Air Fryer Appetizers for Game Day

Air Fryer Appetizers for Game Day

Air Fryer Appetizers for Game Day

Football season is right around the corner, and here is a list of 20 air fryer appetizers perfect for game day parties. Cooking in an air fryer is our go-to because it is a healthier way to get that fried-food taste without all the extra oil and grease. And this list is one you don't want to miss.

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Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings on a plate

First up are crispy buffalo chicken wings. I think that a lot of people steer away from an air fryer for chicken wings because they think that they're not going to get that crisp without frying them in oil, and that couldn't be any further from the truth. The trick with it is making sure that you don't overcrowd your basket with wings. That way the air can circulate and give you that perfect crisp every single time.

For your sauce on the side, go with something simple like Frank's Red Hot with a little bit of butter and a dash of flour to really thicken it up, and you have the perfect crispy buffalo chicken wing made in an air fryer. Serve these up with ranch or blue cheese and let that be a debate between your guests.

Buffalo wing

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Pat wings completely dry with paper towels; place in large bowl.
  2. Combine baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; sprinkle over wings and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 380°F; arrange wings in single layer, in batches if needed.
  4. Cook 12 minutes; flip and cook another 12-13 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  5. Meanwhile, mix buffalo sauce and melted butter in a large bowl.
  6. Transfer cooked wings to sauce; toss to coat completely.
  7. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing alongside.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Jalape o popper

Next up are bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, the ultimate game day snack. But you're going to be doing these in the air fryer, not the oven, like you're probably used to. This will actually prevent you from having a soggy bottom that baking can produce because, again, that air circulation is going to give you the perfect crisp.

You can get these done in under 15 minutes. Be sure to pull them a little bit early, as the heat will continue to simmer, and you don't have any mess of your cream cheese spewing out the sides.

Jalape o popper

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Halve jalapeños lengthwise; scoop seeds and membranes with spoon.
  2. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium bowl until combined.
  3. Fill halves with cheese mixture, mounding slightly.
  4. Wrap each with half a bacon slice; secure with toothpick.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 370°F; arrange poppers in single layer with space between.
  6. Cook 10-12 minutes until bacon is crispy and browned, flipping halfway if needed.
  7. Cool 3-4 minutes before serving to avoid hot cheese burns.

Loaded Tater Tots

Loaded Tater Tots on a plate

These loaded tater tots in an air fryer are going to give you a crispy outside with a fluffy inside texture, and it will beat the oven with this one. You want to put the cheese in the last few minutes so that it melts without burning.

But the really cool part about these is you have customizable toppings. My favorite is just to make this like a baked potato, throw in a little bit of bacon bits and chives, and you're good to go.

Loaded Tater Tots on a plate

Loaded Tater Tots

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F; spray basket with cooking spray.
  2. Cook frozen tots in single layer 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy, shaking halfway.
  3. Sprinkle evenly with cheddar; air fry another 2-3 minutes until melted.
  4. Transfer to platter; immediately top with bacon.
  5. Add sour cream dollops; sprinkle with green onions and olives.
  6. Salt to taste; serve immediately, hot and crispy.

Zucchini Fries

These zucchini fries are going to have that perfect crisp, but they are going to be a sneaky way to get in some vegetables for your friends. These are air-fried, giving you a crunchy coating in under 15 minutes.

And the trick is to pat your zucchini fully dry before you put on a coating to avoid steaming instead of crisping. I really like to put breadcrumbs on these as they give that classic French fry look without all that extra oil and grease.

Parmesan zucchini fries

Zucchini Fries

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Pat zucchini completely dry with paper towels to remove all excess moisture.
  2. Set out three shallow bowls: flour; eggs; panko mixed with Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge zucchini in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in crumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray; arrange zucchini in single layer without touching.
  5. Lightly spray tops; air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway.
  6. Serve immediately with marinara or ranch for dipping.

Crispy Potato Skins

Potato skin

The air fryer is your secret weapon for potatoes. The way that they crisp up as opposed to baking is a game-changer. The good thing about these crispy potato skins is that you can prep them earlier in the day and then pop them in again just to warm them up and give that cooked-fresh filling right when your guests arrive.

With this one, think baked potato toppings: cheese, butter, sour cream, bacon bits, and chives. This is going to taste like a restaurant order done at home.

