Whether you live alone or simply need a quick meal for one, an air fryer is a brilliant solution. It delivers tasty results without the need for frying, grilling or roasting, and it heats up in minutes. Perfect for cooking smaller portions, it’s a healthier option that also helps reduce your energy bills. What’s more, many models allow you to cook a main and a side at the same time. Our recipe collection has you covered, with delicious ideas for meat, fish, poultry, vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our best air fryer recipes for one person, counting down to the most delicious of all. 

Roasting squash brings out its natural sweetness, and an air fryer cooks it in half the time of an oven. You can also freeze any leftover soup for another day. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Toss 9oz (250g) cubed squash in 1 tbsp oil, plenty of salt and pepper and a pinch of chilli flakes. Roast with a halved onion for 15 minutes. Put the whole lot into a pan, add 8fl oz (250ml) vegetable stock, bring to the boil, simmer for a few minutes, then blend. Add a swirl of cream to serve.

These cheesy fries make a great side for chicken or fish – or you could just eat them as a snack with a yogurt dip. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF) and cut one courgette into batons. Mix 4 tbsp breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp Parmesan, 1 tsp dried oregano and plenty of seasoning. Put 3 tbsp flour in one bowl, a beaten egg in another and the breadcrumbs in another. Dip the courgettes in the flour, followed by the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Air fry for 15 minutes until crisp on the outside. 

This simple dish is great for brunch or lunch. Put a handful of cooked spinach mixed with crumbled feta into a buttered ramekin dish. Crack an egg over, then add 1 tbsp double cream around it. Heat the air fryer to 150ºC (275ºF). Bake for 10 minutes, then serve with buttered toast. You could add ham, grated cheese, crispy bacon or cherry tomatoes, too. Sprinkle over a pinch of chilli to perk it up, if you like.

If you’ve never cooked steak in the air fryer, you’re in for a treat – think meltingly tender beef with a crispy exterior. Before you start cooking, ensure that your steak is at room temperature, take it out of any packaging and dry with kitchen paper. To cook a 9oz (250g) steak, heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF), rub with a little oil and season with sea salt. Cook for six minutes (don't use a liner or it won't crisp up well), then flip. Cook for two minutes further for rare to medium-rare steak, four minutes further for medium, and six minutes more for well done. Allow to rest on a plate for a few minutes before serving. If you have a dual-drawer model, you can cook your fries at the same time.

Miso adds such a kick of umami to the aubergine in this dish, you'd never think it was vegan. Heat the air fryer to 180ºC (350ºF). Halve an aubergine, then score it in a diagonal checkerboard style. Mix together 1 tbsp miso paste with 2 tsp each maple syrup, soy sauce and sesame oil. Brush over the aubergine halves, then bake for 15 minutes. Brush over the remaining paste and bake for a further 10 minutes. This dish is great served with a grain salad and edamame beans. 

Served with a hearty salad and a slice or two of sourdough, stuffed mushrooms are the perfect meal for one. Place a liner at the bottom of your air fryer basket to catch any melted cheese and preheat it to 200°C (400°F). While it heats up, prepare the stuffing for your Portobello mushrooms. Combine around 4 tbsp cream cheese with a chopped garlic clove and a handful of freshly chopped chives – or get inventive with your favourite cheeses and spices. Season to taste, then generously fill the caps of two mushrooms. Air fry for six minutes until golden, bubbling and delicious.

Air-fried tofu is a game-changer – it goes super crispy, with no deep frying required. You'll need 3oz (90g) firm tofu, cut into cubes. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Mix 1 tsp each soy, grated ginger and sunflower oil with a pinch of garlic powder. Dip the tofu cubes in to coat, then sprinkle in 2 tsp cornflour, stirring until coated. Air fry for 15 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through. Serve with a crunchy salad. These bites are also great as a party nibble (just serve them with a dipping sauce).

