Updated · WeeklyMealPlans kitchen
What the air fryer is good at
An air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven. That makes it excellent at some jobs and mediocre at others, and a good week plays to its strengths.
It's great for:
- Chicken thighs, wings and drumsticks, which get properly crisp skin
- Salmon and other firm fish fillets, often done in under ten minutes
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green beans and potatoes
- Crisping tofu cubes, chickpeas and frozen dumplings
- Reheating leftovers that went soggy in the microwave, like pizza and fries
- Breaded cutlets and fish, with far less oil than a frying pan
It's less useful for:
- Anything wet or saucy, like curries, stews and braises
- Cooking for a crowd, since most baskets hold dinner for two or three at a time
- Light, loose foods like leafy greens, which blow around in the fan
- Wet batters, which drip through the basket
Planning around basket size
Basket size is the biggest constraint, and it's why air fryer meal plans written for big families can be frustrating. A typical 4- to 6-quart basket fits roughly four chicken thighs or two salmon fillets in a single layer. Crowd it and the food steams instead of crisping.
A good air fryer week splits the work. The protein goes in the basket and the side cooks on the stove (rice, noodles, a quick sauté), or the vegetables go in the basket while something simmers. If you're cooking for four or more, tick Sheet pan as well as Air fryer, so some dinners can use the oven for the bulk of the food.
A sample shape for the week
- Monday: air-fried salmon with rice and a cucumber salad
- Tuesday: crispy chicken thighs with air-fried potatoes
- Wednesday: tacos with crispy chickpeas or reheated shredded chicken
- Thursday: tofu or chicken bites with a stovetop noodle stir-fry
- Friday: breaded chicken cutlets or burgers, with air-fried fries
Tips that make the difference
- Preheat it. Many models take only a few minutes, and food crisps better in a hot basket. Check your manual, since some models don't need it.
- Use a little oil. A teaspoon or two tossed with vegetables, or brushed on chicken skin, helps browning. Aerosol cooking sprays can damage some nonstick coatings, so a brush or pump mister is safer.
- Shake the basket or flip the food halfway through.
- Leave space between pieces.
- Use a thermometer for chicken: 165°F in the thickest part. Air fryers vary a lot, so recipe times are a starting point.
- To convert an oven recipe, a common rule of thumb is to drop the temperature about 25°F and start checking around 20 percent sooner.
Sides in the basket
The easiest air fryer habit is cooking the vegetable side in it while the stove handles the main. At around 380°F to 400°F, broccoli florets take roughly 8 to 10 minutes and green beans about the same. Small potato chunks take more like 15 to 20. Toss them with oil and salt, shake once, and check a piece before you serve.
Cleaning up
Clean the basket while it's still warm, before grease sets. Most baskets and trays go in the dishwasher, but hand washing with a soft sponge makes nonstick coatings last longer. Check your manual first.
Gear notes
You don't need many accessories. A pump oil mister and an instant-read thermometer earn their space. Parchment liners help with cleanup, but never put one in the basket empty during preheating, since it can lift into the heating element. If we link to any of these, the link may earn us a commission, and it's labeled.
