31 Fall Air Fryer Meals I’d Eat Straight From the Basket

When November hits and temperatures drop, the air fryer becomes my most-used appliance for warming meals. All 31 recipe ideas here taste best eaten immediately, still hot from cooking, while autumn evenings call for comfort without heating up the whole kitchen.

Fluffy Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes

Whipped potatoes come out surprisingly light when cooked in circulating hot air instead of boiling water. Fluffy Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes develop slightly crispy edges on top while staying cloud-soft underneath, creating texture contrast boiled versions never achieve. The speed means you can have these ready in half the time.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes

Hearty Air Fryer Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Layered morning meals bake evenly when hot air reaches every corner of the dish. Hearty Air Fryer Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines eggs, cheese, and crispy potatoes into one complete breakfast that emerges golden and bubbling. The compact size fits smaller households without leftovers sitting around.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Air Fryer Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Spicy Air Fryer Rattlesnake Bites

Jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon turn extra crispy when air circulates around each piece. Spicy Air Fryer Rattlesnake Bites deliver heat and crunch in every bite, the bacon crisping up without grease pooling underneath. These disappear so fast you’ll wish you made a double batch.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Rattlesnake Bites

Cheesy Air Fryer Ravioli Casserole

Pasta bakes transform in the air fryer, developing edges that get slightly crunchy while centers stay saucy. Cheesy Air Fryer Ravioli Casserole layers stuffed pasta with sauce and cheese, creating a meal that feels more interesting than simple boiled ravioli. The smaller portion size suits weeknight dinners perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Air Fryer Ravioli Casserole

Rich Air Fryer German Chocolate Cake

Dense cakes bake surprisingly well in compact air fryer baskets, emerging moist with lightly crispy tops. Rich Air Fryer German Chocolate Cake develops that characteristic coconut-pecan topping while the chocolate base stays tender. Making individual portions means everyone gets their own serving fresh from the basket.
Get the Recipe: Rich Air Fryer German Chocolate Cake

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Casserole

One-dish dinners simplify fall evenings when you want something warm without much cleanup. Easy Air Fryer Chicken Casserole combines protein, vegetables, and starch into a complete meal that cooks faster than oven versions. The circulating air ensures everything heats through evenly without stirring.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Chicken Casserole

Stuffed Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Peppers

Bell peppers filled with seasoned meat cook through completely while maintaining their shape. Stuffed Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Peppers combine two comfort food favorites into one handheld meal, the peppers softening just enough without becoming mushy. The air fryer prevents that watery bottom oven-baked versions sometimes get.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Peppers

Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Casserole

Leftover pasta transforms into something entirely new when baked with cheese until the top crisps. Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Casserole uses noodles you already cooked, layering them with sauce and cheese for a second meal that tastes intentional. The edges get crunchy while the center stays saucy and warm.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Casserole

Easy Air Fryer Lasagna

Layered pasta dishes cook more quickly in smaller portions that fit air fryer baskets. Easy Air Fryer Lasagna builds traditional flavors in compact form, the noodles, sauce, and cheese melding together while the top browns beautifully. No need to heat your whole oven for just a few servings.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Lasagna

Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Strips cook flat and evenly when laid out in a single layer with air circulating around them. Crispy Air Fryer Bacon comes out consistently done from end to end, without the curling that happens in skillets. The grease drips away naturally, making cleanup easier than stovetop methods.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Breaded chicken strips turn golden and crunchy without deep frying in oil. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders rival restaurant versions in texture, the coating staying crispy even as they cool slightly. Kids and adults both reach for seconds before the first batch finishes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Flaky Air Fryer Cod

White fish fillets cook through quickly while developing a lightly crispy exterior. Flaky Air Fryer Cod stays moist inside while the outside gets just enough texture to make it interesting. The mild flavor works with whatever seasoning you’re craving that day.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Air Fryer Cod

Tender Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs

Small meatballs brown evenly on all sides when air circulates around each one. Tender Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs cook through completely without needing to turn them halfway, the outside developing nice color while centers stay juicy. The creamy sauce can be added after or served alongside for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Tender Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs

Sweet Air Fryer Pecan Pie Cobbler

Fall desserts bake beautifully in smaller portions that satisfy sweet cravings without making a whole pie. Sweet Air Fryer Pecan Pie Cobbler combines nutty topping with soft filling, developing that caramelized top layer pecan pies are known for. Serving it warm from the basket means the topping stays crunchy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Air Fryer Pecan Pie Cobbler

