6 Unexpected Things to Make in an Air Fryer

1. Golden corn ribs 

Most veggies work well in the air fryer, including potatoes, brussels sprouts and asparagus. For something different, try a current TikToK trend: Use a knife to make “corn ribs” by cutting an ear of corn into four or eight lengthwise thin “ribs.”

Rub the corn ribs with paprika, olive oil or butter, garlic powder and salt and pepper, and let the air fryer work its magic (about 10 minutes on high or until the edges have browned) to render them crispy and even more golden and delicious. These work as well as a side dish as they do for picking up with your fingers for a different kind of party appetizer.

 2. Air-fried deviled eggs

The summer picnic classic hits differently when the egg whites get breaded and fried in an air fryer before being filled and garnished to perfection.

But the first step in making air-fried deviled eggs is to make “hard-boiled” eggs in the air fryer by cooking them for 17 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you’ve cooled the cooked eggs in ice, then drained, peeled and rinsed them, remove the yolks and prepare the halved whites for another round in the air fryer.

A coating of delicious wing-inspired breading — made with panko, spicy hot wing sauce and beaten eggs — makes the difference for a recipe that kicks things up a notch from standard deviled eggs.

While the whites are getting a second stint in the air fryer, you can mash the yolks with your favorite combination of mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and spices to fill the whites when they come out and cool — all golden and perfectly crispy on the outside.

3. Crispy spiced cauliflower

This sturdy vegetable gets a lovely golden glow in the air fryer when bathed in olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, smoked paprika and parmesan, says food blogger Farwin Simaak of Love and Other Spices. And while she points to this delicious cauliflower recipe as a favorite, Simaak says the air fryer is a “game changer” for most vegetables — including broccoli cooked crispy-tender – so you can feel free to experiment.

“You can roast vegetables quickly that are tender on the inside and perfectly crispy and charred on the outside,” Simaak says.

4. Korean glazed chicken meatballs

Anna Vocino, author of two best-selling cookbooks, Eat Happy and Eat Happy Too, says meatballs work great in the air fryer since “the grease and excess fat just drips right off for the perfect texture of the meatball.” They’re perfect as an easy à la minute party appetizer or for meatball subs.  

Surprise guests when you opt for an Asian-inspired twist. Create delicious Korean glazed chicken meatballs that incorporate ingredients like gochujang paste, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and brown sugar for the perfect balance of spicy and sweet (you can substitute ground beef, pork or turkey for the ground chicken, too, if you prefer).

5. Air fryer cheesecake bites

Classic cheesecake made using a springform pan that fits into an air fryer (7 to 8 inches usually works, but you’ll want to measure your air fryer to be sure) have become a favorite for home chefs in a hurry. Most recipes use classic ingredients like graham cracker crust, cream cheese and perhaps sour cream and condensed milk, and are pretty foolproof. They cook in about 20 minutes and come out the perfect consistency. You can top the cake with canned cherries or fresh berries for a pretty presentation.

If you don’t have a springform pan, air fryer lime cheesecake bites are a cinch to whip up with store-bought mini phyllo shells cooked till crispy in the air fryer on low heat for 5 minutes. You then fill the shells with a mix of heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, lime juice and lime zest, and top with whipped cream and a lime slice for a dainty and elegant presentation.

6. Air fryer s’mores

There’s no beating a campfire for ambience. But did you know you can recreate this classic campout treat at home in your air fryer — and without the smell of smoke lingering in your hair and clothes for days.

Air fryer s’mores make use of the traditional ingredients — halved graham crackers, marshmallows and squares from a chocolate bar — with a less hands-on preparation that will nonetheless be a grandkid-pleaser.

Place graham cracker halves in the bottom of your air fryer, then top with a halved marshmallow — sticky side down, so it stays fixed on the cracker.

Cook on high for 5 to 7 minutes or until the marshmallow is golden, then top with a piece of chocolate and the other graham cracker half for the classic sandwich presentation.