12 Quick & Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

This collection of 12 quick and easy air fryer recipes is perfect for those evenings when you need a satisfying dinner on the table without any fuss! From juicy meatballs that can be smothered in a marinara sauce and served with pasta, to crispy and juicy parmesan shrimp that are so good for piling on to a crisp green salad for a light and healthy choice, these weeknight staples are the kind of recipes you’ll want to enjoy again and again. 

A few quick tips before we get started:

• Refer to your air fryer’s manual to check if pre-heating is required. The guidance can vary from one model to another, so it’s definitely worthwhile double checking to ensure that you get the best results every time
• Never overcrowd your air fryer! If you do, it’s likely that the hot air won’t be able to circulate properly which will lead to uneven cooking, and your food will end up steamed instead of satisfyingly crispy. Depending on the size of your machine and the amount of people you’re cooking for, you may need to make some dishes in batches

Let’s jump into the recipes! 

1. Air Fryer Meatballs

These juicy, flavorful meatballs are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect for pasta night, smothered in marinara sauce, or even as an easy appetizer! They’re so much tastier than store-bought meatballs, and they’re surprisingly simple to prepare. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes or until cooked through, shaking halfway through.
4. Serve with marinara sauce or over pasta.

2. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp

This quick shrimp dish is packed with buttery garlic flavor and topped with Parmesan for a touch of indulgence. I love serving these with rice and a crispy green salad for a light and healthy dinner idea. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 5–7 minutes, or until cooked through, shaking regularly.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve with lemon wedges.

3. Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli

A healthy, flavorsome one-basket meal that’s ready in under 20 minutes! Serve over rice for a satisfying dinner that’s a hit even with fussy eaters. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss chicken and broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken and broccoli in the basket and cook for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Serve over rice or as-is for a low-carb option.

4. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Crispy, spicy, and totally addictive, this Buffalo Cauliflower is a vegetarian dinner option that hits all the right notes! Perfect if you love veggie dishes with a kick of heat. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/4 cup hot sauce
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss cauliflower florets with melted butter and hot sauce. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs if using.
3. Place florets in the air fryer basket and cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

5. Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites

These tender steak bites are coated in a rich garlic butter sauce and cook to perfection in the air fryer. They’re a fantastic choice for parties, and I also love enjoying them piled into a baguette for a quick and easy comfort food style dinner. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss steak cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook in the air fryer for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Toss cooked steak with melted butter and garlic. Serve immediately.

6. Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this Parmesan Crusted Chicken is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Serve with salad and buttered new potatoes for a light, fresh, satisfying meal. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip chicken breasts in egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Air fry for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway through. Serve warm.

7. Air Fryer Fried Rice

Did you know that you can make fried rice in the air fryer? This was such a game changed for me when I discovered this! It makes it super simple to create a takeout style dish at home, and there’s none of the mess that typically comes with cooking on the stove. If you want to add some extra protein, you can add some shredded cooked chicken before serving, though it’s great just on its own. 

Servings: 4 (as a side dish, or 2 as a main) 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix rice, vegetables, eggs, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a large bowl.
3. Spread mixture evenly in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

These crispy, spicy salmon bites are coated in a tangy Bang Bang sauce that’s guaranteed to be a hit. The panko gives them a super satisfying crunch, and they’re so good loaded into a wrap with salad veggies. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Dredge salmon cubes in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko breadcrumbs.
3. Place in the air fryer basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha to make the Bang Bang sauce. Toss salmon bites in the sauce or serve on the side.

9. Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites

Juicy, flavorful pork chops in bite-sized pieces make this recipe perfect for quick dinners or as a fun appetizer.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork chops, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss pork chop cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place pork cubes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a veggie side.

10. Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

A leaner take on classic meatballs, these turkey meatballs are perfect for a light and satisfying dinner. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and shape into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Place meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Serve with a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color. 

11. Air Fryer Calzones

These mini calzones are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and endlessly customizable with all your favorite fillings. Perfect for pizza night or a fun party food option!

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pack refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled Italian sausage or pepperoni slices
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out pizza dough and cut into 4 squares. Fill each square with marinara, cheese, and sausage or pepperoni. Fold over and seal the edges.
3. Brush the tops with egg wash and place in the air fryer. Cook for 10–12 minutes until golden brown.
4. Serve with extra marinara for dipping.

12. Air Fryer Burgers

Juicy and perfectly cooked, these Air Fryer Burgers are a quick and easy way to satisfy your burger cravings without firing up the grill.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 burger buns
• Toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.
3. Place patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Toast buns in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes. Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings and serve.

Air fryers are a busy home cook’s best friend, especially on a weeknight, and these 12 quick and easy dinner recipes prove why. From hearty meatballs to crispy calzones, there’s something here for every craving. Which one will you try first? Let me know in the comments section below!