40 Air-Fryer Snacks You’ll Want to Make Every Day

Enjoy your favorite fried foods without the extra fat and calories, thanks to these delicious air-fryer snacks.

When it comes to appetizers, fried, crispy, saucy and cheesy dishes reign supreme. Unfortunately, those foods aren’t always so easy on our stomachs. So take a break from regular appetizer recipes and store-bought snacks, and instead turn to one of our favorite kitchen gadgets: the air fryer.

If you don’t have one yet, check out our Test Kitchen’s recommendations for the best air fryers. You can even go one step further and invest in some fun (and helpful!) air-fryer accessories.

After frying up some snacks and apps, try these tasty air-fryer dinner recipes and follow up dinner with air-fryer desserts!

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Air-Fryer Pickles

For extra-crispy pickles, drain off any excess liquid, pat the pickles dry, then cook immediately after dredging them. This way, the moisture won’t soak into the breading. For maximum crunch, toast the breadcrumbs before coating the pickles.
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Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips

This is one of those air-fryer snacks that couldn’t be easier to make. Just slice store-bought corn tortillas into triangles, place them in the air-fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt, then air fry for 10 minutes.
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Air-Fryer Chicken Wings

Fresh chicken wings work best for this recipe. If you have frozen chicken wings, follow these instructions for cooking frozen foods in an air fryer.
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Air-Fryer Garlic Bread

Time-saving tip: Make a few batches of this quick and easy air-fryer garlic bread, then store the extras in the freezer for those nights you don’t feel like cooking. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the freezer. Once the bread is frozen, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag.
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Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp and Apricot Sauce

Shredded coconut and panko bread crumbs make this flavorful recipe irresistible. The addictive dipping sauce made with apricot preserves, cider vinegar and crushed red pepper flakes makes this one of those air-fryer appetizers that disappear in minutes.
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Air-Fryer Spinach Feta Turnovers

On those nights when you’re craving spanakopita but don’t feel like spending an hour in the kitchen, this air-fryer appetizer is here to save the day. The Greek favorite is ready in just about 30 minutes, thanks to frozen spinach, store-bought refrigerated pizza crust and your trusty air fryer.
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Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Wedges

Believe it or not, even avocado can get a makeover in an air fryer. This two-ingredient recipe is also gluten-free and keto, so your friends with dietary restrictions can enjoy it too.
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Air-Fryer Corn Dogs

While we applaud you for wanting to make homemade corn dogs from scratch, when it comes to these air-fryer snacks, it’s best to use frozen corn dogs to make sure the texture turns out right. Don’t worry, they’ll still taste delicious.
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Zucchini Pizza Fritters

In addition to the air fryer, you’ll need a box grater and cheesecloth to make this recipe. The result is a veggie packed, healthy air-fryer snack that really does taste like pizza.
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Air-Fryer Mushroom Roll-Ups

In this crowd-pleasing appetizer, flour tortillas are stuffed with a mixture of portobello mushrooms, cream cheese, ricotta cheese and spices. You’re definitely going to want to make a double batch of these air-fryer snacks.
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Game-Day Thai Chicken Meatballs

These lightning-quick meatballs can be made (and eaten) in no time. Plus, they use mostly pantry ingredients and are healthy to boot!
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Air-Fryer Calamari

Like shrimp, calamari can get tough and rubbery if cooked too long. To make sure it’s tender, cook the calamari quickly at high heat, and check frequently to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
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Samosas

This takeout favorite is surprisingly easy to whip up at home—with the help of your air fryer, of course. Add fennel seeds, crushed coriander seeds, caraway seeds or amchur for an authentic depth of flavor in these air-fryer appetizers.
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Air-Fryer Spicy Ginger Beef Skewers

Get that barbecue taste without firing up the grill. Rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic cloves, sesame oil and Sriracha join forces for a sweet-and-spicy marinade.
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Buffalo Bites

These buffalo bites are a four-ingredient showstopper that’s sure to be a winner on game day. The recipe makes six servings, but you might be surprised at how quickly they disappear.
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Air-Fryer French Fries

You’re only 40 minutes away from homemade French fries. Sprinkle them with freshly chopped parsley if you want to make them extra fancy.
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Air-Fryer Crispy Sriracha Spring Rolls

This recipe makes two dozen spring rolls, but extras can easily be frozen. Freeze the uncooked spring rolls an inch apart in freezer containers, separating the layers with waxed paper. When you’re ready to eat these air-fryer snacks, cook the frozen spring rolls as directed in the recipe, adding extra cook time as needed.
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Air-Fryer Fiesta Chicken Fingers

Parents of picky eaters, rejoice. These chicken fingers are every bit as good as the ones from a fast food restaurant, and you can serve them with whatever dipping sauce your kids—and you—like best.
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Air-Fryer Cheeseburger Onion Rings

You heard us: It’s like a cheeseburger and onion rings had a really delicious baby. Serve with spicy ketchup and a few dozen napkins.
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Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

These aren’t your grandma’s Brussels sprouts. This five-ingredient air-fryer appetizer is so crunchy and flavorful, you’ll forget you’re eating vegetables.
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Air-Fryer Quinoa Arancini

