|December 21, 2021

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Recipes for All Your Paleo Fried Food Cravings

By Amanda Suazo
Reviewed for Scientific Accuracy

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Recipes for All Your Paleo Fried Food Cravings

With the ability to crisp up food using hot air and a fraction of the oil a deep fryer would use, easy air fryer recipes are surging in popularity. Increased concerns about healthy eating without sacrificing flavor has elevated the humble air fryer from a trendy gadget to a kitchen workhorse in many households.

These paleo-friendly air fryer recipes do double duty: They cook food to a perfect crisp with no gluten or dairy and feed your fried food cravings without the crash.

From low-carb appetizers to main dishes (and even cake!), paleo air frying is here to satisfy.

Air fryer appetizers and snacks

Paleo Parsnip French Fries

Make fries that satisfy with this potato-free air fryer recipe from Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

A simple combination of sliced parsnips, oil, almond flour and seasonings turns these fries into an easy weeknight side dish, and you could easily substitute zucchini or sweet potato.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Get perfectly crispy and low-carb fries without the potatoes in this low-carb recipe from Paleoish Krista.

Slice zucchini into wedges, toss in coconut flour and arrange in the air fryer for crispy, salty, golden-brown fries.

Whip up some Bulletproof Honey Mustard to complete this crunchy snack.

Dill Pickle Chips in the Air Fryer

Pickles by themselves are the perfect salty, crunchy side dish—and when you add a crispy coating and toss them in the air fryer, they become a downright addictive snack in this pub-style recipe from Recipe This.

Missing more than fried pickles from the pub? Take a look at our low-carb alcohol guide if you occasionally indulge.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

This appetizer from Zenbelly gives tender shrimp a perfectly crisp and coconutty crust. After a quick dredge in eggs, cassava flour and coconut, shrimp take just minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Use avocado oil or ghee to brush your air fryer basket, and swap the dipping sauce with homemade guacamole to keep things super paleo.

Air Fryer Plantain Chips

These crispy chips from We Want Veggies are packed with resistant starch and satisfying salty flavor. Simply slice, brush with quality fat and sprinkle with salt for the perfect crunchy snack that slays potato chip cravings.

If you’re avoiding canola oil, an easy swap is avocado oil or Bulletproof Grass-Fed Ghee.

Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

This appetizer from Whole Kitchen Sink will steal the show at your next game night get-together or quiet night in. Tangy, spicy buffalo sauce meets ultra-fast chicken wings in the air fryer.

The recipe includes easy instructions to make your own buffalo sauce. If you buy a pre-made sauce, check the ingredients label — some contain corn syrup or gluten.

Missing blue cheese or sour cream with your wings? Try our dairy-free Keto Ranch Dressing; no buttermilk or cheese in sight.

Air Fryer Egg Rolls

Crunchy and packed with protein, this paleo twist on a take out standard from Meal Prep on Fleek gets even better with a combination of coconut wraps and air frying goodness.

While the recipe calls for chicken breast, marinated chicken thighs could be a tasty alternative in this versatile recipe.

Partner with veggies or some cauliflower fried rice for a satisfying meal.

Air Fryer Sweet Plantains

This paleo air fryer recipe from PaleOMG brings out the natural sweetness of plantains. The recipe calls for coconut oil, but if you don’t want any coconut flavor, coat slices of starchy plantains in ghee or avocado oil instead.

Serve them with the chimichurri in this Steak with Chimichurri Sauce recipe or as a side for paleo tacos made with our Mexican shredded beef.

Air fryer chicken, seafood and steak

Crisp chicken wings in an air fryer

Paleo Air-Fried Chicken Tenders

The air fryer recipe from Brit + Co is perfect for the whole family.

Bread your chicken breast tenders in egg, almond meal and seasonings, then toss into the air fryer for about 15 minutes—no vegetable oil, high-carb breading or parmesan needed.

Heads up: Some ketchup brands are loaded with sugar and corn syrup. Instead, try the herb aioli in this Paleo Sweet Potato Fritters recipe.

Paleo Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Your childhood favorite just got a major upgrade from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen. Meaty cod is coated in egg and a seasoned paleo flour mixture, then baked in the air fryer.

Pair this dish with flavorful tartar sauce (included in the recipe!).

Air Fryer Marinated Steak

Yes—you can air fry steak! This recipe from Stay Snatched marinates steak with umami-rich flavors, then spends just five minutes of cooking time in the air fryer.

Swap the traditional loaded baked potato with some Hasselback Sweet Potatoes to create a solid meal.

