Air Fryer Archives - Vegetable Recipes

Air Fryer Tater Tots

Mary Younkin — Wed, 06 May 2026 20:14:02 +0000

My go-to recipe for Air Fryer Tater Tots leaves them crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, finished with a soft layer of melted cheddar and a generous scatter of fresh parsley. I’ve never regretted making a batch. Not even when I eat them all by myself!

Tater tots in the air fryer come out crispier than the oven and with none of the oily cleanup from deep frying. And, they go from the freezer to the table in just 15 minutes. If you like tater tots, chances are good you also like fries. And, I’ve dialed in my air fryer frozen French fries with the same level of care. You can eat simply, and still eat well!

Air Fryer Tater Tots

The air fryer earned its real estate on my counter the day I started making fries in it. Tater tots followed shortly after, and once I tried adding a layer of fresh shredded cheddar in the last minute, this version has pretty much never left the rotation. Crispy spuds, melted cheese, fresh herbs? Yes, yes, and YES!

The texture is the reason I keep coming back to the air fryer. You simply can’t recreate this texture in the oven. And, you already know how much I adore roasting. These are crackly crispy all over because of the air flow.

Skip the cheese if it is not your thing and these crispy tots will still stand on their own. But, at my house the parsley still goes on, either way. The fresh herbs are the key to keeping a snack like this from feeling heavy.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Tater Tots – These are regular frozen tater tots, straight from the freezer. I am not brand loyal on tots. We almost always buy ours at Kroger.

Olive Oil Cooking Spray – Two light passes total: once over the tots before they go in the basket, and once again after the halfway shake. The spray gives more even coverage and uses less oil than tossing them in a bowl. I pretty much always have olive oil Pam on hand, and that’s what I use. But, any neutral cooking spray works.

Cheese – I like to mix my cheeses. So, I will usually do half and half, freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. My boys prefer it with Pepper Jack.

Italian Parsley – Please treat yourself to some fresh Italian parsley. The fresh herby notes against the backdrop of the rich cheese and hearty tots is what makes this dish. That said, you can skip it if you want. I’m not mad. I’ll just be sad for you.

Notes on Equipment

Air Fryer – The air fryer has become my go-to appliance for so many quick and easy hot lunches. I’m partial to a square basket, as I find it easier to fit more food in it. This is a 5.8QT air fryer, one of the largest machines I’ve tested that still works effectively.
Cooking spray or oil
Box or rotary grater (and this one is a dream to work with!) It chews through all of our cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and nuts with ease, saving me a ton of prep time.
Sharp knife and a cutting board (for the parsley)

How to Make Air Fryer Tater Tots

Preheating: Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it run for three minutes empty before the tots go in. Basket-style air fryers do better with a brief preheat.

Loading the Basket: I tip the frozen tater tots straight from the bag into the basket and arrange them in a single layer. A little overlap is fine, but a full second layer will keep them from crisping as well.

Spraying First: The goal is even coverage, not a heavy coat. So, you’ll just have to give the tots a light spray. Two seconds should be plenty for the whole basket.

Cooking: I let them air fry at 400°F for eight minutes. (Don’t forget to set a timer!) The tots will start to color and the basket will start to smell divine.

Shredding the Cheese: While the tots cook, you’ll want to shred the cheese. I use my rotary grater and just save the rest of the shredded block in a Ziploc in the refrigerator.

Shaking and Spraying: When the timer goes off, I pull the basket out and give it a good two-handed shake to redistribute the tots. Give them another quick spray with oil.

Cooking Again: You’ll need to pop the basket back in and fry for another 4 minutes. Air fryers vary by model, so start checking at three. The tots should come out deep golden brown and crispy at the edges.

Melting the Cheese: I sprinkle the freshly shredded cheddar evenly over the hot tots in the basket. Back into the air fryer for about a minute.

Serving: Transfer the cheesy tots to a serving plate or shallow bowl and scatter the chopped parsley across the top right away, while the cheese is still warm enough to grab onto it.

Expert Tip

Single layer is the only rule that really matters when it comes to air frying. You can get away with an occasional extra tot (or three). But, don’t pile in multiple layers of frozen tots. Crowded tots steam each other in their own moisture, and steamed tots come out soft no matter how long you run the timer. If your basket can’t hold the whole bag in one layer, do two rounds. Trust me. No one likes soft tots.

Always Start Frozen – Do not thaw the tots before they go in the basket. Frozen food releases moisture as it thaws, and the exterior of the food will absorb part of that water and be too moist. This recipe is written for frozen tots.

Two Sprays Are Better Than One – The second spray after the halfway shake is a small step that a lot of people skip. It matters. It helps ensure more complete coverage, giving every exterior edge a chance to crisp up.

