We've tried A LOT of air fryer recipes. We narrowed the list of our best kid-friendly air fryer recipes. Here are the TOP air fryer recipes that the whole family will love.
What’s For Dinner? My Kids’ Answers to That Question
My kids started school last week, and the busyness is just beginning. Because of this, I love to meal prep quick and easy meals with this app, Prepear.
There are so many reasons I love Prepear, one being that I can meal plan and grocery shop in 30 minutes. You can learn more reasons why I love Prepear in this YouTube video.
Head over to Prepare to these recipes and get Full Access to my meal plans and ALL my cookbooks exclusivelyon Prepear!
So, today, to help inspire you to know what to make for dinner and beat the busy schedule, I am sharing our family’s top 30+ and personal favorite air fryer recipes.
These recipes are divided into dinner meals, sides/snacks, and desserts. The meals are perfect for on-the-go busy nights and are loved by everyone.
The sides/snacks are not only crowd-pleasers but also so easy to make in the air fryer. And the desserts, well, we love them more than anything.
Not only are these recipes 100% kid-friendly (even by the picky eaters), and loved by the whole family, but they are also 100% mom-approved because they are quick, easy, and simple to make; the best recipes for busyweeknights!
My Family’s 18 Most Loved Air Fryer Dinner Recipes:
You can watch me make 17 of the best air fryer recipes in this YouTube video. Make sure to check it out!
This air fryer meal is our number one favorite because it is so darn flavorful, juicy, and unlike anything, we’ve had before. You will love this simple Hawaiian chicken in the air fryer because it is an easy meal you can prepare and freeze beforehand, making it the perfect and most delicious dinner for busy nights!
The Best Hawaiian Chicken and Coconut Rice in the Air Fryer
Air fryer Hawaiian chicken is the best and our most favorite summer air fryer recipe. With bold, juicy flavors, you will love this recipe too!
Check out this recipe
Air fryer cheeseburger egg rolls are my personal favorite air fryer meal because it is so stinkin’ easy to make. You only need 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to whip together this tasty and filling meal in your air fryer!
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Cheeseburger Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer
You will never have to go to the Cheesecake Factory again after making this delicious cheeseburger egg roll copycat recipe. You'll love this tasty and simple air fryer recipe; it's one of my favorite go-to meals for dinner.
Check out this recipe
We love eating air fryer hamburgers because it tastes like it’s fresh off the grill but it’s actually from the air fryer. That means it’s less work for me and I can grill hamburgers any time of the year!
Effortless Air Fryer Hamburgers in Minutes!
Simple air fryer hamburgers are juicy, easy, and a kid-approved meal!
Check out this recipe
These air fryer chicken tenders are our favorite because they are one of the first air fryer recipes we tried together as a family. Whenever I am unsure about what to make, I throw together these flavorful and easy chicken strips in the air fryer because I know it will be a hit.
Simple Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
These air fried chicken tenders are covered in a crispy, flavorful breading, and each bite is juicy and delicious.
Check out this recipe
We also love this crazy easy and delicious air fryer popcorn chicken recipe. It’s a great, healthier option than takeout because you don’t need any oil to whip these babies up!
Crunchy and Healthy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken (No Oil)
Healthy and quick air fryer popcorn chicken is our family's favorite dinner!
Check out this recipe
We love chicken in our home, and this balsamic chicken and veggies recipe is no exception. This is one of the best meals you can make in the air fryer because it’s filling, flavorful, and fun! We gobble this recipe right up!
Tasty Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies with Balsamic Marinade
This tasty, flavorful, and fresh balsamic chicken and vegetables in the air fryer is a HUGE hit in our home.
Check out this recipe
This air fryer pepperoni Stromboli is perfect for those nights when you don’t want to think about dinner at all. It is easy to throw together and the kids will eat it in no time! We also love this recipe for lunch on Saturday afternoons!
Air Fryer Pepperoni Stromboli
I love how quick and easy Stromboli is in the air fryer! An easy meal that the whole family loves.
Check out this recipe
Yep, sometimes it is breakfast for dinner! Or, sometimes we enjoy these air fryer French toast sticks on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Whenever we eat them, all my kids agreed that this air fryer recipe is one of the best! Plus, it’s so easy that my kids can make it on their own!
The BEST Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
These French toast sticks are so sweet and crispy. Plus, when you make them in the air fryer you can get them just as crispy or soft as you want!
Check out this recipe
This recipe is one of our favorites because it is so tasty for such simple and easy ingredients. You will love this Sausage, Potato, and Onion recipe because it is an entire, filling meal right in your air fryer!
