Introduction
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite comfort foods without all the unhealthy fat and calories, then an air fryer is the perfect kitchen appliance for you. Air fryers use hot air to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture without the need for added oil. With an air fryer, you can enjoy all your favorite comfort foods without the guilt.
Eat This Not That has put together a list of 16 healthy air fryer comfort food recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From classic dishes like mac and cheese and fried chicken to healthier takes on favorites like eggplant parmesan and cauliflower nuggets, these recipes are sure to please. So, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite comfort foods without all the unhealthy fat and calories, then these recipes are for you.
16 Healthy Air Fryer Comfort Food Recipes
When it comes to comfort food, it can be hard to find recipes that are both delicious and healthy. But with the help of an air fryer, you can make all your favorite comfort foods without all the added fat and calories. Here are 16 healthy air fryer comfort food recipes that will satisfy your cravings without sacrificing your health.
1. Air Fryer Fried Chicken
This air fryer fried chicken is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. It’s made with a combination of spices and herbs, and it’s cooked in the air fryer instead of being deep-fried. Serve it with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
2. Air Fryer French Fries
These air fryer French fries are a healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried version. They’re made with just a few simple ingredients and cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious side dish. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
3. Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
This air fryer mac and cheese is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. It’s made with a combination of cheese, milk, and spices, and it’s cooked in the air fryer for a creamy and delicious dish. Serve it with a side of vegetables for a complete meal.
4. Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
These air fryer buffalo wings are a healthier version of the classic bar food. They’re made with a combination of spices and hot sauce, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
5. Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
These air fryer mozzarella sticks are a healthier version of the classic bar food. They’re made with a combination of cheese and breadcrumbs, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
6. Air Fryer Fish and Chips
This air fryer fish and chips is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. It’s made with a combination of fish, potatoes, and spices, and it’s cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious dish. Serve it with a side of tartar sauce for an extra special treat.
7. Air Fryer Onion Rings
These air fryer onion rings are a healthier version of the classic bar food. They’re made with a combination of onions and breadcrumbs, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
8. Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These air fryer chicken nuggets are a healthier version of the classic fast food. They’re made with a combination of chicken, breadcrumbs, and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
9. Air Fryer Pizza
This air fryer pizza is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. It’s made with a combination of cheese, sauce, and your favorite toppings, and it’s cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious dish. Serve it with a side of vegetables for a complete meal.
10. Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
This air fryer grilled cheese is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. It’s made with a combination of cheese and bread, and it’s cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious sandwich. Serve it with a side of soup for a complete meal.
11. Air Fryer Tacos
These air fryer tacos are a healthier version of the classic Mexican dish. They’re made with a combination of meat, cheese, and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious meal. Serve them with your favorite toppings for an extra special treat.
12. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These air fryer chicken tenders are a healthier version of the classic fast food. They’re made with a combination of chicken, breadcrumbs, and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
13. Air Fryer Veggie Burgers
These air fryer veggie burgers are a healthier version of the classic fast food. They’re made with a combination of vegetables, beans, and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious meal. Serve them with your favorite toppings for an extra special treat.
14. Air Fryer Potato Wedges
These air fryer potato wedges are a healthier version of the classic bar food. They’re made with a combination of potatoes and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious side dish. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
15. Air Fryer Veggie Fritters
These air fryer veggie fritters are a healthier version of the classic bar food. They’re made with a combination of vegetables, eggs, and spices, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra special treat.
16. Air Fryer Apple Fritters
These air fryer apple fritters are a healthier version of the classic dessert. They’re made with a combination of apples, cinnamon, and sugar, and they’re cooked in the air fryer for a crispy and delicious treat. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for an extra special treat.
When you’re trying to eat healthy the one texture you often miss is crispy. After all, what’s better than a perfectly crisp potato chip or a crunchy bite of breaded fried chicken? Crispy screams comfort food but healthy cooking techniques, like steaming and using less, fat often leave that satisfying texture behind for the sake of calorie consciousness. That’s where the air fryer comes in. Its biggest claim to fame is the ability to cook foods to a satisfying crunch without excess oil. Here are our favorite crispy, comfort food recipes that you should make in the air fryer tonight! Plus, don’t miss our 22 Meals to Melt Belly Fat in 2022.
