14 Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Make on Busy School Nights
They’re fast, fresh, and flavorful.
The beginning of the school year is busy, busy, busy. With all the new schedules and activities, it’s sometimes hard to think about dinner in advance. Then all of a sudden, the kids are hungry, and you might be tempted to just order takeout. But wait! Why not try these back-to-school air fryer recipes instead? They’re just as fast, more affordable, and use up what you’ve probably already got in your fridge.
These air fryer recipes go beyond simply tossing premade frozen chicken tenders or fries into your appliance and calling it a day. In just a few extra steps, you can make dinner from scratch that’ll be healthier, fresher, and more flavorful—including both those chicken tenders and fries! And the kid-friendly meals don’t stop there. You’ll find hot dogs, grilled cheese, and more.
If you’ve got picky eaters but still want to try and get them to eat their veggies, the air fryer will be your go-to. It makes green beans, asparagus, and even Brussels sprouts perfectly crispy on the outside. They’ll feel naughty eating something fried, but in reality, they are healthy and filled with vitamins. Pick a main, pick a side, or do both in your air fryer and get dinner on the table faster. Your busy weeknights are saved!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
When you’ve got hungry kids, chicken tenders do the trick! These are marinated in a seasoned buttermilk mixture, covered in breadcrumbs and parmesan, and “fried” to golden goodness. Serve with their favorite dipping sauce.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
Air Fryer French Fries
Well, you can’t have chicken fingers without fries, right? Skip the frozen kind and make them from scratch in just about 30 minutes. You can make sweet potato fries, too, or season them with parmesan.
Get the Air Fryer French Fries recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Green beans are usually kid-friendly anyway. But when you make them in the air fryer, they become perfectly crunchy on the outside and way more fun to munch on. Plus, they only take 15 minutes to make.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
You just found your new favorite way to cook juicy pork chops! While they cook up, you can make a simple side salad and potatoes. If mashed take too long, try fries or a baked potato.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dog
Yes, you can make hot dogs in the air fryer! The convection-like air of the machine creates a juicy interior and snappy, crisp exterior. A simple side salad or veggie is all you need on the side.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dog recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are some of the most affordable cuts you can find and they cook up nice and moist in the air fryer with crispy skin. You can also make drumsticks much the same way!
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
There’s nothing wrong with lazy dinner ideas that you know the kids will love. They only take five minutes of prep, and you can serve them with an easy soup, salad, or fries to round out the meal.
Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
Skip the frozen fish sticks and make your own healthier, fresher version right in the air fryer. Thin, white, flaky fish, such as cod, haddock, or mahi mahi will work just fine. You can use fresh or frozen fillets.
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Yes, you can make chicken parm in the air fryer in a fraction of the time it would take on the stove. Don’t shy away from jarred marinara sauce here—it saves so much time.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Another easy veggie that the kids will love is asparagus. The seasoning and breadcrumbs add a great layer of flavor and texture, and it takes no time at all to toss together.
Get the Air Fryer Asparagus recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
If the kids like salmon, you’re in luck. It only takes ten minutes to cook, and all it needs is a few simple seasonings and a squeeze of lemon. Pair it with rice and a green salad for an easy meal.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Winner winner, chicken dinner! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts get rubbed with olive oil and spices like garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. The air fryer will keep them perfectly moist and cooked through.
Get Ree’s Air Fryer Chicken Breasts recipe.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Baked potatoes only take five minutes of prep. Just toss them in your air fryer, and as they cook, you can make the rest of the meal and come back to fluffy perfection.
Get the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
If your kids are on the fence about Brussels sprouts, give these crispy bites a try. They’re tossed in a coating of soy sauce, honey, and chili-garlic sauce, giving them a sweet, salty, and spicy twist.
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.
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