Ingredients
The Most Used Seasonings in 270 Savoury Air Fryer Recipes
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Garlic powder is the most used seasoning in savoury air fryer recipes after salt and pepper, appearing in 78 of 270 (29%). Paprika is next with 64, and 27 of those specify smoked paprika. The two appear together in 44 recipes, which makes garlic powder and paprika the nearest thing to a default air fryer seasoning.
Key findings
- Garlic powder and paprika together season 44 recipes, usually with salt and pepper.
- 17 recipes use thyme and 8 use rosemary. Dried herbs are far more common than fresh ones, which burn in the airflow.
- 25 recipes use soy sauce and 18 use honey, mostly in glazes and sauces.
- 12 recipes use cumin and 13 use chilli in some form.
- Black pepper117
- Garlic powder or granules78
- Paprika (any)64
- Soy sauce25
- Parsley21
- Honey18
- Thyme17
- Mustard16
- Oregano or Italian herbs13
- Chilli powder, flakes or cayenne13
- Cumin12
- Onion powder9
The 16 seasonings
Dessert recipes are left out. Smoked paprika is also counted within paprika.
| Seasoning | Recipes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Black pepper | 117 | 43% |
| Garlic powder or granules | 78 | 29% |
| Paprika (any) | 64 | 24% |
| Smoked paprika | 27 | 10% |
| Soy sauce | 25 | 9% |
| Parsley | 21 | 8% |
| Honey | 18 | 7% |
| Thyme | 17 | 6% |
| Mustard | 16 | 6% |
| Oregano or Italian herbs | 13 | 5% |
| Chilli powder, flakes or cayenne | 13 | 5% |
| Cumin | 12 | 4% |
| Onion powder | 9 | 3% |
| Ginger | 9 | 3% |
| Rosemary | 8 | 3% |
| Coriander | 6 | 2% |
A base rub from the data
The most common combination on the site is salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika, held on with a spoonful of oil. It suits chicken, pork, potatoes and most vegetables.
Sugar and honey are the ingredients to add late. They brown quickly, so a glaze brushed on for the last few minutes gives colour without burning. Dry spices go on at the start.
How these figures were worked out
The figures are counted from the 304 recipes published on RecipeAirFryer.com on 2026-10-08. Each recipe has one temperature, a time range, a prep time, an ingredient list and a serving count, and those fields are what is counted here.
The times and temperatures are the starting points given on each recipe page for a standard basket air fryer. They are not laboratory measurements, and air fryers differ between models, so treat the counts as a description of this recipe set, not of every air fryer.
Ingredients are counted by keyword in each recipe's ingredient list, and a recipe counts once per ingredient however many lines mention it. Spelling variants are grouped (for example "panko" with "breadcrumbs"), so the counts are close but not exact.
This study covers the 270 recipes outside the dessert category.
You may quote these figures with a link to this page. If you spot an error, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best seasoning for an air fryer?
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Garlic powder is in 29% of the savoury recipes we counted and paprika in 24%, and the two appear together in 44.
Do you season before or after air frying?
Dry spices and salt go on before, with a little oil to hold them. Sugary glazes and fresh herbs go on in the last few minutes or after cooking, because both burn in the airflow.
Can you use fresh herbs in an air fryer?
They tend to dry out and blow around. Dried herbs work better during the cook, and fresh herbs are best added at the end.