Flavorful Sausage, Potato, and Onion in the Air Fryer
This sausage, potato, and onion recipe is a flavorful, easy, and filling air fryer dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
This delicious and incredibly flavorful air fryer sweet potato stuffed BBQ chicken is as good as it sounds and definitely kid-friendly. I love this recipe because I can prep the sweet potatoes ahead of time, then throw the rest of the ingredients together, air frying it all in minutes! Plus, it’s totally adaptable for each child!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Bursting with fresh flavors, this BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes recipe in the air fryer is one you won't regret trying.
Check out this recipe
We love pork tenderloin in the air fryer, especially with this tasty and easy balsamic marinade. This recipe is juicy and so incredibly easy to make.
Perfect Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Marinade
This juicy and tender air fryer balsamic marinade pork tenderloin recipe is made in 15-20 minutes to cook to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Our family especially loves quality BBQ. I was skeptical at first when I heard that you can make steak in the air fryer. But let me tell you, this air fryer recipe is juicy and so good. You can get perfect steak every time in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Steak - Perfect Every Time
It is easy to get perfect results every time with this air fryer steak recipe! Top it off with delicious garlic herb butter. Yum!
Check out this recipe
We love this air fryer chicken thighs recipe because it is another one of the first recipes we tried. It’s packed with tasty flavor and is versatile to use. Make chicken tacos, and burritos, eat as is, or add to a salad: the options are endless!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Make Perfect Chicken Street Tacos! (Easy Dinner Idea + VIDEO)
These air fryer chicken thighs are seasoned just right and cooked to perfection. There’s not much prep time needed, just enough to season the chicken!
Check out this recipe
I need to be honest, we aren’t big fish lovers in our home. But this honey mustard salmon is one of our favorites because it is just that good. Plus, you only need 4 ingredients.
Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe
Easy and quick, this air fryer honey mustard salmon will quickly become a family favorite.
Check out this recipe
This meatloaf recipe is not only so good that all my picky-eaters LOVE it, but it’s also so fast in the air fryer. We definitely make this often out of our list of kid-friendly air fryer recipes.
Kid-Approved Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
My picky eaters who don’t really like meatloaf LOVE this one and request it often. You will fall in love with this recipe in the air fryer because it is way more fun than making traditional meatloaf and saves you a lot of time too!
Check out this recipe
I had so much fun trying this hibachi chicken in the air fryer with my good friend, Kristen from Six Sister’s Stuff. Then, when I made this recipe for my family, they all fell in love with it too! It was perfect for the whole family.
Hibachi Style Chicken with Yum Yum Sauce in the Air Fryer
Simple, quick, and easy hibachi style chicken with yum yum sauce in the air fryer is a delicious and flavorful air fryer meal you will love!
Check out this recipe
I love to prepare the ingredients for this taco foldover quesadilla. Then, my kids can make their own whenever they want throughout the week for a quick and simple after-school snack filled with yummy cheese.
Taco Foldover Quesadilla
Have you seen the viral Tik Tok recipe - Beef Foldover Quesadilla Hack? It's easy, fun, and delicious! The whole family loves it!
Check out this recipe
Ham and Cheese Slam Sandwich
OMG - that is what you will be saying when you bite into this amazing ham and cheese slam sandwich. The delicious buttery flavor from the biscuits, the melty cheesy, all in one tasty bite.
Check out this recipe
My kids love a good ham and cheese sandwich. But, with the air fryer, you can upgrade the classic sandwich to the ham and cheese slam sandwich!
The Best Snacks & Sides to Make in the Air Fryer for the Whole Family
Want to beef up your meal a little bit, especially with some kid-friendly recipes? Then whip up a side in the air fryer that even your toddler will love.
Using my air fryer to make sides is great because I can do it in minutes. I especially love making frozen foods in the air fryer because it can be done in less than 10 minutes!
There are so many amazing sides you can make in the air fryer, but today I’m sharing the top 7 sides and snacks we make the most in the air fryer!
Baked potatoes in the air fryer are one of my favorites because the outside skin is so crispy and the inside is perfectly soft. Plus, it’s a little quicker than baking them in the oven! You can even give Natasha’s Kitchen’s version a try too!
Simple Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Get perfect baked potatoes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside - all in less time - with this simple air fryer baked potato recipe.
Check out this recipe
I was so impressed when I discovered that I could make bacon in the air fryer. This is the perfect side for breakfast of course. Additionally, it’s a quick and easy way to make bacon for any recipe!
