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7 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

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These Easy Air Fryer Recipes are perfect for beginners who just received an Air Fryer. They’ll get you comfortable with making delicious food in your Air Fryer with minimal steps and ingredients.

Easy Air Fryer Recipes

The Air Fryer has been a game-changer in our house as it has allowed me to create delicious quick and easy recipes for myself and my family. I’ve gathered the easiest recipes to get you started on your Air Frying journey.  

And there you have it. 7 easy air fryer recipes that will help you get acquainted with your Air Fryer. If you’d like to find more recipes for your Air Fryer, you can find them on my Air Fryer Recipes page.

If you're looking for other helpful Air Fryer articles, check these out:

Fudgy & Easy Air Fryer Brownies (From Scratch!)

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These Air Fryer Brownies are perfect for when you want a small batch of rich, fudgy brownies and don’t want to turn on the oven. They are made from scratch and are the perfect mix between fudgy and cakey brownies.

brownies stacked on top of one another

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

Chocolate. It’s my weakness. And if I could, I would make a huge batch of brownies and eat the whole pan to myself. But society tells me that’s a bad idea. Thanks to my Air Fryer, I can make a small batch of brownies suitable for 4 (I’ll share with hubby and the kids) that won’t heat up the entire house. That’s where these brownies in the Air Fryer come in handy. 

After making S’mores on my Air Fryer, I was hooked on creating simple and easy dessert recipes in my Air Fryer. These brownies are so simple yet delicious and they can be made in one bowl.

When it comes to baking in your Air Fryer, you will need the following guideline:

  • Use smaller tools. 7-inch pans or smaller come in handy when baking in the Air Fryer. Certain Air Fryer Accessory kits have smaller pans for baking.
  • Reduce the temperature and time for baking in the Air Fryer. The general rule of thumb is to reduce by 30 degrees and cut time by 20%. These tips and others can be found in my Air Fryer Tips and Tricks post.
  • Cut recipes in half. Since Air Fryers are smaller than your oven, trying to convert an entire cake or brownie recipe may not work. Cut it in half should ensure that your baked goods get baked perfectly.

🧾 A Quick Look at the Ingredients

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking powder
  • Wet ingredients: melted unsalted butter, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, eggs

🍳 Tools You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or silicone spatula
  • 6-inch round or square baking pan (that fits in your air fryer)
  • Nonstick spray or parchment paper
  • Air fryer

How to make Air Fryer Brownies

First, prepare your 7-inch baking pan by generously greasing with butter on the bottom and all sides. Set aside. 

Preheat your Air Fryer by setting the temperature to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and allowing it to run for about 5 minutes while you prepare your brownie batter. 

Add your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, melted butter, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract into a large bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Your batter should be thick.

baking pan greased with butter
brownie batter in bowl with spoon sticking out

Add it to the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. 

Place in your preheated Air Fryer and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. 

brownie batter in baking pan in air fryer basket
finished baked air fryer brownies

Remove and allow to cool in the pan before removing and cutting. 

finished air fryer brownies cut up

You can add in your favorite nuts before baking if you like. The kids don't generally like them, so I usually leave them out. But ¼ cup of walnuts added to this brownie mixture is a dream come true.

side picture of inside of air fryer brownies

You could check out this recipe if you prefer to make air fryer brownies from a box.

Tanya's Top Tips

  • If you don't have a basket-style air fryer, you can make brownies in a toaster oven with an air fry setting at the same temperature and time.
  • Store any leftover air fryer brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to keep them extra fudgy. For longer storage, wrap individual brownies tightly and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave before serving.

I hope you enjoy this brownie recipe as much as we do. You'll love it topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

Other air fryer dessert recipes to try?

brownies stacked on top of each other
Print Recipe
4.68 from 53 votes

Easy Air Fryer Brownies Recipe

Make quick and easy air fryer brownies from scratch in your Air fryer. They’re delicious and the perfect mix between a fudge and cake brownie. They are the perfect small batch of brownies when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer brownies
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 385kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  • Prepare your 7-inch baking pan by generously greasing with butter on the bottom and all sides. Set aside.
  • Preheat your Air Fryer by setting the temperature to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and allowing it to run for about 5 minutes while you prepare your brownie batter.
  • Add your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, butter, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Add it to the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top.
  • Place in your preheated Air Fryer and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick entered in the center comes out mostly clean.
  • Remove and allow to cool in the pan before removing and cutting.

Notes

  • Various Air Fryer models will bake at different rates so some bake times may vary. The bake time as provided is a guideline.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 473IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

Air Fryer French Fries (Fresh or Frozen)

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Here’s how to make delicious and perfect Air Fryer French Fries from fresh or frozen. These fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Follow this guide to make perfect french fries in your Air Fryer.

air fryer french fries in basket

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

I’ve been on an air fryer craze for quite a while now. As you can see, my Air Fryer recipes have grown and grown over the past year. Who would have thought that my obsession with this device would have started over a pregnancy craving for french fries?

I wanted fried foods but needed a healthier alternative and the air fryer came in handy. French fries and potato wedges are my go-to sides to make in the Air Fryer. Here’s how I make perfectly delicious and healthy french fries from fresh or frozen. 

How to make Air Fryer Fench Fries (Fresh)

First, you’ll want to grab 1-3 russet potatoes and cut them into equal sizes. I aim for about ½ inch in size. Cutting them into equal portions will ensure they will cook evenly.

knife cutting potato

Soak your Potatoes

Then, you’ll need to soak them. You’ll hear some people say they don’t soak their potatoes. I swear by it and do the same method for my Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes. It removes the excess starch and you’ll notice a difference in taste or texture.

