My stove has been out for the past 2 months and at this point and I’m completely over it. Fortunately, I have several countertop appliance options to help maintain my normal meal plans until it’s repaired. Relying solely on the microwave and ordering take-out every other day just wasn’t an option for me. The goal has been to prepare meals that are as fresh, health-ish, and nutritious as possible. While I have been making good use out of most of my countertop appliances, I must say the air fryer has been my favorite.

The air fryer is essentially an amped-up countertop convection oven. How it works is the top section of an air fryer holds a heating mechanism and fan. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and when you turn it on, hot air rushes down and around the food. This rapid circulation makes the food crisp—much like deep-frying, but without the oil.

There are tons of food ideas that you can make with this appliance. Here are a few meals I’ve cooked and prepared without the use of my stove.

Breakfast

Breakfast Potatoes + Peppers & Onions

Breakfast Potatoes are my go-to when I need something super filling. This meal was quick seeing how it is a frozen gem from Trader Joe’s. These potatoes aren’t specifically for breakfast. You can certainly have them as a side for dinner, but I just love having this dish in the AM. Mix in some scrambled eggs, crumbled turkey sausage, or alone garnished with rosemary as I did.

I drizzled a bit of olive oil on top and cooked them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 16 minutes and they were cooked and perfectly.

Avocado Toast + Fruit

9 times out of 10, I’m having avocado toast with a side of fresh fruit every morning. Toasting bread in the air fryer is as simple as it comes, so I was glad I’ve been able to keep this in my meal plan.

LUNCH

Burrata, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread Pizza

Cooking my pizza in the air fryer was not a difficult process. I was able to fit it in the fryer by cutting the pizza and cooking it one half at a time. This frozen pizza is also a Trader Joe’s favorite of mine.

It took about 15 mins to make in the air fryer. The last few minutes of cook time is when I added my torn pieces of prosciutto to toast it.

Quinoa, Kale & Red Lentil Soup + Antipasto Salad

This meal wasn’t made with the air fryer but with the microwave (soup) instead. I needed some fresh greens and something warm on this gloomy day.

This soup is loaded with quinoa with spices like turmeric, garlic, and ginger. For my fresh greens I had one of my best loved salads. Antipasto salad is a favorite of mine to prepare because it has alot of my favorite ingredients like: Cucumber, black olives, Manzanilla olives, spicy pepperoncini, and Provolone cheese.

DINNER

Wild Caught Salmon + Brussels sprouts

I find myself cooking salmon and some type of vegetable every few weeks. If you’re curious about my seasoning blend for my salmon I tend use:

Pink Himalayan Salt
Pepper
Minced garlic
Garlic Powder
Melted Earth Balance Soy-Free Butter
Red Pepper Flakes
Lemon
Rosemary

The rosemary and lemon are added to the fish after a few minutes of cook time, just so that they don’t burn out.

As for my Brussels sprouts, it was all really simple since I used a kit that included chopped hazelnuts, shaved parmesan cheese, and a lemon garlic vinaigrette. Yes, another favorite from Trader Joe’s!

The air fryer cooked both within 20 mins. Having a healthy meal cooked that quick felt great

So what do you think? I don’t want to solely rely on my microwave. Do you know of some other healthy meal ideas that I can prepare using the air fryer that you haven’t seen on Pinterest? I’ve already got more ideas, but I’d like to hear from you!

EASY AIR FRYER MEALS