43 Air Fryer Appetizers
Starters and finger food you can cook while guests arrive.
Updated 9 September 2026
Appetizers have a timing problem: they need to be hot when people are standing around, not forty minutes earlier. An air fryer solves that because it preheats in two minutes and turns out a tray in under ten, so you can cook to the room instead of ahead of it.
All 43 air fryer appetizers
Air Fryer Arancini
190°C · 10-13 min
Golden Italian risotto balls with a molten mozzarella centre and crisp breadcrumb shell. The air fryer gives that irresistible crunch with only a light spray of oil, ideal for using up leftover risotto. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-13 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
200°C · 8-10 min
Tender asparagus spears bundled in crisp bacon make an elegant, low-effort starter or side. The air fryer crisps the bacon while steaming the asparagus to just-tender in under ten minutes. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
190°C · 8-10 min
Sweet, sticky dates wrapped in salty bacon are the ultimate sweet-savoury party bite, and the air fryer crisps the bacon while the date centres turn jammy. Stuff them with cheese for an even more decadent nibble. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
190°C · 10-13 min
Wrapping hot dogs in bacon takes them from simple to spectacular, and the air fryer crisps the bacon all the way around. These street-food style dogs are smoky, crunchy and perfect for a crowd. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-13 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
190°C · 10-12 min
Plump prawns wrapped in smoky bacon and air fried until the bacon is crisp and the prawns are tender. An irresistible party appetiser that needs just two main ingredients. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies
190°C · 10-13 min
These little smokies wrapped in bacon and dusted with brown sugar are an addictive party bite, and the air fryer crisps the bacon while the sugar melts into a sticky glaze. They vanish fast at any gathering. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-13 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Bao Buns
160°C · 8-10 min
Pillowy folded bao buns warmed to soft, fluffy perfection and ready to stuff with your favourite filling. The air fryer steam-crisps shop-bought or homemade bao without a bamboo steamer. Cooks at 160°C / 320°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Dip
175°C · 12-15 min
Hot, creamy buffalo chicken dip with tangy hot sauce and melty cheese, baked bubbling in the air fryer. It is a game-day essential, ready to scoop with chips or celery in under 15 minutes. Cooks at 175°C / 350°F for 12-15 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Calamari
200°C · 8-10 min
Crispy golden squid rings with a light, crunchy coating and none of the deep-fried oiliness. The air fryer gives you tender calamari and a shatteringly crisp crust in minutes. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Cheese Curds
200°C · 6-8 min
Wisconsin-style fried cheese curds with a crisp golden coating and gooey, squeaky centre. The air fryer gives that pub-favourite crunch with a fraction of the oil, ready in minutes. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 6-8 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Chicken Lollipops
190°C · 18-22 min
Frenched drumsticks shaped into lollipops and coated in a sticky, spicy Indo-Chinese glaze. The air fryer crisps them up beautifully while the tangy sauce clings to every bite, a showstopping party appetiser. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 18-22 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
180°C · 8-10 min
Crispy wonton parcels filled with creamy crab and cream cheese, a takeaway favourite made lighter. The air fryer crisps the wrappers to a golden crunch without deep-frying. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Deviled Eggs
130°C · 15-17 min
Classic deviled eggs made easy by hard-cooking the eggs in the air fryer, no boiling required. The shells peel cleanly and the creamy, tangy filling comes together in minutes for a retro party favourite. Cooks at 130°C / 265°F for 15-17 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Egg Rolls
190°C · 8-10 min
Crunchy Chinese-takeaway egg rolls without the deep-frying mess. The air fryer crisps the wrappers to a shattering, golden shell while the pork-and-cabbage filling stays juicy inside, using barely a brush of oil. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
200°C · 8-12 min
Crisp, cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes with a tangy, tender centre, a Southern classic made light. The air fryer gives them a golden crunch using a fraction of the oil, so they never turn greasy. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 8-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Fried Pickles
200°C · 8-10 min
Tangy dill pickle chips in a crunchy seasoned crumb, a classic bar snack made lighter. The air fryer crisps the coating golden while the pickle inside stays juicy and sharp. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Fried Ravioli
