43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (2024)

By: Denise Bustard17 Comments
Posted: 3/18/22Updated: 11/5/21

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43 easy air fryer recipes that you need in your life! Air fryer snacks, sides, mains, and vegan recipes! Crispy and delicious with a fraction of the oil.

Once you've mastered our 5 air fryer secrets you will be more than ready to get cooking with these 43 must-try air fryer recipes!

43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (1)

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While the most popular food to cook in the air fryer is probably french fries (they are definitely delicious) there are also so many other sides, mains, and vegan recipes that you can cook up in the air fryer!

We've rounded up some of our favorite air fryer recipes for you to try, including a few dishes you may not have known were possible to cook in the air fryer. Air fryer pizza, burgers, chicken fajitas, and falafel are so tasty, and fun to try out in the air fryer!

Reasons you'll love these recipes

  • these recipes make eating healthy so delicious, and easy
  • there's something for everyone here - from vegan falafels to air fryer pizza, and more
  • everything that comes out of the air fryer is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside - with hardly any oil needed!

Recipe Video

Watch the video below to see four of our favorite proteins to cook in the air fryer. You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or onFacebook.

What is an Air fryer

It's a counter-top appliance that is basically a small convection oven. It replaces a deep fryer and is a much healthier option, but in our experience, it has other benefits as well!

Which air fryer do you recommend?

For basket-style air fryers, we recommend the Cosori XL air fryer. For oven-style, we love the Instant Pot Vortex air fryer. If you are wondering about basket versus air fryer models, check out which air fryer is best for you here!

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Air Fryer Basics

  • Which Air Fryer Is Best For You?
  • 5 Air Fryer Secrets I Wish I'd Known
  • The Best Frozen Food to Cook in the Air Fryer
  • How to Clean your Air Fryer
  • Common air fryer mistakes

Sides & Veggies

Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli

This air fryer broccoli gets golden and crispy, and is ready in under 10 minutes! Tossed in balsamic vinegar, it is slightly tangy, savory and tender.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Cauliflower

Crispy air fryer cauliflower is tender with golden, crunchy bits! Ready in under 20 minutes, it's oil-free and so simple to prep.

Check out this recipe

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ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Crispy air fryer chickpeas are the tastiest and crunchiest snack you will find. Using the air fryer cuts the cook time down to 15 minutes, and they are so much crispier than in the oven! Vegan and gluten-free, these crispy roasted chickpeas are an awesome healthier snack.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots

Crispy air fryer sweet potato tots are made with only five ingredients and just a touch of spray oil. They can be made ahead and frozen, then go directly into the air fryer from frozen for an easy, kid-approved snack or side dish. Recipe includes directions for making these sweet potato tots in the oven as well.

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Honey Garlic Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Deliciously sticky and flavorful, these air fryer cauliflower wings are such a tasty appetizer option. Cook up the 'wings' in the air fryer, then toss in homemade honey garlic sauce. Lighter, vegan-friendly and sure to be gobbled up.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Roasted Garlic

Air fryer roasted garlic is the secret to cooking it in a fraction of the time! Use roasted garlic to add a burst of luxurious flavor to any dish, in a flash.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With five simple ingredients, they can be prepped and on your table in under 15 minutes!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Corn (SO GOOD)

Sweet and juicy, with golden and slightly charred bits, air fryer corn on the cob is a total crowd pleaser! This is the best mash up between grilled and boiled corn.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Carrots (tender + sweet!)

Air fryer carrots are roasted and golden, tender on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. Make them with any type of carrots including baby or farmer’s market!

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries

Baked zucchini fries with a crispy parmesan panko breading are kid-friendly and the perfect way to use up summer's zucchini!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Bacon

Air fryer bacon is ULTRA crispy and so easy to cook. No more bacon splatter all over your stove top makes it even easier to clean up after!