Shred the Cheese Yourself – I have strong opinions on cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with a starch that keeps it from clumping in the bag. And, it has its place. But not in this recipe. You’ll get a much smoother cheese melt with freshly shredded.

Serving Suggestions

These air fryer tater tots are a snack that turns into a moment as soon as you set them down on the table with my cheese sauce. I also like to dress mine up with a sprinkle of French fry seasoning for some extra personality.

If I’m making a full meal of it, I pair a basket of tots with a stack of taco quesadillas. Then, I just hand everyone a plate and call it dinner. Zero complaints.

Storage & Reheating

How to Store: Leftover cheesy tater tots keep in an airtight container in the fridge for several days. I don’t recommend re-freezing them.

How to Reheat: A few minutes in the air fryer will bring these tots most of the way back to their original glory. You can also use the microwave if you’re in a hurry, but the texture will be lacking.

More Air Fryer Recipes

What other cheeses work in this air fryer tater tots recipe?

Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, a Mexican blend, mozzarella, or a fresh cheddar-jack mix all work. Just shred it yourself from a block.

Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?

No, you shouldn’t. Just pull the bag from the freezer, tip it into the basket and start the timer.

Can I make this recipe for air fryer tater tots without the cheese?

Yes. While I think cheese is a wonderful addition, the crispy tots are good on their own. Just skip the cheese melt step, and scatter the parsley on top. Please don’t skip the parsley. Trust me on that.

Air Fryer Tater Tots

You could be eating crispy, cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots fifteen minutes from right now. Don't you deserve a treat?

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 14

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 289kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

24 ounces frozen tater tots
olive oil cooking spray
1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese Monterey jack cheese, Pepper jack cheese, or the fresh cheese blend of your choice
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped small

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray them lightly with olive oil spray. Shake the basket and spray again.
Air fry for 8 minutes. Shake the basket well and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 60-90 seconds, just long enough to melt the cheese. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Mary Younkin — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are proof that a little extra preparation goes a long, long way. The secret? It takes less than a minute with a chef’s knife. Your guests will rave about these crispy edges, loaded with fresh parmesan cheese and Italian parsley.

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

I’ve made Hasselback potatoes before. That probably goes without saying for anyone who knows me. My family eats a lot of potatoes. We adore the humble spud, in all of its wonderful ways. But, air fryer Hasselback potatoes? I was entering uncharted territory.

I knew what I wanted, though. I had recently tried some Parmesan french fries that were still on my mind. And, I wanted to recreate those divine flavors and textures. So, I broke out the shredded parmesan cheese and fresh Italian parsley. And, I’m happy to say that the potatoes were fantastic served with this zucchini meatloaf.

What are Hasselback Potatoes?

If I lost you at Hasselback, don’t worry. There were a lot of people asking, “What are Hasselback potatoes?” back when these were making the rounds on social media. This distinctive method of preparing potatoes originated in Sweden in the 1950s at the Hasselbacken Restaurant. Hence, the name.

And, while they look difficult, they’re really quite simple to prepare if you use one easy to remember trick. Just lay a chopstick along either side of the potato. This allows you to slice the potato at intervals without cutting all the way through. The slices stay connected at the base, which makes the potato fan out as it bakes.

Aside from appearances, this method also lets you get plenty of seasoning on each slice of potato. And, the textures are incredible. At the outer edge it’s extra crispy, almost crunchy like a thick potato chip, while the center remains soft and creamy.

Hasselback Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Potatoes take a long time to cook, even in the air fryer. So, my favorite part of making Hasselback potatoes in the air fryer is that it leaves my oven available. The air fryer doesn’t exactly replace the oven, but is deputized for the battle to get dinner to the table. And, especially for getting crispy sides like an air fryer Hasselback potato, this little machine is a highly effective deputy, indeed.

I use the COSORI Air Fryer for all of my air fryer recipes. I’m partial to a square basket air fryer as I find it easier to fit more food into the basket. This is a 5.8QT air fryer, one of the largest machines I’ve found that works effectively.

The machine is a bit retro with simple knob controls. It turns out that I really like the basic settings and ability to set the time and temp like a traditional appliance. I’ve used a few different air fryers with pre-programmed settings and I found I was still tweaking the times.

This air fryer is surprisingly easy to clean and the two-part basket locks together (it’s literally impossible for it to detach the way some do) until you open the latch and then push the button to release it. I simply wipe down the baskets with a sudsy dish scrub brush or sponge, rinse and let them air dry on the counter.

Potato Sides

I did say that my family loves potatoes, right? You can see it in the sheer number of potato sides that appear on this blog. And, I’m not sorry about it. Because people need to know about these mouth-watering cheesy roasted potatoes. These are pure comfort food.

