Have Hangry Kids or Teens? Try These SIMPLE, 15-Minute or Less Air Fryer Ideas!
Do you love your air fryer?
Our Hip2Save team members are obsessed with their beloved air fryers, and these simple air fryer ideas and recipes are ones your kids will love! Air fryers are convenient, easy to use, easy to clean, and definitely a helpful kitchen appliance to have on hand with a busy family!
Awesome for hangry kids & teens!
I have so many reasons why I love my air fryer! One of my VERY favorite parts about air fryer cooking is my kiddos can use it when I’m too busy to cook. My kids are aged 10 and 13, and they can use it themselves to reheat leftover foods and heat up their own frozen entrees and snacks in a pinch! When having friends over, they can all congregate in the kitchen and make easy air fryer food themselves!
How we chose which Air Fryer foods made the cut:
At our recent team retreat, we gathered all our favorite pre-packaged foods to try! Most were purchased at Costco, so keep your eyes open for them (or at your local grocer) the next time you’re there. Collin actually posted this Facebook Live video of us taste testing, so check that out, too!
Hip Tip: When using the air fryer instead of your conventional oven, you can typically lower the cooking temperature by about 25 degrees from the conventional oven package directions. For instance, if your recipe states 375 degrees in the conventional oven, go with 350 degrees in the air fryer. You’ll also generally cook foods in the air fryer for at least 20 percent less time than in the oven (that said, this can vary based on what you’re cooking).
1. Jose Ole Beef & Cheese Taquitos
Beef, beans, and cheese rolled in yummy crumbly tortillas! My kids LOVE these, and we dip them in sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for a tasty meal or snack in minutes!
2. New York Bakery Garlic Knots
There aren’t too many who’d turn down a fluffy ball of bread that’s buttery and herb-seasoned! My goodness, these are a yummy snack or side dish to go along with spaghetti night.
“These were soft, buttery and had just enough garlic to make them amazing. If they told me they came from a restaurant, I wouldn’t have doubted it for one minute lol. And I could have eaten the whole plate.”- Mary
3. Farm Rich Mozzarella Bread Sticks
A game day favorite, mozzarella sticks are always a welcome snack, and this brand is DELICIOUS. Personally, these were my favorite item we tried! They are addicting and yum.
If you’re in the mood to make some from scratch, check out this recipe for homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks.
4. Jimmy Dean Delights Frittatas
If your weekday mornings are extra rushed and busy, try these yummy egg frittatas featuring bacon, ham, and veggies in the air fryer! These are also low in carbs if you’re doing the keto thing.
“The breakfast ones were good. I was worried they they would taste rubbery, but they didn’t at all and were yummy!” – Michelle
5. The Original Poppers Brand
If you want just an overall quick and yummy party appetizer, these jalapeno poppers are crispy on the outside and have melted cream cheese inside. Such great football watching food, too.
“These were really tasty and they crisped up perfect on the outside. Except you’ve got to be careful because the cream cheese is extremely hot right out of the air fryer.” – Emily
6. Prepared Jalapeno Poppers from Grocery Store
These were a favorite among all our low carb eaters! The bacon turned out crunchy, the cheese melted perfectly, and it’s overall a memorable snack, for sure! Personally, we buy these all the time from my local store and my family also loves them! So delish.
“I loved the grocery store bought non-breaded jalopeno poppers – I don’t feel like they would have been as good if they weren’t cooked in the air fryer!” – Erica
In case you don’t feel like buying them, check out our easy bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper recipe!
7. Tyson Panko Chicken Nuggets
If nuggets are a staple food for your kids, these panko-crusted ones are good! They come in a huge bag from Costco and are handy to keep around in the freezer for times you need a fast meal.
Check out this recipe for copycat Chick-Fil-A air fryer nuggets!
Want more fun and frugal air fryer recipe ideas?
Check out these yummy and easy recipes for the air fryer!
- Easy air fryer empanadas
- 5-minute air fryer donuts
- Cinnamon sugar churros
- Restaurant-style bloomin’ onion
Make veggies fun again with these 11 Air Fryer hacks!
We love taquitos in the air fryer. So quick and crispy
Oh yay- so GOOD!
Those poppers look yummy
Thanks Denise – yes!
Just like the chicken nuggets, the chicken patties make for a fast meal ready in a pinch! Although not 15 minutes, but about an hour, my favorite use for an easy dinner that cooks itself is a whole chicken and I have enough leftovers for another meal!
Yes agree! And yep a whole chicken is yum too 👌
How long you cook a whole chicken?
I usually cook my 4-5lb bird for 20-25 minutes breast side down and then another 20-25 minutes depending on the size. Check to make sure it’s done, if not, a little more time and then rest.
*Flipping it over at the half way point*
https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/recipes/cook-whole-chicken-air-fryer-hour/
In case this is helpful – here’s the recipe 👆🏻
Has anyone ever tried frozen eggrolls in an air fryer? I’m thinking the texture might be better than from the oven – but looking for some feedback! Thanks!
Yes we have! They are delicious 👍
I make frozen spring rolls from Costco in mine….SO GOOD!!!!
How long you cook chicken nuggets ?
I would say around 12 minutes at 400 degrees or until desired crispy-ness.
In the first picture there is a box with a Marie Calendar chicken pot pie. Did that cook ok in the air fryer?
Yes -basically most foods that can go in the regular oven are fine for an air fryer. 👍
What size air fryer cooks a whole chicken? I don’t have one but would love recommendations.
I have a 5 or 6 quart that fits a whole chicken nicely.
We throw frozen hash brown patties into the air fryer for a quick “out the door” breakfast in the morning.
Grilled cheese in the air fryer is great!
Ooo…yum! What temp and for how long?
Hope this helps! https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/recipes/grilled-cheese-air-fryer/
https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/recipes/grilled-cheese-air-fryer/
I don’t mean to be a downer, but a sixth grader at my kids’ school actually burned down his house because he was home alone and using the air fryer. He was okay, but the house was a total loss. There are many similar stories of terrible accidents with kids and air fryers. Be careful, folks.
Oh yikes! Ya definitely need to supervise kids in the kitchen 👍
How do you decide how long to cook foods in the air fryer? I’ve not seen any packaging yet that gives cooking instructions for an air fryer.
Great question! It seems that can vary a bit, however we do have this guide listed in the hip tip – “When using the air fryer instead of your conventional oven, you can typically lower the cooking temperature by about 25 degrees from the conventional oven package directions. For instance, if your recipe states 375 degrees in the conventional oven, go with 350 degrees in the air fryer. You’ll also generally cook foods in the air fryer for at least 20 percent less time than in the oven (that said, this can vary based on what you’re cooking).”
Hoping that helps!