Easy Party Appetizers in the Air Fryer

My Easy Party Appetizers in the Air Fryer are perfect if you’re having friends over for Christmas or game day. This collection has some crispy wings, cheesy bites, crunchy snacks, and a few veggie ones.

They’re perfect for passing around, and your guests can eat them with their fingers.

Most of them take about half an hour, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all evening. There’s no deep frying in any of them.

The onion bhajis are vegan, and the cauliflower wings are great for vegetarians. At the end, I’ve added how many to make per person and which ones you can make ahead.

Each recipe below links to the full method.

Meat and Seafood Bites

1

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

These wings are tangy and fresh, with cracked black pepper in a light lemon butter glaze. You can make the glaze as they cook, and they’re ready in about 35 minutes.

Check out this recipe

2

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

These are sticky, smoky wings with crisp skin, and you don’t have to turn the oven on. I add the BBQ sauce at the end, so the sugar in it doesn’t burn. They take about 42 minutes.

Check out this recipe

3

Air Fryer Mini Sausage Rolls

Homemade mini sausage rolls have flaky, golden puff pastry around sausage meat seasoned with fennel seeds, garlic and herbs. I use ready-made pastry, so they’re easy to make in about 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

4

Air Fryer Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Mini pigs in a blanket are a simple party snack of cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon, with a honey mustard glaze. You can have a plate ready in about 20 minutes.

Check out this recipe

5

Air Fryer Steak Bites and Mushrooms

Steak bites and mushrooms in garlic butter are an easy appetizer for a dinner party. The steak stays tender inside, and they’re ready in just 15 minutes.

Check out this recipe

6

Air Fryer Panko Shrimp

Panko shrimp are a classic seafood appetizer with a golden, crunchy coating, and you don’t need a deep fryer. I serve them with a sweet chili mayo for dipping, and the whole recipe takes about 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

7

Best Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

They’re full of fresh crab flavor, with green onions, mayonnaise and a little Tabasco mixed in. They only take about 25 minutes, so you can make them on a busy weeknight as well.

Check out this recipe

8

Crispy Air Fryer Duck Spring Rolls

These crispy spring rolls are filled with tender roast duck, hoisin sauce, cucumber and green onions. You’ll need to thaw frozen wrappers the night before, and they take about 42 minutes.

Check out this recipe

Cheesy Bites

9

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Homemade mozzarella sticks are easier than you’d think, and they taste much better than the ones from a box. Freeze them for at least an hour before you cook them, or the cheese leaks out. With the freezing, they take about 80 minutes.

Check out this recipe

10

Air Fryer Halloumi Fries

Halloumi fries are a quick appetizer for a dinner party, with a crispy panko coating and a little paprika. You can coat them ahead, and they’re done in about 24 minutes.

Check out this recipe

11

Air Fryer Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

This baked brie looks impressive, but it only takes about 15 minutes. I wrap it in puff pastry with cranberry sauce and walnuts. You can use camembert instead.

Check out this recipe

12

Air Fryer Arancini (Risotto Balls)

Arancini are crispy risotto balls with gooey mozzarella in the middle, and you don’t need to deep fry them. They’re a great way to use up leftover risotto, and they take about 35 minutes.

Check out this recipe

Veggie Bites

13

Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings

These BBQ cauliflower wings are vegan, and you only need a few ingredients. They’re packed with flavor from smoked paprika, cumin and BBQ sauce. You’ll need about 30 minutes.

Check out this recipe

14

Air Fryer Vegan Onion Pakora (Bhajis)

Onion bhajis are a delicious Indian snack made with simple ingredients like onions, chickpea flour and cilantro. You can have a batch ready in about 19 minutes.

Check out this recipe

15

Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini sticks with a panko and parmesan coating are a healthier alternative to regular fries. They’re done in about 20 minutes.

Check out this recipe

16

Air Fryer Dill Pickles – Fries

Dill pickle fries are crispy and tangy, with a little Dijon mustard in the coating. They make a quick snack, and they’re ready in about 20 minutes.

Check out this recipe

17

Air Fryer Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms Without Cream Cheese

Stuffed mushrooms are a great vegetarian appetizer, and there’s no cream cheese in the filling. I fill them with shallot, garlic, parsley, parmesan and cheddar. They take about 20 minutes.

Check out this recipe

Crunchy and Roasted Snacks

18

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Homemade tortilla chips come out crisp and light, with just four simple ingredients. This is the quickest recipe here, ready in just 10 minutes.

Check out this recipe

19

Crispy Air Fryer Ravioli Without Breading

You can turn fresh or frozen ravioli into a crispy party snack, with no breading at all. I toss them in olive oil, parmesan and Italian seasoning, then serve them with marinara sauce. They’re ready in about 18 minutes.

Check out this recipe

20

Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts

Air fryer chestnuts are so much easier than roasting them in the oven, and they taste just as good. They take about 30 minutes, and they’re easiest to peel when they’re still warm.

Check out this recipe

21

Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds come out crispy and lightly salted, with a warm roasted flavor. They make a perfect snack, and a batch takes about 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

How Many Appetizers Per Person

Plan on about 6 pieces per person if you’re serving dinner afterward. If the appetizers are the whole meal, make 8 to 12 pieces each.

For a longer party, people usually eat about 5 pieces each in the first hour, then about 3 an hour after that.

For 8 to 10 guests, 3 different appetizers are plenty. For 14 to 16 guests, make 4 or 5. For a bigger party of up to 45 people, make about 6.

How to Cook Party Appetizers in the Air Fryer

• Preheat the air fryer for about 3 minutes if your model needs it.

• Spread everything out in a single layer, with a little space between the pieces. If they don’t all fit, cook them in batches.

• Shake the basket or turn the pieces halfway through, especially anything breaded.

• Pat the wings very dry before you season them. It’s the easiest way to get crispy skin.

• Have the first batch ready before your guests arrive, then keep cooking as the plates empty. Leave the breaded ones, like the mozzarella sticks and halloumi fries, until just before you serve them. They’re crispiest straight from the air fryer.

• Keep cooked batches warm on a baking sheet in the oven at 200° F (93° C).

• Serve each type on its own plate or board, with small bowls of dip for the ones that need it.

Party Appetizers You Can Make Ahead

• You can prepare the mini sausage rolls, wrap the brie and coat the arancini up to 24 hours ahead. Keep them covered in the fridge, and brush the egg yolk on the brie just before you cook it.

• Make the duck spring rolls ahead and freeze them. You can cook them straight from the freezer, but give them a few extra minutes.

• You can freeze the mozzarella sticks, arancini, mini sausage rolls and pigs in a blanket for up to 3 months.

• Stuff the mushrooms ahead and chill them until it’s time to cook. Don’t freeze them, though. They go soggy once thawed.

• Reheat anything you cooked ahead in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp it up. Add any sauce after reheating.

You’ll find more finger food in my Appetizers recipes.