20 Old Fashioned Southern Air Fryer Recipes That’ll Make You Forget the Deep Fryer Ever Existed
Jul 23, 2024
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Say goodbye to those greasy, deep-fried days and embrace the wonders of the air fryer! We’re bringing you a collection of old-fashioned Southern recipes that capture all the charm and flavor you love, but with a modern twist. These air fryer delights promise crispy, golden goodness without the mess, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite Southern comfort foods.
Table of Contents
- Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pickles
- Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (Air Fryer or Oven)
- Air Fryer Donuts
- Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza
- Air Fryer Nachos
- Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Best Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe
- Air Fryer Beets
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
- Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Shrimp
Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese
Enjoy a savory snack with bacon-wrapped halloumi cheese! This two-ingredient treat is both crunchy and cheesy, making it an irresistible bite. Perfect for parties or quick snacks, the air fryer ensures the bacon gets crispy while the halloumi stays perfectly melted. Air fryer bacon recipes like this are simple yet so satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pickles
Satisfy your cravings with air fryer bacon-wrapped pickles! These pub-style snacks feature crispy bacon wrapped around tangy dill pickle spears. They cook up perfectly in the air fryer, offering a crunchy and savory bite. Air fryer bacon recipes like this are great for game day or any casual get-together.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pickles
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (Air Fryer or Oven)
Make a gourmet appetizer at home with bacon-wrapped shrimp in the air fryer! These savory bites are easy to prepare and cook up quickly, offering a delicious blend of crispy bacon and tender shrimp. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, bringing a touch of elegance to your menu. Air fryer bacon recipes make entertaining simple and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (Air Fryer or Oven)
Air Fryer Donuts
These air fryer yeast donuts require just 5 basic ingredients and only 5 minutes to bake! They come out tender on the inside with a slightly crispy outside. Pair them with an easy 3-ingredient glaze!
GET THE RECIPE: Vegan Air Fryer Donuts
Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza
Enjoy the crispy perfection of Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza, where golden crust meets melty cheese and vibrant toppings. This easy-to-make recipe ensures every bite is packed with flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun twist on pizza night with friends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza
Air Fryer Nachos
Air Fryer Nachos are quick, easy, and incredibly crispy. Layer your tortilla chips with cheese, beans, and jalapeños, and let the air fryer work its magic. You’ll have a perfect batch of nachos in minutes, without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Nachos
Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Air fryer fried green tomatoes are a crispy, tangy treat that’s perfect for any Southern gathering. With their gluten-free cornmeal coating and vegan-friendly ingredients, they offer all the traditional flavor without the deep fryer mess. Serve them up with a side of remoulade sauce for extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Whip up these gluten-free, vegan hush puppies in your air fryer for a classic Southern side without the grease. They’re golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, with a hint of sweetness from cornmeal. These air fryer hush puppies are a perfect example of how you can enjoy traditional flavors without the deep fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Best Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe
This air fryer city chicken recipe brings a taste of tradition to your table with tender chicken skewers coated in a flavorful breading. They cook up perfectly crisp and juicy in the air fryer, making them a fantastic main course that will make you forget all about the deep fryer. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe
Air Fryer Beets
Air fryer beets are a simple yet delicious side dish that adds a burst of color and flavor to your plate. These earthy, slightly sweet beets are perfectly roasted in the air fryer, creating a tender inside with a crisp exterior. You’ll love how easy it is to enjoy this Southern favorite without the need for deep frying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beets
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Get ready for the fluffiest baked potatoes ever, thanks to your air fryer. Air fryer baked potatoes emerge with a crispy skin and a soft, fluffy inside. Just add a dollop of butter and your favorite toppings for a simple, satisfying side that makes you forget the deep fryer ever existed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potato
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
These air fryer potato wedges are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them the perfect snack or side dish. Seasoned with paprika and garlic powder, they’re flavorful and easy to make. These wedges show how the air fryer can replace the deep fryer while keeping that Southern charm.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer

Southern dressing gets a modern makeover with this easy air fryer recipe. Loaded with classic ingredients like cornbread, celery, and onions, it’s a comforting side that’s perfect for any occasion. The air fryer gives it a nice, crispy top while keeping the inside moist, making you forget the deep fryer ever existed.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
These air fryer chicken legs are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Seasoned with a blend of spices, they cook up perfectly in the air fryer, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat. Enjoy this traditional Southern dish without the deep fryer hassle. Pair them with a side of coleslaw for a classic Southern meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer
Enjoy a sweet and savory treat with bacon-wrapped pineapple bites! These delicious morsels are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, making them a quick and easy snack. The combination of juicy pineapple and crispy bacon is irresistible, perfect for parties or casual munching. Air fryer bacon recipes bring out the best in these flavors.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Enjoy a delicious low-carb meal with air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken breast! The chicken stays juicy, while the bacon adds a crispy, savory layer. It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, combining protein and flavor effortlessly. Air fryer bacon recipes like this one are great for those following keto or low-carb diets.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Making frozen salmon in the air fryer is quick, easy and delicious when paired with this simple maple mustard sauce. No need to defrost, cook straight from the freezer when you’re pressed for time!
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Marinated in a garlic, ginger soy sauce, air fryer salmon bites are cooked to tender perfection then served with the marinade transformed into a dip for extra flavor. It’s a simple salmon meal, perfect for weeknights that delivers big on taste.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Add a fun twist to your meals with bacon-wrapped onion rings! These unique treats combine the sweetness of onions with the savory crunch of bacon. Perfect for appetizers or side dishes, they cook quickly in the air fryer, ensuring a crispy finish every time. Bacon-wrapped air fryer recipes like this one are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Air Fryer Shrimp
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer is a breeze, giving you succulent, perfectly cooked shrimp every time. The shrimp are seasoned with garlic and paprika, creating a flavorful and easy-to-make dish. Say goodbye to the deep fryer and hello to this healthier, delicious shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp


