17 Air Fryer Main Dishes That Are Big on Flavor and Short on Time

The air fryer isn’t just for snacks—it’s a powerhouse for main dishes, too! These recipes deliver crispy, juicy, and flavorful dinners that are perfect for busy weeknights or impressive meals. From tender chicken and flaky fish to hearty steaks and vegetarian options, these air fryer mains are your new go-to favorites!

Marinated Air Fryer Chicken Legs

With an amazing lemon herb flavor, these air fryer chicken legs come out so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Asian Glazed Air Fryer Salmon

With an Asian flair, this Air Fryer Salmon Recipe is a foolproof dinner-time recipe that the whole family will enjoy. Minimal ingredients and time make this the perfect meal!
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Air Fryer Salmon

Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings

The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipes! Air fryers make the best crispy golden chicken wings without deep frying. Here are a few of my favorite Air Fryer Chicken Wing recipes for around the web.
Get the Recipe: Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Short Ribs

Experience the most mouthwatering air fryer short ribs you ever had. Seriously, they’re so juicy and they’re just fall off the bone tender.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Short Ribs

Keto Air Fryer Chicken Thighs {Perfectly Crispy!}

Keto Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned and cooked to their optimal crispiness in the air fryer. They are perfect for weekly meal prep and taste great the next day. (keto, gluten free, whole30, paleo)
Get the Recipe: Keto Air Fryer Chicken Thighs {Perfectly Crispy!}

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air fryer chicken breasts are the perfect weeknight meal. They’re cooked to perfection every time, with crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe is simple to follow and uses only a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Chicken is crispy and golden on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside without frying oil.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Cheesy bacon hasselback chicken recipe is so good! Combining chicken with cheese, bacon, spinach, herbs, and spices, this creamy bacon chicken is low in carbs but high in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs – Best Dry Rib Rub

Air fryer BBQ ribs make a quick dinner for those evenings you get back late and don’t have the energy for a complicated supper. The best dry rib rub adds plenty of amazing flavour to pork or beef ribs, and air frying ribs is much faster than oven-roasting.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Ribs – Best Dry Rib Rub

Air Fryer Fried Fish

Crispy fried fish made in the air fryer! Enjoy all the flavors of fried fish, but without the excess oil, mess and clean up!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Fish

Foolproof Air Fryer Salmon With Glaze

Air fryer salmon is ready In under 20 minutes, flaky, and flavorful with a sweet and salty glaze with only 5 ingredients it’s a foolproof salmon recipe.
Get the Recipe: Foolproof Air Fryer Salmon With Glaze

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Char Siu (BBQ Pork)

Char Siu (BBQ Pork) is a legendary Cantonese specialty consisting of mouthwatering pork that is roasted to perfection in a marinade that’s at once salty, sweet, sticky, and… sensational.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Char Siu (BBQ Pork)

Quick Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus with Lemon Brown Butter

This Quick Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus with Lemon Brown Butter is perfect when time is short, but don’t want to compromise on quality.
Get the Recipe: Quick Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus with Lemon Brown Butter

Air Fryer Steak | Medium Rare

Air fryer steak is a game-changer for steak enthusiasts, offering a quick and easy way to achieve perfectly cooked, juicy meat with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak | Medium Rare

Air Fryer Cod (Easy 15-Minute Dinner)

Enjoy a light dinner with this flaky, moist air fryer cod recipe in 15 minutes, using simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and spices.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cod (Easy 15-Minute Dinner)

Pickle Brined Chicken Wings (Air Fryer Recipe)

These pickle brined chicken wings are simply out of this world! Packed with flavor, these Air Fryer wings are brined in dill pickle juice and cooked in a tangy, sweet, and garlicky sauce to crispy perfection.
Get the Recipe: Pickle Brined Chicken Wings (Air Fryer Recipe)

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets (Gluten Free)

These crispy, golden Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are a classic comfort food that never fails to satisfy. An air-fryer version gives you that same crunchy goodness with just a fraction of the oil and mess. They’re golden brown on the outside, tender on the inside, and absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets (Gluten Free)