45 Summer Air Fryer Recipes

Summer is the season of taking things easy, so why bog yourself down with food prep? Give yourself the freedom to truly enjoy summertime with these no-stress summer recipes made with some help from your air fryer.

Forgoing your oven, skillet, or deep fryer in favor of these summer air fryer recipes will give you quick results that don’t create a huge mess or heat up the kitchen when it’s already sweltering outside. These air fryer alternatives of summer classics taste just as good as the originals and may even replace them.

Check out our best air fryer barbecue recipes for rainy days, irresistible air fryer sides for the cookout, and easy air fryer snacks that can be enjoyed anywhere or on-the-go. It won’t be long before you make this the summer of your air fryer.

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Air Fryer Calamari

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Your air fryer’s unbeatable crisping powers will collaborate perfectly with calamari, making for an easy summer appetizer that everyone will love. For a punch of flavor, add more spices to your panko mixture.

• The 8 Best Air Fryers, Tested by Allrecipes

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Basic Air Fryer Hot Dogs

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When the weather’s bad or you just don’t have the capacity to light up the grill, your air fryer is happy to step in and give the people what they want: hot dogs. The heat makes them crispy and taste smoky even though they never touched a grill. “I will never make hot dogs any other way. This is pure genius,” says Allrecipes Allstar Buckwheat Queen.

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Air Fryer Chicken Katsu with Homemade Katsu Sauce

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If you’re looking for an easy, yet satisfying air fryer dinner recipe, this chicken katsu is a great place to start. Feel free to use bottled or pre-made katsu sauce if you already have it on hand, but definitely don’t skip it.

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Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

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What’s the secret to a flawless baked potato? Cooking it in the air fryer to create a crispy skin and tender interior. For an even crispier exterior, air fry the potatos for 10 extra minutes.

• The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make When Baking Potatoes

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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

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This classic summery appetizer translates incredibly well in your air fryer. Serve with the honey-lime dip or your favorite dip recipe, or stick the shrimp atop a summer salad.

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Air Fryer Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnuts

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These simple and delectable doughnuts start off with a shortcut: canned biscuit dough. They cook quickly, so be sure to check in on them often.

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Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon-Garlic Butter

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Putting lobster tails in the air fryer may sound strange, but hear us out. It’s a non-intimidating way to cook a pricier dish and a foolproof method for juicy and flavorful lobster. Plus, this recipe doesn’t have a single rating under four stars.

• The 7 Best Air Fryer Toaster Ovens to Buy, According to Thousands of Home Cooks

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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

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Whether you’re looking for finger foods to serve at a cookout or just want to add a little more excitement to weeknight dinner, these air fryer mac and cheese balls bring the fun without adding a ton of grease. Plus, they strike the perfect balance between kid-friendly snacks and comfort food.

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Air-Fried Cauliflower with Almonds and Parmesan

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Cauliflower gets a major upgrade when it’s air fried and coated in garlic, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan. The almonds add some texture and protein to the dish, which can work as a side for just about anything.

• Recipes to Try Right After You Get an Air Fryer

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Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries

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We already know that potatoes and the air fryer are a divine pairing, but they’re far from the only tubers you should be trying out. These air-fried sweet potato fries are seasoned with garlic and paprika, making them just about irresistible.

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Air Fryer Plantain Chips

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These air fried plantain chips are a cinch to make and can be adjusted to satisfy a sweet or savory craving. Be sure to keep a close watch on the chips while they’re cooking, says creator Yoly. Otherwise, they may burn.

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Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus

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Asparagus is already a no-fuss side, but cooking your spears in the air fryer will save some serious time on a weeknight. You’ll want to stick to freshly grated Parmesan, as it makes a huge impact on the overall taste.

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Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

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Sometimes the grill isn’t always an option. And when those times arise, your air fryer has your back. These tender baby back ribs come together in an hour and 20 minutes, making them an easy way to step up weeknight dinner.