And, broccoli mashed potatoes are a very successful attempt (if I say so myself) to bring mashed potatoes and broccoli together, inspired by my family’s fondness for Irish colcannon.

This recipe for garlic parmesan smashed potatoes is the joyous marriage of fluffy, tender insides and delightfully crispy edges. Every flavor-packed bite will have your taste buds dancing.

If you want a fresh twist on the classic baked spud, then put my loaded baked potato salad on the menu. With fluffy potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives, there is a whole lot of flavor in every awesome bite.

You can even make delicious, thick steak fries at home with these roasted red potato wedges. I like to season them with our custom French fry seasoning, and then dip them in homemade ranch.

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Crispy and cheesy, these easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes with parmesan will make any meal feel gourmet.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 207kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

(4) 6-8 ounce russet potatoes scrubbed well and patted dry
4 tablespoons olive oil or olive oil spray
½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup fresh Italian parsley finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Cut a very thin slice lengthwise from the flattest side of a potato. Place the potato on a cutting board cut side down, so that it is steady and doesn't roll. Place a chopstick along either side of the potato.
Slice as evenly as possible across the length of the potato, creating ⅛-inch thick slices. Make sure the knife cuts all the way down to the chopsticks each time, while keeping the potato in one piece. Repeat with the remaining potatoes.
Brush the outsides and between the slices with oil, or spray generously with oil, in between the slices and over the exterior of the potatoes. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Place potatoes in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes. Brush or spray again with oil and cook until crispy on the edges and tender in the middles, about 15 minutes more. Top with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Mary Younkin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Tender strips of chicken, bell peppers, and onions are seasoned with taco spices, then cooked to crispy, juicy perfection in the air fryer. Serve these air fryer fajitas in warm tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings for a fresh and easy meal.

Chicken Fajitas in the Air Fryer

Obsessed, that’s the only way I can think to describe my current level of use for our air fryer. It’s just so EASY! I avoided using an air fryer for so long because air fryer recipes seem to pop up everywhere I turn, but friends, there’s a solid reason for that.

And while, yes, while the oven can handle just about anything an air fryer does, (see these sheet pan chicken fajitas for proof of that), the air fryer simply shines in certain situations because of its design. In this case, the rapid airflow around the food helps the chicken and vegetables to develop crispier edges while staying nice and juicy inside for these air fryer fajitas.

When I’m cooking for just a few people, or making lunch for myself, the air fryer rapidly becomes one of my favorite kitchen tools. It’s become a regular workhorse in my kitchen over the past year for easy hot lunches when I’m on my own.

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Air fryer chicken fajitas are quick, full of flavor, and perfect for busy days. If you’ve been cooking with me for long at all, you already know how much I like to save time and effort in the kitchen – but never if it means sacrificing flavor or textures in the final dish.

These air fryer fajitas are everything I love about classic restaurant or grilled fajitas, juicy chicken, crisp peppers, and bold flavor from the seasonings, but made as easy as can be by simply tossing the chicken and vegetables together in a mixing bowl and coating everything with a bit of oil and plenty of spices.

Then just cook batches in the air fryer while prepping the tortillas and toppings. Give the basket a shake every so often for crispy edges, and you’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes.

Want a few more air fryer meals to try? Air fryer eggplant parmesan is a fresh new way to make classic eggplant parm. Crispy, lightly breaded slices of eggplant don’t get too soft in this recipe process, and they form delicious layers between all that sauce and cheese.

This brown sugar salmon recipe uses the air fryer to cook a piece of salmon to seasoned and subtly sweet perfection in mere minutes. I like this salmon so much, I’ve made it at least twice a month for several months now.

Air fryer stuffed peppers give you all the savory, substantial goodness of traditional stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time; no need to wait an hour for them to bake.

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Tender strips of chicken, bell peppers, and onions are seasoned with taco spices, then cooked to crispy, juicy perfection in the air fryer.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 295kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

2 tablespoons light flavored olive oil divided
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts sliced into very thin strips
3 tablespoons taco seasoning divided
1 small yellow onion sliced into thin strips
3 bell peppers, any color, sliced into thin strips
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Optional Toppings

sour cream
guacamole
fresh cilantro chopped small

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Combine the chicken, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in a mixing bowl. Toss well to coat.
Add the peppers and onions to the bowl, drizzle with the remaining oil, and sprinkle with the remaining taco seasoning. Toss again to make sure that everything is well coated.
Place a layer of chicken and vegetables in the air fryer basket, about a third of the recipe. Cook for 8 minutes, pausing and shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. When the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through, transfer from the air fryer to a serving dish. Repeat the process twice more, until all of the food has been cooked.
Squeeze lime over the chicken and vegetables and serve warm with tortillas. Top with sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro as desired.