Check out this recipe

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Seriously Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

Air fryer gnocchi is so crispy, is ready in just 13 minutes and does not need to be boiled! This is a great side dish alternative to potatoes or pasta, and also makes a great snack.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer French Fries

These air fryer french fries are amazing---seriously! Perfectly crispy, and so much more flavorful than store bought, they are a great healthier alternative to deep fried fries.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Perfectly seasoned air fryer potato wedges are crispy on the edges, and soft on the inside! This post shows you how to make them with step by step photos.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Mushrooms

Flavored with sesame oil and soy sauce, these air fryer mushrooms deliver big flavors with very little effort! An easy low carb side dish.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Rounds

This air fryer eggplant is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! Coated in a crispy parmesan-panko breading, it cooks through in just 5 minutes, and is great served as a snack or a side dish.

Check out this recipe

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Lemon Parmesan Air Fryer Asparagus

This lemon parmesan air fryer asparagus is cooked through to tender perfection in minutes! Low carb, gluten-free, and so simple to prepare.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Green Beans

Crisp yet tender, these air fryer green beans are ready in under ten minutes! Keep them simple with salt and olive oil, or jazz them up with extra seasonings.

Check out this recipe

43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (20)

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Air fryer hard boiled eggs are cooked through in 16 minutes, peel easily, and are perfectly cooked each and every time! This is such a simple way to cook them.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

Golden and perfectly seasoned, these air fryer roasted potatoes can be on your table in just 20 minutes! Faster and more energy efficient than using your oven.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Croutons (BEST texture!)

Air fryer croutons are the best of both worlds: crispy on the outside, yet slightly soft on the inside. Seasoned with a simple blend of spices, they are ready in under 10 minutes!

Check out this recipe

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Main course recipes

Air Fryer Pizza

Air fryer pizza comes out so crispy and cooks through without the need to turn on your oven! Perfect for personal-sized pizzas.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

This air fryer chicken parmesan is nice and crispy, and is ready in under 30 minutes! An easy and crowd-pleasing meal.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

With perfectly seasoned chicken breast strips, bell peppers and onions, these air fryer chicken fajitas cook through in under 10 minutes! An easy way to get dinner on the table quickly, and works great for meal prep.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Whole Chicken (so juicy!)

This air fryer whole chicken comes out so juicy and flavorful each and every time. Cook it in under an hour and avoid heating up the kitchen!

Check out this recipe

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Perfect Air Fryer Salmon

Air fryer salmon cooks quickly and has a slight crust on the outside, but is tender on the inside. With a delicious rub, this salmon recipe can be on your table in 15 minutes!

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Fish (lemon parmesan breading!)

This crispy air fryer fish has a delicious lemon parmesan breading that cooks to crispy perfection in minutes. A healthier alternative to deep fried fish that is a total crowd pleaser!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

These crispy air fryer chicken nuggets are made with simple ingredients and deliver big flavor! Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and easy to cook ahead and reheat.

Check out this recipe

43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (30)

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and ready in minutes! With a simple spice rub and very little oil, you can use boneless or bone-in thighs. This recipe is gluten-free and low carb!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Meatballs (fresh, frozen)

Air fryer meatballs are crisp and browned on the outside, and so juicy on the inside! Cook them up from fresh or frozen in minutes.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Salmon Patties (Golden + Crispy)

Golden and crispy, these air fryer salmon patties cut down on the oil and deliver big on flavor! Made with canned salmon, they are a great way to cook from your pantry.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Shrimp (Honey Lime)

Honey lime air fryer shrimp are juicy, delicious and perfectly cooked without even turning on the oven or heating up the grill! Made with a simple honey lime marinade, these are perfect for an easy dinner.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy air fryer chicken tenders are juicy, flavorful, and so much tastier than store-bought! Simple to prepare, requires very little oil, and devoured by kids.

Check out this recipe

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20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast

A quick but flavorful recipe to cook chicken breast in the air fryer- ready in just 20 minutes! With a simple breading that gets crispy and adds so much flavor.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These air fryer chicken wings are the CRISPIEST homemade wings you have ever tried! Cook a whole batch in your air fryer with four simple ingredients. These chicken wings are keto, paleo, and gluten-free!

