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5 Air Fry Recipes to Heat Up Date Night

by Olly Mason
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The Air Fry feature on select ranges and wall ovens integrates the game-changing technology of a countertop air fryer into a full-capacity range. Now, you can enjoy cooking up large batches of satisfying, fried foods with less of the guilt or mess that comes with conventional deep-frying. With the power of even convection heat that surrounds your food, Air Fry technology is just one more way to heat up your date night. In our previous introduction to the Air Fry feature, we answered the questions you’ve always wondered about Air Fry technology.

This time, we’ve taken the feature and put it to action with at-home date-night recipes you and your loved will enjoy cooking and eating during your next night in. Take a look!

1. Air Fry Hasselback Potatoes 

Steal your spuddy buddy’s heart with this air fryer date recipe for potatoes! This tasty side features a unique slicing technique that shows off your irresistible kitchen skills with a special presentation that pleases the eyes and layers of crispy, creamy potato that will satisfy your taste buds. 

RECIPE Air Fry Hasselback Potatoes

  • PREP TIME: 15 minutes
  • COOK TIME: 30 minutes
  • TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
  • COURSE: Dinner
  • SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium-sized Yukon Gold potatoes 
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 crushed garlic cloves 
  • ½ teaspoon paprika 
  • Salt and pepper to taste 
  • Chopped herbs, such as parsley or chives, for toppings

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat your range’s Air Fry setting to 350 degrees. 
  2. Prepare the special tray basket with your choice of spray oil; set aside. 
  3. One potato at a time, carefully slice ¼ to ½ an inch into the potato. To help make this step even easier, we recommend nestling the potato between two wooden spoons; this will act as guide for the knife. 
  4. Next, combine melted butter, olive oil, paprika, and garlic into a mixture.
  5. Using a pastry brush, apply the mixture onto the potato and in between the cuts. 
  6. Place potatoes on prepared tray and bake for 15 minutes. 
  7. After 15 minutes, reapply another layer of the mixture and cook for another 15 minutes, or until cooked through. 
  8. Remove potatoes, finish with any remaining butter, and top with salt, pepper, and herbs. 

2. Cajun Air Fry Salmon 

Go ahead and pick out the freshest cut of salmon from your local seafood market to make a special centerpiece that is delicious with every mouthful. Best of all, this salmon air fry recipe uses just four ingredients and cooks up in less than 15 minutes, giving you extra time to set the table and make a truly romantic presentation. 

RECIPE Cajun Air Fry Salmon

  • PREP TIME: 10 minutes
  • COOK TIME: 10-12 minutes
  • TOTAL TIME: About 22 minutes
  • COURSE: Dinner
  • SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 six-ounce skin-on salmon filets 
  • 1 teaspoon of brown sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning (plus salt if unsalted)
  • High-heat cooking spray 

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven’s Air Fry setting to 390 degrees. 
  2. Prepare the special tray basket with your choice of spray oil; set aside. 
  3. Mix together the brown sugar and Cajun seasoning, plus a teaspoon of salt if you’re using a no-salt seasoning mix; pour onto a wide place and set aside. 
  4. Take the two salmon filets and thoroughly dry with paper towel. 
  5. Once dry, spray the filets with oil.
  6. One at a time, take the salmon cuts and press each side into the seasoning mix. 
  7. Once both are coated, place on the mesh tray skin-side down and apply a final mist of oil on the outside. Optional: Let the filets rest for up to 10 minutes to let the crust adhere to the fish better. 
  8. With the oven pre-heated, insert the tray and cook for 8 minutes. 
  9. Remove and let the fish rest for two additional minutes to continue cooking at a lower temperature; this helps keep the fish moist. 

3. Air Fryer Meatballs 

We’re all familiar with the scene—two cartoon dogs in love, a single strand of spaghetti, and an unforgettable kiss. But the classic animation was missing just one thing: this romantic air fryer recipe for tender-yet-crispy meatballs. The secret ingredients to these meatballs are baking soda—which raises the meat’s pH, making it tender—and panko breadcrumbs, which soak up moisture and keep it inside. 