I soak for a whole hour. However, if you don’t have time for all that, a two-minute rinse in a colander with high pressured water does the trick. That’s how my husband does it and it yields great results.

cut fries in bowl of water

Dry your Potatoes and Toss in Oil

Once the starch has been removed from your potatoes, drain them and dry them with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Then place them in a dry bowl and add oil. I know, some people feel that Air fryers need no oil. For delicious crispy fries, you need a little oil. Whichever kind of oil you decide to use is fine as long aa it is an oil with a high smoke point. 

cut fries drying on paper towel
cut fries in bowl in oil

Air Fry

Set your Air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and Air fry for 22-30 minutes. Shake and toss the fries every 5 minutes. This step is of prime importance. If you forget to shake or wait until your fries are halfway done, you’ll end up with partially done fries. I set a timer to make sure I remember to shake.

cut fries in air fryer basket
cooked air fryer fries

Different Air fryers cook at different temperatures depending on the wattage of the air fryer, the basket type, and how many fries you place in the basket, so the cooking time will vary from machine to machine. 

Special Note: If making one potato in a single layer, cook for about 12-15 minutes as fries in a single layer cook and crisp even faster. Cooking longer may result in burnt fries.

Other special note: Fresh fries are crispy while warm but do become softer if they get cold.

Once your fries are done, remove the basket and season the fries.

How to make Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

There’s a whole different technique when it comes to making frozen fries.

First, place the frozen fries in the Air Fryer basket. DO NOT ADD OIL. Frozen french fries already have oil added and are generally partially cooked. This is why they are able to stay so crispy, even when they get cold. 

Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 8 minutes. Some frozen French fries, like the Great Value brand from Walmart, will have air fryer directions on the back. Despite that, I still always check at the 8-minute mark.

air fryer frozen french fries in air fryer basket
cooked french fries in basket

Just like the fresh, you will want to shake your frozen fries every few minutes until they are done. Frozen fries generally will take anywhere from 8-12 minutes, depending on your Air Fryer brand as well as how many fries you place in the basket.

And there you have it, perfectly cooked french fries made in your Air fryer from fresh or frozen. Season them with my homemade blend of french fry seasoning for the best fries.

If you're looking for more Air Fryer recipes to serve these fries with, try these out:

cooked air fryer fries
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer French Fries (Fresh or Frozen)

Here’s how I make Crispy Air Fryer French Fries from Fresh or Frozen. Fries made in the Air Fryer are known to be healthy, crispy, and delicious. Whether homemade or previously frozen, you’ll be hooked on air frying fries.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time22 minutes
Soak Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 27 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer french fries, air fryer frozen french fries
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 104kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Equipment

Ingredients

Fresh Fries

  • 1-3 medium sized russet potatoes cut into ½ inch fries
  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil

Frozen French Fries

  • 1-2 lbs Frozen French Fries

Instructions

Fresh Fries

  • Soak the cut potatoes for 1 hour in a bowl of water.
  • Drain the potatoes and dry them with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Then place them in a dry bowl and add oil.
  • Set your Air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and Air fry for 22-30 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes.

Frozen Fries

  • First, place the frozen fries in the Air Fryer basket. DO NOT ADD OIL. Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes.

Notes

  • Nutrition info calculated and provided is for fresh fries, not frozen. 
  • Different Air fryers cook at different temperatures depending on the wattage of the air fryer, the basket type, and how many fries you place in the basket, so the cooking time will vary from machine to machine.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Fresh or Frozen)

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If you’re looking for all the tips and tricks to perfect Air Fryer Chicken Wings, I’ve got you covered. Here’s how to make perfectly crispy chicken wings in your Air Fryer from fresh or frozen, sauced or dry-rubbed.

air fryer chicken wings laid on a paper

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

Air Fryers are famous for making delicious and crispy chicken wings. Chicken wings in the Air Fryer are the perfect appetizer or game-day snack as they are quick to make and are done in 30 minutes or less. 

I’ve shared my Korean Air Fried Chicken Wings that are breaded and extra crunchy, but this ultimate guide for chicken wings covers how to make naked wings, saucy wings, fresh wings, and frozen wings. After making and eating tons of wings, I’ve learned a few tips on how to get golden and delicious wings. 

  1. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Your wings need circulation to get nice and crisp. The wings can be touching but the basket should not be filled to the brim. 
  2. Turn your wings every 5-7 minutes. This will ensure that the wings are evenly cooked. I like to use tongs to turn my wings rather than tossing.
  3. Don’t add seasonings until after air frying. That’s how you will get the maximum flavor on your wings. 
  4. Start with a clean Air Fryer. If your Air Fryer is not clean, your Air fryer may start to smoke while your wings are cooking. 
chicken wings in sauce on paper

How to Make Air Fryer Wings from Fresh Chicken Wings

First, make sure your chicken wings are dried before placing them in the Air Fryer. 

Lay your wings in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket. It’s ok if they overlap or if you have to lay a few on top. The wings will still get crispy so long as you turn them every few minutes. 

 Close the Air Fryer basket and cook the wings on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes shaking every 5-7 minutes. Cook until wings are desired crispiness and have at least reached a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once the wings are cooked, place in a large bowl and season with your favorite dry rub or sauce. If using a sauce, toss the wings in the sauce and place back in the air fryer for 2 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the wings and toss in sauce again. This is how to get perfectly sauced wings.

raw chicken wings in air fryer basket
cooked chicken wings in air fryer basket

How to make Air Fryer Wings from Frozen Chicken Wings

I found that in order to get my frozen chicken wings crispy in the Air Fryer I had to do a little extra work. Fact is frozen wings have a ton of excess water and once you start Air Frying, that water leaks into the bottom of the basket, causing a lot of steam in the Air Fryer. That’s not the optimal environment for crispiness. In order to get frozen wings crispy, I do the following. 

Lay the frozen wings in the Air Fryer basket and start cooking on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes turning every 5-7 minutes. 

