The air fryer is no longer just a french fry machine. Anyone who only uses the appliance for that is missing out on its true potential. From crispy chicken to fresh bread rolls and juicy chocolate cake – the air fryer can do surprisingly much. And all with significantly less fat than in a classic deep fryer or oven.
Casseroles, Pizzas & Co.
If you have a suitable baking dish, you can also prepare lasagna, pizza or gratins in the air fryer. Cooking times are often shorter than in the oven – and the result is impressive.
Baking
Yes, you read that right: cakes, muffins and bread rolls can also be baked in the air fryer. Cookies turn out just as well as in the oven at Christmas – sometimes even better, because the heat is more even.
Desserts & Sweets
Baked apples, baked bananas, semolina pudding, red berry compote, rice pudding – even chocolate cake with a molten center is no problem. If you haven't tried this yet, you're really missing out.
Reheating
For leftovers from the previous day, the air fryer is clearly superior to the microwave oven. Pizza, bread rolls, casseroles – everything becomes crispy again instead of soggy.
5 Airfryer Recipes to Try
2. Gratinated Ham and Leek Crostinis
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients except the baguette into a smooth mixture. Slice the baguette into approximately 1.5 cm thick pieces and spread with the mixture.
Line the air fryer basket with baking paper and gratinate the slices at 200 °C for approx. 6 minutes. For a second batch, 4–5 minutes are sufficient as the air fryer is already preheated.
3. Classic Lasagna
Sounds elaborate, but works surprisingly well in the air fryer.
Ingredients:
- 500 ml Bolognese sauce
- approx. 400 ml Béchamel sauce
- 8–10 lasagna sheets
- 150 g grated Emmental cheese
- 2–3 slices cooked ham (torn into pieces)
Preparation:
Lightly coat the bottom of a small, square baking dish with Béchamel sauce. Place two lasagna sheets overlapping slightly – simply break off the corners to fit. Top with a layer of Bolognese, some ham, then Béchamel again. Repeat this layering until four pasta layers have been created. Finish with Béchamel and spread Emmental cheese evenly over the top.
Cook at 140 °C for 30 minutes, then bake for another 10 minutes at 160 °C until done.
4. Fresh Baguette Rolls
Homemade rolls from the air fryer – soft inside, golden brown outside.
Ingredients (4 rolls):
- 250 g wheat flour type 550
- 9 g bread improver
- 3 g dry yeast
- 165 ml lukewarm water (approx. 25 °C)
- 8 g bread seasoning or dried herbs of your choice
Preparation:
Mix all dry ingredients, add the water and knead into a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Then form into 4 elongated rolls and let rest for another 60 minutes.
Place baking paper in the air fryer basket, put two rolls with some space between them – try not to press too much so the air stays in the dough. Bake at 190 °C for approx. 15 minutes. If the surface gets too dark, cover with aluminum foil. Bake the second two rolls – the baking time will be slightly shorter because the air fryer is already hot.
5. Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
Moist, nutty, chocolatey – and reliably successful.
Ingredients (1 cake, Ø 20 cm):
- 100 g soft butter
- 150 g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp real cocoa powder
- 125 g flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 50 g chopped hazelnuts
Preparation:
Cream the butter, then stir in sugar, vanilla sugar, and eggs. Mix cocoa, flour, and baking powder and fold in, then finally stir in the hazelnuts. Pour the batter into a greased 20 cm baking pan and bake at 170 °C for 30 minutes.
Can be served plain or used as a cake base – for example, with custard, banana slices, and hazelnut glaze.
Conclusion
The air fryer is more versatile than many people think. It not only replaces the classic deep fryer but also takes on the role of the oven in many situations – faster, more energy-efficient, and with less fat. Anyone who has tried homemade fries or a chocolate cake from the air fryer will quickly understand why the appliance has found a permanent place in so many kitchens.
