and one in a green dish, with a sliced piece set beside them.
  • Partitions: handy for making several preparations at the same time. For example, fry potatoes and chicken legs at the same time, without flavours or juices mixing. Super convenient for a quick and efficient meal. This means you don't necessarily need a double air fryer.
  • Non-stick baskets: indispensable for delicate snacks such as spring rolls, falafel or cheese croquettes. Thanks to the coating, nothing sticks, and you can effortlessly remove everything from your air fryer.
  • Grill plates and grids: a must if you want to grill or roast in your air fryer. Think of grilled vegetables, meat or fish. Grates allow for even air circulation, making everything crispy without oil.

Our advice on what can go in an air fryer

Whether you like fries, crispy chicken wings, grilled vegetables or homemade muffins: you can make it all with an air fryer. This compact device is not only surprisingly versatile, but also quick and easy to use. But remember to avoid some less suitable ingredients, such as liquid dough or fatty meats, and use the right accessories for best results.

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