Halfway through cooking, remove the Air Fryer basket and drain the excess liquid. Make sure the basket is placed over a large bowl so you don’t leak chicken juice everywhere. Once all the liquid in the bottom of the basket has drained, return the basket to the base and start Air Frying again. Cook until your wings are fully cooked and your desired crispiness. 

Additional Note: The draining of the liquid is an optional step and it truly depends on the Air Fryer basket. In my Phillips Air Fryer, the wings can get crispy even with the additional liquid in the basket. However, in my Bella Pro Air Fryer, I have to drain the liquid to get it crispy.

frozen chicken wings in air fryer basket
raw chicken dripping from frozen chicken in bottom of air fryer

Toss in your favorite dry rub or sauce. 

And there you have it, perfectly crisp and delicious Air Fryer chicken wings from frozen.

cooked chicken wings in air fryer basket with seasoning in it

Common Questions for Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Do I need to pre-heat my Air Fryer? Each Air Fryer will have instructions on whether the Air fryer should be preheated or not. My advice is to follow those instructions. However, if you don't preheat, your wings will still be fine.

Do I need to spray my chicken wings with oil? Not if they are not breaded. Chicken wings will produce their own grease while cooking, which will allow the Air Fryer to crisp them up. If they are, a light spray of chicken oil will ensure that breading is nice and golden. 

What’s the best breading for chicken wings? There are a ton of options when it comes to breading if you want to go that route. You could use potato starch, flour, crushed pork rinds, as well as baking powder. These help give an extra layer of crunch. 

How to reheat chicken wings? To reheat leftover chicken wings, place in your Air Fryer and cook on 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes. 

And there you have it, your guide to perfect and delicious chicken wings in the air Fryer? If you’re interested in reading more of my guides to become the perfect Air fryer chef, check these out:

Suggested Rubs and Sauces for Wings?

For more chicken in your Air Fryer recipes, try these out:

cooked chicken wings in baskets with ranch in the middle

Watch this video tutorial and see how I make these chicken wings from start to finish.

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4.92 from 12 votes

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Fresh or Frozen)

These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are easy to make from fresh or frozen. Here are all the tips and tricks to get perfect crispy wings each and every time.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer chicken wings
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken wings fresh or frozen
  • Favorite seasoning dry rub or sauce

Instructions

Fresh Chicken Wings

  • Dry your chicken wings.
  • Place your wings in the Air Fryer basket.
  • Close the Air Fryer basket and cook the wings on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes shaking every 5-7 minutes. Cook until wings are desired crispiness and at least have a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Once wings are cooked, place in a large bowl and season with your favorite dry rub or sauce. If using a sauce toss the wings in the sauce and place back in the air fryer for 2 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the wings and toss in sauce again.

Frozen Chicken Wings

  • Lay the frozen wings in the Air Fryer basket and start cooking on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes turning every 5-7 minutes.
  • Optional step: Halfway through cooking, remove the Air Fryer basket and drain the excess liquid. Make sure the basket is placed over a large bowl so you don’t leak chicken juice everywhere. Once all the liquid in the bottom of the basket has drained, return the basket to the base and start Air Frying again. Cook until wings are desired crispiness and at least have a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Toss in your favorite dry rub or sauce.

Video

Notes

  • The draining of the liquid is an optional step and it truly depends on the Air Fryer basket. In my Phillips Air Fryer, the wings can get crispy even with the additional liquid in the basket. However, in my Bella Pro Air Fryer, I have to drain the liquid to get it crispy.
  • Wings need to cook to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Suggested Dry Rubs and Sauces
    • Lemon Pepper
    • Ranch
    • BBQ (I used this brand from King of Foods in the video)
    • Buffalo Sauce

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Homemade Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

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This Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce is full of flavor and made from scratch in less than 40 minutes. It’s simple, easy, and delicious. It’s the perfect addition to any pasta dish.

vegetarian spaghetti sauce in pot with basil on top

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

We’ve been opting for plant-based dinners about once a week in our household and this spaghetti sauce comes in handy. It’s full of texture and flavor thanks to the mushrooms and chickpeas. It’s perfect for anyone trying to opt for eating less meat in their diets as you won’t even miss the meat in this pasta dish. 

There are a few ingredients that give this dish an amazing flavor profile. They are:

  • Baby Bella Mushrooms - Gives the recipe that meaty flavor without the meat.
  • Chickpeas - Added to the dish not for the taste, but for the texture and protein.
  • Balsamic Vinegar - An acid that I think goes great with tomatoes.
  • Basil - Although fresh is generally best, this recipe calls for a whole tablespoon of dried. It’s easier as I always have it on hand. You could opt for fresh but add it in at the end of cooking. 
  • Oregano - I also used dried, same reasoning as the basil.

How to make Homemade Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

First, roughly chop your mushrooms, onions, and garlic. You can use a food processor for this step to speed up the process. However, I prefer to chop them by hand because I like the larger chunks. 

mushrooms, onions, and garlic on a cutting board

Then heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. I use my cast iron dutch oven to make this. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Then add mushrooms and garlic and sauté until mushrooms and onions have softened, about 5 more minutes. If you find your mushrooms are starting to dry out and stick to the pan, add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable broth to make it liquidy again. 

  • raw onions in a pan
  • mushrooms in pot

Add tomato paste, dried basil, and dried oregano and stir for about 1 minute.

vegetarian spaghetti sauce in yellow pot cooking.

Add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, open your can of chickpeas and drain. Mash the chickpeas until they are finely mashed. Stir them into the spaghetti mixture and allow it to continue to cook until the chickpeas are heated through. 

vegetarian spaghetti sauce with chickpeas on top of it

Add balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. 

vegetarian spaghetti sauce on a spoon

This spaghetti sauce goes well with traditional thin spaghetti noodles. It’s the perfect meatless spaghetti recipe that both meat-eaters and non-meat eaters will enjoy.

