In recent years, the air fryer has taken the culinary world by storm, revolutionizing the way we cook our favorite dishes. Its ability to cook food with little to no oil makes it a game-changer for those looking for healthier alternatives to traditional frying methods. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, the air fryer can be your best friend in the kitchen, offering a wide range of possibilities for delicious gluten-free meals. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 must-try gluten-free air fryer recipes that are not only packed with flavor but also incredibly easy to make. Let’s dive in!
1. Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Tenders
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender into the beaten eggs, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is crispy and cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite gluten-free dipping sauce.
2. Flavorful Air-Fried Salmon with Herbs
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub the salmon fillets with olive oil, then season with dried dill, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the salmon is flaky and cooked to your liking.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete gluten-free meal.
3. Crispy Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well coated.
- Place the seasoned sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer.
- Cook for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are crispy and golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite gluten-free dipping sauce or enjoy them as a side dish.
4. Crunchy Air-Fried Zucchini Chips
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into thin rounds
- 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for added flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each zucchini round into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
- Place the coated zucchini rounds in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the zucchini chips are crispy and golden.
- Enjoy as a tasty gluten-free snack or serve as a side dish.
5. Mouthwatering Air-Fried Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the flour, beaten eggs, and shredded coconut in three separate shallow bowls.
- Season the shrimp with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each shrimp into the flour, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat it with shredded coconut, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
- Place the coated shrimp in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coconut shrimp is crispy and golden.
- Serve with a gluten-free sweet chili dipping sauce for a delightful appetizer.
6. Delicious Air-Fried Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 small cauliflower head, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (check label for gluten-free)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, almond milk, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to make a smooth batter.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, shaking off any excess.
- Place the battered cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the cauliflower bites are crispy and lightly browned.
- Toss the cooked cauliflower bites in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve with celery sticks and a dairy-free ranch dressing for a satisfying gluten-free game-day snack.
7. Irresistible Air-Fried Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup marinara sauce (check label for gluten-free)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
- Place the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer, top with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place the chicken back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the chicken Parmesan with gluten-free pasta or a side salad for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
8. Delectable Air-Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
- 8 gluten-free rice paper wrappers
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrot, bean sprouts, bell peppers, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Fill a shallow dish with warm water.
- Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for a few seconds until it softens.
- Place the softened wrapper on a clean surface and add a portion of the vegetable filling in the center.
- Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, then roll tightly to form a spring roll.
- Repeat the process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the spring rolls in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the spring rolls are crispy and golden.
- Serve the vegetable spring rolls with gluten-free sweet chili sauce for a delightful appetizer or light meal.
9. Heavenly Air-Fried Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets gluten-free puff pastry, thawed
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon melted dairy-free butter
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
- Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the apples are tender.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into equal-sized squares.
- Place a spoonful of the apple mixture in the center of each square.
- Fold the squares diagonally, forming triangles, and press the edges to seal.
- Brush the hand pies with melted dairy-free butter.
- Place the hand pies in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, until the hand pies are puffed and golden.
- Dust the hand pies with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
10. Scrumptious Air-Fried Banana Fritters
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Dairy-free vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the mashed bananas, gluten-free all-purpose flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Drop spoonfuls of the banana mixture into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the banana fritters are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve the banana fritters warm with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
The air fryer opens up a world of possibilities for gluten-free cooking, allowing you to enjoy delicious and crispy dishes without compromising on taste or texture. From crispy chicken tenders to flavorful salmon and crunchy sweet potato fries, these 10 must-try gluten-free air fryer recipes offer a variety of options to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a quick weeknight meal, or simply wanting to indulge in guilt-free snacks, these recipes are sure to impress. So, dust off your air fryer, stock up on gluten-free ingredients, and get ready to elevate your gluten-free cooking game with these irresistible recipes. Happy cooking!