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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Effortless Air Fryer Dinners for Your Busiest Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 21, 2024, updated October 17, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, the air fryer is your best friend. These 19 easy dinner ideas will help you whip up delicious dishes in no time, perfect for those extra busy evenings. From juicy chicken to cheesy quesadillas, you'll find plenty of options that require minimal effort and deliver great results.

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks come together easily in your air fryer, making dinner a breeze. Pair them with a quick homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying meal.

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    Crispy Tofu

    Air fried crispy tofu.
    Photo credit: Sarah Cook.

    Crispy air fryer tofu makes for a quick and affordable dinner option. This flavorful dish is a fantastic vegan or vegetarian meal that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This is an easy dinner option that takes only 50 minutes to cook and mere minutes to prep. With a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Fish Tacos

    Fish tacos.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Crispy fish tacos made in the air fryer are a quick and easy dinner option. They go great with a zesty homemade lime coleslaw and fresh mango salsa.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are quick to make, using fresh salmon and taking only 6-8 minutes to cook. With flavorful powdered seasonings, there's no need for chopping, making dinner a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Egg Rolls

    Air fryer egg rolls.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Egg rolls are a fun and tasty dish that you can easily whip up at home. They’re simple to make, and your friends will be impressed when you serve them fresh out of the air fryer.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi

    Air fried halloumi on a blue plate with lemon wedges and chili flakes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi turns out perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside when cooked in the air fryer. It's a simple and quick way to cook this cheese, and it pairs well with a salad or your favorite sides.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon Bites

    Air Fryer Salmon Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features flavorful salmon bites with a refreshing citrus twist, perfect for any busy night. They're easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table!

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    Grilled Cheese

    Air fryer grilled cheese.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This air fryer grilled cheese features sharp cheddar, chopped broccoli, and a hint of chili flakes for a little kick. It's a quick and easy vegetarian sandwich that's crispy, cheesy, and buttery.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer steak bites are a fast and easy dinner option that everyone in the family will enjoy. They're marinated in a mix of lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, making any cut of steak flavorful and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Tacos

    Shrimp tacos.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Air fryer shrimp tacos are a quick and tasty meal that anyone can make. The shrimp are seasoned just right and served with a zesty homemade lime coleslaw that adds a refreshing crunch.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes after soaking in olive oil, lime juice, and spices. They turn out juicy and well-cooked, with a nice crispy skin that makes them hard to resist.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Steak

    A sliced rib eye steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    You can make a tasty, juicy steak in your air fryer without any prep time, cooking it straight from frozen in just 10-15 minutes. This method is surprisingly effective, delivering results that are just as good as cooking fresh steak.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Tempura Cauliflower

    Tempura teriyaki cauliflower.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    These delicious bites are incredibly crispy and flavorful. This recipe uses a baked tempura technique that makes them lighter and healthier than traditional deep-fried versions.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon is cooked just right and packed with fresh lemon flavor. It's a quick and easy dinner option that tastes great, even when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Tuna Patties

    AIR FRYER TUNA PATTIES.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    This is a quick and easy meal you can have ready in about 20 minutes. Simply mix canned tuna with some chopped onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, then combine with panko crumbs and eggs before air frying for 8 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders

    Air fried chicken tenders.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marinating from frozen in lime juice, olive oil, and spices for just 15 minutes makes this a super easy dish. They only take 10 minutes in the air fryer, resulting in juicy and flavorful chicken bites.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Meatloaf

    AIR FRYER MEATLOAF.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    This classic meatloaf turns out juicy with a crispy crust, and it cooks in half the time compared to using a regular oven. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas

    A plate full of quesadillas.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Cheesy quesadillas are quick and simple to prepare in the air fryer. They make for a satisfying meal that you can whip up in no time, perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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