20 Easy Air Fryer Appetizers

There are so many reasons to love your air fryer, only one of which is its sheer versatility. You can whip up a frittata for breakfast, pork chops for dinner, Brussels sprouts to serve on the side and even chocolate chip cookies for dessert. And, while there are plenty of easy and delicious recipes that are well suited to this must-have gadget (including healthy ones!) there’s no denying that the air fryer is the appliance of choice when it comes to appetizers — especially golden-fried delicious ones! Whether you’re hosting dinner guests or entertaining a crowd, you’ll find that the air fryer is perfect for everyone's favorite small bites: stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, crispy taquitos and more. One of our favorite ways to put this countertop gadget to good use? These incredibly delicious arancini. The cheese-stuffed balls of risotto are rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs and air fried to perfection for an appetizer everyone is sure to enjoy.

These air-fryer shrimp are perfectly crispy and easy to make without the hassle of heating up a large pot of oil. Serve with our spicy remoulade, or substitute any of your favorite condiments for dipping.

Mushrooms stuffed with garlicky, cheesy breadcrumbs make a perfect appetizer for parties and gatherings. Best of all, there's no need for pots, pans or an oven!

You know you’ve reached buffalo cauliflower perfection when everyone proclaims these bites "as good as the best wings ever!" And that’s no big surprise: Cauliflower florets have the same crispy "fried" exterior and piquant buffalo flavor as the classic chicken variety. The secret lies in double breading each floret in cheesy breadcrumbs, then carefully coating every nook and cranny with nonstick spray. Serve this appetizer with your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing and watch it disappear in minutes.