Easy Air-Fryer Recipes

Air-fryers might just be the best thing since sliced bread. It saves us so much time, from preheating the oven to mopping oily floors after deep frying. And the best part? It can help even the noob-est of cooks whip up amazing dishes that are bound to impress. 

From full meals like Japanese Hamburger Steak to snacks like Sesame Balls, here are 17 fuss-free air-fryer recipes to elevate your skills beyond heating up chicken nuggets.

P.S. Love our videos? Watch the full air-fryer recipes Youtube Playlist here. 

– Main Courses –

1. Thai Crispy Pork Belly

Love Thai street food? Then we’re willing to bet that you’ll fall in love with our ASMR-worthy Thai Crispy Pork Belly! Imagine really crunchy pork skin and tender meat, paired with a sweet and tangy chilli sauce — you’ll feel like you’re right in the heart of Thailand.

What’s more? Cooking this recipe in the air-fryer means that you can enjoy this hearty pork belly recipe with less oil. We definitely used this healthier substitute as reason to go back for seconds! And did we mention how cleaning up is super easy, with no smokey kitchens and oily floors afterwards.

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-thai-style-crispy-pork-belly-with-dipping-sauce/

Preparation Time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Serves 3-4.

2. Air-Fryer Grilled Chicken (3 Ways!)

Whether you prefer Thai Style, 5 Spice Roast or Mala Roast Chicken Thigh, you can whip this dish up in just 2 steps — mixing the chicken in the marinade (following our recipe), and then putting it in the air-fryer for about 10 minutes. The result? Gorgeous Grilled Chicken, ready to eat on its own or with some rice and vegetables. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-chicken-thighs-marinated-3-ways/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 4. 

3. Air-Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

If you love the hawker centre versions of BBQ Chicken Wings, try this simple air-fryer recipe! Surprisingly, the air-fryer gives the same kind of crispiness and flavour that makes this dish so addictive. Of course, no BBQ Chicken Wings are complete without the kick from the special Chilli Sauce, which you’ll learn how to make in this recipe as well.  

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-series-bbq-chicken-wings/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 4. 

4. Roast Chicken Noodles

Air-fryers don’t just produce deep-fried dishes, and this Roast Chicken recipe proves that. Get a decadent, juicy roasted leg with Hong Kong noodles for a delicious (and filling) lunch or dinner! Note that you’ll need to marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavours, so plan in advance before getting started on this one. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-roast-chicken/ 

Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves 4. 

5. Asian Sweet and Sour Pork

A hot favourite from cai fan (economic rice) and zi char stalls, now you can have as many helpings of Sweet and Sour Pork as you want! It’s tender on the inside, with a great crunch on the outside. The trick to get the crispy texture is to coat the pork with a corn flour and potato starch mixture before frying. Serve with stir-fried vegetables, fragrant rice and a fried egg for a complete meal.  

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-series-sweet-sour-pork 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Serves 3-4. 

6. Chinese Style Pork Ribs

This Pork Ribs dish will puzzle people when you tell them you did it in an air-fryer! Think: a rich, sweet-savoury marinade, together with the tender, fall-off-the-bone texture of the meat. Garnish with spring onions and roasted sesame seeds for a finishing touch that’ll make your air-fryer dish restaurant-ready. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-chinese-style-pork-ribs/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Serves 3-4. 

7. Japanese Hamburg Steak

Instead of paying over $10 for a Hamburger Steak at Don Don Donki, make your own with this super simple recipe. Not only are the ingredients easy to get, but the use of the air-fryer means no splattering oil or big mess. This recipe also includes instructions for a yummy Hamburg Sauce for a perfect pairing. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/hamburg-steak 

Preparation Time: 45 minutes Serves 4. 

8. Tonkatsu Fried Pork Cutlet

Forget chicken nuggets — elevate your air-fryer meals and try this Tonkatsu Fried Pork Cutlet recipe. There are quite a number of steps, but generally the recipe is easy to follow even for beginners. (P.S. A protip is to flip the meat cutlet halfway through its cooking time in the air-fryer to achieve an even browning.)

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fried-tonkatsu/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Serves 2. 