RECIPE Air Fryer Meatballs 

  • PREP TIME: 30 minutes
  • COOK TIME: 20 minutes
  • TOTAL TIME: About 50 minutes
  • COURSE: Dinner

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground meat of choice
  • 1 zucchini, grated 
  • ½ an onion, grated
  • 1 medium egg, separated
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, oregano, and fennel seeds
  • ½  teaspoon baking soda
  • ½  cup panko breadcrumbs 

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat your range’s Air Fry setting to 400 degrees. 
  2. Prepare the special tray basket with your choice of spray oil; set aside. 
  3. Grate the onion and zucchini; place in bowl.
  4. To the same bowl, add the egg, panko, and spices and mix completely.
  5. Once combined, add the meat and combine, paying attention to not overmix. 
  6. Once mixed, portion out tablespoon-sized meatballs onto a platter. To help make this step easier, we recommend using an ice cream scoop, dipping into a bowl of water in between scoops. 
  7. Place platter in freezer for 10 minutes to help solidify the exterior. 
  8. After ten minutes, carefully place the meatballs on the prepared tray and into the oven. 
  9. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. 
  10. And voila! These meatballs are ready to enjoy as-is or tossed into a saucepan of marinara and poured over your noodle of choice. 

4. Air Fry Pot Stickers 

Treat your little dumplin’ to this tasty air-fried dumpling recipe for something deliciously unexpected this Valentine’s Day. These little packages are tender on the inside, while the even convection heat of an Air fry range creates textural interest with a flaky exterior. 

Pro tip: Up the romance by turning this recipe’s crimping process into a chance to bond over some interactive fun. 

RECIPE Air Fry Pot Stickers

  • PREP TIME: 30 minutes
  • COOK TIME: 12 minutes per batch
  • COURSE: Dinner

Ingredients:

  • 18 square (3 ½ -inch) wonton or dumpling wrappers 
  • 1 teaspoon canola spray 
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • FILLING: 
  • 4 ounces ground pork 
  • 4 cups chopped bok choy (about one head)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped ginger 
  • 1 chopped garlic clove 
  • DIPPING SAUCE:
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar 
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon green onions, sliced thinly 
  • 1 tbsp cornflour

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat your range’s Air Fry setting to 375 degrees. 
  2. Prepare the special tray basket with high-heat oil spray (avocado, coconut, or canola work best); set aside. 
  3. Heat canola oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. 
  4. Once shimmering, add chopped bok choy and cook six to eight minutes, stirring occasionally. 
  5. Once wilted, add in chopped garlic and ginger and cook for a minute, until fragrant. 
    Transfer to a plate and blot moisture.
  6. Mix pork, bok choy mixture, and chili flakes in a bowl.
  7. Taking one wrapper at a time, fill with a teaspoon of the pork mixture. 
  8. Lightly dipping your fingers into a bowl, wet the outside edges, and then fold opposite corners together like a crescent; repeat with remaining wrappers and mixture. 
  9. Place dumplings on prepared tray and lightly mist with spray oil. 
  10. Cook for 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until lightly golden and crispy. 
  11. While the dumplings cook, simply mix up the ingredients for the sauce until the sugar is dissolved. 

5. Air Fry Broccoli 

This Air Fry recipe is a delicious complement to the pot stickers recipe, or a tasty veggie side for any entrée throughout the week. More of a technique than a recipe, this broccoli dish uses the oven's Air Fry technology to crisp up the florets, adding a nutty flavor that has a deeper flavor profile than steaming alone. Use this versatile method with a variety of spices and herbs to switch up how you enjoy your greens!

RECIPE Air Fry Broccoli

  • PREP TIME: 5 minutes
  • COOK TIME: 5 minutes
  • TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes
  • COURSE: Dinner
  • SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 crowns of broccoli or broccolini, 3 to 4 cups
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • High-heat cooking spray (avocado, coconut, or canola work best)
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat your range’s Air Fry setting to 375 degrees. 
  2. Prepare the special tray basket with your choice of spray oil; set aside. 
  3. Rinse your broccoli under water and pat thoroughly dry with paper towel. 
  4. Spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with spices, and toss. 
  5. Transfer to cooking tray and cook for 8 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  6. Once browned, remove and enjoy immediately. 

Feeling Inspired?

At Spencer’s TV & Appliances, you can find wall ovens and ranges with Air Fry cooking mode from some of the best kitchen appliance brands, including LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, and GE! We’re Phoenix-area’s leading supplier of home appliances, with 10 valley-wide locations in and around your neighborhood. Come on in or shop online to discover a new kitchen appliance that will make every night feel special—from date night to family night!