9 Air Fryer Dinners for Busy Nights
Chicken breast, salmon, crispy chicken bites, burgers, pork chops, quesadillas and more, with times, temperatures and basket tips.

An air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven, which makes it brilliant for weeknight dinners: it preheats in minutes and crisps food without a pot of oil.
Air fryer basics
- One layer, with space. Crowding is the number one cause of soggy food. Cook in batches.
- Shake or flip halfway.
- A little oil helps browning. Avoid aerosol sprays, which can damage nonstick baskets.
- Times vary between models. Use the times below as a starting point and check with a thermometer.
Converting an oven recipe? Use our oven to air fryer converter.
From our dinner bundle
Air Fryer Family Dinners
Mains, complete meals and sides designed for fast air fryer cooking and easier cleanup. It is one of five guides in The Weeknight Dinner Survival Bundle.
- 5 printable guides
- 100+ family dinners
- 4 weeks of plans
Air fryer chicken breast
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon each paprika, garlic powder and salt
Cook at 380°F for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway, to 165°F.
Salmon with honey garlic glaze
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove
Cook at 390°F for 7 to 10 minutes, brushing with glaze near the end, until 145°F.
Crispy chicken bites
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cubed
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
Dip in egg, then crumbs, spray lightly with oil and cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway, to 165°F.
Air fryer burgers
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- 4 buns and cheese
Cook 4 patties at 370°F for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, to 160°F.
Boneless pork chops
- 4 boneless pork chops, 1 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon each paprika and garlic powder
Cook at 380°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, to 145°F, then rest 3 minutes.
Sausage, peppers and onions
- 5 Italian sausages
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 onion
- Hoagie rolls
Cook at 370°F for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway, until the sausage reaches 160°F.
Crispy quesadillas
- 4 tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken or beans
Fold, brush with oil and cook at 375°F for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway. Hold the top down with a rack or toothpicks.
Shrimp fajitas
- 1 pound shrimp
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 onion
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
Cook the peppers and onion at 390°F for 6 minutes, add the shrimp and cook 5 to 7 more minutes until pink.
Loaded potato skins
- 4 baked potatoes
- 1 cup cheddar
- Bacon bits, sour cream, green onions
Halve, scoop, fill with cheese and bacon and cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
Questions, answered
What temperature do you cook chicken breast in an air fryer?
Around 375 to 380°F for 16 to 22 minutes, depending on size, flipping halfway, until it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Many models heat in 2 to 3 minutes. A quick preheat gives better browning for breaded foods; check your manual.
Sources

