Do you have an air fryer but struggle with utilizing it to its full potential? Are you looking for batch cooking ideas to save time and make healthy meals? Look no further; I have compiled some delicious recipes to make your air fryer your go-to kitchen gadget.
Air fryers have been all the rage lately and for a good reason. They can crisp up food without the excessive use of oil while keeping the moisture intact. However, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of repeatedly cooking the same types of meals.
That’s where batch cooking comes in – making more than you need at once to have delicious meals throughout the week. In this article, I’ll share recipes from crispy chicken to roasted veggies made with minimal oil and perfect for batch cooking. You’ll be amazed at the versatility of your air fryer.
Here are The 10 Air Fryer Batch Cooking Ideas
1. Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are a great air fryer batch cooking option. They’re easy to whip up and can be enjoyed as a side dish or snack. To make baked potatoes in the air fryer, simply scrub four medium-sized potatoes clean and dry them off with a paper towel.
Then, coat each potato thoroughly with olive oil or melted butter and seasonings of your choice. Add them to the air fryer basket and set it to 350°F for about 25 minutes.
2. Crispy Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a classic batch cooking option and can be cooked in the air fryer for a healthier version. This recipe requires four pounds of chicken wings, two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings.
Start by coating the wings in olive oil and seasonings, then add them to the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F for about 25 minutes.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables in the air fryer is a great way to make a healthy batch cooking meal. This recipe requires four cups of assorted vegetables, two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings. Start by tossing the vegetables with olive oil and seasonings, then add them to the air fryer basket.Â
4. Grilled Fish
Grilled fish is a healthy batch cooking option easily made in the air fryer. You’ll need four fish pieces (such as tilapia or salmon), two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings for this recipe.
Start by coating the fish with olive oil and seasonings, then add them to the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F for about 15 minutes.
5. Roasted Nuts
Roasted nuts are a great snack option for batch cooking. For this recipe, you’ll need four cups of assorted nuts (such as almonds or walnuts), two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings.
Start by coating the nuts with olive oil and seasonings, then add them to the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 350°F for about 15 minutes.
6. Falafel
Falafel is a great vegetarian batch cooking option easily made in the air fryer. For this recipe, you’ll need two cups of cooked chickpeas, one cup of chopped onion, one tablespoon of minced garlic, two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings.
Start by mixing all ingredients, then forming them into small patties. Add them to the air fryer basket and set it to 400°F for about 20 minutes.
7. Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia
This parmesan-crusted tilapia recipe is a delicious batch cooking option that can be made in the air fryer. For this recipe, you’ll need four tilapia fillets, two tablespoons of olive oil, one cup of panko breadcrumbs, and one cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Start by coating the tilapia with olive oil and then rolling them in the breadcrumb/parmesan mixture. Add them to the air fryer basket and set it to 400°F for about 20 minutes.
8. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are a great batch-cooking option for vegetarians and vegans. You’ll need two cans of chickpeas (drained and rinsed), two tablespoons of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings for this recipe.
Start by coating the chickpeas with olive oil and seasonings, then add them to the air fryer basket. In addition, you’ll need to set the air fryer to 350°F for about 15 minutes to get the perfect roasted chickpeas.
9. Air Fryer Fish and Chips
Air Fryer Fish and Chips is an easy, healthy batch cooking idea that can be quickly prepared in an air fryer. This classic British dish is a great way for your family to eat healthier without sacrificing taste.
Choose a white fish fillet—cod, haddock, and pollock are all good options. Cut the fillet into thin strips, and toss with oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
Then add the fish strips to the air fryer basket and set it to 400°F for 10-15 minutes. Serve the cooked fish with homemade oven-baked French fries or sweet potato wedges.
10. Air Fryer Pizza
Air fryer pizza is an easy way to make delicious pizzas in bulk. Choose your favorite pre-made pizza dough and spread it onto a floured surface. Top with various ingredients, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, or onions.
Add the toppings of your choice to the pizza and place it in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. Enjoy your homemade batch of pizzas with friends and family.
What Size Air Fryer Do I Need to Meal Prep?
Meal prep is a great way to save money and time while eating nutritiously. And an air fryer can make meal prep even simpler. But with so many different sizes and brands on the market, choosing the right one can be surprisingly tricky.
To ensure you’re picking the best-size air fryer for your needs, it’s important to consider how much food you’ll need to cook regularly.
If you only plan on cooking for yourself or two people instead of a larger family, a smaller air fryer will be more than enough. Likewise, if you’re cooking regularly for four or more people, it’s worth investing in something bigger and more powerful.
Plenty of great options are available, whatever size appliance you’re looking for. To help narrow down the choices, I compiled a list of my favorite air fryers – regardless of size – available today.
Take a look through my recommendations to make sure you invest in an appliance that looks good in your kitchen and helps bring delicious meals to your table.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1: Can I Batch-Cook Chicken In An Air Fryer?
Yes, air fryers are excellent for batch-cooking chicken. You can prepare a large batch of chicken wings, drumsticks, or chicken breast strips in the air fryer. Season the chicken with desired spices and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook at the recommended temperature and time for the specific type of chicken you are cooking. Once cooked, remove the first batch and add the next batch to continue cooking until all the chicken is done. This allows you to have a large quantity of cooked chicken for meal prepping or entertaining.
2: What Vegetables Are Suitable For Batch Cooking In An Air Fryer?
Many vegetables are perfect for batch cooking in an air fryer. Some examples include Brussels sprouts, broccoli florets, cauliflower, zucchini slices, and sweet potato wedges. Toss the vegetables with oil and seasonings, then spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook at the appropriate temperature and time, and repeat the process to cook larger quantities. Batch-cooking vegetables in an air fryer allows you to have ready-to-eat or prepped vegetables for various meals throughout the week.
3: Can I Batch-Cook Frozen Foods In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can batch-cook frozen foods in an air fryer. Frozen foods, such as french fries, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks, can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping, and cook at the recommended temperature and time.
You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to account for the larger quantity. Batch-cooking frozen foods in an air fryer provides a convenient and quick way to prepare multiple servings simultaneously.
4: What Are Some Ideas For Batch Cooking In An Air Fryer For Meal Prep?
Air fryers are fantastic for meal prep. Consider batch-cooking items such as grilled chicken breast, salmon fillets, turkey meatballs, or marinated tofu. These proteins can be cooked in large batches, portioned into individual containers, and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Additionally, you can prepare a batch of roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, or quinoa cakes in the air fryer to accompany your meals. Batch cooking in an air fryer simplifies the meal prep process and allows you to have pre-cooked components ready to assemble into nutritious meals throughout the week.
5: Can I Batch-Cook Desserts In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can certainly batch-cook desserts in an air fryer. Some ideas include air-fried apple or peach slices, mini fruit pies, cinnamon sugar donuts, or chocolate chip cookies.
Preparing desserts in batches allows you to have a sweet treat readily available when cravings strike or you need to satisfy multiple people. Follow the recommended recipes and cooking times for each dessert, and adjust the batch size accordingly to fit your needs.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a great way to batch-cook a variety of foods. From proteins and vegetables to frozen foods and desserts, there are plenty of options for bulk cooking in an air fryer. Use this guide to help you determine the best types of food to batch-cook in your air fryer for meal prep or entertaining.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
