Kid-Friendly Air Fryer Recipes That Can Easily Replace Fast Food (2024)

Cooking for kids in an air fryer has so many benefits. Not only does it provide healthier alternatives to traditional fast food meals, but it also allows parents to control the quality of ingredients while still creating delicious and kid-approved dishes.

So, to help you out, let’s explore some mouthwatering air fryer recipes that will be so good, the kids won’t even be thinking about fast food.

Let’s get to it!

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Breakfast Recipes

1. French Toast Sticks

Slice bread into sticks, dip them in an egg mixture, and cook them in the air fryer until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup or your favorite fruit preserves.

2. Breakfast Burritos

Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, cheese, and vegetables. Roll them up and cook in the air fryer until heated through and lightly crispy.

3. Cinnamon Rolls

Place pre-made cinnamon roll dough in the air fryer and cook until golden brown. Drizzle with the provided icing for a sweet breakfast treat.

4. Breakfast Pizza

Top a pre-baked pizza crust with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast toppings like bacon or vegetables. Cook in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

Cook bacon in the air fryer until crispy. Assemble the sandwich with fried eggs, cheese, and bacon between two slices of bread. Heat in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is toasted.

Lunch Recipes

1. Chicken Nuggets

Dip chicken pieces in an egg mixture, coat them with breadcrumbs, and cook in the air fryer until crispy and golden brown. Serve with your kid’s favorite dipping sauce.

2. Grilled Cheese

Spread butter on the outside of two bread slices. Place cheese between the bread slices and cook in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

3. Pizza

Place pre-made or homemade pizza dough in the air fryer. Add your favorite toppings and cook until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

4. Mini Tacos

Fill mini taco shells with cooked ground beef or shredded chicken (or this delicious pre-cooked pulled pork) and cheese. Cook in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and the shells are lightly crispy.

5. Crescent Dogs

Wrap mini hot dogs in crescent roll dough and cook in the air fryer until the dough is golden brown. Serve with ketchup, mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Dinner Recipes

1. Parmesan Chicken Bites

Start by cutting boneless chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken piece into beaten eggs, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken bites in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

2. Salmon Bites

Begin by cutting fresh salmon into bite-sized chunks. In a mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Dip each salmon piece in beaten eggs, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.

3. Taquitos

Start by mixing cooked and shredded chicken with cream cheese, diced green chilies, shredded cheese, and taco seasoning in a bowl. Spoon some of the mixture onto a tortilla and roll it tightly. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are crispy and lightly browned.

4. Lasagna Fritters

Begin by combining cooked lasagna noodles with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, chopped fresh basil, grated parmesan, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Roll the mixture into balls or shape them into small patties. Place the fritters in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.

5. Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Start by seasoning boneless, skinless chicken breasts with your favorite seasonings. Dip each chicken breast into beaten eggs, then coat it with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F and are golden brown.

Snack Recipes

1. Mac N Cheese Bites

Begin by cooking macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and let it cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni with shredded cheese, milk, butter, and salt. Mix well until the cheese is melted and coats the macaroni. Form small bite-sized balls or patties from the mixture. Place the mac n cheese bites in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.

2. Fried Pickles

Start by draining pickle slices and pat them dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In another dish, beat an egg. Dip each pickle slice into the beaten egg, then coat it in the flour mixture. Place the coated pickle slices in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.

3. Cheesy Breadsticks

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface and brush it with melted butter. Sprinkle grated cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning evenly over the dough. Cut the dough into strips and twist each strip for the breadstick effect. Place the breadsticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and cooked through.

4. Fried Cauliflower

Start by cutting a head of cauliflower into florets. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, the seasonings of your choice, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss them in the mixture until evenly coated. Place the cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and crispy.

5. Mozzarella Sticks

Grab some mozzarella string cheese sticks. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice. In another dish, beat an egg. Dip each mozzarella stick into the beaten egg, then coat it in the flour mixture. Repeat the process by dipping the coated stick back into the egg and then into breadcrumbs. Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden and the cheese is melted.

Dessert Recipes

1. Fried Oreos

In a mixing bowl, whisk together pancake mix until smooth batter forms. Dip each Oreo cookie into the batter, coating it completely. Place the coated Oreos in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Lightly spray the tops of the Oreos with vegetable oil spray. Air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the air fryer and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

2. S’mores

Break the graham crackers in half and place one piece on the air fryer rack. Top the graham cracker with a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow. Place another piece of graham cracker on top to create a sandwich. Repeat the process for the desired number of s’mores. Place the s’mores in the air fryer basket or on the rack, making sure they are not touching. Cook at 350°F until the marshmallows are melted and the chocolate is gooey. Remove the s’mores from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

3. Banana Fritters

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, and ½ tsp cinnamon. Mash 4 ripe bananas and add them to the dry ingredients. Gradually add milk to the mixture, stirring until a thick batter forms. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spoon the batter into small dollops onto the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping the fritters halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the banana fritters from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

4. Apple Pie Bites

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Cut pie crust dough into small circles or squares, depending on your preference. Place an apple slice or apple pie filling on each piece of dough. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the apple slice if not using pie filling. Fold the dough over the apple slice/filling, sealing the edges with a fork. Brush melted butter on top of the apple pie bites. Place the apple pie bites in the air fryer basket or on the rack in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. Remove the apple pie bites from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

5. Jelly Donuts

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Roll out the biscuit dough into small circles. Place a small spoonful of jelly or jam in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the jelly, sealing the edges with your fingers. Press the edges with a fork to ensure they are sealed. Brush the donuts with vegetable oil on both sides. Place the donuts in the air fryer basket or on the rack in a single layer, without overcrowding. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping the donuts halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the jelly donuts from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Wrapping Up

Cooking in an air fryer offers numerous benefits for kids. It allows you to prepare crispy and delicious meals without excessive oil, making them healthier options for your children.

These kid-friendly air fryer recipes also provide a fun and convenient way to satisfy their cravings. Encourage your kids to try out these recipes and get creative with their own air fryer creations. Enjoy cooking and experimenting together in the kitchen!