Category Archives: Air Fryer

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas (for One)

Posted on by
12

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas make snack time a happy time and a healthy experience, especially when that craving for something salty-crunchy hits but are trying to stay away from chips.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to eat theses roasted chickpeas warm, right off the air-fryer and pop the lightly-seasoned, crispy delights into your mouth, one after one! Definitely one of my favorite single-serve snack ideas!

The good news is that unlike typical crunchy snack foods, you control the fats, the sodium, and the flavor. Nothing is processed or yucky, it’s just the goodness of garbanzo beans (the other common name for this legume) simply dressed up with a hint of flavor.  

This quick snack recipe for one makes a single serving (as hinted, lol) and uses ¾ cup of chickpeas (also called garbanzo), about half a can. To use up the other half of the can, check out this Small Batch Hummus recipe (or just easily double the ingredient list for the Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas below).

PRO TIPS:

Remove skins from chickpeas to help oil & spices adhere.

Remove Skins:  Often canned chickpeas still loosely have their “skins” on. Most fall off during rinsing but any remaining can be removed by patting dry on a paper towel and loosely rubbing around until removed. You CAN eat chickpeas with the skins still hanging on, there is no harm! But removing helps the oil and spices cling onto the legume better in this recipe and for hummus recipes, it creates a smoother outcome.

Oven Option: If you don’t have an air fryer (I LOVE my Omni Pro Plus 18L), the general rule of thumb for crisping up garbanzo beans in the regular oven is to use the same temperature, but double the cooking time (shaking pan around every 10 minutes to promote even cooking).

Seasonings: Instead of smoked paprika, try curry powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, Everything Bagel spice, or any other spice or blend you can dream up. Even homemade gingerbread spice with a pinch of stevia would make a delicious, unique chickpea snack.

How to Serve: Of course, eating warm off the pan is the obvious way to serve roasted chickpeas! They are also delightful tossed on a salad for extra nutrition and texture. Also try soups (instead of croutons) and as a garnish atop dips (like hummus) or your main entrée (like so yummy with salmon and greens)

How to Store: To maintain crunch, store roasted chickpeas covered at room temperature, for up to a couple days. If desired, pop back into a pre-heated 350F air fyer for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crunch.

This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 5 votes
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One is a quick, easy and healthy snack with lots of dietary fiber plus protein, iron, and folate. A mindful way to satisfy that salty-crunchy craving when trying to stay away from chips and processed foods.
Print
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Crunchy, crispy and addictive! This fun and easy-to-make snack offers lots of dietary fiber and also is a good source of plant protein, iron, folate and other essential nutrients. Note: If you want to use up the entire can 15-ish ounce can of chickpeas, just double the recipe!

Course: Snack
Cuisine: healthy, Indian, Mediterranean
Keyword: air fryer, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, legumes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup canned chickpeas about half a 15.5-ounce can
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat air fryer to 390 F degrees.
  2. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
  3. Pour out on paper towel and dry, gently rubbing to release any skins; discard skins.
  4. Add chickpeas to small bowl and drizzle on olive oil and lemon juice, stirring to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika and stir around to adhere to chickpeas.
  6. Pour chickpeas out on rimmed baking sheet that fits in air fryer.

  7. Stick in preheated air fryer for about 15 minutes, stopping to shake around once halfway through. Chickpeas should be toasted and crunchy when finished. IF needed (because air fryer models vary in heating), cook for another 2 to 4 minutes.

  8. Remove and let cook a couple minutes before eating. Store leftovers in air-tight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days. If desired, you can warm up in air fryer preheated to 350 for 1 to 2 minutes.

  9. Note: For a conventional oven, cook at 390-400F degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, stirring up every 10 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Mushroom Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Posted on by
6

Make waves with these delicious, nutritious Mushroom Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats. Easy, cheesy and a smart way to optimize zucchini season!

Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini will remind you of a mushroom pizza - -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free. A great way to use up a bumper crop of squash!

Even if you don’t grow your own zucchini (I don’t, but my neighbors do, lol) this green squash is a great way to add extra fiber, vitamins, minerals, and volume to your meals. Exceptionally versatile if you are gluten-free or a lower carb kinda person, plus it seems to be a perennial in the produce department and inexpensive, to boot!

Check out this short video tutorial!

If air-frying, you only need 15 minutes, prep to plate, for this cheesy stuffed zucchini recipe. Takes a little longer in regular oven, but still not time-consuming, especially if you give zucchini boats a 1 minute microwave “par cook” before stuffing and baking.

Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini boats will remind you of a mushroom pizza - -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free. A great way to use up a bumper crop of squash!

I love easy recipes that pack a nice punch of protein. These mushroom pizza zucchini boats help you meet your protein goals on nights when you are going no-meat or just don’t have the time to prepare beef, chicken or pork. It’s a blend of cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese for the protein win!

A serving (of TWO halves) has 25g protein, 20g net carb, 12g fat and 293 calories. This is A LOT of food that will ya up! Alternatively, you can just serve one piece as a scrumptious side dish!

Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini boats will remind you of a mushroom pizza - -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free. A great way to use up a bumper crop of squash!
Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini boats will remind you of a mushroom pizza - -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free. A great way to use up a bumper crop of squash!
5 from 5 votes
Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini boats will remind you of a mushroom pizza - -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free. A great way to use up a bumper crop of squash!
Print
Mushroom Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Quick, easy, delicious and nutritious, these cheesy, saucy stuffed zucchini will remind you of a mushroom pizza – -but without the crust, so lower calorie, lower carb and gluten-free.

Course: dinner, side
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: gluten free, low carb, pizza, zucchini
Servings: 1 serving (or serves 2 as a side)
Calories: 293 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 approximate 10- to 12-ounce zucchini ends cut off and sliced lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup bottle marinara or tomato-based pasta sauce divided
  • ¼ cup 2% cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 to 3 white mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • Optional fresh herbs
Instructions
  1. Preheat air fryer to 390F degrees (or oven to 375F)
  2. Cut ends off zucchini and slice lengthwise. Use small spoon to scoop out seeds and some flesh in center, leaving about 1/3” of flesh around outside so that it keeps shape during cooking.
  3. Place zucchini halves on microwave safe plate and “par” cook for 60 seconds in microwave on high.
  4. Transfer lightly cooked zucchini halves to air fryer tray.
  5. Spread the inside of each zucchini with 1 tablespoon sauce.
  6. In small bowl, mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
  7. Spoon cheese mixture into zucchini halves, pat down with spoon.
  8. Add just few little dollops of sauce to top, if desired.
  9. Arrange sliced mushrooms on top.
  10. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  11. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes (or oven for 15 to 20 minutes) until cheese lightly browning and hot and zucchini softened (but not soggy)
  12. Spoon bean mixture evenly into the two zucchini boats.
  13. Sprinkle with chopped Italian herbs and serve with additional warmed sauce, if desired.
Recipe Notes

Addictive Honey Ginger Broccoli for Two in Air-Fryer

Posted on by
7

When I’m looking for a fast vegetable side dish, this easy broccoli recipe is a winner. A quick roast in the air fryer makes those little buds on the top “tree” part of the stalk deliciously crispy and lightly salty-sweet, while the stalk remains mostly tender. So delicious, it is seriously addictive!

A quick vegetable side dish in the air fryer that the whole family will love! Slightly salty-sweet, crispy so delicious it's addictive!

This air fryer broccoli recipe only requires a few simple ingredients, takes less that 15 minutes prep to plate, and pairs deliciously with everything from fish, beef, chicken or to pile up in a nourishing grain bowl. My family thinks it’s the best broccoli recipe ever and will often eat it as a snack!

This broccoli recipe is SO EASY!

Choosing Broccoli for this Air Fryer Side Dish

Select broccoli with for tightly closed, dark green florets and firm, thinner stalks. Thick stalks mean the plant is older and can yield a woody texture. Also, skip over heads of broccoli with yellowing or tiny yellow flowers, this also means they are over-mature and not the best for eating. Fresh broccoli will last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge, properly stored.

One shortcut I use on busy nights is to use pre-washed and bagged broccoli florets from the produce department, rather than cutting up the whole thing. Also, in a pinch, you can grab fresh broccoli florets off the salad bar offerings if your grocery store has one. However, I definitely don’t recommend using frozen broccoli for this air fryer broccoli recipe – that just won’t work. You’ll get a soggy, mushy result.

Can I Swap the Ginger Paste?

Another convenience I use in this air fryer broccoli is ginger paste, making my own rather than using the microplane grater on fresh gingerroot (although that’s a very fresh and vibrant option if you have a few extra minutes). Ginger paste is simply finely blended or minced ginger with a bit of oil and usually comes in a toothpaste-like tube or squeeze bottle so it’s easy to portion what you need. I would not recommend using dried ground ginger in this recipe, it just doesn’t lend the same zip! For another flavor option, you can also swap out the ginger for garlic! Or, for picky eaters, simply olive oil, salt and pepper.

What Air Fryer is Best for this Broccoli Recipe for Two?

