Cooking Asian snacks and dinner recipes in the air fryer is a cinch! Forget all of those complicated cooking steps when making Asian food, and just toss it into your air fryer. Get started with this list of 18 tasty Asian air fryer recipes!
Here you'll find some delicious snacks, like Spicy Air Fryer Chickpeas or Air Fryer Avocado Egg Rolls, as well as some notable dinners, such as Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos or Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings. We've got it all!
These Vegan Avocado Egg Rolls are made in the air fryer, but have the same amount of crispiness as frying them in oil!
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Air frying offers a healthier, more convenient, versatile, and safer alternative to traditional cooking methods. It uses less oil, cooks food faster, uses less fat for fried foods, and is easy to clean. In short, the air fryer is an excellent addition to any modern kitchen!
Asian Air Fryer Recipes
These recipes are so delish! Whether they're the main course for an easy dinner, a tasty appetizer, or a yummy side dish, these recipes are sure to be a hit!
TOP TIP: Remember to always check the internal temperature, using a meat thermometer, of any meats you cook in the air fryer!
Best Air Fryer for Cooking Asian Food
The type of air fryer you use for cooking homemade Asian food is important! I suggest one with an easy-to-clean basket (if you go the basket route), or easy-to-clean racks. Here's an air fryer I highly recommend: Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven
Here are some things to keep in mind when using your air fryer:
- Cooking marinated items (such as marinated chicken thighs) might leave a hard to remove mess in some air fryers. Make sure yours is non-stick before you try out a recipe like that, or you will spend an eternity cleaning the basket or rack.
- It won't taste exactly as it would from a Chinese restaurant. However, the Chinese food that will come out of your air fryer will still surprise you!
- Properly preheated air fryers are best, so pay attention to the quality of the preheat before choosing your air fryer. Some are better than others and it will lead to a more accurate cook time!
- A smaller air fryer means less food at a time. I love a big air fryer so that I can cook as much as possible, as evenly as possible, all at once. It is the best way to cook Asian food in the air fryer.
- Look for an air fryer that has a "flip" warning. These are nice to have so that you are easily reminded to flip your food, such as chicken pieces for crispy skins.
Other Yummy Asian Dishes made in the Air Fryer
8. Tai Pei Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer
12. Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
13. Spicy Fried Tofu
14. Air Fryer Curry
16. Air Fryer Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
17. Crispy Soy and Sesame Air Fryer Broccoli
Tips for Cooking Asian Food in the Air Fryer
The recipes themselves explain exactly how to get the best results from your air fryer. However, there are some things to keep in mind when cooking Asian food in the air fryer:
- Preheat!! Always preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding your ingredients. This helps ensure even cooking and better texture, resulting in a better overall dish!
- Cut meats and vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure they cook evenly. This is key for any of the dishes on this list.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary and make sure to always have a single layer of food to ensure the hot air circulates properly around the food, leaving you with crispier and more evenly cooked dishes. Eye the size of your air fryer to determine how many of each item can go in at a time.
- For even cooking, shake the basket or turn the food halfway through the cooking time. I mention in the recipe cards of the recipes above where this is most important!
- To prevent delicate foods like fish or marinated items from sticking, use perforated parchment paper or foil with holes to allow airflow. You can also give good a light spray with some cooking spray to prevent sticking. It also aids in that crispy texture!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and you can air fry them again to reheat! I suggest the "reheat" setting on your air fryer.
Catherine M. says
I’m always looking for more air fryer recipes, so I was so happy to try some of these! Your Brussels sprouts recipe is the bomb! 😍
Asian Inspired Eats says
So happy to hear that, Catherine! Hope you'll try some of these other air fryer recipes too, and keep me posted!