Looking for more Meatless dishes? Try these out:

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Homemade Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

Easy and delicious Homemade Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce made with mushrooms and chickpeas for added protein. This meatless sauce is the perfect substitute for meaty spaghetti sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade spaghetti sauce, meatless spaghetti sauce, vegetarian spaghetti sauce
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 110kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic chopped
  • 8 oz baby portobello mushrooms chopped
  • 2 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can chickpeas drained and mashed
  • 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1.5 cups vegetable broth
  • chopped fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Then add mushrooms and garlic and sauté until mushrooms and onions have softened, about 5 more minutes. If you find your mushrooms are starting to dry out and stick to the pan, add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable broth to make it liquidy again.
  • Add tomato paste, dried basil, and dried oregano and stir for about 1 minute
  • Add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, open your can of chickpeas and drain. Mash the chickpeas until they are finely mashed. Stir them into the spaghetti mixture and allow it to continue to cook until the chickpeas are heated through.
  • Add balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste
  • Serve over pasta.

Notes

  • If the sauce starts to bubble and pop while simmering, add a little more vegetable broth to stop the popping. 
  • This sauce can be frozen or refrigerated for a few days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 331IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe Adapted from Tasty.

Korean Sloppy Joes

by 7 Comments

These Korean Sloppy Joes are the perfect spicy twist on the traditional sloppy joe. Made with Korean spicy flavors and topped with a quick and yummy pickle topping. These are perfect for sliders, burger buns, lettuce wraps, or rice bowls.

Korean sloppy joes in a skillet with green onions on top
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Jamaican Inspired Sweet Potato Pudding

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This Sweet Potato Pudding is inspired by a Jamaican recipe I grew up eating. Sweet potato, coconut milk, and fragrant spices make this the perfect pudding for any occasion. 

half eaten sweet potato pudding in baking dish with blender to the side

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

One of my favorite Jamaican treats is a slice of sweet potato pudding. I didn’t get it every day, desserts were limited in our household growing up, but when I got it, it was amazing. 

I also love the fact that this recipe is vegan! No eggs, no milk, no butter.

You’re probably wondering why in the world I named this recipe Jamaican Inspired Sweet Potato Pudding. I did that for a few reasons:

  • Traditional Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding does not use the orange sweet potato typically found in US grocery stores. The sweet potato used in the traditional recipe has a white or light yellow flesh with a red outer skin. You can find it in most international grocery stores under the name “batata.” The batata potato is much firmer when made into pudding, making it easier to slice and serve that way. My recipe is more of a pudding-like consistency. If you’re looking for a recipe using batata potatoes, try this Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding recipe. 
  • The traditional recipe calls for grating the sweet potato on the side of a box grater with the smallest holes. I’ve done it that way but prefer to use my blender for a smooth consistency. Plus it’s much easier. 
  • I use canned coconut milk as it’s easier than using block coconut or fresh coconut. 

Now that I’ve cleared that up, let’s get into how to make this yummy pudding.

How to make Sweet Potato Pudding

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. We need it nice and warm to bake in. 

Then, you’ll grab 2 lbs of sweet potato. Wash, peel, and chop your sweet potato into large chunks. Then add the sweet potato to your blender with the coconut milk. Blend until your mixture is smooth. I tend to do 2 batches to ensure the mixture is blended smooth and there are no large chunks. 

sweet potato chunks in bender with coconut milk on bottom
pureed sweet potato and coconut milk in blender

Once your sweet potato and coconut milk are blended, add the puree to a large bowl. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, allspice, and nutmeg to the bowl and stir to combine.

sweet potato puree with sugar and spices in a bowl

Then add in your flour and stir to combine. I add the flour in my sifting it in but don’t stress if you don’t have one of these fancy tools. Sometimes I just skip the sifting as well. 

flour sifter over bowl of sweet potato puree
sweet potato puree in bowl sith spoon sticking out

Then pour the mixture into an 8x8 baking dish.

sweet potato mixture in 8x8 baking dish

Place in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick entered in the center comes out clean. 

baked sweet potato pudding in baking dish

Cool and serve and enjoy.

Pro tip: This recipe is good when eaten right away but is even more amazing when served the next day. 

Eat it as is or top with a scoop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

sweet potato pudding in glass jar with a scoop of ice cream in front of blender

Looking for more Caribbean recipes? Try these out:

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4.34 from 6 votes

Jamaican Inspired Sweet Potato Pudding

This Sweet Potato Pudding is inspired by a Jamaican pudding I grew up eating. Sweet potato, coconut milk, and fragrant spices make this the perfect pudding for any occasion. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: jamaican sweet potato pudding, sweet potato pudding
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 391kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs raw sweet potato peeled and chopped
  • 13.6 oz can coconut milk
  • 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Dash of browning optional
  • 2 ½ cups flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Add sweet potato and coconut milk to blender. Blend on medium speed for 30 seconds or until sweet potatoes are pureed.
  • Place puree in a large bowl and add the remainder of the ingredients and stir.
  • Pour into an 8x8 baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until pudding is set and toothpick entered in the center comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool in baking dish and enjoy 🙂

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 12870IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

Jamaican Oxtails Recipe

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This Jamaican Oxtails Recipe is fall off the bone tender and full of amazing flavor. It can be made in about an hour with your pressure cooker or cook it low and slow in a slow cooker.

jamaican oxtail in a white bowl with blue napkin in background

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

If you ever ask me what my favorite Jamaican dish is, I’ll probably say oxtail. It’s a recipe that my mom would make for special occasions. I wish we could have eaten it weekly, but oxtail can be so darn expensive. So it became one of those special Sunday dinners or “let’s celebrate something” dinners. 