Nutrition

Baked Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer

Mary Younkin — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Forget heating up the oven, use the air fryer for baked sweet potatoes. The first time I baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer it was a game-changer for me.

Over the past couple of months, this has been my lunch at least once a week.

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes with their soft fluffy insides are delightful with a simple pat of butter and a sprinkling of kosher salt. Crispy on the outside and piping hot, sweet potatoes make a hearty side dish or a light meal on their own.

The cooking time for sweet potatoes depends entirely on the size of the potatoes. The sweet potatoes pictured here were fairly small to medium size and they cooked in just over 30 minutes.

Larger sweet potatoes typically require about 45 minutes of cooking time. Don’t stress the outsides of the potatoes, as they will be deeply browned by the time the potatoes are cooked through. Just test with a fork for doneness.

Air Fryer Potatoes

Let’s be honest, I bought an air fryer for making french fries, it is the closest thing I’ve found to the results you can achieve with an actual deep fryer. Fortunately, I’ve found quite a few other uses for my air fryer, especially when cooking for just one or two people.

You may not really need a recipe to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, but the seasonings here take sweet potato fries to the next level.

Slightly crisp with soft sweet insides, air fryer sweet potato wedges dipped in ketchup are impossible to resist. Potatoes are a go-to side in my house and these air fryer potatoes make a weekly appearance on our table. When grilling or not wanting to heat up the oven these come in handy.

Baked Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer

You’ll need just three ingredients to make this recipe:

medium sweet potatoes
olive oil
kosher salt

Cooking Time for Sweet Potatoes

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Poke holes all over them with a fork.

Drizzle the sweet potatoes with oil and rub it over the potatoes with your hands.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer and sprinkle them generously with salt. Air fry for 30-45 minutes until fork tender. Serve with the toppings of your choice.

Why poke holes in potatoes?

Just a quick note here, don’t forget to poke holes in each potato. When you’re preparing any kind of potatoes, it’s a good idea to poke them with a fork or knife before baking.

As potatoes bake, the moisture inside them turns to steam, which builds up pressure inside the potato. If the pressure becomes too great, the potato can burst open in the oven.

By poking holes in the sweet potatoes before baking, you create vents that allow steam to escape. This helps to prevent the pressure from building up too much inside the potato, reducing the likelihood of an exploded sweet potato in the air fryer. Let’s just avoid that whole mess.

Sweet Potato Toppings

If I happen to have some taco beef or bbq chicken on hand, I like to pile it on top of the split sweet potato to amp up the protein in the meal. A scoop of chili also works well as a potato topping.

Burrata is an amazing sweet potato topping if you happen to have it on hand. For breakfast, a leftover sweet potato half topped with a fried egg is happiness on my plate.

As much as I love a savory sweet potato; there are a whole lot of people who go for the sweet option. A sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar with a handful of toasted mini marshmallows reminds me of the sweet potatoes served at Texas Roadhouse.

This crispy, cheesy, immensely snackable Air Fryer Eggplant is going to change your mind forever about this awesome vegetable.

With only a handful of ingredients, these Glazed Sweet Potatoes form an amazing caramelized brown sugar crust on top as they roast and broil in the oven.

Looking for more comfort food side dishes? Creamy, classic mashed potatoes are elevated with the sharp and tangy flavor of white cheddar cheese in these White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes.

Rich and savory ground beef is seasoned with a dash of aromatic spices, beneath a fluffy layer of mashed sweet potatoes in this ground beef sweet potato casserole.

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Forget heating up the oven, use the air fryer for baked sweet potatoes. The first time I baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer it was a game-changer for me.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 230kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes about 6-8 ounces each
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Poke holes all over them with a fork. Drizzle with oil and rub all over the potatoes with your hands.
Place in the air fryer and sprinkle generously with salt. Air fry for 30-45 minutes until fork tender. Serve with the toppings of your choice.

Notes

The cooking time for sweet potatoes depends entirely on the size of the potatoes. The sweet potatoes pictured here were fairly small to medium size and they cooked in just over 30 minutes.

Nutrition

{originally published 3/10/23 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/27/25}

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Mary Younkin — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:30:00 +0000

These air fryer stuffed peppers give you all the savory, substantial goodness of traditional stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time; no need to wait an hour for them to bake!

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Air fryers are a hot commodity -pun intended- in the kitchenwares category these days, and for very good reasons. They are -to oversimplify- basically compact convection ovens.

Using a fan to circulate the heat and having the food positioned closer to the heating element allows the food to cook faster and more evenly. This convection process helps develop a crispy crust while sealing moisture inside all while using less oil!

Stuffed peppers are a perfect candidate for air fryer cooking. The ideal stuffed pepper is crisp tender without being mushy, and the air fryer delivers flawlessly.