Because this makes a small-batch of crispy broccoli intended for two people, it will fit in a standard, smaller “drawer” type air-fryer. I’ve also made it in my Instant Pot Duo Crisp (which has an air fryer function). If you are looking to double up the recipe to make more, then I would suggest using a larger toaster-oven style air fryer. I have the Instant Pot Omni Pro XL Air Fryer Toaster Oven, it has a large capacity cooing space, trays pull in and out like a traditional oven; and bakes, broils, air-frys, roasts, toasts and does nearly everything but wash dishes. Seriously, I love that think. However, if you don’t even have an air fryer at all, just bake at 400F degrees in a traditional oven for about 12-14 minutes, turning once with a spatula.

Storing Leftover Honey Ginger Broccoli

Store leftovers (if any!) in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, it will lose its crispness to a degree. The best way I have found to reheat is to pop in microwave on “defrost” for up to a minute to take the chill off, and then crisp back up in a pre-heated air fryer for 2 or 3 more minutes, taking care not to burn the already browned parts.  This air-fryer broccoli isn’t suitable for freezer meal prep – it’s best enjoyed immediately.

Pin this for later!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases generated through links, however price to you remains the same. Proceeds help offset operating costs for The Fit Fork. Thank you!

5 from 5 votes
Print
Honey Ginger Broccoli (for two) in Air Fryer
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

A simple, speedy, and super-tasty wat to prepare broccoli in the air fryer that the whole family will love!

Course: side, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetable
Keyword: air fryer, broccoli, paleo
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 120 kcal
Ingredients
  • 6 ounces broccoli florets
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp ginger paste
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • Dash pepper
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat air fryer to 390 F degrees.
  2. Wash, dry and chop broccoli into approximate 1-inch florets. Try to keep florets about the same size to promote even cooking.
  3. In bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, ginger, salt and pepper
  4. Add florets and toss until well coated.
  5. Spread coated broccoli florets out into single layer in air fryer basket or tray.
  6. Air fry for 7 to 10 minutes, turning once, until “tree” part of broccoli is turning light brown and crispy.
Recipe Notes

Notes:

  • For a short cut, use bagged, pre-washed florets or purchase from the salad bar.
  • Smaller florets will cook faster than large florets.

Nutrition:

  • 120 cal, 8g fat, 25g carb, 3g fiber, 3g protein per serving

Cheddar Zucchini Chips in Air Fryer | Low Carb

Posted on by
3

Cheddar Zucchini Chips in the air fryer are a quick, easy and flavor-packed appetizer to serve with your favorite dip or side dish that pairs with most everything.

A low-carb, gluten-free and keto-friendly way to snack and get more vegetables in your day! These easy air fryer zucchini chips use just a few simple ingredients and are done in minutes – perfect for game day entertaining or a delicious side dish and alternative to fries.

This zucchini snack is is also low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly – plus, it only made with a few wholesome ingredients.

zucchini sliced think for air fryer

For the best, crispy zucchini chips, make sure that the vegetable is cut thiny in about ¼” inch crosswise slices. If you notice excess moisture on the cut zucchini, pat dry with a paper towel. This is how to keep zucchini chips from getting soggy.

The “breading” isn’t the traditional flour or panko – it’s crushed all-cheese snacks (popular brands are Moon Cheese Snack, Just the Cheese and Whisps Cheese Crisps) along with almond meal and dried herbs. These simple ingredients, held on with an egg wash, ensure these remain low carb zucchini chips – with a surprise bonus of more than 10 grams of protein per serving!

This keto cheddar zucchini chip recipe makes four servings – that’s about 10 “chips” give or take. It’s a satisfying way to use up zucchini and each portion comes in at 154 caloires, 3.9g net carb, 10.5g fat, 10.7g protein.

A low-carb, gluten-free and keto-friendly way to snack and get more vegetables in your day! These easy air fryer zucchini chips use just a few simple ingredients and are done in minutes – perfect for game day entertaining or a delicious side dish and alternative to fries. For more low carb recipes and heal inspo to fuel an active lifestyle visit thefitfork.com
Pin for later!

I used my Omni Pro Air Fryer from from Instant Pot to make my favorite zucchini recipe. In just about 6 to 8 minutes, an air fryer gets everything nice and crisp. You CAN use a traditional oven at 400F degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes, carefully flipping the chips halfway through.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commisison from purchase, however the price to you remains the same. Proceeds are used to help operate The Fit Fork – thank you!