Oxtails usually take hours to cook. But wow, the flavor and the tenderness the oxtail brings are worth it. Lucky for me, I’m a pressure cooking fanatic and found that using a pressure cooker cuts the time of cooking oxtail by a ton.  For this recipe, you can use a pressure cooker or even a slow cooker.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Oxtail - Choose beef oxtail that is medium in size and of a similar size. Try to choose oxtail pieces that do not have too much fat on them.
  • Marinade Ingredients - Brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and allspice.
  • Other Ingredients - vegetable oil, yellow onion, green onion, garlic, carrots, scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), beef broth, thyme, cornstarch, water, and butterbeans.

How to Make Jamaican Oxtails and Gravy

First, I mise en place my ingredients by chopping my onions, garlic, and scotch bonnet or habanero pepper. Make sure to remove the seeds and membrane from the hot pepper, or your oxtail will be too spicy. 

Next, prepare your oxtails by cleaning them with a mixture of water and vinegar, then dry them off with paper towels. I know I know, they say not to wash your meat but my mom would cuss me out if I didn’t. So I do. 

raw oxtail pieces on a teal cutting board

Next, season your oxtails with brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, allspice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and browning. Use your hands and mix, ensuring that your oxtail pieces are fully covered. 

raw oxtails covered in seasoning in a bowl

Now you can decide at this point if you feel like marinating or not. If I’m pressure cooking or slow cooking, I usually skip this step, and the flavor is still pretty amazing. If you choose to marinate, marinate in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. 

Pressure Cooking Instructions

Turn the pressure cooker on the “high sauté” setting. If using an Instant Pot, select “Sauté and press the “+” button until it is the “more” setting. Once your Pressure Cooker is “Hot”, add your vegetable oil to the pot. 

Next, add your larger oxtail pieces to the pot, flat side down about ¼ inch apart, and brown on each side for about 2 minutes. Make sure you’re watching the oxtails at this browning stage, as you don’t want to burn the oxtail. If you do, your oxtail gravy will taste bitter later on. 

oxtail pieces in instant pot

You can choose to brown all your pieces of oxtails but I usually only brown the larger pieces of the oxtail. The smaller pieces usually don’t need browning. 

Once you’ve browned your oxtail, deglaze your pressure cooker by adding about 2 Tablespoons of beef broth to the insert. Take a wooden spoon and deglaze your pot by removing the brown bits at the bottom. Then add your yellow onions, green onions, carrots, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper. Stir and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions have softened. 

vegetables in instant pot insert

Add dried thyme, oxtails (and the liquid from the marinade), remaining beef broth, and ketchup to the pressure cooker insert. All the broth will not cover the oxtail. You don’t need it to. 

oxtails in insert of instant pot before cooking

Press “Cancel” on your pressure cooker. Cover with lid, making sure the valve is set to “Seal.” Set your pressure cooker to cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. 

Once your timer goes off, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release. All this means is that you don’t touch it. If you’re like me, you may anxiously stare at the pressure cooker waiting for your oxtail goodness. After about 25 minutes, all of your pressure should have been released. Double-check by making sure that the pin button has dropped or switch the valve to “Venting” to ensure all the pressure has been released. Press “Cancel” on the pressure cooker and then open the lid. 

oxtails in instant pot after cooking

Remove the oxtail pieces and vegetables from the Pressure Cooker and place them in a bowl, and set aside. I use a spider strainer for this step.

strainer removing oxtail pueces from instant pot

Then press the “Sauté button on your pressure cooker.

Once your liquid starts to boil, make a cornstarch slurry by whisking the cornstarch with water in a separate bowl. Slowly stir the slurry into the pressure cooker. Add drained butter beans to the pressure cooker as well and stir them in. Cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened a little and the butter beans are warmed.

corn starch slurry over instant pot
butter beans over instant pot

Return oxtails and vegetables to the pressure cooker. Serve and enjoy.

finished Jamaican oxtails in instant pot

Tanya's Notes on Pressure Cooker Oxtails

  • It’s best if all your oxtails are medium-sized oxtails that are similar in size. If you can’t get them the same size, no worries. It’ll still work. 
  • Oxtail that is too fatty will lead to fatty gravy. You want some fat, just not too much fat. If your oxtail is extremely fatty, use a paring knife to remove some of the excess fat. 
  • Scotch Bonnet is typically used for this recipe. If you can’t find a scotch bonnet, a habanero can be substituted. You could also use about 1-2 teaspoons of this scotch bonnet pepper sauce. 

Looking for recipes to serve this Jamaican Oxtails with? Try these out:

Other popular Jamaican recipes:

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If you've made this oxtail recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below. Your feedback is always appreciated!

Print Recipe
4.84 from 725 votes

The BEST Jamaican Oxtail Recipe

This Jamaican Oxtails recipe is the perfect Caribbean stew for dinner. Delicious and tender oxtail and butter beans that is cooked to perfection. Make it in the Instant Pot or any electric Pressure Cooker. Stove top and slow cooker instructions also included.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: jamaican oxtails
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 876kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs oxtails
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon browning
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 4 green onions chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic chopped
  • 2 whole carrots chopped
  • 1 scotch bonnet or habanero pepper seeds and membrane removed and chopped
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 16 oz can Butter Beans drained

Instructions

  • Rinse oxtails with water and vinegar and pat dry. Cover oxtails with brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, allspice, and browning and rub into oxtails.
  • Set Pressure Cooker on High Sauté and once hot, add vegetable oil. Next, add your larger oxtail pieces to the pot, flat side down about ¼ inch apart, and brown on each side.
  • Remove oxtail after browning and place in bowl.
  • Deglaze your pressure cooker by adding about 2 tablespoon of beef broth to the insert. Take a wooden spoon and deglaze your pot by removing the brown bits at the bottom. Then add your yellow onions, green onions, carrots, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper. Stir and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions have softened.
  • Add dried thyme, oxtails (and the liquid from the marinade), remaining beef broth, and ketchup to the pressure cooker insert.
  • Press “Cancel” on your Instant Pot. Cover and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Once timer is done, allow pressure cooker to naturally release.
  • Once all pressure has released, open lid and remove oxtails and vegetables, leaving liquid behind. Turn Pressure Cooker on sauté. Once liquid begins to simmer, create a corn starch slurry by combining corn starch and water to a separate bowl. Stir into simmering liquid. Add drained butter beans into pressure cooker and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, until liquid is slightly thickened and butterbeans are warmed.
  • Add oxtails and vegetables back to the pressure cooker. Serve and enjoy 🙂

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Prepare the recipe as instructed up until the oxtails need to be browned. Brown oxtail over medium-high heat on the stovetop in a skillet. Once oxtail are browned, deglaze skillet by adding 2 tablespoon of beef broth. Add onions and carrots to skillet and stir until onions have softened. Add these ingredients to the slow cooker as well as all remaining ingredients, except the butter beans. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until oxtail is tender. 30 minutes before serving, create a cornstarch slurry by combining corn starch and water to a separate bowl. Stir into slow cooker along with the drained butter beans.

Stove Top Instructions

  • Follow the instructions above and then rather than placing in a slow cooker or pressure cooker, cook it on the stove on medium low heat for about 3 hours, stirring occasionaly or until oxtails are tender. Add the butter beans when there is about 30 minutes left on the cook time.

Video

Notes

Notes on Pressure Cooker Oxtails
  • It’s best if all your oxtails are medium sized oxtails that are similar in size. If you can’t get them the same size, no worries. It’ll still work. 
  • Oxtail that is too fatty will lead to fatty gravy. You want some fat, just not too much fat. If your oxtail is extremely fatty, use a paring knife to remove some of the excess fat. 
  • Scotch Bonnet is typically used for this recipe. If you can’t find a scotch bonnet, a habanero can be substituted. You could also use about 1-2 teaspoon of this scotch bonnet pepper sauce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 876kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 90g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 312mg | Sodium: 2882mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 5261IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 13mg

Blender Whipped Cream

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This Blender Whipped Cream recipe is such a quick and easy way to make homemade whipped cream. Just a few simple ingredients, you can have your fresh whipped cream in less than a few minutes.

strawberry being dipped into whipped cream

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Quick and Easy Jamaican Banana Fritters

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These Banana Fritters are a delicious way to use up your ripe bananas. Fried to golden perfection, they are full of flavor and perfect for any meal. 

banana fritters on plate with hand touching plate

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

close up Tanya holding bowl

Growing up in a Jamaican household has its perks. Every Saturday morning, there was Beres Hammond or Bob Marley playing in the house as we cleaned, and if we children were good, Mom made us these delicious fritters.

Move over, banana bread, you’ve got some competition. I’ve been told I have a pretty amazing banana bread recipe (took lots of trial and error to get that one perfect), but I can’t believe I haven’t written about these banana fritters before.

They were a huge, yummy part of my childhood, and I’m excited to share them with you today. They are the perfect way to use those ripe bananas before they go bad.

Happy Cooking,

Tanya

How to make Banana Fritters

First, grab three ripe bananas and smash them together with a fork until they are mashed and a little watery.

bananas
mashed bananas

Then add your vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and salt to the bananas. Next, add your all-purpose flour. I use a sifter to add my flour. If you don’t have one, no worries, you can still make the recipe. I just find that the sifter allows my flour mixture to incorporate more easily into my mashed bananas. 

flour in sifter over bowl with mashed bananas

Stir with a spoon until your mixture is fully combined. Your batter should not be too thick or thin, but should flow easily off a spoon. 

mashed bananas mixed with all ingredients
mashed banana fritter batter sliding of spoon into bowl

Pour about ¼ cup of oil into a 10-inch skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Once your oil is hot, pour the fritters into the pan by the spoonful.

banana fritters cooking in oil

Once bubbles appear on the top of the fritter and the bottom is golden brown, flip the fritters and cook until the other side is brown as well. Mine takes about 2 minutes per side to brown. 

banana fritters frying in oil

Remove fritters from skillet and drain on a paper towel or cooling rack. Ya mon 🙂

banana fritters on white plate

Looking for more Jamaican recipes? Try these out:

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4.79 from 112 votes

Easy Jamaican Banana Fritters

These Banana Fritters are a delicious way to use up your ripe bananas. Fried to golden perfection, they are full of flavor and perfect for your breakfast meal.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: banana fritters
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 231kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas medium size, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • Oil for frying about ¼ cup

Instructions

  • Mash bananas with fork in bowl.
  • Add light brown sugar, vanilla, extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of salt and stir. Sift in flour and stir with spoon until fully combined.
  • Add oil to a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, drop banana fritter batter in oil by the spoonful. Once one side is golden and bubbles appear on the top, flip fritter and cook until the other side is browned as well.
  • Remove fritters and drain on paper towels. Enjoy 🙂

Video

Notes

  • The riper your bananas are, the sweeter your fritters will be. Modify the sugar amount to your preference.
  • The fritters are not meant to be fluffy like pancakes or bread. They are to be thinner and moister.
  • If using a cast-iron skillet, reduce the heat to medium rather than medium-high. 
  • It's best to cook these fritters in a non-stick skillet to avoid any sticking. 

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.7mg

Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe: Quick, Flavorful, and Perfectly Seasoned

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These Air Fryer Turkey Legs are roasted in the Air Fryer and are nice and crisp on the outside while perfectly juicy on the inside. Take a trip to your favorite fair with this easy recipe. 

roasted turkey legs in air fryer basket

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here. 

Full Recipe/Instructions can be found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card after the helpful tips and tricks in the post.