Check out this recipe

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Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli

Air fryer chicken and broccoli are tossed in a savory lemon pepper seasoning. Low carb, yet simple and flavorful, it cooks through in 10 minutes!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Burgers (Turkey or Beef)

These air fryer burgers come out so juicy and cook through with no oil necessary! A great way to cook your burgers when you want to keep your kitchen cool.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Easy, crispy, and perfectly seasoned, these air fryer chicken taquitos are great for a weeknight dinner. The air fryer gets them nice and crispy with very little oil, and they reheat amazingly well.

Check out this recipe

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Herb Crusted Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

This air fryer pork tenderloin cooks through to juicy perfection in less time than the oven. It gets a delicious golden crust and is perfectly tender on the inside!

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (SO crispy!)

Crisp, buttery, and oozing with cheese, this air fryer grilled cheese is a real crowd pleaser! You seriously can't beat the crunch.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Air Fryer Falafels

The crunch on these air fryer falafels is going to knock your socks off! Easy to prepare, full of flavor, and very little oil required to cook them.

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Recipes

Air Fryer Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

Air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos are a fresh, flavorful, and healthy dinner to get on your table quickly. Vegan, clean eating and easily made gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

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Crispy Seasoned Air Fryer Tofu

This ultra crispy air fryer tofu is super flavorful and cooked through in just 13 minutes! Popular with kids and adults and an easy vegan recipe.

Check out this recipe

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Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

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43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes

5 from 7 votes

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43 easy air fryer recipes that you need in your life! Air fryer snacks, sides, mains, and vegan recipes! Crispy and delicious with a fraction of the oil.

Author: Denise Bustard

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. sakthi says

    43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (57)
    fantastic love you.

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Sakthi, we hope you enjoy! Be sure to come back and leave a review if you try any of these recipes!

      Reply

    • B J’Netta Gaulding says

      43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (58)
      I like all the recipes.

      Reply

  2. Charissa Marie Gregg says

    Do these times very for different types of air fryers?

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Hi Charissa! Yes, cook times will vary by model, but they are surprisingly pretty close. I routinely test in two different air fryer models and usually the recipes are quite close, within 1-2 minutes of each other 🙂

      Reply

  3. Charissa Marie Gregg says

    Definitely trying out the hard boiled eggs in my fryer i just got it for Christmas! Total jackpot! My son loves eggs so I cant wait to try!!

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      Awesome! I hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  4. Demi says

    43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (59)
    So many great ideas! Can't wait to try!

    Reply

  5. Robert Bellairs says

    just got my fryer, 5qt vortex, i would like to know if its possible to do baked potatoes, if so how?

    Reply

    • Brandi says

      I just found a recipe by googling it, they look crispy fluffy and amazing, and I don't even own one yet lol getting it tomorrow. I just sold hubby on it by showing him the mess our traditional fryer makes lol the baked potatoes and wings recipes sold him on it 🙂

      Reply

    • Denise says

      Hi Robert! Sorry for my late reply. I unfortunately have not had great luck making baked potatoes in the air fryer, they took forever for me (45 minutes!!!). I wonder if it would be good to start them by boiling or baking, then finishing off in the air fryer for that crispy skin? Anyway, here's a recipe I found while googling: https://www.apinchofhealthy.com/air-fryer-baked-potatoes/

      Reply

      • Tahlee says

        I think it must depend on the fryer mine does them in 20 mins and they are so delicious 💕 I even did a small roast lamb yesterday and they t was amazing

        Reply

        • dorothy says

          what's your brand of air fryer?

          Reply

  6. Liz says

    I enjoy your blog but am incredibly frustrated by how hard it is to find the unsubscribe to notifications button. I do not recall subscribing and do not like notifications. I also have been unable to find a way to contact you and this is the only option I can think of at this point. I will continue to read your blog but please tell me how to unsubscribe.