How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer!
Such an easy way to cook up some bacon! Cooking bacon in an air fryer is perfection when you follow these tips.
Check out this recipe
Need a quick and simple snack idea? This chicken wings recipe in the air fryer is our go-to on game days or evenings when my house is packed with teenage boys and their crazy appetites!
Make perfectly cooked chicken wings in the air fryer - straight from frozen, with almost no prep time, and less cooking time than in the oven!
Check out this recipe
You can never go wrong with some crispy fries! With our air fryer frozen french fries recipe, you can have crispy fries in the time it takes to preheat your oven!
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
The advent of air frying has made restaurant-quality, mouth-watering french fries something we can have whenever we feel like it.
Check out this recipe
Frozen vegetables in the air fryer are so incredibly easy. Air fryer broccoli is one of the best! It’s quick, easy, and so tasty!
Air Fryer Broccoli from Frozen
Enjoy one of the easiest side dishes you can make in the air fryer in under 15 minutes with my air fryer broccoli from frozen broccoli.
Check out this recipe
Another fun and tasty side or snack recipe you can make up in the air fryer is the BBQ tater tot casserole! It is so good and has so much flavor in such a small dish. Plus my kids will eat anything with tater tots.
BBQ Tater Tot Casserole in the Air Fryer
For a great appetizer or side dish, you have got to try this BBQ tater tot casserole recipe. It is bursting with flavor and a simple dish to put together using the air fryer.
Check out this recipe
My kids adore air fryer pizza bagels because they can personalize each one and make it in minutes! Ever since I made pizza bagels in the air fryer, I always have mini bagels and pizza toppings on hand. It’s the best quick snack for the best kids.
Homemade Pizza Bagels in the Air Fryer
Make Pizza Bagel Bites in the Air Fryer! This quick little snack can be cooked up in just a few minutes and taste better than a microwave and won't heat up your kitchen!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Anyone? We Are Also BIG Fans of Dessert!
Don’t get me wrong, there usually isn’t time for dessert on busy weeknights (or is there? 🤔). However, during the weekend, we love to enjoy these absolutely delicious and wonderful air fryer desserts. It was hard to pick just a few favorites, but here are our top 9 air fryer desserts!
How to Make Healthier Beignets in the Air Fryer
Quick, easy, and healthy air fryer beignets are the best dessert!
Check out this recipe
Tasty 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Tasty and easy 3-ingredient air fryer apple fritters are our new go-to treat for any occasion!
Check out this recipe
Easiest Air Fryer Fried Oreos
You can't go wrong with this easy, quick air fryer fried Oreos recipe. They are a big hit with our friends and family!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cups
Tasty and crazy easy, this delicious and simple air fryer treat is perfect for peanut butter chocolate lovers. Plus, it's way healthier than deep frying!
Check out this recipe
S'mores Dip in the Air Fryer
Enjoy the delights of summer any time of the year with this simple and easy s'mores dip recipe right in your air fryer.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Donuts + Donut Holes with a Sweet Glaze (Video)
Delicious air fryer donuts and donut holes with a sweet old-fashioned glaze.
Check out this recipe
The Best Air Fryer Molten Lava Cake
You won't believe how quick and easy this delicious chocolate molten lava air fryer cake recipe is! Enjoy for a special occasion or just a special treat!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls in 15 Minutes!
Whip up some quick air fryer cinnamon rolls as a fun snack or treat! Super easy with this 3-ingredient dough!
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Buns TikTok Recipe in the Air Fryer
You’ve seen these cinnamon bun recipes all over TikTok and I have tested a few to give you the best version of the viral dessert recipe!
Check out this recipe
Even More Kid-Friendly Recipes
As if this list of family-friendly, toddler-approved, recipes wasn’t already amazing, plus showing you just how versatile your air fryer truly is, you have to check out our list of 10 kid-friendly recipesthat you can also make in the air fryer.
Final Thoughts
These easy air fryer recipes will give you the inspiration and motivation to actually make dinner during busy weeknights when you might find it tempting to run through the drive-thru.
I hope your family enjoys these meals and desserts as much as ours does. I would love to hear what your go-to dinners are in your family! What air fryer recipe do you think my family needs to try?
Here are a few more kid-friendly air fryer recipes that I think you will enjoy!
- How To Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese in 30 Minutes!
- Crispy and Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan- Ready in 20 minutes!
- Quick and Easy Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
Click on these articles to learn more about your air fryer!
- Air Fryer 101
- Learn thesecommon Air Fryer Mistakes!
- All aboutthe Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
