When you combine the limited living space and on-the-go lifestyle of college students, it’s always a recipe for convenience. The air fryer—a portable oven, of sorts—is popping up in dorms and apartments everywhere for its user-friendly, fool-proof cooking capabilities. Check out these fun and tasty recipes!

CRACK BREAD

What You Need

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 loaf sourdough bread
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Melt butter in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds.
3. Add olive oil, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the butter and stir.
4. Cut the bread half-way through in a diamond pattern.
5. Load the garlic olive oil butter into the cracks and crevices throughout the bread.
6. Add the cheese into each of the cracks.
7. Cook for five minutes or until the cheese is melted.
8. Cool before serving.

AIR FRYER CAULIFLOWER WINGS

What You Need

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 cup almond milk
• Hot sauce

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Toss together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, almond milk and cauliflower.
3. Cook for 14 minutes.
4. Dip in hot sauce.
5. Cook for six additional minutes.

KALE CHIPS

What You Need

• 6 cups chopped kale, stems removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix kale and olive oil together in a large bowl until kale is thoroughly coated.
3. Add garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and pepper to kale and toss until leaves are evenly coated.
4. Transfer a single layer of kale leaves to air fryer basket. Make sure they are evenly distributed.
5. Cook for six minutes.
6. Shake the air fryer basket to move the leaves around, ensuring leaves are evenly distributed.
7. Cook for two minutes more.
8. Transfer chips to a baking sheet to cool separated (or else they will steam and not stay crisp).
9. Repeat steps three to seven with the additional kale.
10. Enjoy immediately or allow to cool completely.
11. Store in a container for up to two days.

PORK BULGOGI BOWL

What You Need

• 2 pork loins chops
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 stalks green onion
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• ½ tsp ginger
• 1 tbs rice wine
• 2 tbs gochujang chili paste
• 1 tbs sesame oil
• 1 tbs sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Toss meat with mustard, cayenne, salt and pepper.
3. Cook in air fryer for 10 minutes.
4. Add green onions and cook for another five minutes.
5. Whisk ginger, garlic, wine, chili paste and sesame oil. Simmer sauce for five minutes on low heat.
6. Slice pork loin chops into bit-size pieces and top with sauce and green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds.

BEEF EMPANADAS

What You Need

• ½ lb ground chuck
• ½ yellow onion, minced
• 2 tbs piri piri sauce
• 1 tbs mustard
• 6 cubes cotija cheese
• 6 goya discos pastry dough

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 340 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook ground beef, onion and garlic until tender (about six minutes). Crumble with a fork and stir in the piri piri sauce.
3. Add beef and sauce mixture evenly to each empanada dough. Top with cheese and mustard.
4. Fold each in half and seal the edged with a fork.
5. Bake in air fryer for eight minutes, and flip halfway.

APPLE FRIES WITH SNICKERDOODLE DIP

What You Need

• 1 gala apple
• 1 tsp peanut oil
• 1 tsp butter, room temperature
• 2 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 oz Greek yogurt
• 2 oz caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Drizzle peanut oil over the apple slices.
3. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Mix the remaining ingredients until everything is well incorporated.
5. Serve apple fried with dip on the side.

words_emmalyse brownstein. photo_alexandra gaddy. design_isa marquez.

This article was published in Distraction’s summer 2021 print issue.