I’ve been thinking a ton about the Fair. It’s been a while since I’ve gone, but whenever I go, I always seek out the booth that sells the giant turkey legs. Holding a huge turkey leg while walking through the Fair brings back great memories. Forget the rides, forget the prizes; it’s all about the food. 

These roasted turkey legs would be perfect for a weeknight meal or even if you wanted to serve them up for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I cook them in the Air Fryer as it keeps the turkey leg nice and crispy on the outside and nice and moist on the inside. 

Ingredients Needed

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Turkey Legs - Choose fresh or fully thawed turkey legs, as these will cook more evenly and crisp better in the air fryer. Typically, grocery stores carry them in packs of two or three, and they are often around 10–12 ounces each.
  • Oil and Seasonings - Olive oil, smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, and garlic powder

How to Air Fry Turkey Legs

First, combine your seasonings. I use salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar. 

seasoning for turkey legs on a plate
raw turkey legs on cutting board

Pat dry your turkey legs, then rub your spice mixture all over your turkey legs. I make sure to rub the seasoning under the skin as well to get that flavor all over the meat. 

hands rubbing turkey legs

Then place the turkey legs in your Air Fryer basket. Lightly spray your turkey leg with a mist of cooking oil. I use my handy dandy oil spray bottle. I discuss more on why you should invest in a spray bottle in my 10 Air Fryer Tips and Tricks. 

raw seasoned turkey legs in air fryer basket

 Cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Flip your turkey leg and lightly spray again and cook for another 15-20 minutes. 

Remove your turkey leg. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure that your turkey leg is done. 

cooked turkey leg in air fryer basket

Serve and enjoy your delicious and juicy turkey leg 🙂

Notes on Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Legs

  • You should be able to find turkey legs in your local grocery store in the poultry section. They usually sell them in packs of 2 or 3. If you pick up a pack of lean turkey legs, adjust the cooking time. 
  • Different air fryers will require different cook times. Adjust your cook times accordingly. 
  • I don’t brine the turkey legs when making them in the Air Fryer. However, if you choose to brine, just make sure to pat the turkey legs dry before air frying.
  • Lean turkey legs will cook in less time. Cut cooking times in half.

Make Ahead Tips, Storage, and Reheating

  • Storage: Store any leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze cooked turkey legs by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the crispy skin. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, though the skin may be less crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Troubleshooting and Tips

  • Avoid Overcrowding: Ensure there is space around each turkey leg in the air fryer for even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches.
  • Skin Crispiness: For extra-crispy skin, pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly before applying oil and seasoning.
  • Reduce Temperature: If you notice the turkey legs are browning too quickly or starting to burn, reduce the air fryer temperature to 325°F. This allows the inside to cook without further darkening the outside. Different air fryers can vary in heat intensity. If you’re using a high-wattage air fryer, check the turkey legs halfway through the cooking time and adjust as needed.

Looking for more Air Fryer Recipes? Try these out:

roasted turkey legs in air fryer basket
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4.88 from 24 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe

These Air Fryer Turkey Legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These legs are perfectly seasoned and so easy to roast in your Air Fryer.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer turkey legs, roasted turkey leg, turkey leg recipe
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 988kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, garlic powder until fully mixed. Set aside.
  • Rub seasoning mixture all over turkey legs making sure to get under the skin as well.
  • Place in Air Fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil.
  • Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Then open air fryer basket, flip turkey legs and lightly spray with oil. Close Air Fryer basket and cook for 15-20 more minutes.
  • Remove and Enjoy 🙂

Notes

  • You should be able to find turkey legs in your local grocery store in the poultry section. They usually sell them in packs of 2 or 3. If you pick up a pack of lean turkey legs, adjust the cooking time. 
  • Different air fryers will require different cook times. Adjust your cook times accordingly. 
  • I don’t brine the turkey legs when making them in the Air Fryer. 
  • Lean turkey legs will need a lesser cooking time. Cut the cook times in half. 

Nutrition

Calories: 988kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 133g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 481mg | Sodium: 1666mg | Potassium: 1883mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 740IU | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 12mg

 This post was originally published on June 27, 2019. It has been updated with new information.

North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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This North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe is flavorful, tangy, and delicious. Covered in a vinegar-based barbecue sauce and pressure-cooked until it shreds beautifully.

instant pot pulled pork on bread as a sandwich

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

One of my favorite things about North Carolina is the BBQ. Fact is, North Carolina has the BEST BBQ... at least in my opinion. 

pic of Tanya

I’m a huge fan of vinegar-based BBQ and prefer it over other styles. There’s just something about the tanginess of vinegar and pork that makes my taste buds dance.

I used to make this recipe by placing a huge bone in pork butt in my slow cooker and letting it cook all day on low. But now, I use my Pressure Cooker. It cooks much faster without compromising on the same great flavor, and the texture is just as amazing.

If you have leftover pulled pork from this recipe, it goes well in this classic Brunswick stew. 

♡ Tanya

pulled pork on white plate

A Quick Look at The Ingredients

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Pork Shoulder/Butt - either cut would work; make sure you cut it into 3 large pieces, each about 1lb. This will allow your pork to cook and shred in the allotted time.
  • BBQ Seasoning/Rub - I like to use a homemade BBQ seasoning, but your favorite store-bought blend will work as well.
  • Liquid Smoke - this is kind of optional, I add this to the pork while it pressure cooks to add a bit of smoky flavor. Since classic NC BBQ is smoked, this will give our pork a little bit of that flavor.
  • Vinegar BBQ Sauce ingredients - apple cider vinegar, water, ketchup, light brown sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper

How to make North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork?

I start by cutting 3 lbs of pork butt into 3 large pieces. I don’t use the bone when making it in the pressure cooker, and cutting it allows my meat to cook a little quicker.