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Rosemary Potato Wedges for the Air Fryer

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If you can’t take the heat, then roast your taters in an air fryer instead. These rosemary potato wedges are almost effortless and come together faster in the air fryer than if they were in the oven.

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Air Fryer Butterflied Shrimp with Pineapple and Mango Salsa

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Creator Bibi recommends butterflying larger shrimp to cut down on the cooking time. These crispy shrimp are best served with a fruity salsa or your favorite dipping sauce.

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Potato Hay

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What’s not to like about air fried spiralized potatoes? This fun side comes together easily and makes a nice alternative to plain old fries at the backyard cookout.

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Air Fryer Spicy Roasted Peanuts

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These air fryer roasted peanuts fit multiple hankerings at once: they’re spicy, crunchy, and salty, making them perfectly snackable. These also travel well, making them a great sack on the road or at the beach.

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Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

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Cooking your cheeseburgers in the air fryer may seem unorthodox, but it cuts down on grease and helps keep a relatively clean workspace. These make a great alternative for anyone without a grill or just a solution for lunch during a summer downpour.

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Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

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These crispy chicken taquitos start with rotisserie (or leftover!) chicken, so you already know their best interest is saving you time. They’re super kid-friendly and work great as a snack or appetizer. You could even make multiple batches and serve them for dinner or at a potluck.

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Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

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Zucchini is one of summer’s greatest bounties, and turning the summer squash into chips is one of the easiest (and most snackable) ways to use it up. Their cheesy coating also makes them a great vessel for marinara or other dips.

• 5 Ways To Make Zucchini in Your Air Fryer

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Air Fryer Shrimp “Boil”

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This recipe has everything you love about a shrimp boil, minus the mess and long waiting time. It’s an easier way to enjoy a classic summer dish that doesn’t sacrifice any taste.

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Air Fryer Peanut Butter & Jelly S’mores

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Bring s’mores to the great indoors with this flavorful twist created just for the air fryer. Of course, this recipe is more of a formula and can be adapted to suit your personal tastes, so we definitely encourage you to play around.

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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots

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Thanks to a dose of Cajun seasoning, these air fried tots have a kick that perfectly complements their natural sweetness. Plus, not having to use the oven will keep your kitchen bearable.

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Air Fryer Pork Meatballs

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These air fryer pork meatballs are quick and come together easily, making them a perfect party appetizer. They’re juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and delicious all around. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them for later use.

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Air Fryer Potstickers

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These simple air-fried potstickers are incredibly tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside without the oiliness you’d get from a pan or deep fry. They’re perfectly sharable, but you’ll probably want them all to yourself.

• 18 Addictive Appetizers for the Air Fryer

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Air Fryer Oreos

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Bring the carnival to your kitchen with this easy take on fried Oreos. Using pancake batter as a coating adds an extra bit of sweetness, and adding powdered sugar after they’re out of the air fryer provides that fresh-from-the-state-fair taste.

• 15 Over-the-Top Carnival and Fair Foods You Can Make at Home

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Air Fryer Donut Sticks

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Canned crescent dough is one of our favorite kitchen shortcuts, and this easy doughnut recipe is all the proof we need. These turn out buttery and sweet, and neither taste overpowers the other. Melted chocolate, honey, caramel sauce, and jam all make great dipping sauces.

• 15 Easy Desserts to Make With Crescent Rolls

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Air Fryer Bison Burgers

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For more flavor than a typical burger, skip the beef for bison and forego the grill for your air fryer. Creator Bibi says they were “juicy, full of flavor,” and “better than burgers on the grill!”

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Air Fryer Pasta Chips

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There’s no such thing as too much pasta, especially when you can easily transform it into a crunchy, kid-friendly snack. These taste great plain, but would also work paired with marinara or vodka sauce for dipping. Store them in an airtight container and bring them along the next time adventure strikes.

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

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There’s no reason to haul out the deep fryer when air-fried wings taste even better. These air fried wings come out super crispy while the meat stays nice and tender. If you already have a favorite wing sauce, feel free to use that instead.