You can also switch up the flavor profile and try this rosemary coffee marinade—and of course, we recommend eating high-quality grass-fed steaks.

Air Fryer Fish N’ Chips

No deep frying needed. This air fryer recipe from The Gracious Pantry dredges cod in a seasoned almond flour mixture, then crisps up each nugget in under 15 minutes.

Pair with sweet potato fries for a paleo twist on this classic dish.

Air Fryer Kofta Kababs

The air fryer makes quick work of this easy weeknight recipe from Two Sleevers.

Spiced ground lamb wraps around skewers, then cooks for about 10 minutes in your air fryer for a flavorful main dish that comes together quickly.

Tip: Craving chickpeas with this dish? Substitute with kale chips or roasted broccoli for a satisfying, paleo-approved side.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Make a show-stopping main dish without heating a whole oven.

With a little bit of fat and seasonings, you can cook up a rotisserie-style chicken in about 30 minutes using the air fryer with this chicken recipe from Recipes From A Pantry.

Pair with green beans or sweet potatoes for a satisfying paleo feast.

Air Fryer Parchment Fish

With the air fryer, this fish en papillote recipe from Two Sleevers creates light and flaky fillets complete with a buttery herb sauce.

Perfect for a meal that only tastes like you labored over the oven.

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Who says turkey is just for Thanksgiving? With this easy air fryer recipe from Skinnytaste, you get moist, juicy turkey breast in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven.

If you use dry turkey or poultry seasoning, double-check the ingredients. Some seasoning mixes contain wheat flour, artificial flavors and sugar. You only want to see a blend of spices.

Air Fryer Tuna Patties

Tuna is a delicious and budget-friendly protein for dinner and meal prep.

This recipe from Whole Kitchen Sink transforms tuna into crispy, flavorful patties that pair well with a salad or over a bowl of cauliflower rice.

Air fryer side dishes

Easy air fryer green beans

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash Browns

Tender shreds of sweet potato turn into delectable hash browns with just the right amount of crunch in this recipe from Stay Snatched.

Use as a side for pork chops with sugar-free apple sauce, or pair with eggs to start your morning right.

Air-Fried Asparagus

Without fussing over a frying pan or oven, you can make perfectly tender asparagus using your air fryer with this recipe from MamaShire.

Brush with oil, sprinkle with salt and air fry for about 10 minutes for a fiber-packed side dish.

Air Fryer Paleo Cauliflower Tater Tots

These potato-less tater tots from Awe Filled Homemaker use a spiced cauliflower base that turns deliciously crisp on the edges.

The best part is that the spice profile for these tots is versatile depending on what you’re pairing them with. Italian spices, taco spices or any of your favorite savory spice combination would be delicious.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Crispy on the outside and fork-tender on the inside, these brussels sprouts from Recipes from a Pantry will steal the show at your dinner table.

The recipe calls for cooking spray, but some sprays contain questionable additives and not-so-healthful ingredients like canola oil.

Look for avocado oil spray, or invest in an oil mister to ensure you’re coating your brussels sprouts with quality oil.

Easy air fryer desserts

You can make desserts in your air fryer, like this lava cake

Air Fryer Gluten-Free Chocolate Lava Cake

With a rich and gooey center, this air fryer dessert from MamaShire creates a restaurant-worthy sweet dish.

Whisk up simple ingredients like cocoa powder, coconut oil and non-GMO erythritol, then place in the air fryer for a dessert that’s ready in under 10 minutes.

Don’t have erythritol handy? Monk fruit or stevia could serve in a pinch.

Air Fried Sweet Potato Dessert Fries

Move over, donuts! This sweet air fryer recipe from Cotter Crunch tastes just like churros, without the vegetable oils, refined sugar or gluten.

Instead, strips of sweet potato get tossed in quality fats and spices, then air fried and sprinkled with powdered coconut sugar.

Easy Air Fryer Cookie

You want something sweet, but you don’t want the fuss—that’s where this 10-minute keto-friendly air fryer dessert recipe comes in. Courtesy of KetoConnect, this chocolate chip cookie features a perfectly satisfying flavor and the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. We’re fans of baking with grass-fed butter (or ghee) for the health benefits.

Air Fryer Apple Chips

Satisfyingly crunchy apple chips are easy-peasy in your air fryer with this recipe from My Forking Life.

Slice your apples thinly (yet carefully) using a sharp knife or mandolin, then place them directly in your air fryer basket for 16 minutes.

Dip them in Keto Caramel Sauce for a decadent treat, without the refined sugar.

More Easy Recipes From Bulletproof

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