190°C · 7-9 min
Toasted ravioli with a crunchy Parmesan crumb and cheesy, saucy centre, a St. Louis appetiser favourite. The air fryer crisps refrigerated ravioli in minutes for a dunkable party starter. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 7-9 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Gyoza
180°C · 8-10 min
Japanese pork gyoza with delicate pleats and a golden, crisp crust. The air fryer delivers that pan-fried texture with almost no oil, making these dumplings a fast, moreish starter. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Croquettes
200°C · 10-12 min
Creamy ham and cheese croquettes get a crisp golden shell in the air fryer without a vat of oil. The molten béchamel centre studded with ham stays luscious inside the crunchy breadcrumb coat. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Hush Puppies
190°C · 8-10 min
Southern cornmeal hush puppies with a crisp golden crust and fluffy, slightly sweet centre. The air fryer gives these little fritters their signature crunch without a deep fryer. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Jalapeno Cheese Bites
190°C · 7-9 min
Crunchy breaded balls of melty cheese and spicy jalapeno, oozing at the centre. The air fryer crisps the crumb coat golden and keeps the middle gloriously gooey, a spicier cousin of the classic cheese bite. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 7-9 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Mushroom Fries
200°C · 10-12 min
Crunchy breaded mushroom fries with juicy centres, a moreish veggie appetiser. The air fryer crisps the panko coating without deep-frying, so they stay light while the mushrooms turn meaty and tender inside. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Onion Bhaji
190°C · 12-15 min
Crispy, spiced onion bhajis with sweet, softened onions in a golden gram-flour batter. The air fryer gives them a light crunch without the deep-frying, a healthier take on the classic Indian starter. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 12-15 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Oysters
200°C · 6-8 min
Cornmeal-crusted fried oysters that come out crisp on the outside and plump within. The air fryer delivers Southern-style fried oysters with barely any oil and no mess. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 6-8 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Patatas Bravas
200°C · 18-22 min
Crispy Spanish patatas bravas with a smoky, spicy tomato sauce and cool garlic aioli. The air fryer crisps the potato cubes to tapas-bar perfection without deep-frying, a bold sharing plate ready in minutes. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 18-22 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
190°C · 8-10 min
Cocktail sausages hugged in flaky, buttery pastry and baked until golden. The air fryer puffs the dough beautifully and crisps the base, making these the fastest crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Polenta Fries
200°C · 15-18 min
Crunchy polenta fries with a creamy, soft centre and a golden parmesan crust. The air fryer crisps the outside beautifully without deep-frying, giving a naturally gluten-free chip that is perfect for dipping. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 15-18 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Pork Dumplings
180°C · 8-10 min
Crispy-bottomed pork dumplings come out golden and crunchy in the air fryer, no fiddly pan-frying required. A quick mist of oil crisps the wrappers while the seasoned pork filling stays juicy inside. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Pork Egg Rolls
190°C · 10-12 min
Crispy pork egg rolls come out golden and crunchy in the air fryer with a fraction of the oil of deep-frying. A savoury filling of pork and crunchy cabbage stays juicy inside the shatteringly crisp wrapper. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Pork Satay
200°C · 9-11 min
Fragrant pork satay skewers char and caramelise fast in the air fryer, served with a creamy peanut sauce. The marinade of lemongrass and spices keeps the strips tender and deeply flavoured. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 9-11 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Pork Sliders
190°C · 10-12 min
Mini pork sliders are juicy, seasoned and quick in the air fryer, ideal for game day or a crowd. The patties brown nicely while staying tender, then tuck into soft slider buns with your favourite toppings. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Potato Croquettes
200°C · 12-15 min
Creamy mashed-potato croquettes with a crunchy golden crumb, no deep-frying needed. The air fryer crisps the breadcrumb shell while keeping the cheesy centre soft and comforting. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 12-15 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Potato Skins
200°C · 10-12 min