If you’ve ever had arancini balls at an Italian restaurant, you know they’re usually fried and made with rice. This healthier choice uses quinoa instead and, thanks to the air fryer, only requires a fraction of the oil.
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Air-Fryer Cinnamon Almonds

Keep these air-fryer snacks in an airtight container in the cupboard for when a craving strikes. With only seven ingredients, you can replenish your stash whenever you want.
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Fig and Goat Cheese Air-Fried Meatballs

They’re sweet, they’re tangy, they’re savory—and your guests will be talking about them for the rest of the year. Freeze any extra cooked meatballs in an airtight freezer container, then thaw overnight and warm in a covered saucepan.
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Air-Fryer Empanadas

Thanks to store-bought pie dough and your air fryer, you can be eating homemade empanadas in about an hour. Once you’ve mastered the recipe, try more out-of-the-box empanada recipes.
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Air-Fryer Ravioli

Fried ravioli is one of our favorite appetizers, but we’re not fans of the oil and saturated fat. When you cook them in the air fryer, you’ll get a lighter snack with the same great flavors.
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Air-Fryer Taquitos

To keep the corn tortillas from cracking when you roll them, be sure to warm them in the microwave first. Stack 10 tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel, then microwave for 30 seconds to one minute. Fill the tortillas with seasoned ground beef and serve with salsa for a simple air-fryer snack.
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Air-Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken

Dill pickle juice, buttermilk and dark brown sugar are the secret ingredients that make this irresistibly spicy chicken shine. The dish gets its heat from hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika and chili powder.
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Air-Fryer Beef Wellington Wontons

A package of store-bought wonton wrappers makes these air-fryer appetizers quick and easy, even on a weeknight. A combination of shiitake mushrooms, baby portobellos and white mushrooms make it extra special.
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Air-Fryer Potato Chips

Why buy them at the store when you can make your own in less than an hour? Besides potatoes, you’ll only need olive oil-flavored cooking spray, sea salt and parsley to pull it off.
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Air-Fryer Pumpkin Fries

You’ve tried curly fries. You’ve tried sweet potato fries. But have you tried pumpkin fries? This autumnal treat is served with a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce made with maple syrup, Greek yogurt and chipotle peppers.
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Sweet and Spicy Air-Fryer Meatballs

To keep the meatballs light and tender, mix gently and use a scoop rather than your hands to form the balls. You could also try grinding your own ground beef with a food processor.
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Air-Fryer Mini Chimichangas

This recipe feeds a crowd; one batch makes 14 servings. If you have any leftovers, cool them completely, then freeze them on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Transfer to an airtight container, then reheat in a single layer on a greased air-fryer tray at 375°F for six to eight minutes on each side.
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Air-Fryer Wasabi Crab Cakes

Classic crab cakes are delicious, but sometimes you want to make a recipe that will have the whole table raving. Enter wasabi crab cakes, which includes the popular—and spicy!—Japanese condiment for an added kick.
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Air-Fryer Caribbean Wontons

These air-fryer appetizers are so sweet, you could serve them for dessert. Wonton wrappers are filled with cream cheese, shredded coconut, banana, walnuts, pineapple and marshmallow cream, then topped with strawberry sauce.
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Air-Fryer Beefy Swiss Bundles

Serve these filling air-fryer appetizers on an hors d’oeuvres tray or as a main course with soup or salad. Stuffed with ground beef, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and mashed potatoes, they’re extra hearty and filling.
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Air Fryer Tortellini with Prosciutto

Sorry, calamari, we found another bite-sized app to munch on. These crunchy little tortellini are just begging to be dipped into garlicky marinara sauce. Serve with a jar of toothpicks to make for easy dipping during cocktail hour.
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Air-Fryer Chicken Legs

For years, I tried to find the perfect bottled barbecue sauce for chicken legs. After a few years, I threw in the towel and created my own using ketchup, honey and spicy brown mustard. It works perfectly with this air-fryer chicken legs recipe. —Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida
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Air-Fryer Rosemary Sausage Meatballs

Instead of toothpicks or cocktail forks, serve these sausage meatballs alongside a cup of small pretzel sticks. Your guests will love the unexpectedness of it (plus the added crunch!).
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Air-Fryer Turkey Croquettes

Dinner was delicious, but now you’ve got leftovers. Transform the extra turkey, mashed potatoes and herbs into homemade croquettes, served with sour cream on the side.
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Air-Fryer Egg Rolls

It’s possible to make restaurant-quality egg rolls at home. And thanks to bagged coleslaw mix, frozen chopped spinach and a bottle of Chinese barbecue sauce, they’re not too tricky to pull off.

Lindsay Champion
Lindsay has worked in digital media for more than a decade, covering topics like food, health and wellness, and life in New York City. Though she now writes for sites like Taste of Home, PureWow and Well+Good, she originally got her start at Broadway.com as a features editor. Lindsay is the author of the novel "Someday, Somewhere" and is working on a second.
When she isn’t writing, you can find Lindsay curled up with a book, spending time with her family or exploring NYC.