When asparagus is in season, this is the perfect dish to make – both ingredients will fit in the air fryer together, meaning you can cook them at the same time. Heat the air fryer to 190ºC (375ºF). Brush the salmon with oil and season well (a 5oz/150g fillet is perfect for one person). Toss the asparagus in a little oil and seasoning, then cook for 10 minutes or so. The timing may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus, so adjust it accordingly. Add melted butter and a squeeze of lemon to serve.

Pork chops cook to perfection in an air fryer – and you can use half the basket to cook your wedges, too. Cut 4oz (175g) new potatoes into wedges, toss them in oil to coat, then sprinkle them with salt. Air fry for 10 minutes at 200ºC (400ºF). Meanwhile, brush a 9oz (250g) pork chop with oil, then sprinkle over some black pepper and garlic powder. Now shake the potatoes, add the pork chop and cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Serve with a salad or green vegetables.

For a tasty, satisfying lunch that’s ready in next to no time, an air-fried cheese toastie is the way to go. For a toastie for one, use 2oz (57g) grated cheese (hard cheese such as Parmesan, aged Cheddar, Emmental or Gruyère all work well), two slices of bread and a knob of softened butter. Spread the butter on the bread, add the cheese, press the two slices together to seal, then butter the outside of the bread. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF) and air fry for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

Cooking fish in a foil parcel is super quick – plus, there's little mess and no risk of the fish drying out. You can use any white fish fillets in this recipe – about 6oz (175g) in weight is ideal. Brush two pieces of foil with oil, then lay the fish in the centre. Add a julienned carrot, three chopped spring onions, half a glass of white wine, fresh herbs of your choice, two slices of lemon and 1 tbsp capers. Seal the parcel, leaving space for air to circulate. Bake at 180ºC (350ºF) for 10 minutes. Serve with vegetables of your choice.

Take the faff out of poaching eggs by cooking them in the air fryer – to do so successfully you just need a couple of small ceramic sauce dishes (10cm/4in wide is ideal). Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF), half-fill each dish with boiling water straight from the kettle, crack in the eggs, then air fry for six minutes. Leave them in the basket for a further minute in the switched-off air fryer, then remove, scoop up the poached egg with a spatula and tip off any excess water. Slide the eggs onto slices of hot toast topped with creamy mashed avocado, then sprinkle over a little salty crumbled feta and a few chilli flakes, if you like.

Wrapping chicken in prosciutto ensures meltingly tender meat – and not only that, but the dish is ready in around 10 minutes. Use the rest of the basket to cook your sides; frozen broccoli cooks brilliantly in an air fryer and is ready in the same amount of time. Heat your air fryer to 190ºC (375ºF). Take a boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut a small pocket to stuff in 2 tbsp garlic and herb cream cheese. Wrap the chicken in three slices of prosciutto, spray it with a little oil, then cook it for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

There's no need to get the frying pan out for these deeply savoury mushrooms, which are ready to eat in 10 minutes. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Put 3oz (90g) thickly sliced mushrooms into a small shallow dish that will fit inside your air fryer. Stir in 2 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp oil, then season to taste. Cook for seven minutes, stirring halfway (you can also toast the bread in the air fryer for two minutes a side). Pile the mushrooms onto buttered toast, adding grated Parmesan or mature Cheddar. 

This veggie burger is pretty speedy, so have all your fillings ready to go. Try slices of avocado or guacamole, rocket or lettuce, sliced onions and maybe a punchy tomato relish. Thickly slice 5oz (150g) halloumi. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF), brush the halloumi with oil, then season it. Cook the halloumi for four minutes, turn it, then cook it for a further three minutes. Once the air fryer is switched off, add the bun cut-side up for a few minutes – this will help crisp it up.

Air fryer fish cakes are just as crisp as fried ones. Our recipe uses canned tuna for ease. You can mix and match the flavours as you like, adding chilli, different herbs or a touch of curry paste. Mix 4oz (125g) mashed potato with 3.5oz (100g) flaked tuna, 1 tbsp capers, the zest and juice of a lemon, two chopped spring onions and some chopped parsley. Shape the mixture into two fish cakes, then dip them in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Air fry at 200ºC (400ºF) for 10 minutes, turning halfway. 