Italian Stuffed Peppers

To make these air fried stuffed peppers, you’ll need the following ingredients:

bell peppers
ground beef
onion
garlic
rice
pasta sauce
crushed red pepper flakes
Italian seasoning
garlic powder
onion powder
kosher salt
black pepper
cheese
parsley

Sometimes I like to use all one color of pepper and sometimes I like to change it up and do red, yellow, and orange all at the same time. You can choose any color bell pepper that strikes your fancy.

You have choices when it comes to the cheese, too. Whether you choose mozzarella, Monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese, just be sure to pick a good melter!

Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. In a medium skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef.

When the beef is almost done cooking, add the onion and the garlic. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if needed.

Add 1 cup of spaghetti sauce, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the meat. Bring to a simmer and cook for a minute or two.

While the filling is simmering, split the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the peppers in the basket of the air fryer. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cooked rice.

Spoon an equal amount of the filling into each bell pepper. Spoon the remaining pasta sauce over the top of each pepper.

Air fry the filled peppers for 15 minutes. Add the shredded cheese and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Stuffed Pepper Recipes

This recipe is adapted from a stuffed bell peppers dish I started making when I was a newlywed. The benefit to using the air fryer here is the decreased cooking time and also that it is perfect for just 2-3 servings; something that I’m learning to appreciate as our children grow older and are often not home for meals with us.

We are clearly fans of the whole stuffed pepper category here, between our Lasagna Stuffed Peppers, and Stuffed Poblano Peppers. They’re such a visually pleasing, perfect “meal in one” option to tickle our tastebuds and still fill us up!

Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers

These air fryer stuffed peppers give you all the savory, substantial goodness of traditional stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time; no need to wait an hour for them to bake!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 15

Total Time 1 30

Servings -3 servings

Calories 472kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

2 large bell peppers red, orange, yellow, or green
½ pound ground beef
½ small yellow onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic minced
12 ounces pasta sauce homemade or store-bought (about 1½ cups)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
½ cup cooked rice
¾ cup freshly shredded Monterrey jack, pepper jack, or Mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. In a medium skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef. When the beef is almost done cooking, add the onion and the garlic. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if needed.
Add 1 cup of spaghetti sauce, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the meat. Bring to a simmer and cook for a minute or two.
While the filling is simmering, split the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the peppers in the basket of the air fryer. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cooked rice.
Spoon an equal amount of the filling into each bell pepper. Spoon the remaining pasta sauce over the top of each pepper.
Air fry the filled peppers for 15 minutes. Add the shredded cheese and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Mary Younkin — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 09:30:00 +0000

The sweet heat of honey sriracha Brussels Sprouts will have everyone devouring these little bites before they make it to the table.

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

These irresistible sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts were inspired by the Sriracha Honey Roasted Broccoli that I’ve been making for almost ten years now. The first time we combined those flavors with crispy oven-roasted vegetables, we were hooked from the very first bite.

I’ve made these in the air fryer and in the oven numerous times. My personal preference is the oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, as they become a little bit crispier and caramelized this way.

However, they’re still absolutely delicious in the air fryer and it is a faster cooking process for a single-batch recipe. If you choose to double the recipe though (and I do recommend it!) you’ll want to use the larger cooking space of a sheet pan in the oven.

Be sure to coat your Brussels Sprouts with the honey sriracha mixture before cooking. Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey sriracha, and pepper together in a mixing bowl. Add the sprouts to the bowl and toss.

For oven roasting, just spread toss the Brussels sprouts in the sauce and then spread them in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. I do take an extra minute and arrange them cut side down. The crispy caramelized crust that develops during roasting is simply amazing.

Air Fryer Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Oven roasting is my favorite cooking method for these sprouts, but the air fryer has become my go-to for small batches or when I am making something for just one or two people. The trick I have found when air frying vegetables is to have just a single layer.

Depending on the size of your air fryer that may mean you have to fry in more than one batch. Which isn’t usually a big deal as they do cook rather quickly.

When air frying, take a quick minute and give the Brussels Sprouts a toss halfway through cooking. This will ensure they cook evenly and give you lots of crispy edges to enjoy.

Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

fresh Brussels sprouts
soy sauce
sesame oil
honey
sriracha
freshly ground black pepper
sliced almonds
green onion

Oven Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, and pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss well to coat.
Spread the Brussels sprouts across the greased baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until the sprouts are tender and have browned.
Sprinkle with almonds and green onions before serving.

Air Fryer Directions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha and pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss well to coat.
Place the Brussels sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry for 8-9 minutes. If you are using a basket-style air fry toss the basket at about 4 minutes for even cooking. The pieces should be slightly crisp and fork-tender when done.
Sprinkle with almonds and green onions before serving.

Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Brussels Sprouts are a side dish that seems to elevate any ordinary meal. Bonus that they are easy to prepare and pack in so much flavor.

Crisp edges with a tender center, these tangy lemon garlic Brussels sprouts pack a delicious garlicky kick. This recipe is so easy, you’ll be eating them out of the pan in no time at all!

Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and pecans is a holiday-sounding side dish you can eat any day of the week.

Rich and delicious is the best way to describe creamed Brussels Sprouts with garlic and parmesan. Sprinkle them with bacon and you won’t want to share!

Made in the oven or in the air fryer, these Cajun Brussels Sprouts are a crispy, flavorful snack or side dish.

Irresistibly crispy and nutty sprouts are balanced with sweet and tender caramelized carrots in this recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots.

Savory Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic, Red Pepper, and Parmesan are the side that has been missing from your table. These Brussels are so darn good, that you are going to be grabbing them straight out of the pan.

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

The sweet heat of honey sriracha Brussels Sprouts will have everyone devouring these little bites before they make it to the table.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 161kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and sliced in half, about 6 cups worth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1-2 teaspoons sriracha adjust to your preference
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 green onion thinly sliced about 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Oven Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, and pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss well to coat.
Spread the Brussels sprouts across the greased baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until the sprouts are tender and have browned.
Sprinkle with almonds and green onions before serving.

Air Fryer Directions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha and pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss well to coat.
Place the Brussels sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry for 8-9 minutes. If you are using a basket-style air fry toss the basket at about 4 minutes for even cooking. The pieces should be slightly crisp and fork-tender when done.
Sprinkle with almonds and green onions before serving.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower

Mary Younkin — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:30:00 +0000

It takes just 15 minutes and a few simple seasonings to air fry frozen broccoli and cauliflower into irresistibly crispy and delicious bites!

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Broccoli and cauliflower are a dynamic duo in the culinary world due to their harmonious balance of flavors and textures. While broccoli brings a slightly bitter note, cauliflower offers a milder, slightly sweet taste.

This air fryer frozen broccoli and cauliflower is a super easy side dish that we make on repeat all year round. I happily eat this for lunch at least once a week too!

Together, cauliflower and broccoli create a well-rounded, delicious flavor profile. Their similar textures ensure they cook uniformly, delivering a satisfying crunch in salads, stir-fries, or roasted vegetable medleys.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

frozen broccoli florets
frozen cauliflower
olive oil spray
kosher salt
garlic powder
chili powder
cayenne pepper

Frozen Vegetables in Air Fryer

I’ve been using my air fryer for frozen vegetables for almost a year now and there’s no turning back once you’ve tried it. Frozen vegetables are the ultimate convenience for vegetable lovers and the air fryer delivers fantastic crispy results every time!

Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen vegetables in a bowl and spray with olive oil. Toss well to coat.

Sprinkle the vegetables generously with salt, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Toss again to coat.

Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5 minutes. Shake the basket well to toss the vegetables and air fry for 5 more minutes. Repeat and air fry for 5 more minutes.

Taste a vegetable and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, if desired for additional crispy edges.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipes

Broccoli and cauliflower are such a perfect match, there are endless ways to enjoy them together!

This cheddar cheese sauce for vegetables is creamy, flavorful, and rich. It is a staple in our home. We love it on broccoli and cauliflower!

Want to elevate roasted broccoli and cauliflower to a whole new level of deliciousness? Try tossing them with oil, garlic, and a dash of smoked paprika before roasting them together to tender-crisp perfection.

Crunchy yet chewy; sweet and smokey, I feel like Goldilocks when I eat this cauliflower broccoli salad because it has just the right amount of everything. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself making and eating this salad on repeat!

Tender vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce are nestled under a layer of golden, flaky biscuits just begging to be enjoyed with this pot pie casserole.

This garlic butter broccoli is easy as can be to make while it’s also flavorful and bright with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon just before serving.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower

It takes just 15 minutes and a few simple seasonings to transform frozen broccoli and cauliflower into irresistibly crispy and delicious bites!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 15

Total Time 17

Servings

Calories 53kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
12 ounces frozen cauliflower
olive oil spray
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen vegetables in a bowl and spray with olive oil. Toss well to coat.
Sprinkle the vegetables generously with salt, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Toss again to coat.
Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5 minutes. Shake the basket well to toss the vegetables and air fry for 5 more minutes. Repeat and air fry for 5 more minutes.
Taste a vegetable and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, if desired for additional crispy edges.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Mary Younkin — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 08:30:00 +0000

Crispy edges and tender insides make each bite of these garlicky Air Fryer Red Potatoes with parmesan cheese an experience worth savoring.

