Top 10+ easy meals to make in your air fryer: Hawaiʻi eats

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Air fryers have become quite popular over the last few years. It was invented by Dutch entrepreneur Fred van der Weij in 2005.

He was seeking a way to make crispy frites (fries) without using much oil. This led to the creation a device that uses rapid air technology to circulate hot air around food.

The method mimics frying but without the need for deep oil. Van der Weij introduced the air fryer at the 2010 IFA trade show in Berlin, with Philips helping to popularize it globally.

His invention has changed how many people approach healthy eating.

KHON2.com did a bit of digging and found some easy recipes that will make you meals extra special and super yummy.

1. Panko Seafood

Air-fried breaded or panko-crusted shrimp or fish turns out perfectly crispy. There are many great recipes, like the “bang bang” shrimp from Stay Snatched, or pairing with lemon aioli.

For breading, the most efficient method is setting up a three-bowl station: one for flour, one for egg (or a mix of egg, mustard or mayo) and one for panko (spice it up with a bit of shredded coconut). Alternatively, lightly oil the shrimp, dip in panko, and air fry. Both methods yield tasty, crispy shrimp with minimal effort.

2. Stuffed mushrooms

Stuffed portobello mushrooms make for a quick, delicious dinner. There are endless variations of toppings to try. A recipe from Spend With Pennies pairs them with cheddar and bacon, while others enjoy spinach and cream cheese or garlic and Parmesan.

One popular way of preparing stuffed mushrooms uses crab with Gouda or French onion-inspired mushrooms. You can use feta, cheddar, spinach, artichokes, breadcrumbs and lemon as a nice mixture to stuff the mushrooms before frying.

To start, salt the mushrooms to draw out excess water and to give the mushrooms a good base flavor. Then, air-fry the caps gill-side down to drain any moisture before adding the toppings.

3. Crusted chicken

Nut-crusted chicken is a quick and delicious option for any menu. Air-fried, it comes out moist with a perfect crust in just 20 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer.

A blogger offers a simple panko-breaded chicken recipe, which can be adapted by using a mix of crushed nuts and panko. Adding smoked paprika and Parmesan enhances the flavor creates a tasty twist.

4. Crab cakes

Crab cakes with fire-roasted green chiles have become a favorite appetizer. Using this recipe, you can substitute fire-roasted green chiles and chipotle powder for chipotle chiles and adobo sauce.

A creamy, lemony chipotle sauce perfectly complements the crab cakes and offers a tangy and delicious flavor that’s so good it could almost be enjoyed on its own. These flavorful crab cakes make for an irresistible, easy-to-make dish.

5. Crispy tofu

Crispy fried tofu can be made with or without cornstarch. This simple, cornstarch-free recipe uses garlic and soy sauce and highlights the importance of pressing moisture out of tofu before cooking.

For extra crunch, crispy fried tofu can also be made with a ginger, tamari and garlic marinade, finished with sesame seeds. The resulting tangy, salty flavor makes it a great bacon substitute for vegetarians and a tasty addition to Buddha bowls. You can also check out this yummy recipe.

6. Grilled cheese

Grilled cheese is a quick and easy favorite made in the air fryer. Larger air fryers can accommodate multiple sandwiches, or smaller baskets can fit halved ones. A favorite variation is based on this recipe that adds apple slices.

Another popular combo includes ham, cheddar and banana; but other cheese and jam or fruit pairings work well too. For the best results, cook at a lower temperature for three to five minutes to melt the cheese, then increase the heat to toast the bread for a few extra minutes.

7. French toast

Ground cardamom is added to the cinnamon and nutmeg in the egg batter for extra flavor. Cutting the bread into fingers helps fit more in basket fryers with curved corners. Preheating, especially in convection-oven air fryers, is also recommended for the best results.

8. Monte Cristo

The Monte Cristo sandwich, a classic French-fried delight, has been brought back to life with the air fryer. This simple recipe allows for customization with any cheeses and hams you prefer.

Adding a flavorful jam or pickle elevates the taste and makes it a delicious, easy-to-make sandwich that’s crispy on the outside and savory inside.

9. Molten lava cake

Molten lava cakes are irresistibly gooey and delicious. A small-batch recipe from this site inspired a version using orange-flavored chocolate for added flavor.

A helpful tip is to fill ramekins only ⅔ full to prevent the gooey centers from overflowing and making a mess in the air fryer. These cakes are the perfect balance of rich, molten chocolate and a delicate exterior.

10. Apple pies

Apple hand pies can be a bit tricky to make from scratch, but the effort is worth it. While empanada-sized pies are easy to prepare with store-bought apple filling and pie dough, making your own filling gives you control over the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon flavor.

This blog offers a great recipe for both premade and homemade versions, with both methods resulting in crisp, delicious pies in an air fryer.

Whether using a basket or oven air fryer, the pies turn out perfectly.

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