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Hi Liz, sounds like you opted in to push notifications, sorry they are bothering you, that is definitely not what I intend with them! Look for the little blue bar in the bottom right hand corner of the screen that says 'unsubscribe to notifications'. You can also unsubscribe when you receive a notification. If you still have issues, please reach out to me at sweetpeasandsaffron@gmail.com and I can send you screenshots. Unfortunately this is not something I can do on my end to unsubscribe you.

      Reply

  7. Nicole says

    I tried a few of these recipes and I'm amazed how easy and tasty it was. I can't wait to try them all. Thank you for the awesome ideas.

    Reply

    • Denise says

      So happy you found some winners!

      Reply

43 Easy Air Fryer Recipes You Need In Your Life (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular thing to make in an air fryer? ›

French fries are arguably the most popular thing to cook in an air fryer. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil as deep-frying, and making French fries in one results in an appreciably crisp exterior and fluffy inside without the greasiness.

What cooks really well in an air fryer? ›

Air fryer recipes
  • Air fryer salmon. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer fish tacos. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users. ...
  • Air fryer bacon. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer pork chops. ...
  • Air-fryer boiled eggs. ...
  • Air-fryer beef joint. ...
  • Air-fryer gammon. ...
  • Air-fryer ham, cheese & egg bagel.

What is the secret to the air fryer? ›

Cook food in a single layer, in batches

The air fryer is all about — well — air. Meaning, you need to allow for good airflow to create all the browning and crisping the appliance was designed for. As such, you don't want to crowd the food in the basket too much, leaving space for the air to circulate.

What should I air fry first? ›

If you're using an air fryer for the first time, it's best to start with something simple, like French fries, chicken wings or vegetables.

What not to cook in an air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  • Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Can you put raw meat in Airfryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

What does putting tin foil at the bottom of your Airfryer do? ›

Only put a layer of foil in the bottom of the air fryer basket where your food sits, not on the bottom of the air fryer itself. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly.

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Air Fryer Vegetables Tips

If these pieces are too large, they won't cook through by the time the zucchini and peppers are tender. Don't crowd the air fryer basket. The #1 rule of air frying! In order for the vegetables to become caramelized and crisp, the hot air must be able to contact them on all sides.

What can I put in my air fryer to catch grease? ›

"Put a slice of bread on the bottom of your air fryer," said Kang. "It's a green alternative to foil for catching grease and drips for easier clean-up." In order to minimize food waste, you may want to only use this technique when cooking especially greasy foods (like bacon), and also use bread slices that are stale.

Should I run my air fryer empty the first time? ›

If it's your first time using your air fryer, you should wash the accessories first. Some manufacturers also recommend running it empty for a short time — say 10 minutes — to get rid of any residual smells. Check your manual for guidance on this.

Should I oil before air frying? ›

While you would typically add oil to a pan before adding your food, the case is not the same when using an air fryer. In a bowl, toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil along with your seasoning before putting it in the air fryer. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.

Can you air fry steaks? ›

Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices. Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. For a 1-inch steak, air fry 400F 10 minutes turning halfway, for medium rare, for medium, cook 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Can you cook frozen foods in an air fryer? ›

The answer to this question is, yes – anything is possible with these magical machines. We all know the hassle of waiting for something to defrost before you can cook it, but with an air fryer, you can simply pop the item inside, in its frozen state, and start cooking.

Are air fryers worth having? ›

They shave calories off family favourites like chips and reduce the amount of olive oil needed for trays of roasted vegetables to next to nothing! If you're looking to reduce your intake of oily foods or create healthier meals for your family, then an air fryer can offer you a lot.

What are air fryers known for? ›

It uses heat and air to cook food evenly. Air fryers are healthier than regular frying because they don't use as much oil as a deep fryer does, but they give your food an equally satisfying taste. Depending on the recipe, you'll be able to toss your vegetables or meat in a tablespoon or two of oil.

Can you cook pasta in an air fryer? ›

It is possible to cook pasta in an air fryer, and “pasta bakes that just need the baking part should be fine”, says Ailsa Burt. “But I wouldn't use an air fryer to cook pasta dishes with lots of sauce.”

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