5 Easy Air Fryer Weeknight Meals
Air fryer recipes make weeknight dinners faster, lighter, and kinder to digestion. These five meals use little oil, simple steps, and small portions — perfect for cooking for one or two.
These ideas are built for small households who want gentle, low-fat dinners. The air fryer gives a nice crisp without deep frying, which means less oil, less fuss, and easy portion control.
Each meal uses common supermarket ingredients. The main recipe below is scaled for 1–2 servings and keeps steps short so you can relax while it cooks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 small salmon fillets (about 6–8 oz total), skin removed if you prefer
- 1 small zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 6–8 baby potatoes, halved (or 1 medium sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped dill
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt or soft cottage cheese for a gentle sauce
- Optional serving: a small scoop of soft rice, mashed potatoes, or a piece of soft bread
You can serve this salmon with a small scoop of soft rice, mashed potatoes, or a piece of soft bread if you like.
Step-by-Step Recipe
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, toss the halved baby potatoes with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a few cracks of black pepper. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook 10 minutes, shaking once halfway.
- While the potatoes cook, pat the salmon dry and rub lightly with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, and a small pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add zucchini slices to the basket alongside the potatoes, leaving space for the salmon, and continue air frying 4 minutes.
- Gently place salmon fillets on top of the potatoes and zucchini and air fry 6–8 more minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork and potatoes are tender. Thicker fillets may need a minute or two more.
- Optional: Stir 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt with a little lemon juice and a pinch of dill for a soft, cooling sauce to spoon over the fish.
- Serve warm. For softer textures, mash the potatoes lightly and cut or flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces before serving.
Tips and Easy Variations
Easier to chew
- Flake the cooked salmon into small pieces before serving to make chewing simpler.
- Mash the potatoes lightly to create a soft base that’s easier to eat.
- Toss zucchini with a little butter or oil after cooking to soften it further.
Light and gentle
- Use just a teaspoon of oil to reduce fat while keeping a light crisp.
- Steam zucchini briefly before air frying if you want it very soft.
- Omit the yogurt sauce or use a small spoonful of Greek yogurt for a mild, cooling finish.
Protein & veggie swaps
- Swap salmon for small boneless chicken thighs, turkey cutlets, or firm white fish; adjust cook time as needed.
- Use parboiled carrots, peeled squash, or small broccoli florets as alternate vegetables.
- For shrimp meals, pair with broccoli for a quick tray-style cook in the air fryer.
Quick meal ideas
- Simple air-fried tilapia with steamed greens for a light dinner.
- Lemon-dill salmon for two when you want a slightly larger portion.
- Shrimp-and-broccoli tray with a squeeze of lemon for fast prep.
Storage and Leftovers
Fridge
Cool leftovers within 2 hours and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer
You can freeze cooked salmon and vegetables in a sealed container for up to 1 month; texture may soften on thawing.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 4–6 minutes or microwave covered for 45–90 seconds for softer results.
Conclusion
Try this air fryer salmon tonight for a quick, low-fat, low-prep dinner that feels homemade. The air fryer saves time, cuts oil, and makes small portions easy — great when you want simple, gentle meals with little cleanup.
Scale the recipe or swap proteins and vegetables as needed to keep weeknight cooking fast, satisfying, and easy on digestion.
FAQ
Can I use frozen salmon?▶
Yes. Thaw first for best texture, or increase cook time and check doneness carefully so the center reaches an opaque, flaky texture.
How do I check the salmon is done?▶
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and be opaque throughout; thicker pieces may need an extra minute or two in the air fryer.
