Air Fryer Favorites for Memorial Day

Delicious & Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Your Memorial Day Celebration

This Memorial Day, elevate your celebration with a feast of incredible dishes, all prepared effortlessly in your air fryer! Forget slaving over a hot grill or oven when the weather outside is warm. The air fryer is your secret weapon for creating mouth-watering main courses, delectable appetizers, hearty sides, and irresistible desserts, all while keeping you cool and comfortable indoors.

We’ve meticulously curated a list of our absolute favorite air fryer recipes that are perfect for honoring and remembering on Memorial Day. From succulent steaks and juicy chicken to savory sausages, crispy peppers, and fall-off-the-bone ribs, you’ll find everything you need to build an unforgettable holiday menu. What’s more, we’ve organized these recipes into easy-to-navigate categories: main dishes, appetizers, sides, and desserts, ensuring you can quickly find exactly what you’re craving. Get ready to impress your family and friends with minimal fuss and maximum flavor!

Collage of photos of air fryer recipes that are great for Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a significant day in the United States, dedicated to honoring and remembering the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving our country. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and coming together with loved ones to commemorate their sacrifices and the freedoms we cherish. Often, these gatherings involve sharing good food and creating cherished memories with family and friends.

As the May heat often kicks in, especially in places like Louisiana where it’s already scorching, staying cool inside is a priority. That’s precisely why the air fryer becomes an indispensable tool for your Memorial Day feast. It offers a fantastic alternative to the outdoor grill or conventional oven, delivering perfectly cooked dishes with less heat, less oil, and significantly less cleanup. You get all the delicious flavors of a traditional holiday spread, but with added convenience and comfort.

So, as you plan your holiday menu, embrace the ease and efficiency of air frying. Enjoy preparing these Memorial Day recipes, and always remember to honor those who have served and given their lives for our freedoms. Let’s make this Memorial Day both delicious and deeply meaningful.

Below, you’ll find our hand-picked recipes categorized for your convenience: main dishes, appetizers, side dishes, and desserts. Each category is packed with easy-to-follow instructions that will make your holiday cooking a breeze.

Air Fryer Memorial Day Recipes – Main Dishes

When it comes to the centerpiece of your Memorial Day meal, the air fryer truly shines! From hearty ribs and savory sausages to perfectly cooked steaks and tender chicken, these main dishes offer incredible flavor and minimal effort. Skip the lengthy grilling times and enjoy beautifully cooked proteins that are sure to be a hit with everyone at your gathering.

Close up of country style ribs made in the air fryer with the air fryer in the background.

4.62 from 198 votes

Air Fryer Country Style Ribs

Air Fryer Country-Style Ribs are so juicy, tender, and full of flavor. If you love ribs, you will love making them in the air fryer.

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Country-style ribs are a hearty choice for any gathering, and the air fryer ensures they are cooked to perfection—tender on the inside with a delightful crisp on the outside. This dish offers a classic taste with modern cooking convenience.

AIr Fryer BBQ Ribs with extra sauce being added.

4.84 from 6 votes

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

These easy BBQ Ribs made in the Air Fryer are going to have you second-guessing every using the oven or the grill again. Make perfectly juicy, tender, Air Fryer ribs in just minutes. 

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For those craving that classic BBQ taste without the hassle of a grill, these air fryer BBQ ribs are a game-changer. They cook up incredibly tender and coated in your favorite sauce, providing a fuss-free holiday meal.

Italian Sausage in air fryer basket ready to eat.

4.75 from 8 votes

Italian Sausage in Air Fryer

Italian Sausage in Air Fryer is truly a delicious meal! Not only is this the best way to cook sausage quickly, but it makes an excellent option for an easy meal that everyone will love.

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Italian sausage cooked in the air fryer is wonderfully juicy and flavorful, making it an excellent main dish for a casual Memorial Day get-together. Serve it in buns or with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal.

Juicy brown hot dogs in buns in the air fryer basket.

5 from 5 votes

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air fryer hot dogs are juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, then added to a delicious crispy air fried hot dog bun.

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Hot dogs are a quintessential Memorial Day food. The air fryer ensures they come out perfectly cooked, with a slight crisp, and can even toast your buns for that ultimate bite. A quick and easy crowd-pleaser!

Sausage and peppers in an Air Fryer basket.

4.62 from 26 votes

Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers is a classic dish transformed and made in the Air Fryer. You’ll love how quick and easy this dish is to make, and love the flavors!

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This classic combination is incredibly simple to prepare in the air fryer, delivering perfectly cooked sausage and tender-crisp peppers with minimal effort. It’s a fantastic, flavorful option that’s quick to get on the table.

Brats and peppers in the basket of the air fryer.

