This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Whether it’s chicken nuggets or tater tots, keep this list of best air fryer appetizers handy for party inspiration!
The air fryer is a perfect way to get an easy side dish on the table with all your favorite flavors, and still end up enjoying the real thing with just a tiny bit of oil.
And, it’s fast. Delicious air fryer appetizers are a great way to reduce your cook time. Pizza rolls? Here we come! Here is our list of the best air fryer appetizers that you can use for party inspiration or everyday meals!
WANT TO SAVE THIS?
Don't lose this! Enter your email and we'll send it instantly.
Bacon
Bacon should always be the first item on your appetizer menu. People love crispy bacon. Every single time that we throw a party, people fully expect air fryer bacon. If we don’t serve it there are questions and sad faces.
The good news is that you can cook up extra crispy bacon in the air fryer. The bad news is that it does make for a messy air fryer basket.
Smashed Red Potatoes
These are one of those air fryer recipes that we just can’t stop talking about.
We will be sitting around chilling and one of us will randomly say “Do you remember those smashed red potatoes? They were amazing.”
Smashed potatoes are basically small potatoes that you bake fully. Then after they are baked, you smash them and fry them in the air fryer.
Then when they are nice and crispy, you dip them in a delicious sauce and eat the heck out of them.
Sauce is optional but preferred!
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
I am not sure how I missed it but for years, I didn’t know people made fries out of carrots.
When I first heard about this, I was skeptical. Then I made some!
Now, I am a major fan.
Carrots are cheap and they are colorful. They make a nice looking appetizer.
So if you are looking for a fun and delicious air fryer snack, these should be on your list.
You can season this to have a savory flavor your can go the other direction and give them a sweet flair.
Pizza Rolls
We love pizza rolls. Now, it depends on the party but these are really fun to eat appetizers.
You can make homemade pizza rolls or you can be like us and buy the frozen ones.
Regardless, of what kind of pizza rolls that you buy you can make these easy appetizers in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Homemade potato chips are a delicious option. Make your own potato chips instead of buying a bag at the store.
These are so yummy and we love making them here at our house.
I like to make a homemade ranch dip for them.
These are awesome right out of the air fryer but you can also make batches of them in advance.
Sweet Potato Fries
Our sweet potato air fryers recipe only requires three ingredients. Of course, you can spice them up beyond that anyway that you like.
If you have extra sweet potatoes in the pantry, these are such a great use and one of those easy recipes.
These fries turn out so much crispier because they are cooked in the air fryer.
If you are looking for a fun appetizer for your next dinner party, consider these.
They are always such a big hit and the bright color makes them fun. They are such a different treat than traditional french fries.
TikTok Tortilla Garlic Bread
This recipe makes a fast, cheesy, tasty garlic bread with just a few pantry ingredients you have on hand. You can also eat these with a side of marinara, a salsa dip, or completely by themselves.
Cheese Toast in the Air Fryer
Imagine golden-brown, crisp slices of bread oozing with melty cheese that stretches with every bite. That is how cheese toast should be, and with the air fryer that is what we get.
Frozen Texas Toast in the Air Fryer
Frozen Texas Toast in the air fryer is a simple cooking method to help you get warm, golden, buttery Texas Toast on the table in no time. You can go right from the freezer to the air fryer without thawing the bread first—another kitchen win, in my opinion.
Air Fryer Loaded Cheese Fries
Crispy fries, gooey cheese, and crunchy bacon—these Air Fryer Loaded Cheese Fries are the ultimate comfort food! No deep frying needed—just pop frozen fries in the air fryer, load them up with cheese, bacon, and your favorite toppings, and enjoy.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
If you are having a party and you have made your favorite dip, serving it with some homemade chips is just a nice touch. The only ingredients that you need are tortillas, vegetable oil and salt.
Air Fryer Seasoned French Fries
These air fryer seasoned fries are golden, crisp, and totally rave-worthy. Be sure to make an extra batch—everyone will be coming back for seconds.
Air Fryer Roasted Mini Peppers
We keep it simple and toss the mini bell peppers with olive oil, salt and pepper. The natural sweetness of these little gems just makes them perfect as a snack or as a roasted side dish.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Rounds
We make these sweet potatoes in the air fryer sometimes three times a week. You only need 3 ingredients: Sweet potatoes, olive oil, and seasoning (we use lemon pepper most of the time).
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Tenders
The sticky, glossy coating transforms ordinary frozen chicken strips into an irresistible finger food that disappears fast. Eat this easy chicken appetizer on its own or turn them into slider sandwiches—this 30-minute recipe confirms that homemade doesn’t need to be complicated.
Homemade Pizza Pockets
These homemade pizza pockets check every box—crispy puff pastry pizza pockets stuffed with melty cheese and pepperoni. With freezer and air fryer options, they’re a recipe you’ll use all year—whether you’re cooking ahead or making a quick bite on the spot.
Crispy Chicken Garlic Butter Balls
Here’s a unique hot appetizer that will remind you of chicken Kiev—garlic butter filling in a ground chicken meatball then rolled in panko and lightly fried. Crisp, buttery, herb-savory and finally something different than those little bbq sausages.
The bottom line
Hope you enjoyed this list of the best air fryer appetizers. We have been loving on these easy apps as often as we can.
Let us know which ones you like the best and if you have others we should know about!