Air Fryer Roasted Red Potatoes

We’re big fans of the humble potato at my house. Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, french fries, potato soup, potato salad… I’ve yet to meet a potato recipe that I didn’t like.

But the flavors in these garlic parmesan red potatoes are a classic mix that just works. Combine that with huge texture from the crispy edges and shredded parmesan, and needless to say, I’m over the moon.

I like to eat these air fryer roasted red potatoes with a side of bang bang sauce or even this simple cheese sauce. They’re both loaded with incredible flavor, and pair well with this side dish.

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Red Potatoes in Air Fryer

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

red potatoes
olive oil
garlic powder
paprika
onion powder
kosher salt
black pepper
Parmesan cheese

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Then, toss with your hands to coat.

Sprinkle the potatoes generously with the spices and toss again to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with Parmesan and toss once more. Transfer the potatoes to the basket of the air fryer.

Air fry the potatoes until they are fork tender, then fry a bit longer to get a slightly crisp edge. This usually takes between 12-16 minutes. Toss potatoes after 6-7 minutes for even frying.

Garlicky Red Potatoes

Using the air fryer for vegetables is quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to make them. It is super simple and the results are crispy and delicious. So, if you enjoyed this air fryer red potato recipe, be sure to check out the rest!

This crispy, cheesy, immensely snackable Air Fryer Eggplant is going to change your mind forever about this awesome vegetable. It’s sliced thin and loaded with cheesy flavor.

Air fryer asparagus is a quick easy side with minimal prep and almost no dirty dishes. Not to mention barely any oil and a perfect crisp.

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are the popcorn of the vegetable world. There is no way you can eat just one – they are such a great snack or side. I feel like brussels sprouts are finally getting the attention they have long deserved.

While you may not really need a recipe for frozen french fries, the seasoning blend in these air fryer frozen fries is absolutely terrific. Your taste buds will thank you.

Forget heating up the oven, I even use the air fryer for baked sweet potatoes. It’s absolutely a game-changer for me.

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Crispy edges and tender insides make each bite of these garlicky red potatoes with parmesan cheese an experience worth savoring.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 210kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds small red potatoes cut in half or quarters, about 4 cups chopped bite-size
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
¼ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss with your hands to coat.
Sprinkle the potatoes generously with the spices and toss again to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with Parmesan and toss once more. Transfer the potatoes to the basket of the air fryer.
Air fry the potatoes until they are fork tender, then fry a bit longer to get a slightly crisp edge. This usually takes between 12-16 minutes. Toss potatoes after 6-7 minutes for even frying.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Green Beans

Mary Younkin — Wed, 17 May 2023 08:30:00 +0000

Thin and crispy, these easy-to-make Air Fryer Green Beans are irresistible with a squeeze of lemon juice or a side of bang bang sauce. I am hooked!

How Long to Cook Green Beans in Air Fryer

If you’d told me a couple of years ago that one day in the future I’d be air frying vegetables for an afternoon snack, I likely would’ve laughed. Hard.

Well, fast forward to today, and here I am happily eating air-fried green beans with bang bang sauce. And, they are terrific.

For those of you who are new to this cooking method and don’t know how long to cook green beans in an air fryer, I’ve got excellent news. French green beans (the thin ones) finish remarkably fast.

I’ve made green beans in the air fryer quite a few times now. So, I’m happy to answer any “How to air fry green beans?” related questions. I like to pull them from the air fryer when they’re still a bit tender, and not very crisp.

However, my kids unanimously prefer crispier beans. So, the recipe below is written for crispy air fried green beans. I recommend tasting a bean when there is still a couple of minutes remaining of the designated cooking time.

You might find that you like them more tender than crisp as well. Fortunately, whichever way you cook them, they’ll be delicious.

How to Make Green Beans in Air Fryer

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

thin green beans
olive oil
garlic powder
salt and pepper
lemon juice

Directions

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. Then, place the green beans in a large mixing bowl and drizzle very lightly with olive oil. Season with garlic, salt, and pepper, toss again to coat.

Place the green beans in the basket when it is ready. Air fry for 8-9 minutes. If you are using a basket-style air fryer shake the basket after about 5 minutes so they will cook evenly.

The beans should be slightly crisp on the edges and tender throughout when done. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving, or serve with lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Garlic Green Beans

If I’m making these for a basic side dish, I typically make the air fryer green bean recipe exactly as written below with a sprinkling of garlic and a squeeze of lemon. However, for snacking? My go-to spices are a generous sprinkling of french fry seasoning.

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. I am positively hooked on that fry seasoning mix for all kinds of things lately!

Haricots vert are my first choice when making air fryer garlic green beans. However, larger varieties may easily be substituted. Trim and cut them in half before proceeding with the recipe.

If you’re interested in more recipes for your new air fryer, I highly recommend giving these french fries a shot. The seasoning blend is incredible. And, these air fryer brussels sprouts are so good, you can’t eat just one.

For those who are like me and want to get fancy with their green beans, Green beans au gratin are a buttery, cheesy treat that gets rave reviews.

If you really want to impress, serve up a side of these green bean bacon bundles. They taste just as good as they look!

Air Fryer Green Beans

Thin and crispy, these easy-to-make, Air Fryer Green Beans are irresistible with a squeeze of lemon juice or a side of bang bang sauce.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 56kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

½ pound thin green beans a.k.a. French green beans or haricot vert
1 teaspoon olive oil
½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper adjust to taste
fresh lemon juice for serving

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the green beans in a large mixing bowl and drizzle very lightly with olive oil. Season with garlic, salt, and pepper, toss again to coat.
Place the green beans in the basket. Air fry for 8-9 minutes. If you are using a basket-style air fryer shake the basket after about 5 minutes for even cooking.
The beans should be slightly crisp on the edges and tender throughout when done. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving, or serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Thin green beans are my first choice for this recipe. However, larger green beans may easily be substituted. Trim and cut them in half before proceeding with the recipe.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Mary Younkin — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:30:00 +0000

While you may not really need a recipe to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, the seasonings here take sweet potato fries to the next level!

If you’re anything like me, you might not want to air fry the whole bag of fries though, when you’re home alone, because the odds are good that you’ll happily eat every single fry by yourself.

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer

A few weeks ago when I talked about how great frozen french fries in the air fryer can be, it led to a lovely spiral of air frying all kinds of frozen potatoes. Yes, I’m that girl with bags of frozen potatoes at her fingertips on a regular basis.

Turns out that frozen sweet potato fries are every bit as fantastic when cooked in the air fryer. And because sweet potatoes have a lot of great flavor on their own, they don’t require as many seasonings.

That said, if you love salty, heavily seasoned fries? Go crazy with the fry seasoning or just bump up the spices in the recipe below. As you know, my family loves spicy heat, so I usually kick up the cayenne when I’m making these fries.

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

This air-frying method results in absolutely delicious sweet potato fries with slightly crisp edges. If you want truly crispy fries, cook just half the potatoes at a time in a single layer with space between them.

Personally, I’m way too impatient for that and I really like the tender fries with crispy edges when cooking frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer in larger batches. If you decide to cook in small single-layer batches or would like to make enough to serve more people, you can cook in batches and hold the fries in a warm oven until ready to serve.

Although, let’s be honest, if you’re doing that? You might as well just cook them in a single layer in the oven, turning them periodically. It might or might not take longer, but it will certainly be the simpler option for a larger quantity.

While technically, you only need a bag of frozen fries and some olive oil spray to cook frozen fries in the air fryer, you’ll be much happier if you add some spices to them!

To cook perfectly seasoned frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

frozen sweet potato fries
olive oil spray
kosher salt
smoked or plain paprika
granulated garlic or garlic powder
freshly ground black pepper
cayenne pepper OPTIONAL

How to Cook Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer

Start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen french fries in a large mixing bowl or on a large sheet pan. This allows for plenty of space when coating them with oil and spices.

Spray the fries lightly with olive oil spray. Combine the salt, paprika, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle the fries generously with all of the seasonings and toss with your hands to coat.

Transfer the seasoned fries to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes. Shake the basket well and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes.

Serve hot with the dipping sauce of your choice.

Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

Forget heating up the oven, use the air fryer for baked sweet potatoes. The first time I baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer it was a game-changer for me.

Air fryer sweet potatoes are the perfect little crispy bite with a soft interior. They are great as a side, tossed into a hash, or tucked into tacos.

Fluffy sweet potatoes with crisp edges are tossed with crumbled bacon and drizzled with balsamic glaze to make these roasted sweet potato bites.

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

While you may not really need a recipe to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, the seasonings take the fries to a whole new level.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 16

Total Time 19

Servings

Calories 296kcal

Author Mary Younkin

Ingredients

16-20 ounces frozen sweet potato fries
olive oil spray
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon smoked or plain paprika
½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper OPTIONAL

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen french fries in a large mixing bowl or on a large sheet pan. (This allows for plenty of space when coating them with oil and spices.)
Spray the fries lightly with olive oil spray. Combine the salt, paprika, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle the fries generously with all of the seasonings. Toss with your hands to coat.
Transfer the seasoned fries to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes. Shake the basket well and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes. Serve hot with the dipping sauce of your choice.

Notes

If you have it on hand, french fry seasoning works well with sweet potato fries too.

Nutrition