A comforting supper with no need to turn the oven on – what could be better? Pierce a large baking potato with a fork, then rub it with oil and sprinkle it with salt. Cook the potato at 170ºC (325ºF) for 20 minutes, then increase the heat to 200ºC (400ºF). Turn the potato and cook it for a further 10 minutes. Halve, scoop out the flesh, then mix it with 2 tbsp grated cheese and a knob of butter. Return the mixture to the skins, then top with bacon lardons and more grated cheese. Cook for a final 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream and chopped spring onions. 

Crisp on the outside, tender and juicy in the centre, these lamb cutlets are quick, easy and tasty. Put a solid liner underneath the basket to catch any fat dripping down and make cleaning easier. Heat the air fryer to 190ºC (375ºF), then cook the cutlets (three or four should be fine) for six minutes, turning halfway through. Meanwhile, mix a chopped red chilli with 1 tbsp each chopped parsley, rosemary and olive oil. Spoon this over the cooked lamb, then sprinkle over 1oz (30g) feta cheese.

There's no need to fire up the barbecue for this recipe – your air fryer will deliver crispy, juicy chicken wings with zero fuss. You'll need around 12oz (350g) wings (and you can make them as spicy as you like). Mix 3 tbsp each tomato ketchup and sriracha, and 2 tsp each soy sauce and honey. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF), then cook the wings for 10 minutes, turning halfway. Brush them with the sauce, then cook them for a further five minutes. Serve the remaining sauce as a dip. These are great with fries on the side.

Falafels are traditionally deep fried, but you'll barely notice the difference if you cook them in an air fryer. This recipe makes eight, as it's easier to use a whole can of chickpeas; any leftovers will keep for three days in the fridge. Whiz up a drained 14oz (400g) can chickpeas with a crushed garlic clove, 1 tbsp coriander, 1 tsp each sumac and chilli powder, 1 tbsp tahini and the zest and juice of a lemon. Form into eight patties. Spray with oil and cook at 180ºC (350ºF) for eight minutes, turning halfway. Serve with a crisp salad and hummus.

Here's another easy meal that you can make entirely in the air fryer. Use frozen oven chips for ease; they take around 12 minutes (just remember to shake them halfway through). Cut a 6oz (175g) white fish fillet into three. Prepare three bowls – one with 1-2 tbsp flour, one with a beaten egg and one with 2 tbsp breadcrumbs. Heat the air fryer to 190ºC (375ºF). Dip the fish into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Air fry for eight minutes until crisp and golden. Flip the fish over at the same time as you shake the fries.

Mix 6oz (175g) minced beef with 1 tbsp breadcrumbs, a beaten egg and a pinch of dried oregano, then season well. Form the mince into three equal portions and shape them into balls. Cook the meatballs at 180ºC (350ºF) for 12 minutes, turning halfway through. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti and heat 4oz (125g) tomato pasta sauce in a pan. Add the meatballs to the sauce and pile the whole lot onto the pasta, adding fresh basil and grated Parmesan. You could also double up here and freeze any remaining meatballs for another meal.

This classic dish of crispy chicken oozing with garlic butter is easier to make than you might think. Take a large boneless chicken breast, cut a slit in the side to make a pocket, then insert 1oz (30g) garlic butter. Add a toothpick to seal it. Now dip it into 4 tsp seasoned flour, a beaten egg and 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs. Spray the chicken with oil, then cook it at 200ºC (400ºF) for 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Serve your chicken Kyiv with a crisp salad and wedges of lemon.

Salmon tacos – spicy and crisp chunks of salmon served in tortilla wraps with salad, yogurt and pickled cabbage – make a healthy and tasty meal. Cut a 5oz (150g) fillet of salmon into chunks, toss in 1 tbsp each oil and Cajun seasoning, then season well. Heat the air fryer to 200ºC (400ºF). Cook the salmon for six minutes, turning halfway (you can warm the tortillas once the salmon is cooked). Add wedges of lime, salad leaves and fresh coriander to serve. 

Now discover the unexpected dishes you can make in your air fryer

Last updated by Emily Shardlow-Price.