4 healthy air fryer recipes you can cook in 15 minutes or less

Over the past few years, air fryers have become a much-loved staple in many UK kitchens – and their popularity shows no signs of waning.

In November, Argos reported sales of its top-selling Ninja air fryers were up 30% year-on-year. And a 2025 survey found that more than a third of Brits planned to cook at least some of their Christmas dinner in an air fryer.

When you’re looking for quick, healthy and warming meal options, air fryers can be a valuable tool. They often require no preheating and typically cook food faster than an oven, making them great for speedy meals.

They can help if you’re trying to keep an eye on the amount of fat you use when cooking, too.

“The good thing with the air fryer is you can use very little oil or even no oil at all, and it quickly crisps up your food,” says Clare Andrews, author of air fryer cookbooks including The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook 15 Minute Feasts.

If you’re looking for inspiration for some quick and healthy midweek meals or weekend brunches, Andrews has shared four recipes with Yahoo UK that cook in 15 minutes or less.

Air fryer mushrooms and butter beans on toast

Butter beans are a good source of plant-based protein and fibre. (Danielle Wood)

⏰ Cooking time

5 minutes prep, 10-12 minutes cooking

🍲 Why it works

Ideal for brunch, lunch or a lighter evening meal, this garlicky veggie dish can be made vegan by swapping the crème fraîche and feta for plant-based alternatives.

The butter beans are a great source of plant-based protein and fibre, and the air fryer gives them a golden, lightly crisped exterior. Mushrooms, meanwhile, can be a source of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight during growth – look for those with ‘high in vitamin D’ on the label.

🛒 Key ingredients

Button or chestnut mushrooms

🥗 Top tip

Serve with a poached egg for added protein.

👉 Get the recipe for button mushrooms and butter beans on toastAir fryer prawns pil pil pasta

A smoky, tomatoey sauce brings some sunshine flavour to winter days. (Danielle Wood)

⏰ Cooking time

5 minutes prep, 15 minutes cooking

🍲 Why it works

Many people think you can’t cook pasta in an air fryer, but while dried pasta isn’t typically recommended, this recipe uses fresh pasta that’s been softened in a bowl of boiling water first.

Smoky paprika and a garlicky, tomatoey sauce bring the flavours of Spain, while prawns are a great source of high-quality protein and vitamins, including vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, and B12 for energy.

🛒 Key ingredients🥗 Top tip

If using frozen prawns, defrost in the fridge and pat dry before marinating.

👉 Get the recipe for prawns pil pil pastaAir fryer kimchi fritters

Kimchi is a Korean dish made from fermented vegetables. (Danielle Wood)

⏰ Cooking time

8 minutes prep, 12 minutes cooking

🍲 Why it works

One of the trending foods of the past few years, kimchi is a Korean dish of salted, fermented vegetables. Found in most supermarkets, it adds a tasty kick to these veggie fritters, which are delicious topped with spicy sauce for a savoury brunch or lunch.

Some studies also suggest eating fermented foods could have health benefits, including supporting gut health and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

🛒 Key ingredients

Gluten-free self-raising flour

🥗 Top tip

Experiment with different vegetables, such as grated sweet potato and spring onions, depending on what you have in the fridge.

👉 Get the recipe for kimchi frittersAir fryer chicken Caesar skewer wraps

Chicken Caesar skewer wraps. (Danielle Wood)

⏰ Cooking time

5 minutes prep, 12 minutes cooking

🍲 Why it works

Perfect for speedy weeknight dinners, if you want to get ahead, you can marinate the chicken the night before so it’s ready to go when you are. Customise the wraps to your taste by swapping lettuce for spinach, or use wholemeal wraps for added vitamins and fibre.

You’ll need four soaked wooden skewers for this recipe.

🛒 Key ingredients🥗 Top tip

Cut chicken breasts into evenly sized pieces before skewering to help them cook at the same rate.

👉 Get the recipe for chicken Caesar skewers
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