Air fryers have become wildly popular recently, thanks to their efficiency and the way they let you make deliciously crispy dishes without the unhealthy oils traditionally used in fried foods. Maybe you already own an air fryer and use it every day, or maybe you just received one as a holiday gift (congrats!) — in any case, you could always use some more recipes for your most versatile kitchen appliance, right? We’ve collected three of our favorite recipes for air fryer appetizers. If you’re having friends or family over for a New Year’s Eve party and don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen after the hustle and bustle of Christmas, these are the recipes for you. These simple and crowd-pleasing apps will give you and your loved ones a very tasty start to the new year.
1. A Cheesy Delight: Fried Ravioli
Pasta is great, but fried pasta is even better. These crispy-outside, cheesy-inside treats are sure to impress.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 package ravioli (9 ounces)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions:
- Add each of the first three ingredients to a separate bowl.
- Dip ravioli in flour, then eggs, then breadcrumbs.
- In batches, lay ravioli in single layer in basket; air-fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes per batch, flipping halfway through. Serve with marinara sauce.
2. A Flavorful Veggie: Buffalo Cauliflower
Hoping to eat less meat in the new year? These made-in-minutes cauliflower bites are the perfect swap for wings — you won’t even miss the chicken.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- ½ cup Buffalo sauce
- 8 celery sticks
- 1 cup blue cheese dressing
Instructions:
- Mix flour with ½ cup water and garlic salt; fold in cauliflower florets.
- In batches, lay florets in single layer in basket; air-fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to large bowl; add buffalo sauce. Toss until coated; air-fry 7 minutes. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.
3. A Decadent Bite: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
The combination of bacon and shrimp tastes so fabulously rich, your guests won’t believe how easy this app was to make.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 24 peeled tail-on shrimp
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 cup garlic aioli
Instructions:
- Cut bacon into thirds; wrap each around shrimp. Secure with toothpicks.
- In batches, lay shrimp in single layer in basket; air-fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Remove toothpicks. Serve with lemon wedges and garlic aioli.
Whether you’ve been using your air fryer every day for the past year or you just recently became a convert, you’ll love how low-effort yet high-reward these apps are. If you’re looking for other small plates to make with your air fryer, try fried pickles, roasted oranges, or meatballs. We have a feeling your air fryer will be getting a lot of use in 2023.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.