13 Copycat Air Fryer Recipes That'll Make You Skip Takeout (2024)

Let’s face it, we all love to eat out, but it adds up quick.

All you need for these copycat recipes is an air fryer (getting one is easy with these air fryer deals) and you can have your favorite dishes without the price tag.

1. Copycat Chick-fil-A Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Via This Old Gal

Anyone else get major cravings for Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches on Sundays? Well, if you have an air fryer, then you can easily recreate the Chick-fil-A chicken recipe no matter what day of the week it is.

If you want a sandwich then keep the breast whole, but if you want copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets, then cut the chicken up before breading and putting in the air fryer. Either way, you’re going to love this air fryer chicken.

And when you do head to the restaurant, make sure you check out these Chick-fil-A coupons and menu hacks.

2. Copycat Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Avocado Egg Rolls Recipe

Via Skinny Taste

Some of the best copycat restaurant recipes start with The Cheesecake Factory! The avocado egg roll is no exception. Done in the air fryer, they’re not only delish but healthy, too!

Follow the avocado egg roll recipe and you won’t be sad. I promise.

You should also check out these savings hacks from Cheesecake Factory.

3. Copycat Outback Steakhouse Air Fryer Bloomin’ Onion Recipe

Via Adventures of a Nurse

4. Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe

Via by Pink

You can alter this copycat Crunchwrap recipe to suit your tastes — take away the meat to make it vegetarian, or add extra of your favorite ingredients. No matter what you do, it’s going to come out with the best texture from your air fryer!

RELATED: Every Taco Bell Hack You’ve Ever Wanted

5. Copycat KFC Air Fryer Potato Wedges Recipe

Via My Forking Life

Make these copycat KFC potato wedges in the air fryer and you’ll save cash and calories.

Just make sure when you cook them up that you remember these mistakes to avoid with your air fryer.

6. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles Recipe

Via The Cookful

7. Copycat Applebee’s Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Via My Incredible Recipes

Applebee’s mozzarella sticks are some of the best appetizers out there, but going out to eat every time you crave them will get spendy after a while. This air fryer recipe for mozzarella sticks is gonna make you feel like you’re indulging but without the guilt.

8. Copycat McDonald’s Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Via Oola

French fries are seriously the best thing on the menu at McDonald’s, but with this air fryer McDonald’s french fry recipe, I don’t have to hit the drive-thru to get my fix.

RELATED: Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Save Money at McDonald’s

9. Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Via Skinny Kitchen

Fair warning, if you make this air fryer version of Panda Express orange chicken once then you’re going to want it over and over. It’s that easy and delicious.

10. Copycat Chili’s Air Fryer Boneless Buffalo Wings Recipe

Via Tastefully Frugal

Air fryer chicken is seriously just as good as traditional fried chicken, which means this copycat recipe for Chili’s wings will make you just as happy as the real thing.

If you’re a traditionalist, then you’ll need these insider hacks to eat free or cheap at Chili’s.

11. Copycat Starbucks Air Fryer Banana Bread Recipe

Via Fork to Spoon

Will it look exactly like those perfect little slices in the Starbucks case? No. But you can use a mix if you want, and that’s worth a slightly different look because this recipe for copycat Starbucks banana bread will taste amazing.

Since you’ll need a latte to go with it, go ahead and read these Starbucks hacks. If you just have to do it on your own, then watch out for espresso machine deals.

12. Copycat Popeye’s Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

Via The Kitchen Magpie

I’ll say it again: you need more air fryer chicken in your life. Make this copycat recipe for Popeye’s fried chicken and thank me later.

13. Copycat Chipotle Air Fryer Burrito Bowl Recipe

Via For Frying Ouloud

Obviously, the whole bowl isn’t made in the air fryer, but it’s air fryer chicken with all of your favorite Chipotle ingredients. It’s perfect if you’re on a special diet, like keto or vegan — because you can easily customize what goes into your bowl.

If you are on a special diet then you need these money-saving tips for people on keto, whole30, paleo and vegan diets.

Don’t bother scrolling back up! Here are all the links we mentioned:

Savings Hacks for the Cheesecake Factory That’ll Excite Your Friends

Ways to Get an Air Fryer for Ridiculously Cheap
Every Taco Bell Hack You’ve Ever Wanted
Mistakes to Avoid With Your Air Fryer
Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Save Money at McDonald’s
Starbucks Hacks Your Barista Probably Won’t Tell You

UP NEXT: The Krazy Coupon Lady’s Best Money-Saving Recipes

FAQs

Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms & onions, and cauliflower all turn out incredible in the air fryer. You can also make your main dish IN the air fryer. It works magic with proteins like tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, fried chicken… even steak.

Converting to Different Sized Air-Fryers

The time and temperature of recipes will be stay the same for all air fryers but keep in mind that some larger air fryers with more power might cook foods slightly faster than smaller, lower wattage air fryers.

While we'd love to say that you can make anything in an air fryer, that's just simply not true. Many of your favorite deep fried foods can be converted to an air fryer method, as well as many proteins, baked goods and more. However, there are some foods that are better left out of the air fryer.

More and more range ovens, wall ovens, and toaster ovens that have convection now come with air-fry settings. Convection, which constantly circulates hot air using one or more fans, is the same technology behind countertop air fryers.

People getting rid of air fryers in favour of kitchen appliance that's cheaper to run. Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Insider asked chefs to share their favorite things to make in an air fryer. Their favorite dishes to make in this appliance include gnocchi, chicken, and crunchy chickpeas. It's also possible to make flavorful steak, bacon, and chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

Make homemade sweetcorn and spring onion fritters in the air fryer for easy, energy-efficient cooking. These would be perfect as a veggie lunch, starter or side.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Stackable air fryers

Stack up flavour, stack down kitchen clutter. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just craving variety, a stackable design lets you whip up multiple dishes simultaneously, saving both time and space.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Shake it

One of the best tips I can offer you for how to use an air fryer is to periodically shake the basket during its cooking time. I'm not talking anything crazy – just a couple of good shakes during cooking to really move the food around and get that even, crispy coating on every single bite.