How to Use Your Air Fryer to Get a Healthy Dinner on the Table Tonight

Photo: Noble Pig
If you're committed to eating healthy but can't imagine a life without chips and fries (seriously, that sounds terrible), then you've likely already discovered the miracle that is the air fryer. It's a clutch kitchen tool for creating snacks that satisfy your hankering for a crunchy snack—without using a ton of oil. (Don't have one yet somehow? You can nab one for as little as $40 on Amazon.)

But while the recipes for kale chips and onion rings are definitely appreciated, you're not using your air fryer to its full potential if you stop there. You can use the kitchen tool to prep a healthy dinner, too. One Reddit user shares that he uses the air fryer to make hard boiled eggs for egg-based dishes (oh hi, keto eaters), such as egg salad sandwiches or Cobb salads.

5 healthy air fryer dinners that are easy to make

air fryer dinner recipes
Photo: Natasha's Kitchen

1. Air fryer chicken wings

Baked chicken is good and all, but sometimes you just want to bite into something crispy, am I right? Use your air fryer to make these "fried" chicken wings and round it out with a bed of veggies for a complete meal. This recipe uses garlic and pepper for seasoning proving you really don't need much to punch up a chicken dish.

air fryer salmon
Photo: Noble Pig

2. Air fryer salmon

If you're looking for a Mediterranean diet-approved dinner, this one's for you. Guess what: you don't always have to have your salmon grilled or broiled for it to be healthy. Pop your protein in the air fryer for a nice layer of crispiness. Like the chicken recipe, this one is minimally seasoned, only calling for paprika, salt, and pepper.

air fryer omelette
Photo: Bitz N Giggles

3. Air Fryer omelette

Omelettes are a classic healthy go-to dinner on those nights when you get home late and can't deal with rummaging through your fridge and figuring out what to make—and using the air fryer makes it even easier. Add your eggs, veggies, let it cook for eight minutes, and done. The end result is a dinner full of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.

air fryer dinner
Photo: Live Eat Learn

4. Crispy air fried tofu

If you're vegan or vegetarian, this recipe is worth bookmarking. Follow the steps and you'll get perfectly crisp tofu, at a fraction of the time you usually spent making it on the stove. Add veggies and you have a perfectly balanced (and quick!) meal.

air fryer eggplant parm
Photo: Watch What U Eat

5. Air Fryer eggplant parmesan

Despite having a vegetable in the name, your typical eggplant parm is less than healthy due to all the oil used in the frying process, but the air fryer maintains the nutrients of the eggplant while still giving it a crispy texture. This recipe uses whole wheat flour instead of white flour to add protein. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella and you're good to go!

Get even more inspiration with these 15 minute dinner recipes and by joining Well+Good's Cook With Us Facebook group.

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