Are air fryers overrated? Maybe. Could I live without one? Sure. Do I want to? No.

Air fryers are a super helpful appliance for your suite, dorm, or apartment kitchen, especially if you—like myself—don’t have a particularly reliable oven (or if you don’t have one at all, for that matter). Although possible to cook in an oven or even on the stove, some foods just taste better in the air fryer.

My Mom’s Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are almost as easy to make as they are delicious. The following recipe is my mom’s very own, but you can substitute whatever herbs or spices you like!

Ingredients

  • 2-3 sweet potatoes
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garam masala 
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon 
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. 
  2. Peel the potatoes and cut into desired size (I like a medium dice for this recipe).
  3. Toss potatoes with oil and spices. 
  4. Cook for about 10 minutes on each side, working in batches if necessary. 

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

I absolutely adore brussels sprouts, and although they’re super tasty in the oven, I think they might be even better in the air fryer. 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb brussels sprouts 
  • 2-3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • optional: 1 tsp sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar)
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. 
  2. Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. 
  3. Toss with salt, pepper, garlic, and 1 tbsp oil.  
  4. Spread in a single layer and cook for 15 minutes.
  5. Whisk together balsamic vinegar and the remaining olive oil. Drizzle over brussels sprouts.
  6. Cook for five more minutes or until lightly browned and crispy. 

Korean-Style Fried Cauliflower

Try roasting your cauliflower in the air fryer for an even crispier bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 small head of cauliflower 
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup gochujang
  • 2 tbsp honey 
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • Optional garnish: green onions and sesame seeds  
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
  2. Cut your cauliflower into small pieces. 
  3. Whisk together all ingredients (aside from garnish) and coat the cauliflower.
  4. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until crispy. 

Easy Roasted Butternut Squash 

Butternut squash is a delicious and nutritious mix-in for salads, soups, sandwiches, and curries, although it really shines on its own. 

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash (roughly 4 cups when diced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp cinnamon 
  • ½ chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Optional: 2 tsp brown sugar or 1 tbsp maple syrup 
  1. Preheat the airfryer to 375°F.
  2. Peel and dice squash into small cubes and coat with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  3. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every eight to ten minutes. 
  4. Mix all remaining ingredients. 
  5. Coat the squash in the spice mix and return to the air fryer for five minutes (or until crispy). 

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Had to throw in another cauliflower recipe—it’s equal parts versatile and tasty!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large head of cauliflower 
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp flour

For the sauce: 

  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • 5 tsp cornstarch 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into large bite-sized pieces. 
  3. Whisk together eggs and water in one bowl. In another, mix the breadcrumbs, ginger, salt, and flour. 
  4. Dip each piece of cauliflower into the egg mixture, then the panko mixture. (Repeat this process if desired.)
  5. Place the cauliflower into the oiled air fryer basket, working in batches. 
  6. Fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. 
  7. Meanwhile, whisk together the water, soy sauce, hoisin, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and mix in the vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger and red pepper. Cook until thickened. 
  8. Remove the cauliflower and coat in the General Tso’s sauce.

Roasted cauliflower image via Flickr