Potato skin

Crispy Potato Skins

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large russet potatoes scrubbed clean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Pierce potatoes with fork; microwave on high 10-12 minutes until tender, turning halfway. Cool 10 minutes.
  2. Halve lengthwise; scoop most flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch attached to skin.
  3. Brush skins inside and out with oil; sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  4. Air fry skin-side down at 380°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
  5. Flip skins; fill with cheddar and bacon. Air fry another 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
  6. Remove; top each with sour cream dollop and green onions. Serve.

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella Sticks on a plate

Homemade mozzarella sticks are so much easier than they actually seem, and they look impressive, like they took a lot more effort than they do, which is great for your game day spread. You want to chop up regular mozzarella string cheese into halves and then roll them. I like to do a double breading technique here to have a thicker and crunchier coating, and then you are going to pop them in the air fryer.

Be sure to pull these under 15 minutes, because you don't want the cheese to make a huge mess and come off the breading. You want these to look like they were done in a restaurant and really impress your guests. Serve these up with a side of marinara and a side of ranch, and you are good to go.

Mozzarella Sticks on a plate

Mozzarella Sticks

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Halve cheese sticks into 24 pieces; place on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze at least 1 hour.
  2. Set out three shallow bowls: flour; eggs; breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
  3. Dredge frozen cheese in flour, dip in egg, coat in crumbs, then repeat egg and crumbs for double coating.
  4. Return to sheet; freeze another 30 minutes to hold coating during cooking.
  5. Spray air fryer basket; arrange frozen sticks in single layer without touching. Lightly spray tops.
  6. Air fry at 390°F for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy, in batches if needed; serve immediately with warm marinara.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries

Next are sweet potato fries, and this is another recipe that allows you to sneak in some veggies but have a really visually appealing appetizer to offer your guests. Putting them in the air fryer allows you to get a consistent crispiness on all sides, which you really can't do in the oven, trying to turn them on a baking sheet.

Sweet potato fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/4-inch sticks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

Method
 

  1. Pat sweet potatoes completely dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Toss with oil in a large bowl to coat evenly.
  3. Add garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne; toss to season evenly.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange fries in single layer, in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
  6. Cook 18-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy, shaking every 5 minutes for even cooking.
  7. Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce.

Cacio e Pepe Arancini

Cacio e Pepe Arancini on a plate

If you’re looking to impress your guests, try making these Italian rice balls. Arancini may sound fancy, but they’re surprisingly simple to prepare, especially if you use an air fryer. You’ll get a crispy result without the mess of deep-frying.

Cacio e Pepe Arancini on a plate

Cacio e Pepe Arancini

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Place rice in a large saucepan; add warm broth a ladle at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed before adding more, about 20-25 minutes total.
  2. When rice is creamy and tender, remove from heat; stir in butter, Pecorino, pepper, and one beaten egg until combined.
  3. Spread on baking sheet; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until completely cooled and firm.
  4. Shape chilled risotto into 2-inch balls by hand on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Set out three shallow bowls: flour, remaining 2 beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
  6. Roll balls in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in crumbs.
  7. Preheat air fryer to 375°F; spray basket with cooking spray.
  8. Arrange balls in single layer; spray tops. Cook 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway.
  9. Cool 3-4 minutes before serving.

Blooming Onion

Blooming Onion on a plate

A restaurant-style blooming onion made in the air fryer is a lot easier to do than it might seem, and it obviously comes out a lot less greasy than the deep-fried version.

The cutting technique on this does require patience, but I think you will find that it becomes almost therapeutic once you find your rhythm. Just make sure you use a sharp knife and take your time.

Blooming Onion on a plate

Blooming Onion

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large sweet onion about 1 pound
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Cut top 1/2 inch off onion; peel, keeping root intact to hold together.
  2. Place cut-side down; make 12-16 evenly spaced vertical cuts stopping 1/2 inch from root.
  3. Cut between sections for more petals without cutting through root.
  4. Gently separate petals; soak entire onion in buttermilk 15 minutes.
  5. Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  6. Remove onion; let excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in seasoned flour, coating between all petals.
  7. Dip briefly in buttermilk again; coat again in flour.
  8. Preheat air fryer to 350°F; generously spray basket with cooking spray.
  9. Place onion root-side up; generously spray entire onion.
  10. Cook 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy, spraying again halfway.
  11. Carefully remove; rest 5 minutes before serving with preferred dipping sauce.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Buffalo cauliflower bite

These buffalo cauliflower bites are a healthier way of giving you that buffalo wing flavor and sneaking in some vegetables at the same time. The key with this one is shaking your basket halfway through. That way you get an even crunch on all sides. And you also want to avoid overcrowding, or you can make these cauliflower bites soggy.