– Snacks & Desserts –

9. Otak-otak

Ever wanted to make your own Otak-otak right at home, but don’t have a grill? Now you can — with an air-fryer! We’re obsessed with this recipe, because we don’t have to book a BBQ pit or smoke up our house just to make this hawker classic. 

Want to make this recipe even easier? Substitute the fresh prawns with prawn paste — that way, you won’t even have to spend prep time chopping them up!

Recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkK8bOGNDY4/
Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves: 3 – 4.

10. Spring Rolls

Not sure what finger food to serve up at your party or picnic? Our air-fryer Spring Rolls are ridiculously addictive bite-sized snacks, served healthy! And welcome to crunch-heaven: this snack is not only crispy on the outside, but also nice bite on the inside from the generous amount of Chinese cabbage and bamboo shoots stuffed within the minced meat.

Recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYOOQWvYQl/

Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves: 3 – 4.

11. Ngoh Hiang

Not a fan of Spring Rolls? Try our Ngoh Hiang recipe instead. Also a bite-sized snack, this dish features a beancurd skin as the outer wrapping, but with the same meaty, crunchy goodness on the inside from the minced pork, water chestnuts, shallots, and spring onions. With a softer skin, this snack is also perfect for younger kids to grab and munch on!

If you’re feeling like some carbs, these yummy rolls are a classic side to our Economic Fried Bee Hoon — it’s like eating food from the economic stall, but freshly made at home.

Recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca9FpiqhdwC/
Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves: 3 – 4.

12. Crispy Shrimp Pork Dumplings

With its extra crispy texture, our handmade air-fryer Crispy Shrimp Pork Dumpling recipe will take your dumpling game to the next level, while keeping it light and healthy. If you’re feeling more than peckish, pair this dish with noodle dishes like our Stir-fried Soy Sauce Noodles.

Folding these dumplings with little ones is a fun bonding activity and a great way to teach them kitchen skills. Start them young! 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fried-pork-and-shrimp-dumplings/
Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3 – 4.

13. Yakitori

If you’re looking for a dish that’s a total crowd-pleaser, then our Yakitori recipe is a no-brainer choice. Made with chicken thigh and seasoned with an umami sauce, this dish is juicy and aromatic after being charred in an air fryer. Serve it up at a dinner party with friends or pack it with rice for a work lunch — they’re great for any occasion!

Recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CazFf-YB2UV/

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3 – 4.

14. Homemade Churros

Kicking off our desserts section is our tried-and-tested Homemade Churros recipe. Even if you don’t have an oven, you’re all set for this air-fryer recipe. Also included are recipes for 2 sauces, a Chocolate Sauce and Cinnamon Sugar Dip. If you’re feeling generous, why not do both? Trust us, you can definitely make enough churros to go around.  

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fried-churros

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3. 

15. Stuffed You Tiao

Regardless if you’re a breakfast person or not, this Stuffed You Tiao recipe, which only takes 30 minutes to make, is indeed stuffed with goodness. Pair this with the traditional congee or soy milk, or with our special Sambal Mayo Sauce for a delicious midday snack.  

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-series-stuffed-youtiao/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3. 

16. Sesame Balls

There’s no doubt that Sesame Balls are beloved childhood snacks for many of us, only that they tend to be a little too oily for our liking as we grow up. Well, this version offers you a healthier option with less oil, but the same lightness, crispiness and nuttiness. Fill it with sweet red bean paste, peanut or mung-beans, depending on your preference. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-series-sesame-balls/ 

Preparation Time: 45 minutes Serves 15 pieces. 

Fast Air-Fryer Recipes

With the handy air-fryer to help us, we no longer need to spend long hours in the kitchen to whip up a full course, delicious meal. Whether it’s for a full meal or a light snack, these recipes are sure to impress your loved ones and family — maybe even yourself! 

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Some other recipes you might like: 

• Crispy Stuffed Lotus Root
• Soy Sauce Chicken
• Iberico Pork Char Siew

P.S. We’ve got recipes for all your Singaporean and Asian favourites on our Youtube channel. Subscribe and share with your friends!

P.P.S. Can’t find a recipe you like? Drop us a comment or ping us on our socials.

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