20+ Fair Foods You Can Make in Your Air Fryer

Summer is here, which means the fair is coming to town! But, after the fair has come and gone, you can still make all of your favorite carnival goodies at home. And you can make them a bit healthier thanks to your air fryer. We've rounded up 22 fair food staples—from funnel cakes and fried Oreos to corndogs and mac and cheese balls that are air fryer-friendly.

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Skinny Air Fryer Funnel Cakes

top-down view of coiled "funnel cakes" dusted with powdered sugar

Yoly

If you thought a healthy-ish funnel cake didn't exist, you were wrong! Making it in an air fryer will give you that fair food taste you are craving, but with fewer calories.

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Air Fryer Corn Dogs

five breaded corn dogs on a white platter garnished with dollops of mustard

Soup Loving Nicole

Are you in love with this popular fair food? Then you'll be happy to know that you can make a way healthier version at home in an air fryer that still tastes great. "I just recently bought my air fryer and tried this recipe for my kids. They absolutely loved it," says home cook Janet Rivas.

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Air-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Spicy Marinara Sauce

top-down view of breaded mozzarella sticks with a glass bowl of marina for dipping

DotDash Meredith Photo Studios

There's nothing cheesy about eating mozzarella sticks at home, especially if you make them in an air fryer. Everyone will want to try these and they're so good that nobody will even realize they are eating a healthier version.

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Stuffed Air Fryer Potatoes

Stuffed Air Fryer Potatoes
Soup Loving Nicole

Leave the skins on these air-fried potatoes so they'll turn out nice and crispy. Then you can add everything you like to them, like cheese, bacon, and sour cream, chili, or whatever your fair-food loving heart desires.

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Air Fryer Corn on The Cob

two half ears of elote, garnished with cotija and chopped cilantro

Soup Loving Nicole

Roasted corn on the cob is always a favorite at the fair, and you can make it in your air fryer. "Yummy!! This corn was delicious. I'm going to keep it in the fryer for another 2 minutes next time to make the corn a bit softer. Very good," says reviewer FrackFamily5.

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Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies

Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies
lutzflcat

Use your air fryer to make these bite-size fried apple pies. "This was a very simple and sweet treat. I added more cinnamon and nutmeg to the apple filling for taste. I will be making these again, but will cut and use real apples instead of the can filling for a better taste," says home cook Sammi.

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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
Photo by Yoly.

Fair-food vendors figured out how to fry mac & cheese, and a new gut-busting favorite was born. Now, you can enjoy them (without the extra deep-fried calories) thanks to your air fryer. "These were very easy to make and very good! Next time, though, I will use Velveeta cheese because it melts much better than shredded cheese," says reviewer Jenny Deck.

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Air Fryer Oreos

a plate of powdered sugar-dusted fried Oreos, with one cut open to show the insid

Yoly

No kidding, you can make your favorite carnival dessert with just three ingredients and an air fryer. "Very easy and delicious. Make sure to spray your parchment paper before or the batter will stick to the paper. Will definitely make again. My boys and husband loved them," says reviewer StaceyAnn3.

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Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Air Fryer Hush Puppies
lutzflcat

Air-fry up a batch of these bites and imagine walking down the midway, taking in the sights and sounds of the fair, and munching on hush puppies.

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Air Fryer Apple Cider Donut Bites

Air Fryer Apple Cider Donut Bites
thedailygourmet

If breakfast fair foods are your favorite, then you have to make apple cider donuts in your air fryer. They'll be nice and crispy and ready to eat in no time at all.

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Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
lutzflcat

Have you ever made this Southern fair food in an air fryer? If not, you're missing out! "This is the first recipe I tried in my new Breville oven/air fryer. Fantastic! Everyone loved them. I'm making them again today," says reviewer Juan El Concinero.

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Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Deb C

If you love getting sweet potato fries at the fair, try making a healthier version in your air fryer. Trust us, they are so tasty. "Delish! I dusted mine with cinnamon sugar. SO GOOD," says home cook Donna Rose Dutchess.

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Air Fryer Tater Tots

Air Fryer Tater Tots
Deb C

Forget about heating up your oven, you just need to toss these tots in your air fryer and they'll be ready in no time. Plus, they'll be extra crispy and amazing no matter what dipping sauce you use. "Super easy. Tots were crispy and we topped them with Tillamook Cheddar cheese at the end," says reviewer Stephanie Traver Gaida.

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Air-Fried Jalapeno Poppers

Air-Fried Jalapeno Poppers
Momma GotABuzz

Once you try jalapeño poppers cooked in an air fryer, you won't go back. And you won't have to stand in a long, hot line at the fair to get your hands on them!

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Air Fryer Fried Pickles

air fryer fried pickles
fabeveryday

This crispy and satisfying snack is so easy to make thanks to pre-sliced pickle chips. Serve with tangy-spicy sriracha mayo for dipping.

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Air Fryer Portobello Pizzas for Two

Air Fryer Portobello Pizzas for Two
Air Fryer Portobello Pizzas for Two | Photo by Soup Loving Nicole.

You've got to have pizza at the fair, right? These air fryer portobello pizzas offer a healthier (and low-carb) approach, and you'll be surprised by how tasty they are. "Easy and delicious. Reheats well for lunch as well," says home cook Beth.

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Air Fryer Apple Fritters

air fryer apple fritters with glaze
Pictured: Air Fryer Apple Fritters. thedailygourmet

Warm and crispy apple fritters taste just as good in the air fryer, but with less grease. Drizzle with a caramel cinnamon glaze for an extra fair-food flair.

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Air Fryer Churros

churros dusted with cinnamon sugar
thedailygourmet

A delicious cinnamon-sugar churro with less guilt? Sign us up. "I made no changes and would definitely make these again," says reviewer Anthony Di Benedetto.

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Air Fryer Sugared Pecans

Air Fryer Sugared Pecans
Yoly

Do you love walking around the fair with a bag of candied pecans? This five-ingredient recipe couldn't be easier to make and they'll be ready in no time.

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Air-Fried Onion Rings

Air-Fried Onion Rings
Soup Loving Nicole

Breaded and crispy Air-Fried Onion Rings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones. These are the perfect snack when you're craving fair food served with your favorite dipping sauce.

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Air Fryer Beignets

Air Fryer Beignets
thedailygourmet

Delicious doughy beignets sprinkled with confectioners' sugar are made in less time and with fewer calories in the air fryer. "They came out moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and a medium sweet flavor. We liked them," says home cook Kate.

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Crunchy Air-Fried Jalapeno Slices

8235411-crunchy-air-fried-jalapeno-slices-soup-loving-nicole

These air-fried jalapeño slices are crunchier than deep-fried jalapeños and will satisfy your craving for something spicy. Serve with ranch for dipping.

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