My college is known for their sports teams and challenging academics, but meals and food are far last on that list.
Finding meals in college can be tough— especially if your dining halls have a bad reputation. Tired of microwaving pizza rolls every night? So am I. These are some easy, budget-friendly air fryer meals that will keep you full and have you guessing why you ever got a meal plan in the first place.
Finding an Air Fryer Right For You
First things first, before purchasing an air fryer, double check that your facility allows them. Don’t get in trouble with this purchase.
Air fryers can get a bit pricey, especially when you’re a broke college student (like me!), but are worth the price. Depending on how large your space is, what you’re interested in cooking, and how much you’re willing to spend will determine the one you buy.
Amazon has tons of air fryer options that will meet your necessities and environment. The Dash Digital Tasti-Crisp™, priced at $49.99, is a good option for dorm rooms. Though it is on the pricier side, this air fryer is small enough to fit anywhere but still makes delicious meals.
Let’s be real— college students don’t have time for dishes. When you’re making meals or a quick snack in your air fryer in between studying for big exams, you don’t want to be washing the basket after each use. Even if you put the washing off, the build up of crumbs and grease can get a little frustrating to clean out.
Avoid the clean up with air fryer liners. These are one-time use, easy to dispose, and leave you with less dishes. If you’re looking for something reusable, there are silicone liners too, though those will have to be washed from time-time, if not after every use.
Before you begin experimenting with your new gadget, make sure to read the manual. Ensure there are at least 5-6 inches between the air fryer and its surroundings, it isn’t preheating with just liners, and is set away from any outlets.
Sides & Veggies
To make air fryer sides, the only ingredients you’ll need are your preferred oil of choice, whatever side you’d like, and your favorite seasonings.
Vegetables are so simple and quick to make in the air fryer, allowing your body to keep up with its essential vitamins and make a quick snack when you’re hungry.
You can air fry potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and even corn on the cob! With a little drizzle of oil topped with salt and pepper, it’s ready within minutes. This “recipe” can be used for most side dishes.
First, wash your hands. Don’t bring any of those nasty outside school germs into your meal.
Next, take out your side of choice.
Chop it up however big or small you’d like. Drizzle on some oil and use your hands to evenly incorporate. Do the same with your seasonings— sprinkle them on top and mix again to ensure every piece is coated.
You can preheat your air fryer if you’d like, but personally I have no patience and just let it cook while the air fryer is “preheating.” All air fryers have different power outages, so the temperature might differ depending on what you’re working with. To play it safe, I’d set the temperature anywhere between 320°F to no higher than 350°F.
I’d recommend letting them cook for about 8-10 minutes, but again, it might be different for your air fryer. To ensure nothing gets burnt (unless you like your sides burnt, no judgment!), check on them every 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket to flip around. Doing so will turn the pieces over, allowing each one to cook evenly.
Now, you have a tasty dish that would have taken forever in a regular oven. I bet it’ll taste better than the dining hall, too.
Minimal Effort Meals
Thinking of quick, easy meals can become rather difficult, especially when nothing on campus seems appetizing. These recipes take little time and hardly any effort, but remember to keep an eye on them and adjust any times and temperatures that best fit your satisfaction and air fryer.
Toast With Egg
Grab a slice of bread, an egg, and some sort of cup. Yes, a cup. Take the cup to push down onto the center of the bread, creating a circular indent, but be careful not to rip the bottom. Crack an egg into the hole and top with your desired seasonings.
Carefully place the bread with egg into the basket of your air fryer. Cook at around 350°F for about eight minutes or so. Cook the egg shorter for a runnier yolk and longer for more well-done.
Chicken
Surprisingly enough, numerous versions of chicken can be cooked in the air fryer. Whether it’s a chicken cutlet or just a seasoned piece, chicken is sure to keep you full and energized for the day.
Use oil, breadcrumbs, and seasonings— however you’d like to prepare your chicken. I’d recommend preheating and cooking at 375°F-400°F, but the temperature might be lower depending on your air fryer.
