19 Recipes Grandma Would’ve Air Fried If She Could

If Grandma had an air fryer, she would’ve been unstoppable. These recipes take everything she loved—crispy edges, golden tops, juicy centers—and make them faster. From weeknight dinners to those snacky extras she always had ready, this list reimagines her favorites with the power of hot air and a lot less cleanup. She didn’t have the gadget, but she’d definitely approve of the results.

A black plate holding several pieces of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken tenders garnished with chopped parsley, set on a rust-colored cloth with sauce and herbs visible in the background. — Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips

A black bowl filled with dark red beet chips sits on a white surface. In the background, there is a small white bowl containing a creamy dip with green herbs. — Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips take about 20 minutes and use fresh beets, olive oil, and salt. The edges crisp up like kettle chips while the centers stay light and earthy. They taste slightly sweet with a savory finish that’s hard to stop eating. Grandma would've made these every time she had beets in the cellar.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips

Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

Mini Meatloaves line up on a platter with a glaze on top. — Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer takes 25 minutes and combines ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and ketchup into small, individual loaves. The result is tender on the inside with a caramelized top that beats anything from the oven. The flavor is classic, hearty, and satisfying. It’s the kind of dinner she would’ve made in batches.
Get the Recipe: Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Plate of bacon-wrapped peppers filled with cheese, garnished with parsley, next to a grated cheese block and grater on a wooden board. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are done in 15 minutes and are made with fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, and breadcrumbs. They’re creamy inside with just enough heat and a golden crunch on the outside. The flavor lands between cheesy and spicy without being too much. These would’ve shown up at every gathering with a note to save one for her.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

A hand dips a fried zucchini fritter into a small bowl of white cream sauce on a gray plate. Other fritters and lemon wedges are arranged around the bowl on a marble surface. — Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta cook in about 20 minutes and use shredded zucchini, crumbled feta, and herbs. They come out crisp around the edges with a soft, cheesy middle. The taste is fresh and savory with just enough salt from the cheese. Grandma would've served them with something pickled on the side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

A white speckled bowl filled with crispy, dark green kale chips sits on a light surface. The kale chips appear roasted with some edges curled and slightly browned. — Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips take just 10 minutes and use kale, oil, and a pinch of salt. They turn light, crackly, and just bitter enough to make them addictive. The texture is crisp without falling apart, and the flavor is more snack than side. She would’ve had them ready before anyone asked.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Vegan Ranch Sauce

A bowl filled with square, golden-brown baked croutons sits on a wooden cutting board, with a few croutons scattered beside the bowl. A light-colored cloth and part of a lemon are nearby. — Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Vegan Ranch Sauce. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Vegan Ranch Sauce take 25 minutes and include tofu, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and a creamy herb dipping sauce. The outside gets golden and crisp while the inside stays tender. The flavor is savory, well-seasoned, and satisfying with every bite. Grandma might not have called them nuggets, but she’d have kept the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Vegan Ranch Sauce

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Two roasted chicken thighs on a white plate garnished with sprigs of thyme. A ceramic jar is partially visible in the background on the left. — Air Fryer Turkey Thighs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs take about 35 minutes and use bone-in turkey thighs, garlic, and herbs. The skin crisps up beautifully while the meat stays juicy and flavorful. The taste is rich and well-balanced, perfect for dinner without the whole bird. She would’ve served them year-round, not just in November.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

A plate of roasted asparagus topped with almond slices, capers, and parsley. Two lemon wedges are placed on either side of the asparagus. The dish is presented on an oval white plate. — Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Roast Air Fryer Asparagus takes 10 minutes and combines asparagus spears with oil, lemon, and salt. The stalks come out tender with slightly crisp tips and a bright flavor. The lemon adds just enough zing to cut the richness of any meal. Grandma would've called it spring in a basket.
Get the Recipe: Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

Pork Steak in the Air Fryer

Pork Steak in the Air Fryer takes 20 minutes and uses pork shoulder steaks, BBQ seasoning, and a quick brush of sauce. The edges turn crisp while the center stays tender and juicy. The taste is smoky, slightly sweet, and full of flavor. It would’ve been her new favorite way to skip the grill.
Get the Recipe: Pork Steak in the Air Fryer

