Right here’s my air fryer dinner recipes cheat sheet: 5 proteins prepared in quarter-hour or much less! Pair any protein with my salads and complete grains for a weeknight dinner that virtually makes itself.
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A Couple Cooks · Weeknight Playbook
The Air Fryer Dinner
Cheat Sheet
5 proteins. 5–quarter-hour every. One components that makes dinner simple each single night time of the week.
Hello there! As a working mother of two and busy particular person usually, I’m continually on the lookout for simple dinner concepts.
My husband Alex and I are cookbook authors, so we’re all the time arising with new concepts. However we’ve discovered that on the common, we hold touchdown on the identical components for wholesome dinners that really feel low effort. What’s the key? I’m sharing it with you immediately.
My Go-To Straightforward Dinner Formulation
I’ve landed on a easy construction that makes weeknight dinner virtually automated: air fryer protein over a giant salad, with a scoop of complete grains on the facet if I need one thing extra substantial. It covers all the things: protein, greens, fiber, wholesome fat, with none sophisticated planning.
| Air Fryer Protein + Large Salad + Entire Grain (non-obligatory) |
Every thing cooks at 400°F: that’s the one temperature it’s worthwhile to keep in mind! Whereas the protein runs, make a salad or complete grain to go alongside: or have it prepped the night time earlier than.
Why air fryer? Nicely, I’ve discovered it makes all the things fast and easy, with minimal clear up and feels tremendous doable for weeknights.
5 Air Fryer Protein Recipes: Cheat Sheet!
All recipes serve 4. Preheat the air fryer first: it makes an actual distinction for browning.
| PROTEIN | INGREDIENT | SEASONING (PER RECIPE) | COOK TIME |
| Hen Breast | 2 boneless skinless rooster breasts (about 8 oz every) | 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp dried oregano ¼ tsp chili powder |
12–15 min Pound to even thickness. Relaxation 5 min. Achieved at 165°F. |
| Hen Thighs | 8 massive boneless rooster thighs (about 2 lbs) | ½ tbsp olive oil 1½ tsp kosher salt 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin ½ tsp curry powder |
13–15 min Relaxation 5 min earlier than slicing. Achieved at 170°F. |
| Salmon Bites | 1½ lbs salmon fillets, pores and skin eliminated, minimize into 1-inch items | 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp dried dill ½ tsp kosher salt 2 tbsp dietary yeast 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs |
5–7 min No flip wanted. Pat dry for finest crust. |
| Shrimp | 1½ lbs peeled medium-large shrimp (26/30), tail on or off | 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp dried dill ¾ tsp kosher salt |
5–6 min Shake basket after 3 min. Pat dry earlier than seasoning. |
| Tofu | 1 block (15 oz) extra-firm tofu, minimize into ¾-inch cubes | 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp soy sauce or tamari ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp kosher salt 1 tbsp cornstarch (toss final) |
10–12 min Shake after 6 min. Pat dry (no urgent wanted!) |
Tip: Unfold proteins in a single layer with respiratory room. Crowding makes steaming as a substitute of browning. Cook dinner in two batches for big portions.
Why I Love the Air Fryer for Weeknights
I used to be an air fryer skeptic for a very long time. However after cooking these proteins on repeat, I now can’t think about weeknight dinners with out it! Right here’s what I like in regards to the air fryer
| No babysitting In contrast to a skillet on the range, the air fryer does its factor with out you watching! You should use this time to do different meal prep. |
Sooner than the oven No 15-minute preheat, and it’s so quick: rooster thighs are accomplished in 13 minutes, shrimp in 5. |
| Higher texture The recent circulating air creates a frivolously crispy exterior that you just actually can’t replicate in an everyday oven or pan. | Barely any cleanup No oil splatters, no crusted sheet pan. The basket washes clear shortly. |
The air fryer I exploit
I cook dinner with this large-basket air fryer (a minimum of 6.5 qt capability), which inserts all 8 rooster thighs or 1½ lbs of salmon in a single layer. In case your basket is smaller, simply plan to cook dinner in two batches.
Oven with air fryer mode
I even have an oven with an air fryer mode and basket: this works the identical approach for all these recipes! It provides you much more room so as to add greens alongside the protein on the similar time.
Tip: Parchment with holes (air fryer liners) can be utilized for salmon bites and shrimp to reduce cleanup even additional.
10 Salads to Pair With Air Fryer Proteins
The protein goes straight from the basket over the salad. Heat, crispy protein plus plenty of veggies is the mixture I come again to each week.
- Mediterranean chickpea salad — chopped cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, feta, lemon-herb French dressing.
- Dense bean salad — white beans, cannellini or blended beans with olive oil, herbs, and purple onion. Excessive fiber, filling, and adaptable.
- Easy arugula salad — child arugula, shaved parmesan, lemon, olive oil. Prepared in 3 minutes and pairs with something.
- Caesar salad — romaine, Caesar dressing, croutons. Each protein right here makes an ideal Caesar.
- Mediterranean quinoa salad — quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, purple onion, olives, feta.
- Greek salad — tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, purple onion, feta.
- Massaged kale salad — Tuscan kale, lemon, olive oil, garlic.
- Black bean and corn salad — black beans, candy corn, purple pepper, cilantro. Pairs particularly properly with rooster and shrimp.
- Hearty farro salad — farro, roasted greens, contemporary herbs, lemony French dressing.
- Couscous salad — fluffy couscous, cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, lemon.
5 Entire Grains to Spherical Issues Out
On nights after I need one thing extra substantial, I add a complete grain alongside. You may batch-cook a giant pot to make use of all week.
- Farro — nutty and chewy, my private favourite. It holds up properly and is tremendous filling.
- Brown rice — the simple, dependable base. Works with each protein and each sauce.
- Quinoa — quick-cooking (quarter-hour), excessive protein, and lighter than rice.
- Couscous — technically a pasta, but it surely features like a grain and cooks in 5 minutes. Nice for when you’re in a rush.
- Bulgur — tender, nutty, and cooks in minutes. A staple of Mediterranean cooking with a pleasantly mild texture.
