Home » All Blog Posts

13 Air Fryer Recipes That Get Just as Crispy Without the Mess

Jump to Recipe Add Us as a Preferred Source

Crispy food without a pot of hot oil or a kitchen full of splatter? That’s the promise here, and the air fryer actually delivers. These recipes hold their crunch, skip the grease, and won’t leave you scrubbing pans for the rest of the night. From wings to taquitos to full-on fried chicken, they bring the texture without the cleanup. It’s the kind of trade-off you don’t regret.

Stacked taquitos on a plate.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Closeup of a chicken shawarma wrap.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps deliver crispy, spiced meat without splattering oil across your stovetop. The marinade does the heavy lifting, and the air fryer handles the rest—leaving you with charred edges and juicy centers. Wrap it up with a quick slaw or some pickled onions and dinner’s done. It’s takeout-style flavor without the cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries on a plate with spicy ketchup for dipping.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries come out crisp on the outside and tender in the middle, without a single drop of deep fryer grease. They hold their shape, keep their crunch, and don’t leave your kitchen smelling like oil for two days. Dip them in whatever you’ve got, or just eat them straight off the tray. They’re cleaner, faster, and better than the oven version.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Air Fryer Carnitas

Low angle shot of 3 carnitas tacos on a white plate with lime wedges.
Air Fryer Carnitas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Carnitas crisp up like they’ve been roasting all afternoon, but you get there in a fraction of the time. The pork stays juicy with enough edge to stand up to tortillas, bowls, or just a fork and a plate. No giant pot of oil, no stovetop babysitting. Just crispy meat, less mess, and something worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carnitas

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Air fried tofu on a white plate.
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu gets that golden crust without sticking to your pan or falling apart halfway through. The inside stays soft, the outside holds its crunch, and it takes seasoning like a pro. It’s not greasy, not soggy, and doesn’t leave you with a pan of oil to drain. This one makes a strong case for skipping the wok.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas

Caramelized bananas with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas turn sweet and sticky in minutes without the stovetop drama. The edges get golden, the insides stay soft, and there’s no sugar crust to scrub off a skillet. You can toss them on ice cream or yogurt, or just eat them warm right out of the basket. Dessert doesn’t get much cleaner than this.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas

Air Fryer BBQ Wings

A pile of air fryer BBQ wings on a white platter.
Air Fryer BBQ Wings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer BBQ Wings keep the skin crisp, the meat juicy, and the mess minimal. You get all the sticky, saucy flavor without the grease fire or piles of paper towels. They’re great fresh but somehow just as good cold out of the fridge. No foil-lined trays or broiler pans needed here.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Wings

Want to save this recipe?

✨ We'll send it straight to your inbox! ✨

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Stacked taquitos on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos come out crisp and golden without a frying pan in sight. The edges crunch, the filling stays warm, and the roll holds together through every bite. You don’t need toothpicks or a second pan—just the air fryer and a few minutes. These skip the splatter and still bring the texture.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Low angle shot of an air fried whole chicken.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken gives you crisp skin and juicy meat without heating up your kitchen or hauling out a roasting pan. The air circulates just right to cook it evenly, and the cleanup is nothing compared to the oven version. You get Sunday-dinner results on a weeknight schedule. The skin alone makes it worth it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Fish tacos on a small baking sheet with limes.
Air Fryer Fish Tacos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Fish Tacos skip the oil bath and still come out crisp, flaky, and ready for slaw and salsa. The coating sticks, the fish stays light, and nothing falls apart when you build the tacos. You won’t miss the fryer or the mess that comes with it. These do everything they’re supposed to, and they do it clean.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken nails the crunch without turning your kitchen into a fry station. The sauce clings to every piece, the crust holds up, and there’s no need to double-fry or drain. It’s everything you want—heat, texture, flavor—without a greasy pot to deal with after.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins

Pile of cornbread muffins on a white plate.
Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins bake fast and come out with crisp tops and soft, crumbly centers. No preheating an oven or waiting on a baking dish. You mix, scoop, and cook—no mess, no fuss. They’re a quick win when you need something warm and solid without dirtying half your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins

Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken

A hand holding a crispy fried chicken drumstick.
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken gives you that classic crunch without the hot oil situation. The buttermilk keeps it tender, the coating stays put, and the results are crisp enough to hear. You still get all the flavor, just without the frying station cleanup. It’s the kind of shortcut you don’t need to apologize for.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Wontons

Air fryer wontons on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Wontons come out crisp and golden without the greasy aftermath. They cook fast, hold their shape, and don’t leak all over your pan. Fill them with whatever you’ve got, freeze the extras, and reheat without losing the crunch. No splatter, no mess—just wontons that actually taste fresh.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wontons

By on May 17th, 2025
Eggs All Ways logo icon.

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind Eggs All Ways. She's a writer, recipe developer, photographer, and cookbook author with more than 40 books to her name, including the bestselling Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications, both print and digital, including MSN, Cooking Light, Fitness, Buzzfeed, and Eating Well.

More Posts by this author.

Leave a Comment

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic