I think we all know that craving for crispy, fried foods, right? Well — this is the week that will satisfy your cravings for the crisp but keep you away from the extra oil and greasiness of traditional fried foods. Whip out your air fryer for a week full of air fryer recipes, plus a few stovetop classics that are just as delicious.
Mouth-Watering Monday: Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
There are few things more classic than chicken noodle soup, especially on cold days. The frigid days of winter are upon us (or at least, many of us), which calls for a bowl of soup that’ll warm you through to the bones and soul.
Hot tips
- If you have chicken bones or raw chicken, make homemade broth for an extra flavorful soup.
- Check out the recipe blog post for substitution or ingredient addition ideas.
- Use thin noodles like spaghetti, egg noodles, or ABC pasta. Thicker pastas can be used, but they tend to absorb a ton of liquid, especially after sitting.
Seafood Tuesday: Air Fryer Scallops
Scallops can be tricky to get right since they cook so quickly – but the air fryer takes the difficulty out of it. Plus, you get the perfect crispy exterior without the oil that traditional frying uses!
Hot tips
- Scallops are best eaten within 1-2 days, even when refrigerated. Make just enough that you’ll have for dinner tonight and possibly lunch tomorrow.
- Serve the scallops on top of Parmesan risotto and roasted veggies.
- Check the scallops’ internal temperature frequently with a cooking thermometer. You want them to barely reach 125°F to avoid a rubbery texture.
“Wing-it” Wednesday: Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Are you looking for a dinner than you can easily “wing” mid-week? These air fried chicken wings are definitely a “wing-it” kind of recipe. All you need is your trusty air fryer and a couple pantry staples I guarantee you already have.
Hot tips
- Feel free to “wing-it” even more and add any of your favorite seasonings to the wings. Literally anything goes!
- The trick for the crispiest wings is to pat them as dry as possible. The air fryer and spray of oil crisps them up, but it works the best when the wings are super dry to begin with.
- Serve the wings with ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or teriyaki sauce. For a carb-y side, use the already-hot air fryer to make air fryer french fries!
Tempting Thursday: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
The smell of these stuffed peppers coming from the air fryer is nothing short of amazing. I’m always tempted to take a bite of them before they’re done — they just look soo good and delicious arranged all neatly in the air fryer basket! Make them yourself and you’ll see!
Hot tips
- Make the filling up to two days ahead of time. Then, stuff the peppers and fry away for a quick Thursday night meal.
- Check out the blog post for ideas on additions and substitutions that fit your family the best.
- If you find yourself with too much meat mixture, save it for nacho night on Saturday.
“Finale” Friday: Lemon Chicken Pasta
For this week’s grand finale, we return to pasta. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been on a bit of a pasta break for a week or two to focus on less carb-heavy meals. But, we all need carbs in our life, and this lemon chicken pasta is my choice to end this week off well.
Hot tips
- Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water! Like many creamy pasta dishes, a splash of pasta water does magic to leftovers to make them taste fresh and juicy again!
- Rest the chicken. I find this tip to be really important with chicken breast (it’s not as needed with juicier cuts like chicken thighs). Wrap the chicken in foil after it’s done cooking and let it rest and slowly cool on the counter. It helps lock in the juices!
- If you’re looking to add veggies to the dish, opt for diced tomatoes, sautéed zucchini slices, or leafy greens like kale or spinach that wilt easily.
Dessert of the Week: Cranberry Almond Biscotti
Biscotti are perfect for dipping into your daily coffee. I’m a huge coffee drinker, so having a little snack to enjoy with my cup is a must. Another perk? Make a large batch of these and it’ll last you all week long (or more!)!
Appetizer of the Week: Mushroom Bruschetta
It doesn’t matter if you’re a mushroom lover or a mushroom hater, you’re going to love this appetizer. The mix of the crunchy bread and savory soft (but not mushy) mushrooms is a flavor combo you don’t want to miss. Here’s a tip — keep the mushroom mixture separate and assemble the sandwiches as needed. You’ll have an appetizer or snack ready for multiple moments this week.
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