Air fryer meal prep: what to cook and how to reheat it

An air fryer is a small, fast convection oven. For meal prep it does two jobs well: it cooks small batches of protein and vegetables until crisp, and it reheats leftovers without turning them soft the way a microwave does. It is less useful for big batches, because the basket only holds a few portions at a time.

What is worth cooking in an air fryer for meal prep?

• Chicken thighs or breast pieces, about 18 to 22 minutes at 380°F, turned once, until they reach 165°F.
• Meatballs, about 10 to 12 minutes at 380°F, until 165°F for turkey or chicken and 160°F for beef.
• Cubed tofu tossed in a little cornstarch, about 12 minutes at 400°F. The method is in how to meal prep tofu.
• Broccoli, peppers, zucchini and baby potatoes, 10 to 20 minutes at 400°F depending on size.
• Chickpeas, dried well and tossed with oil and spice, 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F, for a crunchy topping.

Times vary between models, so check early and use a thermometer for meat.

How do you cook a week's worth in a small basket?

Cook in rounds and keep each round in a single layer. A crowded basket steams instead of crisping. While one batch cooks, prepare the next, and cook the rice or grains on the stove at the same time. How to meal prep a week in one afternoon shows how to order the jobs.

Which recipes on this site suit an air fryer?

• Baked turkey meatballs: cook the meatballs in the basket instead of the oven.
• Chicken tikka with rice and peas: air-fry the marinated chicken in two batches.
• Crispy tofu stir-fry: the tofu crisps faster than in the oven.

Is it good for reheating meal prep?

It is the best tool for anything that should be crisp: meatballs, roasted vegetables, burritos, quesadillas and baked oatmeal. Three to five minutes at 350°F usually does it. Food must be steaming hot all the way through, 165°F if you check. Soups, curries and rice are better in the microwave or a pan. More on each method in how to reheat meal prep.

Can you reheat food from frozen in an air fryer?

Flat, single portions such as burritos and pancakes, yes, at a slightly lower temperature for longer, so the middle heats before the outside burns. Dense dishes should be thawed in the fridge first. See how to thaw meal prep safely.

Do you need one?

No. An oven does everything an air fryer does, more slowly and in bigger batches. If you already own one, it earns its space as a reheating tool. If you are choosing what to buy first, see the kitchen tools you need for meal prep.

Sources

• FoodSafety.gov: safe minimum internal temperatures
• USDA: leftovers and food safety