Diabetes-friendly Recipes for Your Air Fryer

What Is Air Frying?

Instead of using a pot of hot oil, the air fryer uses swirling hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. The food is placed in a wire mesh basket or on a rack to allow the hot air to circulate evenly around the food creating the same golden brown, crispy crust you get from frying in oil.

Air fryers are easy to use, cook food quicker than baking, and clean up easily. In addition to creating healthier versions of your favorite fried foods like french fries, onion rings, or chips, you can cook a variety of everyday foods like vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and more. 

Tips for Cooking in an Air Fryer

• Cut food into uniformly sized pieces for even cooking. 
• Spread the food in an even, thin layer in the air fryer basket. Crowding the food may make the finished product less crsipy. 
• A thin layer of oil will produce the same golden brown, crispy crust you get from frying. Use cooking spray or an oil mister to add a light, even layer of oil to the food. Or, toss the food in a bag with a small amount of oil to lightly coat everything. 
• An air fryer is also great for reheating foods, especially those with a crispy crust that you wish to keep crispy.

Try These Diabetes-Friendly Air Fryer Recipes

Coconut Shrimp

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Classic coconut-crusted shrimp gets a healthy makeover in the air fryer! Enjoy these crispy shrimp as a low-carb appetizer or pair them with a green salad for a balanced meal. 

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

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This recipe creates juicy, flavorful fried chicken by marinating the chicken in buttermilk, then coating it in a cornflake crust. Then the air fryer works it's magic and delivers this fried chicken that's crispy, tender, and loaded with flavor! Top this chicken with a reduced- fat Creamy Gravy, and pair with a side of Southern Collard Greens for the ultimate southern comfort meal!

Spicy Fried Green Beans

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Serve up a side of these crispy green beans instead of carb-heavy french fries for a satisfying way to eat more vegetables. Crispy panko and spicy chili paste add flavor and crunch.

Crisp Egg Cups

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You can make breakfast in the air fryer, too! These quick and easy breakfast cups can be prepared in minutes, then cook in the air fryer while you get ready for your day, meaning you can have a warm, satisfying breakfast, even on a busy day. Kids will love them, too!

Sweet Potato Nachos

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The air fryer makes it easy to make crispy homemade sweet potato chips that are low in fat. Using frozen chopped vegetables saves time, making this a quick and easy dish that can serve as an appetizer for a crowd or a vegetarian entrée.