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Air Fryer Roasted Pineapple

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You can do just about anything with roasted pineapple: pair it with a savory meat, use it as a topping for tacos and salads, or even add a scoop of ice cream to make a flavorful dessert. You’re just 20 minutes away from the best roasted pineapple you’ll ever have.

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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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Brussels sprouts become irresistible when they’re cooked with balsamic vinegar and bacon, giving the bitter veggies a hint of sweetness and smokiness. For softer sprouts, simply lengthen your cook time.

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Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

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Stuffed mushrooms have been a go-to appetizer for decades, but in the air fryer they get a modern touch. Reviewers recommend adding a pinch of garlic powder or playing around with the mushrooms and cheese used to suit your personal preference.

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Air Fryer Sugared Pecans

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This lighter take on candied pecans is a great alternative to cooking up an oven-sized batch or buying packages of candied pecans at the store. Be sure to let them sit for 10 minutes after cooking to ensure a crispy texture.

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Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

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You only need three ingredients for these super crispy and flavorful air fried potato chips. Once you try them, you’ll never need bagged chips again.

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Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

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You’re only four ingredients and 42 minutes away from the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer. Cut your bacon in half for thinner strips that’ll actually stick to your shrimp. “They couldn’t be easier and cooked up perfectly! Bacon was just how we like it, cooked through with some crispy edges,” says reviewer whoshungry. “They disappeared in minutes and I’ve already received requests to make it again.”

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Totchos

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This crowd-pleasing appetizer comes together in less than 30 minutes because it starts with a few trusty shortcuts: rotisserie chicken, pre-made salsa, and Tater Tots. Customize the toppings to make them however spicy or mild you like.

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Air Fryer Chimichangas

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Take weeknight dinner to the next level with these easy, air-fried chimichangas. Multiple members of the Allrecipes community say these quickly became a dinner favorite, and this recipe is easily customizable to fit your preferences. They’re also a great way to use up leftover chicken.

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Air Fryer Ranch-Stuffed Olives

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Crunchy, creamy, savory — these easy air fryer ranch-stuffed olives are everything you want in an appetizer. Be sure to keep a splash pan underneath the olives to prevent getting cheese and panko all over the bottom of your air fryer.

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Air-Fried Mozzarella Sticks

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These ooey, gooey, mozzarella sticks are way less greasy than their deep-fried counterpart, but nobody will be able to tell the difference. Be sure to leave enough space between sticks to prevent them from sticking together.

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Air Fryer Roasted Okra

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Air-frying okra is an easy solution for anyone who loves okra but prefers it with way less slime. Plus, this recipe is so simple you can (and should!) season it however you like, so there are plenty of opportunities to experiment.

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Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

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In the South, it just isn’t summer without fried green tomatoes. These air fried green tomatoes really capitalize on that crispiness you know and love without getting soggy or bogged down by grease. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or a remoulade.

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Healthier Air-Fried Po’ Boy

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“This was my first recipe to make in my new air fryer and it did not disappoint,” says reviewer Mary Scott Krekeler. “I love that there was no grease to clean up off my stove top. The cod turned out wonderful and loved the slaw. We did have to add a bit more hot sauce but that’s because my husband and I like spicy food. I will definitely make this again.”

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Air-Fried Jalapeño Poppers

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These air-fried jalapeño poppers get a leg up from an unconventional ingredient: salami. If you’re wanting really crispy bacon, try pre-cooking it beforehand.

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Air Fryer Apple Pies

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Delicious apple pie in under 10 minutes? Yes, it’s possible, thanks to your air fryer. Pre-made pastry dough helps save some time, but if you’re a whiz with pastry dough feel free to use your own. These make a great weeknight dessert or not-too-heavy closer to a barbecue.

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More Air Fryer Recipes

Can’t get enough of your air fryer? Keep the fun going with these air fryer recipes:

• 12 Recipes That Prove Your Air Fryer and Potatoes Are a Match Made in Heaven
• 18 Air Fryer Dessert Recipes to Make ASAP
• 16 Top-Rated Air Fryer Chicken Recipes