If you’re on a weight loss journey, you don’t have to give up all your favourite dishes. Following a weight loss diet should not be about giving up things you love. Instead, make tweaks here and there to make those foods healthier. If your heart beats for fried food, try an air fryer instead! This handy kitchen gadget offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it uses hot air circulation to cook food, reducing the need for excessive oil.
Hence, for those on a weight loss journey, air fryer recipes can be a game-changer, allowing them to enjoy delicious dishes guilt-free!
Air fryer recipes for weight loss
Here are 5 quick but healthy air fryer recipes for weight loss:
1. Crispy baked sweet potato fries
Ingredients you will need:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss the sweet potato matchsticks with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Enjoy these crispy and nutritious sweet potato fries guilt-free!
2. Crunchy vegetable spring rolls
Ingredients you will need:
8 spring roll wrappers
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 carrot, cut into short pieces
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into short pieces
1/2 cup bean sprouts
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, bean sprouts, soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated ginger.
- Place a spring roll wrapper on a clean surface, add a spoonful of the vegetable filling in the center, and roll it tightly, sealing the edges with the cornstarch-water mixture.
- Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Lightly spray the spring rolls with cooking oil and place them in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Serve these crunchy vegetable spring rolls with a side of low-sodium dipping sauce for a delectable and healthy treat.
3. Air-fried cinnamon apple chips
Ingredients you will need:
2 apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Core the apples and slice them thinly using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife.
- In a bowl, toss the apple slices with ground cinnamon and granulated sugar (if using).
- Arrange the apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes until they become crispy and golden.
- These guilt-free cinnamon apple chips make for a delightful and healthy snack that satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your weight loss goals.
4. Air-fried stuffed bell peppers
Ingredients you will need:
4 large bell peppers (any color)
1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
Half kg ground turkey (or any ground meat of your choice)
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced zucchini
1/2 cup diced mushrooms
1 cup shredded cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the ground turkey until browned.
- Add onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms, cooking until softened.
- Stir in the cooked quinoa or rice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff each bell pepper with the mixture and top with shredded cheese.
- Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious air-fried stuffed bell peppers.
5. Air-fried okra (Bhindi)
Ingredients you will need:
Half a kg fresh okra, washed and dried
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Trim the stems of the okra and cut them into small slices.
- In a large bowl, toss the okra with olive oil until evenly coated.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the okra to the cornmeal mixture and toss until well-coated.
- Place the coated okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the okra is crispy and golden brown.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious air-fried okra!
These recipes are the perfect blend of health and taste, allowing you to stay on track with your weight loss goals. So try them out!
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