There comes a moment when cooking stops being a pleasure and turns into a race against time. We want something tasty, light and crispy, but without standing at the stove for an hour and then having to clean the kitchen from top to bottom.

This is where the air fryer comes in, which in recent years has earned a permanent place in many home kitchens. The reason is very simple: it works. It doesn’t perform miracles, but it allows you to prepare tasty, light, practical and quick dishes. Removing much of what usually discourages cooking: long times, persistent smells and complicated steps.

Why use an air fryer

Despite its name, the air fryer does not fry in the traditional sense of the word. Its operation is closer to that of a high-intensity fan oven, which circulates hot air around the food, cooking it until it becomes crispy in just a few minutes.

The advantage lies precisely in the combination of speed and simplicity. It does not require long preheating times and, above all, it allows you to obtain predictable results without particular precautions.

Oil does not disappear completely, but it changes function and quantity: it is no longer the cooking medium, a drizzle, just a few drops at most, is enough to promote browning and the typical crispiness of frying.

Naturally, the air fryer does not replace other cooking methods. When it comes to large quantities or more elaborate preparations, the traditional oven remains the best solution. But for all those quick dishes, to be prepared and eaten immediately, it is often the most practical choice.

What to cook and what to avoid with an air fryer

Before moving on to recipes, let’s try to understand what can be cooked with an air fryer and what, instead, is better suited to other cooking methods.

What works well

The air fryer delivers excellent results with foods that already have a defined structure and do not require liquids. In practice, everything that can be placed in the basket without losing its shape during cooking tends to give excellent results.

Vegetables are the classic example: cut into regular pieces, they cook quickly and form a light crust on the surface while remaining soft inside. The same applies to meat, especially if cut into small pieces or used in simple preparations such as chicken breast or small cuts that do not require long cooking times.

Fish, frozen products or ready-made bases are other preparations that adapt perfectly to this type of cooking.

What to avoid

Other foods, of course, are less suitable. Everything that is liquid or very soft, such as batters and unstructured doughs, tends not to cook well, as do foods that require water, such as rice and pasta. Finally, very light ingredients, such as some leafy vegetables, can be difficult to manage due to the air flow.

Pinsa in an air fryer: why it is an ideal solution

Pinsa is well suited to air fryer cooking because it is designed with characteristics that perfectly match this cooking method.

The base is light and well hydrated. This means it does not need to be cooked from scratch, but simply regenerated, and this is exactly where the air fryer makes the difference. In just a few minutes it restores a base that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, fully enhancing its structure and balance, exactly as it was conceived by Corrado Di Marco. The result is harmonious and extremely quick to achieve.

Around the combination of Pinsa and air fryer there is much more: small adjustments to achieve perfect cooking, ingredient combinations that work better than others, ideas to truly enhance it.

If you want to explore these aspects further, reading our in-depth article on Pinsa in an air fryer is the easiest way to achieve the best result and avoid mistakes.

Air fryer: five tasty dishes to start with

Now let’s move on to the practical part: five quick, light and tasty recipes, perfect for making the most of this cooking method and getting off to a good start.

The choice falls on simple recipes, because we want to stay true to the spirit of the air fryer: an ally in the kitchen when you need to prepare something good in a short time, without complications.

Breaded fish fillets

This is one of the preparations you absolutely have to try, because it allows you to achieve a result very close to frying but with minimal oil, without odors and long cooking times.

The fillets (cod, hake or similar) can be used fresh or thawed, drying them well before breading. They are coated in breadcrumbs, possibly enriched with herbs or lemon zest, and a drizzle of oil is added to promote browning.

For cooking, you can aim for 180°C for 8–10 minutes, turning the fillets halfway through to achieve even browning. The result is fish that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, ready in just a few minutes.

Mixed vegetables

In the air fryer, vegetables maintain a good internal consistency while at the same time developing a light crust that makes them more interesting than classic pan cooking.

Zucchini, peppers and eggplants are the most suitable: simply cut them into pieces, season them with a drizzle of oil, salt and spices to taste, mixing well to distribute the seasoning evenly.

Cooking takes place at 200°C for about 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The result is a mix of vegetables that are cooked but not mushy, slightly crispy and flavorful.

Spiced chicken bites

This is a simple preparation but more dynamic than the classic cutlet. Chicken bites are quick to prepare, cook in a few minutes and work well as a light main course.

The chicken should be cut into regular cubes and seasoned directly in a bowl with a drizzle of oil, salt, pepper and spices to taste (paprika, curry or rosemary, depending on preference). No breading is needed: it is precisely this simplicity that makes them practical and quick.

For cooking, you can aim for 180 degrees for about 8–10 minutes, mixing or shaking the basket a couple of times during cooking. The result is chicken that is well browned on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect when you have unexpected guests or simply want to enjoy something good with minimal effort.

Crispy potato wedges

Here is one of the simplest and most satisfying preparations: few ingredients, very little work and a perfect result as a side dish or to accompany a quick meal.

Simply cut the potatoes into regular wedges, leaving the skin on if well washed, and season them with a drizzle of oil, salt and spices to taste, such as paprika or rosemary. It is important to mix well to distribute the seasoning evenly.

At this point, 12–14 minutes at 190–200°C are enough to obtain potatoes that are golden, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Apple wedges with cinnamon

An effective preparation when you want to finish a meal with something sweet without resorting to heavier and more elaborate desserts. The air fryer enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit, creating a light caramelization on the surface.

The apples should be cut into regular wedges, seasoned with a pinch of cinnamon and, if desired, a small amount of honey or brown sugar. Nothing else is needed.

Here too, cooking at 180°C for about 8–10 minutes is enough to obtain apples that are soft, slightly golden and fragrant.