Are you looking for a way to make meal prep easier and healthier? Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen only with unappetizing meals? Look no further than the air fryer.
Air fryers are a game-changer when it comes to meal prep. They allow you to create delicious, crispy meals without traditional frying methods’ added oils and fats. And with a few simple shortcuts, you can further cut down on prep time.
In this article, we’ll share our top air fryer meal prep shortcuts to help you save time and create delicious, healthy meals every day of the week.
Here are the 10 Best Air Fryer Meal Prep Shortcuts
1. Pre-Cut Veggies
Air fryer meal prep shortcuts can be a great way to save time when prepping meals. One of the most convenient shortcuts is pre-cut vegetables. Most grocery stores offer pre-cut, conveniently packaged vegetables that make air frying easier and faster.
Pre-cut veggies like mushrooms, carrots, peppers, onions, and potatoes are ideal for air frying since they cook quickly and evenly.
Another great meal prep shortcut is pre-made sauces. Whether you opt for homemade or store-bought sauces, they can be a great way to add flavor and texture to your air fryer meals.
The best part about using pre-made sauces is not wasting time measuring ingredients or waiting for them to cook down.
2. Pre-Cooked Meats
Another great air fryer meal prep shortcut is pre-cooked meats. You can find pre-cooked hamburgers, chicken, and turkey at most grocery stores.
These are perfect for air frying since they require minimal time to heat up and cook through in the fryer. You can add your own seasonings or sauces to kick up the flavor.
Precooked meats are a great way to save time in the kitchen and are versatile. You can use them in tacos, stir-fries, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. Plus, the air fryer does all the work for you, so you don’t have to worry about over or undercooking your food.
3. Pre-Marinated Meats
Don’t want to bother with marinating your meats? No problem. You can find pre-marinated meats at most stores, including beef, chicken, and pork. These are already seasoned and flavored, so they require minimal effort. Just pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes, and you’re all set.
Pre-marinated meats are a great way to make meal prep easier and faster. You don’t have to worry about measuring ingredients or fussing over the marinade.
This is a great way to eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen.
4. Frozen Fruits and Veggies
Do you want to add more vegetables to your meal prep but don’t have the time to chop and prepare them? Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great way to save time.
You can find a variety of frozen fruits and veggies that are ready for air frying. Just pop them in the fryer basket and cook until they’re crispy.
Frozen vegetables are a great way to get your daily servings without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, they’re convenient since they don’t require any thawing or prepping.
5. Pre-Cooked Grains
Another great meal prep shortcut is pre-cooked grains. You can find a variety of pre-cooked grains at most grocery stores, including quinoa, brown rice, farro, and more.
These are perfect for air frying since they take just a few minutes to heat up and cook through. Add your favorite ingredients, such as veggies and proteins, to complete a meal.
Pre-cooked grains make meal prep easier and faster. They’re also great for adding whole grains to your diet without spending too much time in the kitchen.
6. Shrimp and Vegetables
Thanks to this impressive dish from the blog Air Fryer Fanatics, making a quick and healthy dinner has never been easier. This dish, made with shrimp and vegetables, can be prepared from start to finish in less than 25 minutes.
Make a quick and healthy dinner in 25 minutes. This dish has lots of healthy omega-3 fatty acids from shrimp. Polyunsaturated fats are good for your heart, blood vessels, lungs, and immune system and can save you time on dinner.
So please don’t get discouraged thinking it takes forever to make a yummy home-cooked meal. Make a quick and tasty dinner with frozen staples and a few extra ingredients. Enjoy this easy and nutritious dish with loved ones; as Ray says, “It doesn’t get much easier than this.”
7. Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are a delicious and nutritious meal prep staple that can be easily made in an air fryer. Air-frying is a convenient way to prepare chicken tenders with minimal effort and clean up quickly.
To start, coat the chicken tenders with your favorite seasonings or marinade. Then, place them in the air fryer basket, set the temperature to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for approximately 12-15 minutes.
This is a great way to involve your kids in meal prep since they can choose their favorite seasonings and help prepare the chicken tenders. Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying since it uses less oil. Enjoy these delicious and nutritious chicken tenders.
8. Veggie Burgers
Veggie burgers are a great way to get more plant-based proteins. These patties can be made with various ingredients, such as legumes, grains, and vegetables. To make veggie burgers in the air fryer, shape pre-made patties into desired sizes and place them in the fryer basket.
Set the air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through.
Veggie burgers can be served with various toppings and condiments, such as avocado, tomato, and mustard. Enjoy this healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers.
9. Vegan Zucchini Lasagna
Vegan Zucchini Lasagna is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be prepped in advance with an air fryer. You’ll need about 4-5 medium-sized zucchini, 2 cans of vegan marinara sauce, 2 cups of vegan mozzarella shreds (or any preferred vegan cheese), and 1 cup of vegan ricotta cheese.
Slice the zucchini into thin strips and layer them in the air fryer basket. Spread a layer of marinara sauce over the zucchini slices, followed by a layer of vegan cheese. Repeat these steps until all ingredients are used up.
Finish off with a last layer of sauce and sprinkle with more vegan cheese. Cook for 15-20 minutes at 375 -400 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy this delicious vegan meal.
10. Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer Salmon is a delicious meal prep shortcut that can help you save time and energy in the kitchen. It is a versatile dish with minimal ingredients yet still packs a flavorful punch.
With only a few steps, you can easily prepare a healthy and tasty dish that will have your family asking for seconds.
Season the salmon with salt and pepper to make this meal prep shortcut. Place the fish in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your filets. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for an added flavor punch. Enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1: Can I Meal Prep In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can meal prep using an air fryer. Air fryers are versatile appliances that cook various foods, including vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, and baked goods.
Utilizing the air fryer’s capabilities, you can efficiently prepare multiple meals in advance, saving time and effort throughout the week.
2: What Types Of Meals Can I Meal Prep In An Air Fryer?
Air fryers offer several meal prep possibilities. You can prepare crispy chicken breasts, salmon fillets, roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, meatballs, stuffed bell peppers, or even reheat pre-cooked meals.
The key is choosing ingredients and recipes that work well with the air fryer’s cooking method, ensuring proper browning and cooking.
3: How Do I Properly Store Air-Fried Meals For Meal Prepping?
To store air-fried meals, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to airtight or meal prep containers. Ensure the containers are properly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent cross-contamination. Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness and consume the meals within a recommended timeframe.
4: Can I Reheat My Air-Fried Meal Prep In The Air Fryer?
Absolutely. Reheating your air-fried meal preps in the air fryer is a convenient way to restore their crispiness and revive their flavors. Simply place the desired portion in the air fryer basket or tray and heat it at a moderate temperature, typically around 350°F (175°C), until the food is heated. Monitor the reheating process to prevent overcooking.
5: How Long Can I Store Air-Fried Meal Preps In The Refrigerator Or Freezer?
The storage duration of air-fried meal preps can vary depending on the ingredients used. As a general guideline, most air-fried meal preps can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can freeze air-fried meals for longer-term storage for 1-2 months. However, it’s important to note that the quality and texture of some foods may slightly change upon reheating after freezing.
Conclusion
Air fryer meal prep is an efficient and convenient way to prepare delicious meals without sacrificing time or quality. You can easily store your air-fried meals in the refrigerator or freezer for later use, ensuring a quick and healthy meal is ready when hunger strikes. With some planning and creativity, you can make the most of your air fryer and enjoy flavorful, nutritious meals throughout the week.
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.