5 from 2 votes
A low-carb, gluten-free and keto-friendly way to snack and get more vegetables in your day! These easy air fryer zucchini chips use just a few simple ingredients and are done in minutes – perfect for game day entertaining or a delicious side dish and alternative to fries.
Print
Cheddar Zucchini Chips in Air Fryer
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
 
A low-carb, gluten-free and keto-friendly way to snack and get more vegetables in your day! These easy air fryer zucchini chips use just a few simple ingredients and are done in minutes – perfect for game day entertaining or a delicious side dish and alternative to fries.
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Keyword: cheddar, gluten free, keto, low carb, zucchini
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 154 kcal
Ingredients
  • ¾ lb. zucchini
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 3 ounces all-cheese snack Moon Cheese, Whisps, etc.. Or, may substitute a very dry cheese like Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 eggs
  • Optional: dipping sauce
Instructions
  1. Cut zucchini into ¼” slices crosswise. Pat dry if excess moisture.
  2. In baggie, crush cheese snack into a coarse powder.
  3. In a bowl, mix “cheddar crumbs” with almond flour and dried parsley.
  4. Whisk eggs in shallow bowl. Dip each slice in egg and then dredge in cheese coating.
  5. Place crumb-coated zucchini slices on basket of air fryer and cook 390F degree air fryer (pre heated) for 6 to 8 minutes.
  6. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to make in two batches.
  7. Remove from air fryer and serve with dipping sauce of choice.
  8. Store covered leftovers in fridge. To reheat, place cold zucchini chips in the air fryer basket and reheat for a couple minutes – good as new!
Recipe Notes

Maple Mustard Halibut with Pecan-Quinoa | Air Fryer Friendly

Posted on by
2

Maple Mustard Halibut with Pecan-Quinoa Topping (in the air fryer or conventional oven) is ridiculously easy and absolutely delicious weeknight meal or special occasion supper.

Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.

First, I started with wild hook-and-line-caught Alaskan halibut. This hearty white fish is a personal favorite with tender flakes, a delicate flavor yet meaty texture that holds its own in any recipe. However, other firm fish can be used such as cod or salmon.

Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.
CHECK OUT THE IDEA VIDEO PIN HERE

Next up an easy smear of stone-ground mustard mixed with maple syrup, just enough to make a layer between the fish and halibut topping of ground pecans and quinoa that crusts up so nice and crunchy while baking.

Meal prepping cooked quinoa for the freezer.

For a time-saving convenience, I keep a bag of COOKED quinoa in my freezer for recipes like this or to sprinkle in salads or soups. See my quinoa meal prep post HERE.

Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.

As far as a quick fish dinner, this pecan-quinoa crusted halibut recipe wins taking only about 10 minutes on 400F degrees. I use a toaster-oven style air fryer (the Omni Plus XL Toaster Oven – Air Fryer from Instant) because I like the spacious interior and front-opening functionality (it’s like a smaller-version of my big oven) but a basket-style air-fryer will work too.

If you are cooking in a conventional oven, the temperature remains the same, but you’ll just cook up to 5 minutes longer (keep an eye on it because if the pecan quinoa topping for fish starts to get too brown, you’ll need to loosely cover with a swatch of foil.

Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.

Such an easy fish recipe using halibut and nutritious too, with 275 calories, 7.7g protein, 11.4g net carb, and 40.1g protein per serving.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 2 votes
Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.
Print
Maple Mustard Halibut with Pecan-Quinoa Topping
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Deliciously flakey and moist with a satisfyingly crunchy topping, this easy halibut recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook in an air-fryer.

Course: dinner, dinner, entree
Keyword: 15 minutes, air fryer, fish, halibut
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 275 kcal
Ingredients
  • 10 to 12 oz fresh halibut or other firm fish like cod or salmon
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. stone ground mustard
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. real maple syrup
  • ¼ cup finely chopped raw pecans
  • ½ cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground pepper
  • 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
  • Olive oil spray
Instructions
  1. Pat halibut dry with paper towel. In small bowl, mix together mustard and syrup.

  2. Slather mustard mixture on top only portion of fish. In small bowl, mix together pecans, cooked quinoa, salt, pepper and parsley.

  3. Spoon onto top of fish and use hands to pat down into a crust, extended as far out to the edges of fish as possible.
  4. Lightly spray top of pecan-quinoa mixture on fish with olive oil.
  5. Pre-heat air fryer to 400F degrees.*
  6. Transfer fish by large spatula to air fryer basket.
  7. Air fry for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, until fish flakes and coating on top is turning lightly brown.
  8. Remove immediately from air fryer and serve. With optional prepared honey mustard sauce or other condiment of choice.
  9. (=*for conventional oven, heat to 400F and bake for approx. 14 to 18 minutes).
Recipe Notes

.