11 Foods You Didn't Know You Could Cook in an Air Fryer

The air fryer isn't the newest appliances on the market, but it has remained a popular fixture in home cooks' kitchens for a reason. Its versatility and ease of use instantly make our lives easier, so it's no wonder we keep coming back to the air fryer to whip up food for lunch, dinner, and everything in between. 

We’ve all seen people air-fry chicken wings and French fries with great success. And every so often, you’ll scroll through your phone and spot someone cooking something unexpected. While not every dish will match the results of its traditional cooking method, you might be surprised by how many sweet and savory recipes work beautifully in an air fryer.

Surprising Foods to Cook in Your Air Fryer

Cupcakes

Cakes are better left in the oven, but cupcakes are small enough that they’ll bake quickly in the air fryer. The air fryer is similar to a convection oven, so it cooks the outside of the food while keeping it moist in the center—perfect for cupcakes, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry included. 

Muffins

Muffins, the less sweet breakfast counterpart of the cupcake, also work well in the air fryer. Muffins are a bit more dense than cupcakes, but don't worry—the air fryer won't affect the texture.

Cookies

The air fryer’s convection-like heat is perfect for cookies, especially if you like them crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Just place the balls of cookie dough in the basket and bake off as many or as few as you'd like.

Brownies

Brownies are another moist and chewy baked good that makes a seamless transition to the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two batches. Select a pan that fits inside the basket and bake. 

Similar to brownies, lava cakes can also be cooked in the air fryer. The gooey chocolate ganache will stay smooth and glossy, and the cake surrounding it will be baked to perfection.

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are one of the more surprising items on this list to cook in your air fryer. The dough will stay soft and pillowy around the gooey cinnamon-butter filling. Be sure to wait at least 15 minutes before topping them with smooth cream cheese glaze.

Granola

Any combination of old-fashioned rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit can be toasted in the air fryer to make granola. Add a touch of your favorite sweetener and some oil, and cook until crisp. Then, serve as a snack or sprinkle over a bowl of yogurt.

Tofu

Everyone knows tofu is best when it's shatteringly crisp. Skip the deep-fryer and use the air fryer to make perfectly golden tofu. You can coat the cubes in your sauce of choice or serve some alongside for dipping.

Baked Potatoes

It’s almost as if baked potatoes were designed specifically for the air fryer. It keeps their skins nice and crisp while the flesh of the potatoes remains fluffy. We like to use russet potatoes—their high starch content makes for the softest center. All they need is a pat of butter and some salt and pepper. This technique works for sweet potatoes as well.

Potato Chips

Air fryers gained popularity for their ability to achieve the texture and flavor of traditionally fried foods without the use of fatty oil. Thin slices of potatoes can be transformed into homemade potato chips in the air fryer—just sprinkle them with a bit of salt when they come out.

Hard-Cooked Eggs

It might seem counterintuitive, but hard-cooking eggs works! Cook them in a preheated air fryer at 250°F for 15 minutes—they come out as perfectly as they would if boiled.

Egg Custards

Custardy egg dishes, such as quiche and scrambled egg cups, can be air-fried without drying out at all. We recommend baking them in smaller muffin-size portions so they are guaranteed to cook evenly.

Is There Anything You Can't Cook in the Air Fryer?

As a general rule, if something either requires a lot of water to cook or releases a lot of water when heated, it’s best to skip the air fryer and cook it the original way. Things like rice, pasta, and water-dense vegetables (like leafy greens, zucchini, and tomatoes) have a bit too much moisture for the air fryer to handle. 

Anything with a loose batter or coating that you would normally deep-fry is also not ideal for air frying. This includes foods like churros, fritters, and corn dogs.