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Frozen foods and air fryers are a perfect match. From crispy appetizers to quick lunches and after-school snacks, air fryers help turn freezer staples into fast, flavorful meals with less prep, less oil and less cleanup. Whether you’re cooking frozen chicken, fries, seafood or appetizers, these easy air fryer ideas make mealtime simpler without sacrificing texture or taste.

Best Frozen Foods for an Air Fryer Snack

Air fryers make cooking quick and easy, and they’re versatile enough to use for any meal of the day. Here are some of our favorite frozen foods to cook in an air fryer.

Frozen Chicken

Tyson Chicken is a staple in any freezer. Frozen chicken can be cooked in an air fryer and served as-is, or used in wraps, salads, and more.

How to air fry frozen chicken

Frozen Meatballs

Chef Jamie Korean Glazed Meatballs

Everyone knows meatballs pair well with pasta, but don’t stop there! Frozen meatballs can also be served as appetizers or added to a roll to make a crowd-pleasing meatball sub.

Best Frozen Meatballs:

How to air fry frozen meatballs

Frozen French Fries

Mexican Sweet Potato Cheese Fries

Ore-Ida French Fries are great to keep on-hand as a quick snack or side dish. Enjoy them on their own or load them up with toppings for the ultimate loaded nacho fries.

How to air fry frozen French fries

Frozen Sausage

A hand holding a waffle breakfast sandwich

Frozen sausage can be the star of breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Breakfast sausage patties, bratwurst hot dogs, spicy Italian pasta—pop them in the air fryer and you’re ready to go!

Best Frozen Sausage:

  • Jimmy Dean
  • Morning Star
  • Hillshire Farms

How to air fry frozen sausage

Frozen Fish or Shrimp

Two tacos side by side, one being drizzled with a creamy sauce

SeaPak frozen seafood and fish are packed with protein and can be quickly air fried for fish sandwiches, fish or shrimp tacos, pastas, and more.

How to air fry fish tacos

Frozen Pierogies

Pierogies Meal on a dish

Mrs. T’s Pierogies are a go-to food for air frying. They can be served as a crispy appetizer or after-school snack, or you can pair them with proteins and vegetables for a well-rounded, easy meal.

How to air fry frozen pierogies

21 Easy Air Fryer Snack & Appetizer Ideas

Serve these recipes as snacks or pair them with proteins and vegetables to make them a part of a quick, filling meal.

Come ’N Get Air Fryer Sampler Platter

Come 'n’ Get It Sampler Platter

Meatballs, pierogis, coconut shrimp — this sampler has something for everyone! Air fry in batches for a quick appetizer platter that will please a crowd.

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Buffalo Ranch Pizza Rolls

Buffalo Ranch Pizza Rolls

This might be the ultimate after-school snack. Your kids will love the mashup of two of their favorite foods, pizza and buffalo wings.

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Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Kermillia Air Fryer Pizza

Pizza bagels are quick, hearty snacks that are easy to customize. Just add your favorite toppings, cook in an air fryer for 6 minutes, and you’re ready to eat.

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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

No need to heat the stove — make your favorite grilled cheese right in the air fryer!

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Pulled Chicken Waffle Tacos

Four pulled chicken waffle tacos and tater tots on a blue plate

Let your air fryer take care of Taco Tuesdays. Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier.

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Air Fryer Meatball Sliders

When you need a snack or appetizer that’s a little more filling, air fryer meatball sliders will satisfy even the hungriest kid.

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Air-Fried Crispy Cheese Tortellini With Dipping Sauce Trio

Air Fried Crispy Cheese Tortellini with Dipping Sauce Trio

Air frying tortellini gives you all the crispiness of traditional frying with less oil. Customize with different dipping sauces on the side.

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Game Day Buffalo Pierogies

Chelsea Buffalo Pierogies

Toss air-fried cheese pierogis in buffalo wing sauce for the perfect addition to your tailgate menu.

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Hot Honey and Garlic Pierogies

Hot Honey and Garlic Pierogies

Elevate classic air-fried pierogis with a homemade hot honey and garlic sauce to make a quick and sophisticated appetizer.

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Fried Pickles With Southwestern-Style Ranch

a bowl of Garlic-Butter Sheet-Pan Shrimp Dinner

Air fry crispy pickles and jalapeno peppers and serve them with the star of the show: a homemade Southwestern Style Ranch dip.

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Air-Fried Crispy Green Bean Fries

Air Fried Crispy Green Bean Fries

Add some greens to your kids’ after-school snack rotation. These air-fried green beans are so good, they won’t care they’re snacking on veggies!

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Air Fryer Ravioli Salad With Marinara Dressing

A white plate with fried raviolis on top of a bed of lettuce

This healthier take on fried ravioli pairs great with a green salad for a dinner that tastes decadent but is surprisingly light.

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Cheesy Cauliflower Arancini

A unique twist on a classic Italian rice ball, these easy, homemade arancini are packed with cheese and cauliflower.

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Parmesan Garlic Pizza Rolls

Air fry pepperoni pizza rolls and then toss them in cheese, garlic, and dried parsley for a burst of Italian flavor in every bite.

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Cheesy Air Fryer Garlic Bread

cheesy air fryer garlic bread

Great as a snack or side dish, the air fryer gives your garlic bread the perfect texture in just a fraction of the time it takes an oven.

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Taquito Bento Box

Taquito Bento Box

Take your lunch box game to the next level with a bento box full of crispy taquitos and fresh sides.

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Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Salsa

Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Tacos

Balance air-fried shrimp with a zesty homemade pineapple salsa for tacos that are crispy, savory, and sweet.

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Air Fryer Protein French Toast Sticks

Air Fryer Protein French Toast Sticks

Air-fryer French toast sticks are a quick breakfast that will keep you full until lunch. Eat at home with maple syrup or take them on the go!

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Easy Breakfast Roll-Ups

Kermilla Breakfast Roll Ups SM

These make-ahead breakfast rolls, filled with eggs and sausage and cooked in the air fryer, are a lifesaver for busy mornings.

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Air Fryer Waffle Fry Reuben Sliders

Hand holding a waffle fry Reuben slider

Make your own crispy waffle fry Reubens in just 15 minutes with your air fryer.

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The All-American Air-Fried Pierogies

The All-American Air-Fried Pierogies

Bacon, tomato, pierogies — what’s not to love? Just air fry your pierogies and load them up with toppings for a hearty appetizer, snack, or meal.

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