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Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Four grilled salmon fillets garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices are arranged on a white oval platter. The fillets are seasoned with herbs and pepper. The edge of a striped cloth and a serving of broccoli are partially visible. — Lemon Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Lemon Air Fryer Salmon cooks in 15 minutes and uses salmon fillets, lemon slices, and olive oil. The outside forms a slight crust while the inside stays flaky and moist. The flavor is clean with just enough tang from the citrus. She would’ve called it fancy, then eaten it on a paper plate.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Cheese Bites

A plate of breaded chicken nuggets garnished with parsley. The nuggets are golden brown, and the dish is placed on a white surface with a striped cloth partially visible. — Air Fryer Cheese Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Cheese Bites take just 10 minutes and include cubes of cheese coated in breadcrumbs and herbs. They melt just enough to stay gooey inside while turning golden on the outside. The flavor is salty, crispy, and warm with every bite. Grandma would've warned you they’re hot—right before stealing two for herself.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Bites

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate. — Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings cook in 25 minutes and are seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic, and a touch of oil. The skin crisps up like it came from a deep fryer, but without the grease. The flavor is bold, savory, and finger-licking. She wouldn’t have needed a dipping sauce to make them disappear.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Four seasoned and cooked chicken breasts are arranged on a gray plate, garnished with chopped fresh herbs and lemon wedges. The plate is set on a white marble surface. — Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia takes 12 minutes and combines tilapia fillets with paprika, garlic, and lemon. The outside forms a crisp layer while the inside stays flaky and light. The spices give it warmth without overpowering the fish. She would’ve paired it with whatever was growing in the garden.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

A plate of crispy tofu cubes garnished with cilantro is placed next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce in a blue dish. — Crispy Air Fryer Tofu. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu takes 20 minutes and includes firm tofu, soy sauce, cornstarch, and garlic powder. The cubes turn golden on all sides and hold their shape without drying out. The flavor is savory and crisp with a satisfying bite. It’s the kind of thing she’d call “surprisingly good” after clearing her plate.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

BBQ Air Fryer Pork Chops

A bite of bbq pork chop on a fork. — BBQ Air Fryer Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

BBQ Air Fryer Pork Chops cook in 20 minutes and use bone-in chops, BBQ sauce, and seasoning. The outside gets sticky and caramelized while the meat stays juicy. The taste is sweet, smoky, and rich without needing extra sides. She’d have served it with a buttered roll and called it done.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with pieces of chicken, topped with a drizzle of brown sauce, sits on a white surface beside a fork and sprigs of parsley. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese bakes in 20 minutes with cooked pasta, shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and cheese. The top crisps up while the inside stays creamy and full of bold flavor. The sweet tang of BBQ cuts through the richness of the cheese. Grandma would've served this before anyone asked what else was coming.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake

A partially sliced cake with light brown frosting and crumbled Lotus Biscoff cookies on top, displayed on a white cake stand. A blue cup sits in the background. — Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake takes about 25 minutes and includes crushed Biscoff cookies, flour, sugar, and eggs. The top turns golden while the inside stays moist and sweet with a deep cookie flavor. It’s soft enough to eat with a spoon but firm enough to slice. She wouldn’t have shared unless it was Sunday.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Biscoff Cake

Air Fryer Broccoli

Broccoli florets with seasoning in an air fryer basket, some lemon slices and a striped cloth nearby. — Air Fryer Broccoli. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Air Fryer Broccoli cooks in 12 minutes and includes florets, olive oil, and garlic powder. The tips turn crispy while the stems stay tender with just the right bite. The flavor is toasty and savory, not bitter. She would’ve made a double batch and still not had leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders take 20 minutes and use chicken strips, breadcrumbs, and a drizzle of hot honey. The crust turns crunchy while the meat stays juicy and flavorful. The sweet heat adds just enough kick to keep it interesting. She would've called it spicy—and then reached for more.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders