13 High Protein Air Fryer Recipes to Fuel Your Body

Protein helps build muscle and keeps you full. Air fryers cook food fast and use less oil. This post shares 13 high protein air fryer recipes. Each recipe fuels your body with simple ingredients.

You get clear instructions and tasty results. These meals fit busy schedules and healthy goals. Readers enjoy easy steps and bold flavors.

The air fryer makes cooking quick and fun. Start with these recipes to boost energy and strength today.

Recipe 1: Air Fryer Chicken Breast

About: Chicken breast packs protein and cooks fast in the air fryer. This recipe uses basic spices for big flavor. You get juicy meat with a crispy outside. It works for lunch or dinner. Pair it with veggies or rice. Readers love the simple prep and tender bites.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil.
3. Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Sprinkle spice mix over chicken evenly.
5. Place chicken in air fryer basket.
6. Cook for 18 minutes. Flip chicken halfway.
7. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
8. Remove chicken and rest for 5 minutes.
9. Slice and serve hot.

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Recipe 2: Air Fryer Salmon Fillets

About: Salmon offers protein and healthy fats. This air fryer version gives crispy skin and soft flesh. Lemon and herbs add fresh taste. It cooks in under 15 minutes. Readers enjoy the quick cleanup and rich flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets (5 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Brush salmon with olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Sprinkle garlic powder, dill, and salt on top.
4. Place fillets skin-side down in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 10 minutes.
6. Check salmon flakes easily with a fork.
7. Remove and serve with a lemon wedge.

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Recipe 3: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

About: Turkey meatballs deliver lean protein with a juicy bite. The air fryer makes them golden outside. Use them in pasta or as a snack. This recipe keeps prep fast and fun. Readers like the hearty taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls.
4. Place meatballs in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 12 minutes. Shake basket halfway.
6. Check meatballs reach 165°F inside.
7. Remove and serve warm.

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Recipe 4: Air Fryer Steak Bites

About: Steak bites bring big protein in small pieces. The air fryer cooks them fast with a seared edge. Garlic and butter boost the flavor. Readers love the juicy texture and easy steps.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sirloin steak (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Toss steak cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place steak in air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 8 minutes. Shake basket halfway.
5. Melt butter in a pan.
6. Toss cooked steak in melted butter.
7. Serve hot.

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Recipe 5: Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers

About: Shrimp skewers pack protein and cook in minutes. The air fryer gives them a light crisp. Chili and lime add a zesty kick. Readers enjoy the fresh taste and quick prep.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, lime juice, and salt.
3. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
4. Place skewers in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 6 minutes. Flip halfway.
6. Remove and serve with lime wedges.

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Recipe 6: Air Fryer Tofu Cubes

About: Tofu cubes offer plant-based protein with a crispy edge. The air fryer makes them golden fast. Soy sauce and sesame add bold flavor. Readers like the chewy bite and easy steps.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz firm tofu (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. Toss tofu with soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and garlic powder.
3. Place tofu in air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 15 minutes. Shake basket halfway.
5. Check tofu turns golden.
6. Remove and serve warm.

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Recipe 7: Air Fryer Pork Chops

About: Pork chops bring protein and juicy texture. The air fryer cooks them fast with a crisp outside. Simple spices keep the taste big. Readers enjoy the tender meat and quick cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 2 pork chops (6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
2. Rub pork chops with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, and salt on both sides.
4. Place chops in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 12 minutes. Flip halfway.
6. Check internal temperature reaches 145°F.
7. Remove and rest for 3 minutes.
8. Serve hot.

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Recipe 8: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

About: Chicken wings offer protein and crispy skin. The air fryer makes them fast without frying. Hot sauce adds a spicy kick. Readers love the bold flavor and easy prep.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken wings
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp hot sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Toss wings with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Place wings in air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 20 minutes. Shake basket halfway.
5. Toss cooked wings in hot sauce.
6. Serve warm.

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Recipe 9: Air Fryer Egg Bites

About: Egg bites pack protein in a small size. The air fryer cooks them fast and fluffy. Cheese and bacon add rich taste. Readers enjoy the grab-and-go ease.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp cooked bacon (crumbled)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Silicone muffin cups

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
2. Whisk eggs, cheese, bacon, and salt in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture into silicone muffin cups.
4. Place cups in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 10 minutes.
6. Check eggs set in center.
7. Remove and cool for 2 minutes.
8. Serve warm.

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Recipe 10: Air Fryer Beef Jerky

About: Beef jerky gives protein in a chewy snack. The air fryer dries it fast with big flavor. Soy sauce and pepper add a punch. Readers like the homemade taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean beef (sliced thin)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
2. Add beef slices and marinate for 1 hour.
3. Preheat air fryer to 165°F.
4. Place beef strips in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 3 hours. Flip halfway.
6. Check beef dries fully.
7. Remove and cool before storing.

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Recipe 11: Air Fryer Tuna Patties

About: Tuna patties bring protein with a crispy edge. The air fryer cooks them fast and light. Lemon and dill lift the flavor. Readers enjoy the quick meal idea.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans tuna (5 oz each, drained)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. Mix tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon juice, dill, and salt in a bowl.
3. Shape mixture into 4 patties.
4. Place patties in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 10 minutes. Flip halfway.
6. Check patties turn golden.
7. Serve warm.

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Recipe 12: Air Fryer Chickpea Snacks

About: Chickpeas offer plant-based protein with a crunchy bite. The air fryer makes them fast and crisp. Spices add bold flavor. Readers love the healthy snack option.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz, drained)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Place chickpeas in air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 15 minutes. Shake basket halfway.
5. Check chickpeas turn crispy.
6. Remove and cool slightly.
7. Serve as a snack.

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Recipe 13: Air Fryer Lamb Chops

About: Lamb chops deliver protein with a rich taste. The air fryer cooks them fast and juicy. Rosemary and garlic add depth. Readers enjoy the tender meat and easy steps.

Ingredients:

• 4 lamb chops (4 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
2. Rub lamb chops with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle rosemary, garlic powder, and salt on both sides.
4. Place chops in air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 10 minutes. Flip halfway.
6. Check internal temperature reaches 145°F.
7. Remove and rest for 3 minutes.
8. Serve hot.