13 Easy Kid-Friendly Air Fryer Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Eat
You don’t need the frozen store-bought stuff.
If you have an air fryer, you know how easy it can make life sometimes. Especially if you’re just trying to get the kids fed after a long day, throwing some frozen chicken nuggies and fries in there isn’t a bad idea. But since you already have your handy-dandy appliance out, why not try some of these kid-friendly air fryer dinner ideas instead? They take a few extra steps, but they’ll be fresher and more flavorful, so even the adults will want to chow down.
Here, you’ll find easy air fryer recipes for family favorites like chicken parmesan and even ribs that take a fraction of the time and effort. You’ll also find kid-friendly meals like grilled cheese, hot dogs, and chicken tenders when you’re pressed for time and you don’t feel like hearing “I don’t want to eat that” for the umpteenth time. There are even three ways to make French fries from scratch, so you can make an easy side without even opening your freezer.
And yes, this list includes a few veggies to round out a meal that even picky eaters will enjoy. Try (air)fryin’ up some cauliflower florets. An irresistible dipping sauce goes with them and turns a humble veggie into what feels more like a fun appetizer at a restaurant. Now that you know you can make a full meal, an easy main, a few sides, or all of the above in your air fryer, you won’t ever have to worry about what’s for dinner again.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Not only are chicken drumsticks budget-friendly and great for little hands to grab, but they also cook in just 20 minutes in the air fryer. You can also make juicy chicken thighs, too!
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dog
Skip the boiling or grilling and pop some hot dogs in the air fryer. The circulating air makes them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Serve with some fries and an easy veggie.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dog recipe.
Air Fryer French Fries
Speaking of fries, there are three from-scratch recipes that will make you skip the frozen kind. You can make regular fries, season them with parmesan, or make sweet potato fries instead.
Get the Air Fryer French Fries recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
When all your kids want are nuggets, make these chicken fingers instead. These are marinated in a seasoned buttermilk mixture, coated in breadcrumbs and salty parmesan, and “fried” until crispy and golden.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
You’ll be amazed just how juicy pork chops can be when air-fried. And that crispy layer on the outside makes them so craveable! Serve with a green salad and potatoes of your choice.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
When you just want a lazy dinner and be done with it, you can’t go wrong with grilled cheese. It only takes five minutes of prep, you can heat up some soup on the side, and you know the kids will devour it.
Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Green beans are one of those kid-friendly veggies. They can pick them up with their hands and munch away. The air fryer makes them nice and crispy on the outside, and they only take 15 minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Make chicken parm on a weeknight! The air fryer and some store-bought marinara make it so much easier to do. While the chicken cooks, boil some noodles, and dinner will be done in no time.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
If the kids like fish sticks, did you know you can make a healthier and fresher version from scratch in your air fryer? You can use pretty much any white, flaky fish, like cod, haddock, or mahi mahi.
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Air Fryer Ribs
What kid doesn’t love to get a little messy? Adults love saucy ribs for that reason, too. To make them in the air fryer, cut the ribs into two- or three-rib sections to better fit in the machine.
Get Ree’s Air Fryer Ribs recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Chances are, you’ve got some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the fridge. Rub them with a simple mixture of garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Then let the air fryer do the rest for perfectly moist chicken.
Get Ree’s Air Fryer Chicken Breasts recipe.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
You can’t go wrong with a baked potato on the side for any main course. Making them in the air fryer only takes five minutes of prep, too, so you can focus on the other part of the meal.
Get the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Get your kids to eat their veggies in any way you can. Here, cauliflower florets fry up nice and crispy. They’ll have so much fun dipping them into tangy sauce that they’ll forget they’re eating a vegetable.
Get the Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe.
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