For chicken breasts, cook for about 15-20 minutes, and 20-30 minutes for thighs, flipping halfway. To make sure your chicken is fully cooked, cut it in half before eating. If it’s too pink, you can throw it back in for a couple more minutes until it’s cooked throughout.
Chicken can be served with rice, pasta (which can be made in the microwave), or another side dish from the air fryer, like broccoli or carrots.
Meatballs
For meatballs, you can use any meat of choice, whether it’s ground chicken, beef, or turkey. Plus, breadcrumbs aren’t a necessity for meatballs! All you need is the meat and your preferred seasonings.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and prepare your balls. Roll them using the palms of your hands until they are no longer flimsy and you are pleased with the shape. Once your air fryer is preheated, place your meatballs in the basket. Cook them for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Like the chicken, you can check if your meatballs are cooked by cutting them in half. If any additional time is needed, cook them in increments of two to four minutes until they are fully cooked.
Meatballs can be served with pasta and sauce, veggies, or even rice.
Hard Boiled Eggs
I just recently found out hard boiled eggs can be made in the air fryer, which is perfect for days when you need something quick. Though they take some time, you can make a couple to store in the fridge for the next few days.
Preheat your air fryer to 250°F, then carefully place your eggs in the basket (no pun intended). Let them cook for about 15 minutes for hard boiled, 12 minutes for medium, and nine to 10 minutes for soft. Immediately move them to a quick dip in an ice bath for five to 10 minutes. The shock of the cold water will stop the cooking process.
Hard boiled eggs can be served with toast, fruits, or topped on a salad.
Salmon
Though your roommates may despise you for this, you can also cook salmon in your air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F or 400°F. Coat the top of your salmon with any dressings, sauces, or seasonings you’d like. Cooking times will vary depending on the air fryer you have and the thickness of the salmon, but start at 8-10 minutes and add more time if needed.
Salmon can be used in a bowl with rice, veggies, or all together.
Dessert
After experimenting with new recipes in your air fryer, your sweet tooth may be craving a treat. Lucky for you, your air fryer can also make desserts. For these recipes, I’d heavily recommend placing parchment paper or tin foil in the basket, as you definitely do not want any past grease mixing with your sweets.
S’mores
Place a graham cracker on the bottom of the basket with a chocolate bar on top. At 400°F, bake for two minutes until mushy, but not melted. Pull the basket out and add a marshmallow, now cooking for only a minute and a half. Top with another graham cracker, and you have s’mores without a campfire, but in the comfort of your dorm.
Sheet Cookies
Sheet cookies don’t require an oven to be baked— they can be made in the air fryer, too. Temperatures and time may differ for you, but start at 300°F and bake the cookies for 5-6 minutes or until they are golden brown on top. If you notice that they aren’t cooking, try turning up the temperature and checking on them every two minutes or so. Keep in mind that cookies continue to bake when they’re set out to cool.
Box Brownies
Box brownies are my all time favorite, and now they don’t require a traditional oven.
Follow the instructions on the box to make the batter. Then, pour your batter into the basket. For the brownies especially, it’s crucial to make sure you have parchment paper or the silicone cover on the bottom of the basket.
Set the temperature to 320°F and bake for 20 minutes. Before letting them cool for 15 or so minutes, test the brownies with a utensil to ensure they’re fully cooked. If batter sticks to your fork, they need a couple more minutes to bake.
Top your air-fried brownie with ice cream, chocolate sauce, or some sprinkles.
Your air fryer is still perfect for your frozen foods, so don’t feel obligated to ditch them now that you’re a skilled cook. Dinosaur nuggets, frozen mozzarella sticks, and even hot pockets taste better cooked in an air fryer than in the microwave. By the time you’re done experimenting with new recipes in the air fryer, you might feel like a professional chef, maybe even considering trading your college classes for culinary school.
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