Ninja Air Fryer 101 Recipes (Crispy, Delicious, and Easy!)

The Ninja Air Fryer 101 (AF101) is a versatile kitchen companion, capable of transforming a wide array of ingredients into delicious, crispy meals and snacks with significantly less oil than traditional frying. Its 4-quart capacity is ideal for individuals, couples, or small families, making it perfect for everyday cooking.

Here's a collection of popular recipes and cooking tips to help you get the most out of your Ninja AF101:

The AF101 excels at delivering quick, crispy, and golden finishes through efficient hot air circulation, making it a healthier alternative for many of your favorite dishes.  

I. Crispy Classics & Main Dishes

These recipes highlight the AF101's ability to achieve that desirable crispy texture for staples and main courses.

• French Fries (Frozen)

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 350°F  

  • Time: 23 minutes total  

  • Instructions: Preheat the unit for 3 minutes at 350°F. Add 1 pound of frozen French fries to the basket. After 10 minutes, pause cooking, remove the basket, and shake or toss the fries with silicone-tipped tongs. Reinsert the basket and resume cooking for the remaining time. Check for desired crispiness, adding 3 more minutes if needed.  

  • Tip: Shaking or tossing the fries twice during cooking ensures maximum crispiness.  

• Hand-Cut Fries

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 390°F  

  • Time: 25 minutes (check after 20 mins)  

  • Instructions: Soak 1 pound of thin-cut russet or Idaho potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat very dry. Toss with 1/2 to 3 tablespoons of canola oil. Preheat the unit for 3 minutes at 390°F. Place fries on the crisper plate. After 10 minutes, pause cooking, shake or toss, and resume. Check after 20 minutes for crispiness.  

• Crispy Chicken Wings

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 390°F  

  • Time: 24 minutes total  

  • Instructions: Preheat the unit for 3 minutes at 390°F. Toss 2 pounds of uncooked chicken wings with 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place wings on the crisper plate. After 12 minutes, pause cooking, toss wings with silicone-tipped tongs, and reinsert the basket to resume.  

  • Tip: For buffalo wings, cook as above, then toss with your favorite sauce. You can return them to the air fryer for an extra 2 minutes after saucing for a perfect finish.  

• Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 375°F  

  • Time: 6-7 minutes per side, plus 1-2 minutes for cheese  

  • Instructions: Prepare a breadcrumb mixture (e.g., 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, seasonings). Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into cutlets (or pound to even thickness), coat with 1-2 teaspoons olive oil, then thoroughly coat in breadcrumb mixture. Place in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 6-7 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until fully cooked (internal temp 165°F). Spoon marinara sauce over each piece, sprinkle with mozzarella, and air fry for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.  

• Sirloin Steak

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 392°F (200°C)  

  • Time: 10 minutes for well-done (adjust for desired doneness)  

  • Instructions: Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 392°F. Season sirloin steak with butter, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 10 minutes for well-done, adjusting time for thinner steaks or preferred doneness (e.g., reduce by 1-2 minutes for medium).  

• Easy Air Fryer Tilapia

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Time: ~10 minutes  

  • Instructions: This recipe allows for crispy "fried" fish in just 10 minutes, even from frozen tilapia. It can be used with any thin white fish.  

II. Versatile Sides & Snacks

The AF101 makes preparing healthy and delicious sides and snacks a breeze.

• Air Fryer Potatoes (General)

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Temperature: 400°F  

  • Time: 15-20 minutes  

  • Instructions: Chop potatoes, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if necessary. Flip halfway through for even browning.  

• Roasted Vegetables (e.g., Brussels Sprouts, Zucchini, Yellow Squash)

  • Function: Roast / Air Fry

  • Temperature: Varies (often 390-400°F)  

  • Time: ~15 minutes for Brussels sprouts  

  • Instructions: Toss chopped vegetables with a tablespoon of oil and seasonings. The convection heat ensures even cooking. For yellow and zucchini squash, you can get crispy and crunchy slices in just a few minutes.  

• Air Fryer Candied Bacon

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Instructions: A simple two-ingredient recipe using brown sugar and bacon for a sweet and salty snack or breakfast.  

• Fried Oreos in Air Fryer with Crescent Rolls

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Instructions: This dessert eliminates messy batter and oil, using crescent rolls and common ingredients for easy "fried" Oreos.  

• Easy Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

  • Function: Air Fry

  • Instructions: These treats feature a flaky, crispy cinnamon and sugar exterior with a sweet apple filling, easy to prepare in the air fryer.  

III. Dehydrated Delights

The AF101's dehydrate function allows you to create healthy, homemade snacks.

• Dried Fruits (e.g., Apple Slices, Banana Chips, Watermelon, Raspberries, Strawberries)

  • Function: Dehydrate

  • Temperature: Low temperatures (e.g., 105°F)  

  • Time: Up to 12 hours  

  • Instructions: Slice fruit thinly and evenly. The AF101 uses a combination of low fan speed and precise low temperatures for thorough moisture removal.  

• Homemade Jerky (Chicken or Beef)

  • Function: Dehydrate

  • Instructions: You can make homemade spicy chicken jerky or beef jerky using the dehydrate function.  

IV. General Cooking Tips for Your Ninja AF101

To ensure the best results with any recipe in your AF101:

• Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at the desired cooking temperature (typically 325-400°F) before adding food. The unit will beep and display "end" when preheating is complete.  

• Don't Overcrowd: For optimal crispiness and even cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket. Cook in smaller batches if necessary to allow hot air to circulate freely around each food item.  

• Shake or Toss: For items like fries, tater tots, and chicken pieces, shake the basket or toss the food with silicone-tipped tongs frequently during cooking to ensure uniform browning and crispiness.  

• Use Minimal Oil: While not always mandatory, a small amount of oil (e.g., 1 tablespoon for fresh vegetables) can enhance crispiness and browning. An oil spritzer is recommended for even coating.  

• Breading Technique: For wet battered ingredients, use a specific breading technique: first, flour the food, then dip it in egg, and finally, firmly press bread crumbs onto the surface. This helps prevent the powerful internal fan from dislodging the coating.  

• Handle Light Toppings: If cooking items with light toppings (like crumbles or spinach), the fan can sometimes blow them off. Consider using the "Bake" setting (if available on your model) as it has a lower fan speed, or cover with foil for part of the cooking time. You can also frequently open and shut the drawer to help the food "settle".  

• Frozen Foods: Always consult the food's packaging for specific defrosting or cooking instructions. The AF101 is capable of cooking many frozen foods directly to a crispy finish in minutes.