An air fryer is a magical machine that makes meals extra wholesome. Nicely…form of. You possibly can completely make meals which might be wholesome in it, however you too can make sure meals a bit much less unhealthy when in comparison with their pan-fried or deep-fried counterparts. In case you’re seeking to reduce on energy, enhance your protein or fiber consumption, or simply eat meals which might be higher for you, listed here are 22 wholesome air fryer recipes to attempt.
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Fries are more healthy within the air fryer, they usually’re even more healthy when fabricated from avocado! Decrease in energy than the potato selection, these panko-coated treats from Lose Weight By Eating additionally include 7 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving, in addition to all of the antioxidant and omega-3 energy of avocados.
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Buffalo cauliflower
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Even buffalo rooster will be made more healthy due to your air fryer, however if you’d like one thing that’s even higher for you, swap out the rooster for cauliflower—which is low in energy and excessive in vitamin C, fiber, and different vitamins. This version from Diethood has solely 205 energy per serving however offers 86% of your each day dose of vitamin C.
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Not solely are rooster fajitas wholesome—this recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen has 154 energy and 11 grams of protein per serving—however you can also make every part in your air fryer…abruptly! And all you want is rooster breast, an onion, three forms of peppers, some seasoning, and only a single tablespoon of vegetable oil.
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Rooster tenders often imply processed rib meat (or worse), deep-fried till any lingering well being advantages are drowned in oil. (Scrumptious, scrumptious oil.) However these crispy, golden chicken tenders from SkinnyTaste are made with rooster breast, eggs, panko, and breadcrumbs, with olive oil spray as the one oil concerned. That provides as much as fewer than 100 energy per tender, and almost 13 grams of protein.
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We’re huge snackers, so we’re all the time looking out for wholesome snacks that you would be able to take pleasure in guilt-free. These “ULTRA crispy” snacks from Sweet Peas and Saffron are simply chickpeas tossed in olive oil and some seasonings—so that they’re decrease in energy than most fried snacks, they usually pack 11 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per serving.
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Crispy garlic lemon broccoli
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Crispy, garlicky, lemony, and coated in parmesan cheese, this side dish from Diethood really isn’t that dangerous for you, because it nonetheless stars broccoli—one of many healthiest veggies round. Because of your air fryer, it may be cooked to perfection in underneath 10 minutes.
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Plant-based however nonetheless protein-packed, tofu will be fried till crispy in your air fryer with out sacrificing your well being. This recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen calls for under a half-teaspoon of oil for a full pound of tofu, and registers at simply 110 energy per serving whereas offering 11 grams of protein.
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Sure, including oil to fruit undoubtedly makes it much less wholesome—however at simply 1 tsp of oil (this recipe from Piping Pot Curry recommends avocado oil) per plantain, we nonetheless take into account this a wholesome snack. It’s loaded with vitamin A and potassium, and likewise comprises calcium and fiber.
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Fried shrimp often requires a whole lot of oil, however this recipe from Crunchy Creamy Sweet solely calls for two tsp of olive oil for your entire recipe, leading to simply 134 energy per serving. And except for the pound of shrimp, you most likely have already got every part else in your pantry or spice rack: garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Simply the healthiest sort of chip there may be, kale chips are additionally an effective way to get into kale if you happen to’re not already a fan. As Live Eat Learn will show you, they’re additionally a cinch to make. Simply take washed & dried kale, tear it into items, add some olive oil, toss in salt, and prepare dinner in your air fryer for about 4 minutes!
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Mexican avenue corn
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Positive, including cheese to a vegetable really makes it much less wholesome—but when some further taste will get individuals to eat their greens, we take into account {that a} win. This Mexican street corn recipe from Air Frying Foodie requires chili powder, cilantro, salt, pepper, feta cheese, and lime juice…as a result of who eats plain corn on the cob anyway?
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Pork needn’t be a four-letter phrase. Positive, pork rinds, pork stomach, and bacon are fairly unhealthy, however this pork tenderloin from Recipe Teacher makes use of lean, trimmed meat and only a half-tablespoon of olive oil. It’s additionally known as the “Finest Rattling Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin,” and lives as much as its title.
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Yearly, people across the nation and world carve pumpkins and throw away all of the goop inside—together with the super-healthy seeds! Pumpkin seeds are excessive in each vitamin Okay and magnesium, in addition to protein and fiber. And as Piping Pot Curry proves: they’re a crispy, tasty snack when cooked in your air fryer.
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Olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt & pepper are all that’s wanted to sizzle your salmon to sublimity in your air fryer. Take a look at this healthy recipe from Feel Good Foodie for some course. Not solely do you get all of the well being advantages of salmon—together with per week’s serving of omega-3s—nevertheless it all comes at a value of simply 276 energy per serving and a single carbohydrate.
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Spaghetti squash
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With half the carbs and a fraction of the energy, this spaghetti squash from This Healthy Kitchen is a diet-friendly model of the starchy unique. It’s tossed with sea salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, and packs 5 grams of fiber per serving with simply 142 energy.
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Full-fat pork bacon cooked in oil isn’t nice to your well being, so lighten it up with turkey bacon, which might nonetheless be cooked to perfection if you happen to use your air fryer. This version from Food Lovin’ Family requires NO oil in any respect.
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This recipe from Air Fryer World requires tilapia, but in addition says you possibly can substitute any whitefish—a class that features a few of the lowest-calorie species within the sea. In actual fact, every serving is simply 169 energy however boasts a bountiful 34 grams of protein, in addition to excessive ranges of omega 3s, niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.