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Brats and Peppers

Air Fryer Brats and Peppers are a delicious dinner idea that’s perfect for a small group and a favorite dish to serve at parties. Made with just a couple of ingredients for a quick and easy dish.

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Similar to Italian sausage, brats and peppers make for a savory and satisfying main course. The air fryer crisps the brats perfectly and tenderizes the peppers, making it a flavorful and easy meal for your holiday guests.

Juicy steak on a blue plate with sauce, fork, and knives on the table

4.74 from 34 votes

Air Fryer T-Bone Steak

Air Fryer T-Bone Steak is a delicious tender steak cooked to perfection and packed with flavor! It is the perfect way to make steak!

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Enjoy a perfectly cooked T-Bone steak with a beautiful sear and juicy interior, all achieved in the air fryer. It’s a premium main dish that brings restaurant-quality results to your holiday table without the fuss.

Juicy ribeye cooked steaks in the air fryer basket.

4.73 from 137 votes

Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

Making air fryer Ribeye steak is an incredibly easy way to make a delicious steak dinner. It’s done in just minutes and cooked to perfection!

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A thick, juicy ribeye steak can be achieved with ease in your air fryer. This method guarantees a perfect medium-rare (or your preferred doneness) every time, with a mouth-watering crust, making it a luxurious Memorial Day option.

Juicy garlic on a white plate with asparagus and potatoes, the steak is sliced with a fork

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Steak

This easy Air Fryer Steak makes a perfectly juicy steak, perfect for any weeknight meal or special occasion!

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Whether it’s a quick dinner or a special occasion, cooking steak in the air fryer delivers a juicy, tender result with minimal effort. Achieve that perfect medium-rare with a beautiful exterior, making it a stress-free main course.

Juicy close up of tuna steaks on spinach garnished with green onions

4.82 from 59 votes

Air Fryer Tuna Steaks

Air Fryer Tuna Steaks are a quick and simple weeknight meal. You can make this recipe from fresh tuna and a ginger and soy sauce marinade.

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For a lighter yet equally satisfying main, air fryer tuna steaks are an excellent choice. They cook quickly and perfectly, offering a healthy and flavorful alternative that can be enjoyed by all.

Overhead photo of air fried Mahi Mahi on a white plate with green beans and a lemon slice.

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

Delicious Air Fryer Mahi Mahi is perfectly flaky inside and has a succulent texture on the outside. It is a delicious fish recipe and comes out fork tender and buttery every time. 

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Enjoy perfectly flaky and succulent mahi-mahi every time with this air fryer recipe. It’s a fantastic light and healthy main course that doesn’t compromise on flavor, ideal for a warm Memorial Day.

Juicy seasoned shrimp on a white plate garnished with parsley flakes

4.84 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Shrimp

Air Fryer Shrimp is such a nice way to cook a tender shrimp recipe! Loaded with juicy flavor in every bite!

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For seafood lovers, air fryer shrimp offers a quick and healthy main dish bursting with flavor. These tender, juicy shrimp are versatile and pair well with a variety of sides, making them perfect for a festive gathering.

Seasoned cajun shrimp served on a bed of rice

5 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp

This air fryer Cajun shrimp recipe is so mouthwatering and full of flavor! With just a few ingredients, you have perfectly seasoned shrimp!

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Infused with the bold flavors of Cajun spices, these air fryer shrimp are incredibly delicious and quick to prepare. They make a vibrant and zesty main dish that’s perfect for adding a bit of kick to your Memorial Day spread.

Overhead shot of bacon wrapped shrimp made in the air fryer and topped with fresh parsley.

5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is made with just a handful of ingredients. It’s the perfect party appetizer or delicious snack – and it’s made in less than 15 minutes.

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While often served as an appetizer, these savory bacon-wrapped shrimp are substantial enough to be a delightful main course, especially when paired with light sides. The air fryer crisps the bacon perfectly while keeping the shrimp tender.

overhead photos of chicken thighs fully cooked in the air fryer and served on a white plate.

5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious and crispy meal that’s quick and easy with the air fryer. Made with chicken thighs, olive oil, and the perfect blend of seasonings.

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Air fryer chicken thighs are a foolproof way to get crispy skin and incredibly juicy meat. They’re a versatile and flavorful main dish that can be seasoned in countless ways to suit your Memorial Day menu.

Overhead shot of grilled chicken breast in the basket of the air fryer.

4.43 from 7 votes

Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast

You only need a few simple ingredients for this air fryer grilled chicken breast recipe. Perfect for meal prep!

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For a healthy and lean main course, grilled chicken breast in the air fryer is a superb option. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, ensuring moist and flavorful results that can be easily scaled for any gathering size.

Air fryer whole chicken fully cooked and in the basket of the air fryer.