Crispy Air Fryer Twisted Bacon

Spiraling bacon strips before cooking creates extra surface area for crisping. Crispy Air Fryer Twisted Bacon develops more crunch than flat strips, the twists holding their shape while fat renders away. These look fancy enough for brunch but take the same time as regular bacon.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Twisted Bacon

Copycat Air Fryer Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies

Thick, cake-like cookies bake in individual portions that emerge with slightly crispy edges. Copycat Air Fryer Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies replicate those bakery favorites at home, the centers staying soft while outsides develop light crunch. Making them fresh means you can eat them warm when they taste best.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Air Fryer Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies

Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Smaller turkey portions cook through faster than whole birds, fitting fall dinners that don’t need massive amounts. Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast develops golden skin while the meat stays moist, eliminating the hours of oven roasting. The compact size means you’re not dealing with leftovers all week.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Thick-cut sweet potatoes develop caramelized edges while staying soft in the middle. Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges hit that perfect balance between crunchy exterior and creamy interior, their natural sweetness intensifying as they cook. These taste better than any restaurant version I’ve tried.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Creamy Air Fryer Broccoli Soup

Vegetables roast first in the air fryer, developing deeper flavor before blending into soup. Creamy Air Fryer Broccoli Soup tastes richer than boiled vegetable versions, the slight char adding complexity. The process feels simpler than traditional soup-making while producing better results.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Air Fryer Broccoli Soup

Tender Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Whole sweet potatoes cook through completely without turning on the oven for an hour. Tender Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes emerge soft enough to split open easily, their skins getting slightly crispy while insides stay fluffy. The faster cooking time makes them viable for weeknight dinners instead of just special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Tender Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Soft Air Fryer Garlic Knots

Store-bought or homemade dough transforms into pull-apart bread with crispy outsides. Soft Air Fryer Garlic Knots bake quickly in small batches, staying warm and pillowy inside while developing golden exteriors. Brushing them with garlic butter right out of the basket makes them irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Soft Air Fryer Garlic Knots

Meaty Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms

Large mushroom caps cook until tender while developing concentrated flavor as moisture evaporates. Meaty Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms satisfy like meat despite being vegetables, their umami-rich taste intensifying in the hot air. Stuffing them with cheese or breadcrumbs turns them into complete meals.
Get the Recipe: Meaty Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms

Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf

Ground turkey meatloaf cooks through evenly in loaf form, developing a lightly crispy exterior. Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf stays moist inside while the outside gets texture, avoiding the grease that beef versions sometimes produce. Individual mini loaves cook even faster than full-size ones.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf

Smoky Air Fryer Pig Shots

Sausage wrapped in bacon creates intense flavor combinations that get extra crispy. Smoky Air Fryer Pig Shots pack double pork into bite-sized pieces, the bacon crisping around juicy sausage filling. These work as appetizers or protein-packed snacks straight from the basket.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Air Fryer Pig Shots

Rich Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Individual soup crocks fit in air fryer baskets, the cheese topping bubbling and browning beautifully. Rich Air Fryer French Onion Soup develops that signature caramelized cheese crust on top while the broth stays hot underneath. Making single servings means everyone gets their own perfectly browned portion.
Get the Recipe: Rich Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Hearty Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Southern breakfast classics layer together in one dish that bakes until golden. Hearty Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy Casserole combines fluffy biscuits with creamy sausage gravy, everything warming through evenly in the circulating air. The top biscuit layer gets slightly crispy while soaking up gravy underneath.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Colorful Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers filled with rice and meat cook through without becoming soggy. Colorful Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers maintain their shape while softening just enough to eat easily, the filling heating through completely. The variety of pepper colors makes the meal look as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Crunchy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Cut tortillas transform into crispy chips without deep frying in oil. Crunchy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips develop that lovely crunch while staying light, seasoned however you want them. Making fresh chips means they’re warm and extra crispy when you serve them with dips.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Caramelized Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Bite-sized pieces cook faster than whole potatoes, their edges caramelizing beautifully. Caramelized Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes develop crispy exteriors while staying creamy inside, the natural sugars browning and intensifying. These work as side dishes or snacks you can pop in your mouth straight from the basket.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

Individual tortillas topped with sauce and cheese become personal pizzas in minutes. Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza develops a crunchy base that stays crispy even under toppings, the cheese melting and bubbling perfectly. Making individual servings means everyone can customize their own.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

Cheesy Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole

Nutty wild rice bakes with cheese and vegetables into a complete side dish. Cheesy Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole brings earthy, fall flavors together in one pan, the rice staying tender while the cheese topping browns. The smaller portion size suits autumn dinners that don’t need huge batches of sides.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole