12 Snacks You Can Make in the Air Fryer for a Crispy, Satisfying Treat
As countertop appliances go, the air fryer may be your kitchen’s MVP. The tool’s ability to quickly cook ingredients to a satisfying crisp, be it frozen fries or a meal for two, can feel invaluable on busy days, and be a total game changer for meal prep or quick snacks. If opening a bag of pretzels isn’t doing it for you, look to the air fryer for an efficient and easy way to make a sweet or savory snack in just a few minutes. Known for its health benefits (air fryers require very little oil, as opposed to deep drying), the air fryer can whip up a satisfyingly crunchy snack to suit your cravings. Here are a few snacks you can make in the air fryer to get you started.
Homemade Potato Chips
No snack is as good as the humble potato chip, and homemade potato chips are elite. Use the potato of your choice, as well as the oil and seasoning you prefer, and crisp up your chips in the air fryer. This is a great way to make a single batch of chips to eat in one sitting, or prep a few to-go bags for the days ahead.
Apple Chips
Andrii1992pl/Getty Images
Dehydrated apples are great to snack on, especially on-the-go, for a quick fruity bite. They can also be used as a topping on yogurt, oatmeal, or salads, or add a fun punch to homemade trail mix. Use the apples of your choice, or a mix of a few different types of apples for flavor variety.
Butternut Squash Fries
A quick way to make butternut squash and enjoy it as a finger food, these fries are great for snacking. Dip them in your preferred sauce for even more flavor. Leftovers crisp up in the air fryer in minutes.
Air Fried Gochujang Maple Cauliflower Bites
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING BY EMILY NABORS HALL, PROP STYLING BY CLAIRE SPOLLEN
They’re spicy! They’re sweet! They’re made of veggies and super crispy. This is a top notch air fryer snack for any occasion.
Rosemary Honey Prosciutto Crisps
Victor Protasio
Thinly sliced prosciutto crisps up so nicely in the air fryer, creating a cracker-like bite that’s excellent to snack on. Low-carb and a bit savory and sweet, these bites are comforting and enjoyable on their own, or with cheese.
Roasted Pineapple With Cinnamon
Warm fruit is such a treat, and it’s full of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients, too. These pineapple cubes get an extra dash of spice from cinnamon, and are great to eat fresh out of the air fryer or as a topping for ice cream or yogurt.
Cheesy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an underrated snack food, and of course, they cook up so nicely in the air fryer. These sweet potatoes are gooey, cheesy, sweet, and savory, and get both a nice crisp on top and a rich texture inside.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Wings are perhaps at their best when they’re air-fried: The chicken stays moist and juicy, and the skin is crispy. If you want to ensure the skin gets as crispy as possible, let the wings hang out in the fridge uncovered the night before cooking them to help dehydrate any excess moisture.
Garlic Parsley Shoestring Fries
This recipe transforms a bag of frozen fries into air fried delightfulness. You can also use your favorite shape of fry, be it curly, waffle, or wavy, and coat said fries in this savory homemade seasoning.
Falafel Bites With Tzatziki
Fred Hardy
These small, herby falafel bites are kind of hard to stop eating (in the best way possible). Homemade tzatziki makes for a great dipping sauce, but you can also use any hot sauce or just tahini.
Savory Seedy Granola
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Pop this homemade granola into the air fryer for crunchy deliciousness. You’ll be eating this savory granola by the handful, or you can also enjoy it as a topping on salads or other dishes. Feel free to play around by adding your favorite seeds and nuts.
Zucchini Fries
Rudisill/Getty Images
Lightly breaded and so satisfyingly crunchy (thank you, air fryer), these fries are a great way to snack on zucchini (or yellow squash). Dip these (healthier) fries into marinara, ranch, or whatever you like.