Don’t stop with potato chips. All kinds of veggies can be crisped up in an air fryer. In this recipe, we use thin slices of zucchini, sweet potato, and beet to add color and nutrition. Bonus: They’re seasoned with a tangy ranch blend.
Get our recipe for Ranch-Flavored Veggie Chips.
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Admit it, French fries are one of the main reasons you got an air fryer in the first place. Show Me the Yummy recommends a bath in sugar water to remove excess starch and a coating of corn starch before cooking.
Get the recipe from Show Me the Yummy.
Baked chicken fingers never quite reach the crunch of deep-fried ones. Use your air fryer to cut the calories but keep the crunch.
Get this recipe from i am a food blog.
The kid in you will rejoice when you pull a piece of this crispy fried stuffed pasta out of the air fryer and dip it in your favorite marinara sauce.
Get the recipe from Show Me the Yummy.
The sweet crunch of fried coconut goes perfectly with tender shrimp. The trick to achieving a superb level of crunch is to toast the coconut before coating the shrimp. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp.
RELATED: 15 Healthy Shrimp Recipes That Are Perfect for Weight Loss
Panko breadcrumbs crisp up in the air fryer without the use of excess oil, giving these pork chops an irresistible crunch.
Get our recipe for Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops.
The perfect falafel gets a bit of crunch from a bath in hot oil, but the air fryer gets the job done without it. After cooking, pile on a Greek salad or lay on a pita with tzatziki, pickled red onion, and cucumbers.
Get our recipe for The Perfect Air Fryer Falafel.
These mini potatoes are the perfect combination of crunchy and soft. To cut a hasselback potato perfectly, use wooden chopsticks or round handles of wooden spoons on each side of the potato as a knife-stopper to create same-depth cuts.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Baby Hasselback Potato Bites.
For this irresistible dish, bite-sized cauliflower florets are coated with flour, crisped up in the air fryer, and then tossed in an easy, homemade sweet-and-sour sauce. However, you can save even more time using your favorite bottled sauce if need be.
Get our recipe for Sweet and Sour Crispy Cauliflower Bites.
If you’re more into the spicy flavors, try these almond-flour-coated, keto-friendly bites tossed in traditional Buffalo sauce. Serve then with lots of fresh crunchy celery and a light blue cheese dressing.
Get the recipe from Diethood.
You don’t need much to make the crispiest, healthiest fried chicken you’ve ever tasted. Show Me the Yummy uses a spiced-up coating of crushed cornflakes for an amazing crunch, but use what you have on hand. You can also use this coating for chicken breasts if you want to go the cutlet route.
Get the recipe from Show Me the Yummy.
RELATED: 21 Healthy Chicken Recipes You Can Make in 15 Minutes (Or Less!)
You can bake or pan fry meatballs, sure, but you won’t get the 360-degree crisp exterior that an air fryer will give you.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Meatballs.
Do you think your local diner or bar is using part-skim mozzarella for their mozzarella sticks? Probably not. With your air fryer, you can control the type of cheese and cut the calories.
Get the recipe from Show Me the Yummy.
Baked chicken wings are fine, but they often end up overcooked before the outside reaches the desired level of crispiness. The air fryer gives you the crispiness you crave without a dunk in the deep fryer. Turn these into Buffalo wings with a different sauce and a light blue cheese dressing.
Get our recipe for Sesame Soy Garlic Chicken Wings.
Pizzeria calzones get their crispy exterior from the super-hot commercial ovens that cook them quickly. Here the air fryer does the job.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Veggie Calzones.
Brussels sprouts go from a healthy vegetable to a crispy, salty, comfort food when tossed in a deep fryer. Skip the excess oil but all the satisfying crunch by using an air fryer.
Get the recipe from Diethood.
Plus, don’t miss 50 Healthy Recipes to Make in 10-Minutes (or Less).