10 Best Air Fryer Appetizers

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Dive into this tropical twist on shrimp with a delightful crunch that’s perfect for any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, place the beaten eggs. In a third bowl, mix coconut and panko breadcrumbs.
3. Dredge each shrimp in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with the coconut mixture.
4. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.
5. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

These air-fried poppers bring a perfect balance of heat and creamy filling.

Ingredients:

• 10 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and top with breadcrumbs.
4. Place the jalapeños in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 10 minutes until the tops are golden.

Zucchini Fries

These crispy zucchini fries are a healthy, delicious alternative to traditional fries.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis, cut into sticks
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Dredge zucchini sticks in flour, dip in eggs, and coat in a mixture of breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and salt.
3. Arrange zucchini in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with cooking spray.
4. Cook for 10 minutes until crispy, shaking the basket halfway through.

Air-Fried Tofu Bites

These tofu bites are both crispy and flavorful, making them an ideal appetizer or snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss tofu cubes with soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, garlic powder, and black pepper.
3. Place tofu in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
4. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Avocado Egg Rolls

These air fryer avocado egg rolls are creamy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon red onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
• 8 egg roll wrappers
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (185°C).
2. In a bowl, mix avocados, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
3. Place a spoonful of mixture on each egg roll wrapper, roll them up, and seal the edges with water.
4. Arrange egg rolls in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 8 minutes, turning once, until golden and crispy.

Mushroom Arancini Balls

These delightful arancini balls are a cheesy, mushroom-filled treat that's perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked arborio rice, cooled
• 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté mushrooms and garlic until tender, then mix with rice.
3. Form rice mixture into balls, stuffing each with a cube of mozzarella.
4. Roll balls in panko breadcrumbs, place in the air fryer basket, and spray with cooking spray.
5. Cook for 10 minutes, until golden brown, shaking once during cooking.

Sweet Potato Bites

These sweet potato bites are sweet, savory, and absolutely addictive.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and crispy.

Air-Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Enjoy these gooey mozzarella sticks without the guilt, thanks to the air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 8 mozzarella sticks
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
2. Dredge mozzarella sticks in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning.
3. Freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for 30 minutes.
4. Place in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 5-6 minutes until crispy, watching closely to prevent cheese from oozing.

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

Spice up your appetizer game with these fiery buffalo cauliflower bites.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, water, garlic powder, and salt to create a batter.
3. Dip cauliflower florets in batter, shaking off excess, and place in the air fryer basket.
4. Spray with cooking spray and cook for 12 minutes. Toss with buffalo sauce and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Air-Fried Pickle Chips

Crispy, tangy, and addictive, these air-fried pickle chips are a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pickle slices
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
• Cooking spray

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Dredge pickle slices in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with a mixture of breadcrumbs and dill weed.
3. Arrange pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray.
4. Cook for 8 minutes, turning once, until crispy and golden.