This blog was written by the Peer Health Educators, Healthy Cooking Team.
Are you afraid of turning on the oven or tired of buying takeout? No problem, the Healthy Cooking Team has your back! Check out our favourite recipes for quick, healthy, and delicious meals that you can make at home in your handy and versatile air fryer.
Hillary’s Crescent Roll S’mores
Enjoy your favourite campfire snack without the campfire! Time: 15 min prep and 10 min cooking time/batch
Ingredients:
· 1 can pillsbury crescent roll dough
· Mini marshmallows
· Chocolate chips or chocolate bar broken into small pieces
· Graham cracker crumbs
Instructions:
1. Roll out your crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles.
2. Place a small handful of mini marshmallows, chocolate chips/chunks, and graham cracker crumbs onto each crescent roll triangle.
3. Roll up each triangle, starting from the wider end, to form your croissant shape.
4. Optional: sprinkle extra graham cracker crumbs on top of your croissants.
5. Place your croissants into the air fryer basket, making sure they're not too crowded.
6. Cook for 10 minutes at 350°, or until your croissants are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
7. Remove from the air fryer, let cool and enjoy!
8. Optional: drizzle melted chocolate on top!
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home - Air-Fryer S’mores Crescent Rolls
Michael’s Air Fryer Curried Cauliflower
Does cauliflower taste bland to you? Try this recipe that combines flavour and your handy air fryer! Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
· 1 large cauliflower head broken into large florets
· 1 onion sliced root to tip (crescent moon slices)
· 4 cloves garlic
· 2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
· ⅓ cup oil (olive/canola/avocado/corn)
· 1 ½ tsp yellow curry powder
· ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
· ½ tsp salt
· ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Cut up the cauliflower into large florets. Wash the cauliflower.
2. Cut up the onion into crescent moon slices from root to tip
3. Mince the cloves of garlic
4. Mix the minced garlic, lemon juice/vinegar, oil, curry powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a bowl to make a curry mixture
5. Toss the cauliflower and onion in a large bowl with the curry mixture
6. Roast the cauliflower and onion in the Air Fryer at 390°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes, checking and flipping it every 3-or-so minutes.
Note: depending on your air fryer, the roasting time may take less or more time. You can also customize your spices- you can add turmeric, cumin, and/or coriander!
Recipe adapted from: https://littlesunnykitchen.com/air-fryer-cauliflower/ and https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_curried_cauliflower/
Yeonseon’s Miso Air Fryer Salmon
Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
· 4 salmon fillets
· 1 scallion (green onion)
· ¼ cup soy sauce
· 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
· 2 ½ tablespoons white miso
· 2 ½ tablespoons mirin
Instructions:
1. Chop the scallion and add them to a bowl with soy sauce, ginger, miso, and mirin. Mix them well.
2. Arrange salmon fillets on a baking sheet and pour the miso marinade evenly over. Let marinate at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Remove the salmon from the baking sheet and place it in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-8 minutes.
4. Remove from the air fryer and enjoy with some sautéed vegetables and rice!
Recipe adapted from Food & Wine - Miso Air Fryer Salmon with Baby Bok Choy
Aviva’s Roasted Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
· 5 large tomatoes
· 1 onion
· 3 cloves of garlic
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· Spices of choice
· A handful of chopped basil
· 2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
· ¼ cup heavy cream
· ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
· A handful of croutons
· Add salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Chop up your tomatoes, onions and garlic. Place them in a lined airfryer tray.
2. Drizzle on your olive oil and spices (my favourites are salt, pepper, and paprika!).
3. Air fry your vegetables for 25 minutes, or until they have softened completely.
4. Add the roasted vegetables and basil to a blender. Blend until smooth.
5. Pour the blended vegetables into a pot over medium heat. Add the broth, heavy cream and parmesan and cook until simmering.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your soup with croutons and extra parmesan cheese!
Recipe adapted from I am Homesteader - Air Fryer Roasted Tomato Soup
Cole’s Hand-Cut Rustic Potato French Fries in an Air Fryer
French fries are a beloved classic in the realm of comfort foods. While traditionally deep-fried, air fryers have revolutionized the way we indulge in these golden delights, unlocking a world of crispy perfection with each bite. Air-fryers are much easier to clean, making them a staple in every student's kitchen. Nonetheless, many overlook the health benefits they provide by minimizing the need for large amounts of cooking oil.
Instructions:
1. Select the Right Potatoes: Start with high-starch potatoes like Russets, which are ideal for achieving that perfect crispy texture.
2. Wash and Peel: Give the potatoes a good scrub to remove any dirt, then peel them. Leaving the skin on is an option for added texture and nutrients, but for classic French fries, a clean peel is preferred.
3. Cut into Rustic Shapes: Embrace the imperfection by cutting the potatoes into irregular, rustic shapes. Aim for pieces that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for optimal crispiness.
4. Soak in Water: Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries.
5. Season to Perfection: Once drained and dried, toss the potato slices with your favourite seasonings. Classic choices include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for an extra kick.
6. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to around 380°F (190°C) for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
7. Cook in Batches: Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they're not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
8. Air Fry to Crispy Perfection: Cook the fries in the preheated air fryer for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Once golden brown and crispy, transfer the fries to a serving dish and sprinkle with additional salt or seasoning if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Taylor’s Spicy Chicken Burgers
Are you ever craving a spicy McChicken but don’t want to eat fast food and wish to save money? Well, here is the perfect recipe for you! This is a high protein meal that will satisfy both your cravings and hunger :)
Ingredients for 6 Sandwiches:
· 1 pound of ground chicken
· ½ cup of corn flakes
· Buffalo Hot Sauce (I use Franks Buffalo Hot Sauce)
· 1 tbsp Mustard
· 1 tsp Paprika
· 1 tsp Cayenne
· 2 tsp Garlic Powder
· 1 tsp salt (optional because sodium in hot sauce)
· 2 tsp pepper
· 6 Hamburger buns
Optional (toppings)
· Mayo
· Romaine or Iceberg lettuce
· Pickles
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, place the ground chicken, pour all the seasonings on the chicken and mix it well with your hands (TIP: use gloves to avoid cross-contamination from the chicken or wash your hands well after).
2. Add the mustard to the ground chicken and mix again.
3. Pour the corn flakes into a Ziplock bag, release the air before sealing the bag, seal it and crush the cornflakes into crumbs and then pour them into a new bowl.
4. With your gloves on, take a ball (~2 inches long) of ground chicken, roll and flatten the chicken in the cornflakes until it is completely coated and shaped like a patty.
5. In a separate bowl, pour 1-2 inches of hot sauce (enough to coat the patty) and dip the chicken patty in it so that both sides are coated and place them aside on a clean plate.
6. Spray your Air fryer with oil (if you have it) or spread canola/avocado oil on the bottom to keep from sticking and place the patty’s in the Fryer so they are not touching. Cook at 390°F for 10 mins (or until the inside reaches 165°F).
7. When finished cooking, lace the chicken burger patties on the bun along with your choice of toppings.
8. Bon Appetit.
