I finally joined the Air Fryer party, and it’s been a game changer, especially for handling my teenagers’ endless hunger without breaking the bank. You know how it is: they come home from school like a swarm of locusts, raiding the kitchen and leaving chaos in their wake. My grocery bills have skyrocketed—not just because prices are going up, but because my kids eat non-stop.

Pre-packaged snacks are a drain on my wallet, and even though my kids aren’t picky and will munch on fruits and veggies, those cost a pretty penny too. Between work and home, I don’t have time to cook from scratch all the time. That’s why I got an Air Fryer—it’s quick, cuts down on costs, and lets me whip up snacks without fuss.

Before diving into some of my go-to Air Fryer snacks, let’s talk about why it’s such a great tool. I have the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone 7.6L Air Fryer, which is perfect for a family because it has two separate cooking drawers. It wasn’t easy to figure out at first, but the included guide and cooking chart were super helpful. It lists times and settings for different foods, making it pretty foolproof.

The Ninja model I use has six cooking functions: Max Crisp for frozen foods, Air Fry for things like chicken wings, Roast for meats and veggies, Reheat for leftovers, Dehydrate for making crisps, and Bake for desserts and breads. It’s got crisper plates that are a breeze to clean—no scrubbing required. Plus, the DualZone Technology lets you cook different foods at the same time but finish simultaneously, perfect for complete meals.

Why choose an Air Fryer over a regular oven? It cooks faster, uses less energy (which means lower utility bills), and requires much less oil than traditional frying, making food healthier. Plus, the clean-up is minimal.

Now, onto the snacks that my teens can’t get enough of:

1. Flavored Tortilla Chips: Use leftover wraps, cut them into triangles, season, and pop them in the Air Fryer. They turn out super crispy and are perfect with dips.
2. Veggie Peeling Crisps: Instead of tossing out vegetable peelings, season them and air fry them. They’re tasty, eco-friendly, and healthier than store-bought crisps.
3. Crunchy Chickpeas: Coat canned chickpeas in a bit of oil and your favorite spices, then air fry until crispy. These are a hit and a healthier alternative to processed snacks.
4. Banana Chips: If you have bananas going brown, slice them up, give them a quick toss in lemon juice, and use the Dehydrate setting on your Air Fryer to make chewy banana chips.
5. Cheese on Toast: Nothing beats Air Fryer cheese on toast—crunchy, gooey, and ready in minutes. Great for using up stale bread and any cheese you have lying around.
6. Cheesy Crumpet Garlic Bread: Spread crumpets with garlic butter, top with cheese, and air fry until golden. It’s ridiculously good.
7. Boiled Eggs: You can even make boiled eggs in an Air Fryer—perfect for a quick, protein-rich snack.
8. Nutella Pastry Sticks: Use leftover pastry to make these sweet treats. Just twist strips of pastry with Nutella, air fry, and enjoy.
9. French Toast: Dip stale bread in a mix of egg and milk, then air fry. Serve with syrup or a sprinkle of sugar.
10. Pizza Wraps: Fill wraps with your favorite toppings, roll them up, and air fry until crispy. They’re like handheld pizzas.

Air Fryers are versatile and can handle nearly any snack you or your teens can dream up. Once you get the hang of it, you can start experimenting with your recipes, or better yet, let the teens take over and see what they come up with!