Loaded potato skins with crisp shells, melting cheese and smoky bacon. The air fryer crisps the edges faster than a grill and melts the topping perfectly, making a crowd-pleasing appetiser or game-day snack. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Potstickers
180°C · 8-10 min
Juicy pork potstickers with crisp, blistered bottoms straight from the air fryer. A quick spritz of oil crisps the pleated dumplings while keeping the savoury filling tender and steamy inside. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Sausage Balls
180°C · 12-14 min
Cheesy sausage balls with a tender, savoury crumb, a Southern party staple made effortless. The air fryer browns them evenly and keeps the pork juicy, perfect for breakfast spreads or game day. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 12-14 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
200°C · 6-8 min
Blistered shishito peppers with charred, smoky skins and a sprinkle of flaky salt, a moreish two-bite snack. The air fryer blisters them fast and evenly, delivering that tapas-bar char at home. Cooks at 200°C / 400°F for 6-8 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Shrimp Toast
190°C · 8-10 min
Golden sesame prawn toast with a crisp base and savoury, gingery prawn topping, a takeaway classic. The air fryer crisps the bread and toasts the sesame seeds evenly using just a light mist of oil. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 8-10 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Spanakopita
180°C · 10-12 min
Greek spinach and feta triangles wrapped in shatteringly crisp filo. The air fryer bakes the layered pastry beautifully golden and flaky with just a brush of oil, no soggy bottoms in sight. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Spinach Artichoke Dip
175°C · 12-15 min
Hot, bubbling spinach and artichoke dip with a golden cheesy top, made in an oven-safe dish in the air fryer. It is the ultimate scoopable party starter, ready faster than the oven. Cooks at 175°C / 350°F for 12-15 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Takoyaki
180°C · 10-12 min
Japanese octopus balls with a soft, savoury batter centre and golden shell, finished with sauce and bonito flakes. The air fryer crisps frozen takoyaki evenly for a fast taste of Osaka street food. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 10-12 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
190°C · 7-9 min
Breaded ravioli air fried into crunchy golden pillows, a St Louis classic made light and crisp. Dunked in marinara, they are an irresistible starter or party snack. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 7-9 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Vegetable Pakora
190°C · 12-14 min
Spiced mixed-vegetable pakoras in a crisp gram-flour batter, a beloved Indian snack lightened for the air fryer. Chunks of potato, cauliflower and onion turn golden and fragrant with only a light mist of oil. Cooks at 190°C / 375°F for 12-14 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
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Air Fryer Wontons
180°C · 7-9 min
Crispy pork wontons that crackle at first bite with a savoury, gingery centre. The air fryer crisps the little parcels evenly without a pan of hot oil, perfect for parties. Cooks at 180°C / 360°F for 7-9 min. Full ingredients, step-by-step method and a printable recipe card.
Read moreCooking in waves, not all at once
Pick two or three things that share a temperature - most starters sit happily at 190-200°C / 375-400°F - and run them back to back. Each batch takes eight to twelve minutes and the basket stays hot between them, so later rounds cook slightly faster.
Prep everything on a tray first. The cooking is the fast part; assembling stuffed jalapenos while a basket is running is what makes it feel chaotic.
Keeping the first batch warm
Hold cooked batches in a low oven at 90°C / 200°F on a wire rack, not on a plate. A rack lets air underneath so the bottoms stay crisp; a plate traps steam and softens them within minutes.
Alternatively, give everything a 2-minute blast at 200°C / 400°F just before serving. Re-crisping in an air fryer works remarkably well and takes less time than plating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What appetizers can you make in an air fryer?+
Bacon-wrapped jalapenos, mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, halloumi fries and anything breaded. Small, high-surface-area food is what an air fryer does best.
Can you make appetizers ahead in an air fryer?+
Assemble ahead, cook to order. If you must cook early, hold them on a wire rack in a 90°C / 200°F oven, then re-crisp for 2 minutes at 200°C / 400°F before serving.
How many appetizers fit in an air fryer?+
Enough for four to six people per batch in a standard 4-5L basket, as long as you keep a single layer. Plan on two or three batches for a party rather than one crowded one.
What temperature for air fryer appetizers?+
Most work at 190-200°C / 375-400°F for 8-12 minutes. Anything with cheese that might burst - mozzarella sticks especially - does better at 190°C / 375°F.