Guilt-Free Delicious Air Fryer Recipes For Every Craving

Have you been avoiding your all-time favourite snacks just because they are deep-fried? By investing in an air fryer, you won’t have to worry about the amount of oil. With just a little oil to glaze, you can make some delicious munchies in an air fryer and still stay on top of your diet.

The urge to have something crispy, especially during the evenings, can quickly derail your efforts towards a healthy diet. While the bag of potato crisps or pakore paired with a hot cup of chai is utterly tempting, the guilt after binging something fried can be hard to deal with. But the good news is that by investing in a quality air fryer, you can get the perfect crisp, and that too with minimal oil. 

Circulating hot air around your food produces the same results as deep frying, grilling, or baking. Buying an air fryer lets you munch, but with a fraction of the fat. So, just by swapping potatoes with veggies for a basket of fries or grilling paneer and chicken in an air fryer, you can relish your favourite snacks without calling it a cheat meal. So, if you are looking for some lip-smacking snack options, here are some quick air fryer recipes that you can enjoy without any guilt.

Paneer Tikka

One of the classic Indian snacks that can be enjoyed guilt-free is paneer tikka. Air frying the marinated cubes of paneer and serving them with onion rings and a side of spicy chutney can make anyone’s day. All you need to do to make paneer tikka in an air fryer is prep a marinade using curd and a mix of spices like ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, coriander, and a hint of lime juice. Next, marinate the paneer cubes, thread them on a skewer, and air fry for about fifteen minutes till the paneer cubes are cooked. Finally, transfer the grilled paneer tikka onto a plate and serve with sliced onion rings and your favourite chutney.

Onion Rings

If you’re looking for a quick snack to satisfy your evening cravings, you can make onion rings. Cutting out the calories by air frying, you can enjoy the absolutely crunchy snack without any lingering guilt. You can start with a thick batter made with all-purpose flour, bread crumbs, water, and your go-to spices, and you can coat the onion, chopped into circular rings. Then, you can air fry them for about fifteen minutes, add them to a tray with ketchup or a dip, and relish the crunch with a cup of tea, a glass of cocktail, or even a smoothie.

Crispy Corn

There are days when you want something crunchy to munch on, but you also don’t want something heavy. 

On such days, you can make crispy corn using an air fryer. To make a healthy and crispy snack, you can start boiling sweet corn kernels and coat them with a batter made with corn flour, all-purpose flour, a little water, and the usual spices. Once well-coated, air fry and mix them with sautéed vegetables like onions, tomatoes, capsicum, etc. Add them to your spread of chips and dips or serve as is with a chilled drink.

Fish Fry

Fish fry is a protein-rich snack that will be even healthier if prepared in an air fryer. For making a serving of fish fry, you can start by chopping the fish and marinating it in a batter made with besan, ginger and garlic paste, and spices like salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, etc. After letting the fish absorb the spices, air fry, and then relish your snack with lemon wedges and chilli sauce. Filled with protein and prepared with the minimal amount of oil, you can enjoy fish fry as a snack or even pair it with your meal for a crispy side.

Masala Papad

Papad is one of the most popular accompaniments in most Indian homes. For people looking for a guilt-free air fryer snack, masala papad is just the perfect option. You can simply take a papad of your choice and let it turn crunchy in an air fryer. In about 2 minutes, take the papad out and add chopped cucumber, onions, and tomatoes on top of it. Sprinkle chaat masala, grated paneer, and a little lemon juice before serving.

Mushroom Bites

Mushroom bites are not only delicious but also a nutritious snack that is perfect for both kids and adults. And the best part is, mushroom bites can be whipped up in less than thirty minutes, so you can prep the snack in case of any unannounced guests or a house party. So, just take some mushrooms, brush them with a little oil and fill their caps with a cheese mixture. Air fry till the mushrooms are crispy and the cheese melts. Finally, the bite-sized snack with a chilli sauce and dig in, guilt-free.

Fried Veggies

Fries are the first snacks that come to mind when you look at the air fryer that has been placed in the corner of your kitchen, catching dust and desperately waiting for you to make something of it. But since potato fries can cause a lingering guilt, you can make fries with crispy vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and many more. Just chop them into slices, air fry, season with salt and pepper, and serve with a dip.

Chicken Wings

If your favourite snack to binge while watching a movie is chicken wings, why don’t you make them at home? Since you can’t always order chicken wings, just start by getting good quality chicken and marinating them in your favourite sauce, just how you like it. After waiting for about half an hour, toss them into the air fryer and let them cook till the colour turns golden brown. Just like that, your crispy chicken wings will be ready in a few minutes, and you can eat them with a hot chilli sauce to give them the best flavour.