20 Old Fashioned Southern Air Fryer Recipes That’ll Make You Forget the Deep Fryer Ever Existed

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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.

Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese

Five bacon-wrapped appetizers served on a bed of arugula with a side of dipping sauce.
Photo credit: LikeHotKeto.

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

A bacon-wrapped pickle being dipped into a white sauce.
Photo credit: My Air Fryer Kitchen.

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)

Three bacon-wrapped shrimp, sprigs of parsley, and a small dish of creamy sauce on a white plate.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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

Three stacked donuts with icing dripping down.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

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

Two flatbread pizzas on a tray.
Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

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

Loaded nachos topped with sour cream, black olives, green onions, diced tomatoes, refried beans, and avocado slices.
Photo Credit: Chenée Today.

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)

A stack of baked green tomato slices with a crunchy breadcrumb crust, garnished with chopped green onions on a white plate.
Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

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)

Several scoops of crunchy hush puppies with visible nut pieces, placed in a bowl.
Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

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

Two skewered chicken pieces coated in breadcrumbs, served with mashed potatoes and green beans on a white plate with a gold fork.
Photo credit: All in the Family Recipes.

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

A bowl of roasted beetroot chunks, glistening with oil and seasoning, with a spoon partially visible in the background.
Photo credit: Cook at Home Mom.

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

Two baked potatoes split open, each with a pat of melting butter and garnished with fresh parsley.
Photo credit: Organically Addison.

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

Seasoned potato wedges garnished with fresh parsley.
Photo credit: 100 Days of Real Food.

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

A baking dish filled with bread stuffing topped with fresh herbs, with a serving spoon on the right side.
Photo credit: Little Black Skillet.

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

A plate with roasted chicken drumsticks and fresh kale.
Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

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

A bacon-wrapped chicken skewer seasoned with pepper, set against a blurred white rectangular plate.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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

A plate with sliced bacon-wrapped chicken breast and roasted cauliflower florets.
Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

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

Maple mustard air fryer frozen salmon filet with broccolini on a plate.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

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

A plate with air fryer salmon bites, rice, broccoli and sauce on it.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

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

Three stacked, crispy bacon-wrapped onion rings.
Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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

Cooked shrimp with chopped cilantro.
Photo credit: Cook at Home Mom.

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

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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