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Once these are cooked, pop them out and again, toss them in that buffalo sauce. Frank's Red Hot, butter, and a little bit of flour are the way to go with this one. This is going to be a snack that your guests love.

Buffalo cauliflower bite

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
  2. Whisk flour, water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
  3. Dip cauliflower in batter; shake off excess. Arrange in single layer in cooking-sprayed air fryer basket.
  4. Air fry 12 minutes until golden and crispy, shaking halfway.
  5. Mix buffalo sauce and melted butter in another bowl; toss cooked cauliflower in sauce.
  6. Air fry sauced cauliflower another 3 minutes to set coating.
  7. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Air Fryer Meatballs

Meatball

The air fryer offers a great way to serve up meatballs without that extra grease that no one wants. What really makes these nice is that you don't have to worry about flipping them or babysitting them as you do on the stovetop. You can even make them the night before and then reheat them.

What I love to do with these is put a toothpick in each one, as it makes them really easy for people to grab and go. Have a variety of sauces served on the side that people can put on their plates and easily dip these into.

Meatball

Air Fryer Meatballs

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl just until combined.
  2. Roll 1.5-inch meatballs; place on plate.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 380°F; spray basket with cooking spray.
  4. Arrange meatballs in single layer, in batches if needed.
  5. Air fry 10-12 minutes until browned and internal temperature reaches 160°F, shaking halfway.
  6. Rest 2-3 minutes before serving with preferred sauce.

Mini Tacos

Taco

Putting mini tacos in the air fryer is a game changer. You get the perfect crisp on your tortillas, and the key is not to overfill them. That way they don't fall apart when they're standing up. If you have a taco rack, you can actually put that in the air fryer, but leaning them against each other works too.

You might just want to move them around so you don't end up with one soggy side on any of your tacos. These will stay warm for about 15 minutes after cooking, making them the perfect dish to serve up right before kickoff.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Brown beef in a skillet over medium; drain excess fat.
  2. Add seasoning and water; simmer 3-4 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
  4. Fill tortillas with 2 tablespoons meat and a sprinkle of cheese each; fold in half.
  5. Lightly spray both sides with cooking spray; stand in air fryer basket or taco rack.
  6. Air fry 6-8 minutes until tortillas are golden and crispy.
  7. Remove carefully; top with tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream. Serve.

Crispy Bacon Bits

Crispy Bacon Bits on a plate

Cooking up bacon bits in the air fryer is a great way to avoid grease splattering all over your stovetop right before you have guests. You just want to cut the bacon right before cooking and give your pieces room to breathe in that basket. That way, they crisp up perfectly.

The really good part about having these bacon bits is that it allows your guests to put them on the toppings of anything else. So, if they want extra toppings on those potato skins or on a salad or just as a side with something else, this will be a hit.

Crispy Bacon Bits on a plate

Crispy Bacon Bits

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces with kitchen scissors or sharp knife.
  2. Preheat air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.
  3. Arrange bacon in single layer without overlapping.
  4. Cook 8-12 minutes to desired crispness, shaking every 4 minutes.
  5. Remove to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
  6. If desired, toss hot bacon with sugar and spices; serve immediately or store airtight.

Queso Totchos

Queso Totchos on a plate

These queso totchos are going to be a unique appetizer your guests didn't know they'd love this much. Totchos are simply using tater tots as a nacho base and air frying them until they are extra golden before your toppings go on to prevent them from getting soggy.

You basically want to keep that crunch factor once you load these up with cheese, so make sure your tater tots are cooked thoroughly. You want to use real queso here over any cheap substitutes, as that flavor is really going to make a difference.

Queso Totchos on a plate

Queso Totchos

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  2. Spray basket with oil; arrange tots in single layer, in batches if needed.
  3. Cook 15-18 minutes until golden and extra crispy, shaking halfway.
  4. Transfer to oven-safe serving dish or leave in air fryer-safe pan.
  5. Top with cooked meat; drizzle generously with warm queso.
  6. Top with tomatoes and jalapeños.
  7. Air fry another 2-3 minutes at 350°F just to warm toppings.
  8. Remove; garnish with sour cream dollops, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Beer Cheese Dip

What is a football party without beer cheese dip? This is a dip that you can make in the air fryer in a small oven-safe dish, giving you a gooey consistency.

You want to use a beer in this that you would actually drink, not that questionable can you have from the back of the fridge. This is a dip that can be used with chips, pretzel bites, or even veggies.