I then rub my pieces with a nice homemade bbq rub. You can follow my recipe or buy some from the store.

pork pieces covered in rub

Once my meat is fully covered, I set it aside and make my vinegar-based BBQ sauce. Vinegar-based BBQ sauce is thin, so it’s the perfect choice for your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Sauces that are too thick can cause the dreaded “Burn” signal in the Instant Pot. This sauce won’t do that.

Prepare the vinegar BBQ sauce by whisking together apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper flakes, and water.

vinegar bbq sauce in glass

Place pork pieces in the Instant Pot insert and pour 1 ½ cups of the vinegar based bbq sauce over the pork, reserving the remainder of the sauce for later.

pork pieces in instant pot

Cover and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Once done cooking, allow the Pressure Cooker to naturally release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. 

Remove pork from the Instant Pot and serve. Pour reserved Vinegar BBQ sauce over the meat for more flavor.

instant pot pulled pork on bread

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you're a fan of pulled pork, you'll love this slow cooker pulled pork recipe.

Looking for more Instant Pot Pork Recipes? Try this Instant Pot Pork Chops with Gravy Recipe.

This recipe pairs perfectly with our Vinegar Coleslaw.

Pin Instant Pot North Carolina Style Pulled Pork for Later 

pin image of pulled pork on bread
Print Recipe
4.82 from 38 votes

North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Tangy and delicious vinegar based pulled pork recipe made right in the Instant Pot.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot pulled pork
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 393kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

Vinegar Bbq sauce

Instructions

  • Whisk Vinegar Bbq sauce ingredients together, set aside.
  • Rub bbq rub over pork pieces, making sure all pieces are fully covered. Place pork in Instant Pot and pour 1 ½ cups of vinegar bbq sauce and liquid smoke in insert. Cover and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  • After 60 minutes, allow Instant Pot to naturally release for 10-15 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure.
  • Remove pork pieces from Instant Pot and shred. Drizzle with remaining vinegar bbq sauce when serving. Enjoy 🙂

Video

Notes

Notes: This BBq pork has been prepared in the Instant Pot DUO . I have also used the Ninja Foodi to prepare it as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 946mg | Potassium: 961mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 5mg

Homemade BBQ Seasoning

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This BBQ Seasoning is the perfect blend of spices to create your favorite barbecue flavor. With only 7 ingredients, you can make your own spice mix and pour it on your favorite meat, veggies, and so much more.

bbq seasoning in bowl with spoon sticking into it from left

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

close up Tanya holding bowl

I’m no newbie when it comes to making spice mixtures from scratch. I like to have premade mixes on hand when I need to season something quickly and don’t feel like searching through the hundreds (ok, maybe not that many) spices I have in my cupboard.

This BBQ spice seasoning is a favorite of mine. It has only 7 ingredients and can be made ahead for times when you want a quick dry rub for meats, a seasoning for vegetables, or even BBQ-flavored crispy chickpeas.

What is in BBQ Spice Seasoning?

I’ve tried many homemade spice mixtures, some with a few ingredients and some with a whole lot. I found that this mix was simple and delicious. I use the following:

  • smoked paprika
  • brown sugar
  • celery salt
  • garlic powder
  • dry mustard
  • salt
  • black pepper
spices separated on a plate

The smoked paprika is a must, in my opinion, for that nice smoky flavor. Celery salt is a common ingredient I use in marinades. I also use it for this sweet and sour dressing in this salad. 

Using BBQ Seasoning as a BBQ Rub for Meat?

I use dry rubs a ton to quickly season meat for a weeknight. I like to coat my meats heavily with it, making sure it’s fully covered. Here’s a great list of tips for applying a dry rub to your meats.

bbq seasoning in a jar with bbq spice label

How long will a dry rub store?

There are so many factors that affect how long spices last. This recipe makes enough for about 2 uses. I use about 2-3 tablespoons each time. So for me, it doesn’t tend to get stored for longer than 2 months.

If you want to modify the recipe or double it, triple it, etc, change the serving size in my recipe card below, and it will automatically adjust the amount of ingredients needed 🙂

I hope you enjoy this rub as much as we do.

This is great paired with our Homemade BBQ Sauce. Use both on chicken and pork, like these ribs.

Looking for other spice mixtures? Try these out:

Egyptian Dukkah Spice

Homemade Poultry Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Pin BBQ Seasoning for Later

pin image for bbq seasoning
bbq seasoning in bowl with spoon sticking into it
Print Recipe
4.73 from 40 votes

Homemade BBQ Seasoning

This homemade bbq seasoning is great for dry rubs, vegetables, or any other bbq flavored foods you love. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: spices
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq seasoning
Servings: 10
Calories: 33kcal
Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy 🙂

Notes

Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe if you like. Change the serving size in this recipe card to modify the ingredients.
Store in an airtight container for future uses.
Useful tools:
Spice jars with labels

Nutrition

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 2911mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1725IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Air Fryer Steak Fajitas

by 63 Comments

These Air Fryer Fajitas made with steak are a delicious addition to your Air Fryer meal rotation. Roasted peppers and onions with marinated steak pieces all made in one device, your Air Fryer.
air fryer steak fajita on a plate with cilantro and lime on the side

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (Mexican Street Style)

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Make this Air Fryer Corn on the Cob and cover it with Cream, seasoning, Cheese, and a squeeze of lime and discover the magic of Mexican Street Corn.

roasted corn covered with crema and cheese and chili powder

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Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

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Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans

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This Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans recipe is generally called "rice and peas" on the island. It's made with red kidney beans, coconut milk, and added spices.  Make it in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker for perfect results.

jamaican instant pot rice and beans in the instant pot

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Pressure Cooker Breakfast Recipes

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These Pressure Cooker Breakfast Recipes are the perfect way to start the day. Whether you have an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or any other electric pressure cooker, these recipes are perfect. From eggs, oatmeal, grits, and breakfast gravy. Make them ahead or for the morning of, whatever works best for you and your family.

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