Air Fryer Only: 7 Foods I Now Make Exclusively in the Air Fryer

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When it comes to speedy cooking with quality results, nothing beats the modern air fryer. The microwave has its perks, but food often comes out rubbery or unevenly heated, and toaster ovens don't impart that perfect toasty crust the way an air fryer can. Over the past few years I've made some profound air fryer discoveries -- many of which came as a big surprise.

It's no secret that air fryers cook staples such chicken wings, french fries and frozen foods better than other methods, and with almost no cleanup. But there are some unexpected foods that make perfect air fryer fodder. From whole roasted chicken to fillets of salmon and even burgers and hot dogs, the air fryer is now the only place I'll make these seven foods.

Here are seven things I'll only cook in the air fryer from now on.

7 unexpected foods to make in an air fryer

Salmon

Roasted salmon is a simple, healthy weeknight dinner staple. It's not difficult to make in the oven, but if you're only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain in the butt. Pan-seared salmon is great and quick, but there's almost no way to cook salmon on the stove without creating an oily, fishy mess. Plus, you'll have a pan to clean afterward. 

I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer, and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheat time. The closed cooking chamber even hides some of the fishy smell from taking over my apartment. 

OK, so you might catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill during warmer months, but gone are the days of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen stove. 

Here's how to make perfect air fryer salmon.

Roasted chicken

This one surprised me the most since I make a roast chicken most Sundays and had become content with my method using the oven. I learned fast that the air fryer does an even better job since it's able to crisp the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted chicken takes about 45 minutes -- about 15% quicker than the oven -- and it's nearly impossible to screw up.

Here's how I make a quick roasted chicken in the air fryer.

Bacon cheeseburgers 

Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple around my home. The exception is during summer when the grill is in full swing, but during cooler months, I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It's not only cleaner than pan frying, but the burger doesn't cook in its own grease, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you're into that sort of thing). You can also stick the bun and a couple of slices of bacon in with the burger and you have the full meal with almost no cleanup to manage.

Here's how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer.

Chicken cutlets 

Before the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken Parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and produces less oily fried chicken, too. 

Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive

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I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat content to withstand all that convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in beaten egg wash followed by bread crumbs mixed with salt, pepper and other spices. Cook at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.

You can spray the cutlets lightly with a bit of oil before cooking to get an extra crispy crust, but it's not necessary. I've tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is more risk of drying out the meat.

Cauliflower steak

One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A slab of cauliflower makes an excellent hearty side dish or main course if you're going plant-based. Simply toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or some seasoning of your choice, and air fry for 10 or 12 minutes on high. The air fryer gives it a beautiful caramelized crust, and it cooks the dense veggie fast enough so that the inside of the cauliflower doesn't become mushy.

Leftover pizza

While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, a lot of them are. Air fryers are the perfect way to revive leftover pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life via convection heat for a crispy crust and even heating. 

Here's the best way to reheat every type of leftover.

Hot dogs

It's hard to screw up a hot dog, but if you want a perfectly charred wiener in under five minutes with essentially no cleanup to manage, look to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as simple gets, and the superconvection oven gives them a perfect browning in two or three minutes. Here's how I cook hot dogs in the air fryer all summer.