Photo courtesy of USA TodayIt should come as no surprise that the new must-have kitchen appliance for college students is an air fryer. This amped-up countertop oven allows unlimited cooking potential with its easy functions, half the cooking time, and healthier cooking options making the cleanup process a breeze. The meal possibilities are endless with this product and if you’re looking for some affordable college-friendly meals to prepare, then here are four delicious recipes to try.
Cinnamon French ToastFor breakfast, we’re kicking things off with my personal favorite, cinnamon French toast. All you’ll need for your French toast is bread, preferably Texas toast, milk, eggs, cinnamon, and sugar. This simple recipe makes six delicious French toast sticks.
Step 1Combine one cup of milk and three large eggs in a bowl together, making sure they are fully mixed.
Step 2Combine 1/4 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of cinnamon in a bowl that you’ll set aside for later.
Step 3Take two slices of bread, cut them into strips of three, and fully coat them in your milk and egg mixture.
Step 4Once all of the breadsticks are coated, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on all sides of the bread (feel free to leave this step out if you want classic French toast).
Step 5Line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper and place six French toast sticks in the air fryer basket at a time. Cook at 350 degrees for seven minutes and voilà. This dish can be paired with fresh fruit or warm maple syrup for a fulfilling touch.
‘Ooey Gooey’ Grilled CheeseFor lunch, I have chosen a delicious classic American favorite that is even better when air fried. This college-kid friendly meal is perfect for those who hate standing over the stove or for those trying to get the perfect cheese pull. All you need is two ingredients, bread and cheese.
Step 1Start by placing two slices of bread in your air fryer, followed by two slices of cheese on each slice of bread.
Step 2Top the cheese with another slice of bread and seal each corner of the bread with toothpicks.
Step 3Finally, cook the sandwich at 400 degrees for four minutes, then flip and cook for an additional two minutes. You can also add bacon, ham, avocados, or even tomatoes.
Tangy Orange ChickenMy copycat Panda Express orange chicken is the perfect meal for dinner. For this recipe, you will need one pound of chicken tenders, 1/4 cup of corn starch, one large egg, half a teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of pepper, paprika, Panda Express Orange Sauce, and garlic and onion powder.
Step 1The first step is to cut the chicken tenders into one-inch cubes and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder.
Step 2Crack one large egg into a bowl and whisk thoroughly. You’ll also need to fill a separate bowl with cornstarch and set it aside for later.
Step 3After that, drench the cubed chicken in the egg mix and then fully coat the chicken in corn starch.
Step 4Lastly, place the cubed chicken into the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Step 5Once the chicken is fully cooked, place it in a bowl with the Panda Express Orange Sauce and toss until each piece is coated to your liking. Serve with white or brown rice.
Classic S’moresFor dessert, we’re preparing a campfire staple. For this sweet treat, all you need is marshmallows, graham crackers, and a milk chocolate bar.
Step 1Start by placing four graham crackers flat in the air fryer basket, followed by two chocolate bar squares on each graham cracker.
Step 2At 390 degrees, cook the graham crackers and chocolate for one minute. This is just enough time to slightly melt the chocolate.
Step 3Top with marshmallows and cook for an additional two minutes at 390 degrees.
Step 4Carefully remove each graham cracker with tongs and top each marshmallow with a second graham cracker. Devour this warm and toasty s’more immediately, and feel free to share some with your roommates.