Bavarian beer cheese dip

Beer Cheese Dip

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 3/4 cup beer lager or ale
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method
 

  1. Toss cheddar with flour in a bowl to coat evenly.
  2. Combine cream cheese, beer, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt in a 6-7 inch air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 320°F.
  4. Cook dish 5 minutes; carefully remove and stir well.
  5. Stir in flour-coated cheddar.
  6. Air fry another 8-10 minutes until cheese fully melts and smooths, stirring every 3 minutes.
  7. Cool 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly; serve warm with soft pretzels, chips, or fresh vegetables.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

These hot honey chicken tenders are air-fried for that perfect crunch without that deep-fry mess. And the sweet, spicy glaze is what makes these appealing.

You want to be sure to rest these tenders for a few minutes after cooking. That way, that glaze really sets on these and just gives that really visually appealing look.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  2. Set out three shallow bowls: flour; beaten eggs; panko mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in panko, pressing to adhere.
  4. Spray basket with cooking spray; arrange tenders in single layer without touching.
  5. Lightly spray tops; air fry 10-12 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping halfway.
  6. Meanwhile, whisk honey and hot sauce in a small bowl.
  7. Drizzle over cooked tenders or serve alongside for dipping.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach artichoke dip

Here is another classic recipe, and you are going to finish this one in the air fryer to give it that bubbly golden top without heating up the whole kitchen. This is a recipe that your friends will request every single time you host.

And the good part is you can prep this ahead and heat it fresh in the air fryer when your guests arrive. This is one that I love serving with pita chips, but another good option is serving it up with some vegetables.

Spinach artichoke dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 can 14 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 package 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth and blended.
  2. Stir in 3/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, artichokes, spinach, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper to combine evenly.
  3. Spread evenly in an air fryer-safe dish that fits basket.
  4. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over top.
  5. Air fry at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until hot throughout and top cheese melted and golden brown.
  6. Cool 5 minutes before serving with preferred dippers.

BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ chicken wings on a plate

Again, do not be afraid to put wings in the air fryer. As long as you do not overcrowd your basket, they are going to have a perfect crisp every single time. The only thing different here is you are going to add your barbecue sauce in right at the end while they are still in the air fryer.

That way it caramelizes without burning. You'll need to plan to cook these in batches to prevent overcrowding. And this offers you another wing flavor to offer as part of your spread.

BBQ chicken wings on a plate

BBQ Chicken Wings

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds chicken wings separated into drumettes and flats
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Method
 

  1. Pat wings completely dry with paper towels; toss with oil in a large bowl.
  2. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; sprinkle over wings and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 380°F; arrange wings in single layer, in batches if needed.
  4. Air fry 22-25 minutes until skin is crispy and golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping halfway.
  5. Meanwhile, whisk BBQ sauce, honey, and vinegar in a large bowl.
  6. Transfer cooked wings to sauce; toss to coat completely.
  7. Air fry sauced wings another 2-3 minutes at 400°F to caramelize slightly; serve immediately.

Chili Cheese Dip

This one is always a hit, and it's not just a dip; it's something your friends can put over a hot dog to make a chili cheese dog if they want. This is a dip that you are going to put in a small baking dish inside of your air fryer basket, giving you crispy edges and a molten center with the added bonus of one less pot to wash.

This is the fastest-disappearing appetizer in the lineup every single time because it's a familiar flavor, and the air fryer really makes this one stand out.

Chili Cheese Dip

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can 15 oz chili with beans
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup diced green chiles
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin

Method
 

  1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
  2. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and cumin in a bowl until smooth.
  3. Spread in air fryer-safe dish bottom; layer chili on top.
  4. Sprinkle cheddar and chiles evenly over chili.
  5. Air fry 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles with golden edges.
  6. Cool 2-3 minutes before serving with chips.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Next up is a bacon cheddar ranch dip, and this is the appetizer you didn't know you needed. Air frying this browns up the top perfectly, giving you a slight crunch while the inside stays creamy.

A time-saving trick on this one is to be sure to cook the bacon in the air fryer first and then reuse that same dish for the dip itself. This not only saves you time, but it also adds in some additional flavor from when that bacon was cooking. This is going to be a dish that is rich, and a little will go a long way.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Air fry bacon at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy; chop small.
  2. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning in a bowl until smooth and blended.
  3. Fold in 1.5 cups cheddar, bacon (reserve some for topping), and green onions.
  4. Transfer to air fryer-safe dish; smooth top.
  5. Top with remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and reserved bacon.
  6. Air fry at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and top is golden brown.
  7. Stand 5 minutes before serving with chips, crackers, or vegetables.

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