20+ Air Fryer Appetizers (Easy!)
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Bite into these amazing Air Fryer Appetizers without all the guilt of deep fried snacks! Serve up some air fryer zucchini chips or cheesy mozzarella sticks.
Whether you’re looking for some new game day recipes or an easy to make app for a dinner party, this list has you covered!
There’s everything from crispy air fryer wings to air fryer tofu nuggets, pickles, fries, and more. There’s even Keto friendly and low-carb recipes for you to try.
Table of Contents
Why you need to try making Appetizers in Air Fryer
Air frying is the best for making healthy fried food without all the oil, fat, and extra calories. They give you that fried food crunch without actually having to deep fry anything.
Plus, air fryers cook food quickly (usually faster than the oven), without drying them out. Most recipes are ready in less than 30 minutes!
Why we love these Easy Air Fryer Appetizers:
- Super easy to make with minimal prep and cleanup
- Great for feeding a crowd at just about any occasions
- Can also be served as side dishes or even as fun main courses for quick weeknight meals
- Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for golden brown results, melty cheese, and crispy exteriors
- There are a wide variety of recipes from wings to wontons to homemade chips, so there’s something here for everybody!
Best Air Fryer Appetizers
Here are some of my favorite air fryer appetizer recipes! They’re perfect for family dinner to pair with chicken fingers, steak, or salmon, but also perfect to serve as party food!
Air Fryer Eggplant Fries
Air Fryer Eggplant Fries with an insanely flavorful Miso Tahini Sauce. Air fried eggplant is perfectly tender on the inside with crisp edges!
Check out this recipe
Air Fried Onion Rings
Ditch the deep fryer! These Air Fryer Onion Rings are extra crispy, easy to make, and the perfect snack or appetizer!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Crab Rangoons
Crispy Air Fryer Crab Rangoons aka wontons made with cream cheese and crab, are so crispy and delicious. They're so easy to make at home!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Did you know you can make Frozen Bagel Bites in the air fryer? They cook way faster and are way tastier than any other method.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air fryer zucchini chips are the best way to enjoy your favorite crunchy potato chip snack without all the carbs. They make a delicious snack or appetizer and are just an all around delicious way to eat more vegetables!
Check out this recipe
Chicken Meatballs (Air Fryer Recipe)
The ultimate Air Fryer Meatballs – tender juicy meatballs made with ground chicken, zucchini, and a few pantry staple spices.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Pickles
Looking for a great appetizer or game-day snack? These Air Fryer Pickles are deliciously addicting! Make extra, they'll disappear quick!
Check out this recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe for the crispiest wings made without any oil! Serve them naked or slather them in your favorite sauce.
Check out this recipe
Honey Buffalo Wings
The BEST Buffalo Wings you will make at home! This Air Fryer Buffalo Wings recipe is packed with flavor and is the perfect easy lunch/dinner option to have ready in under 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
These Lemon Pepper Wings are air fried for crispy perfection. This easy recipe makes the perfect game day appetizer or dinner!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Old Bay Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are everything, but Honey Old Bay Wings made in the Air Fryer are everything and more!
Check out this recipe
Cosmic Jerry Air Fryer Wings
Get excited because this Cosmic Jerry Air Fryer Chicken Wing recipe is truly out of this world! Here's the wing recipe you always needed. #airfryerwings #airfryerrecipes
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries
Homemade Garlic Parmesan Fries made in the air fryer are a quick and easy side dish for every meal. These air fryer fries are amazingly crisp!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are a delicious way to enjoy a healthy snack. They're Whole30 compliant, gluten free, and ready in less than 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Shrimp Rangoon
A shrimp rangoon is a little bite sized treat of cream cheese and shrimp folded in a wonton wrapper then fried.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
These Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms are filled with a savory flaked lump crab stuffing then baked in the air fryer or oven for pop-in-your-mouth goodness at your next party, event or a treat for yourself.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Kale Chips
These easy air fryer kale chips are delicious, quick and easy! Make them at home in your Instant Pot Air Fryer for a healthy snack.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Air Fry Tofu is an easy variation of my Baked Tofu Nugget Recipe. Using the same ingredients, you can make these crispy vegan nuggets in the air fryer with the same delicious flavor and texture but in half the time.
Check out this recipe
Jalapeño Poppers
Whip up these Bacon-wrapped Jalapeño Poppers in about 20 minutes using the air fryer. It’s one of my favorite appetizers that use just a few ingredients like jalapeño peppers, bacon, and my homemade ranch seasoning recipe.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are pretty much a dream come true. They’re crunchy, savory, and filled with gooey, stretchy, delicious cheese.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Learn how to make air fryer tortilla chips for a healthier snack option with ultra crispy results. The recipe is tested with white and yellow corn tortillas and includes five different flavor options!
Check out this recipe
Cream Cheese Wontons
This cream cheese wonton recipe is also an ultimate guide to making sweet, spicy and regular cream cheese wontons with options to deep fry, air fry and bake in the oven.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Bites
Cheesy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are covered in spicy Buffalo sauce and melted sharp cheddar cheese. This easy recipe can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. It’s gluten free and has only 3 net carbs per serving.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots are easy to make, loaded with amazing taste and healthier with just a little bit of oil. Seasoned with garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper they come out crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.
Check out this recipe
Sticky Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs
These Sticky Honey Sriracha Meatballs combine staple pantry ingredients for the perfect weeknight family meal everyone will love.
Check out this recipe
Dipping sauces to serve with these Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
- 5 Minute Spicy Mayo
- Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Crema
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Tahini Sauce
Which Air Fryer is the Best?
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, or are looking to upgrade the one you currently have, I recommend checking out the Ninja Foodi Grill. I love the flip top opening and using the grill setting during the cooler months.
The GoWise Air Fryer is another one of my favorites. You can’t beat the price point! It’s a great product and would make a nice gift for a wedding, bridal shower, or birthday.
Tips for making Air Fryer Appetizers
- Try to air fry in batches whenever possible. Leaving space between items in the air fryer will ensure more even cooking.
- Many air fryer appetizers can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen. Add a few minutes of cooking time to account for the difference in temperature.
- With enough planning, you can make multiple kinds of air fryer appetizers at the same time. If they require the same temperature and around the same cooking time, a large enough air fryer basket can cook two different dishes at once.
- A lot of these recipes will benefit from a very light spritz of oil to guarantee a crispy and golden exterior. The benefit of air frying over deep frying is that you can use a significantly smaller amount of oil, so don’t drench your appetizers.
- If the instructions require you to preheat the air fryer, don’t skip that step! You want your appetizers to start air frying the second they’re in the basket, which will prevent sogginess.
How to Clean an Air Fryer
Just like your pots and pans, you want to make sure you’re cleaning your air fryer after each use. Depending on what you cook, you might even be able to wipe down the basket and grate with a wet towel.
Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, but check your manual first. I always clean mine with warm soapy water after each use.
To clean the air fryer:
- Turn the air fryer off or unplug it from the wall to let it cool down.
- Wipe the outside with a sponge or cloth.
- Wash the outer basket and inner basket with soap and hot water.
- Clean the inside of the air fryer with a warm cloth or sponge.
- Gently wipe the heating element, if there’s food stuck to it, use a brush.
Looking for more delicious appetizers?
Try some of these!
