My Favorite Air Fryer Recipes + Some I Want to Try!

Salmon, fries, and pizza, oh my! I love love love my Ninja 4 Quart Air Fryer and all that it can quickly and conveniently whip up for me. I have owned it since February 2021 and it has been one of my most favorite purchases. Over the past 7 months, I had experimented with and made some amazing recipes at the convenience and luxury of my own Air Fryer. Some of these recipes I never thought I could even make in an Air Fryer, either. Today, I will be sharing my favorite Air Fryer recipes and some that I want to try very soon!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

y Favorite Air Fryer Recipes!

  • Shrimp – Shrimp has been such an Air Fryer staple of mine! I do not even have to defrost it before adding it into the Air Fryer! I can add the seasonings before or after I simply air fry it, and it is so so so easy. Typically, I top my shrimp off with Old Bay Seasoning.
  • Pizza – Whoever thought you could air fry pizza?! I surely did not! Well, until I tried it! I have so far only air fried pizza with naan as the crust, since it can easily fit into my Air Fryer and only whip it up within 5-7 minutes.
  • Fries – I am such a quirky person when it comes to the texture of my fries! However, my Air Fryer can make me some pretty great fries. It takes about 10-15 minutes and I am set!
  • Crab Cakes – Crab cakes are so fun to make, yet they can take 20-30 minutes to bake in the oven. So, I tried them in the Air Fryer and discovered that I can make one of my favorite seafood staples for a much quicker time frame in it!
  • Salmon – Like shrimp, I do not have to defrost any salmon that I air fry either! In my opinion, it is pretty great when I do not have to defrost any of my seafood before cooking it. One of my favorite ways to cook salmon in the Air Fryer is to marinate it in of all things: Chick Fil-A sauce! Yes, Chick Fil-A sauce is incredible in the Air Fryer!!

Air Fryer Recipes I Want to Try!

Personally, I want to branch off a bit from the typical seafood recipes that I make in the Air Fryer! Needless to say, I have a few ideas in mind:

  • Bagel Bites – I saw this on YouTube one night and have been dying to try since! I have heard people RAVE about homemade bagel bites.
  • Pumpkin Seeds – If I can air fry some pumpkin seeds aka a Fall staple snack, then you know that I probably will!
  • Deep Fried Oreos – Back in my college days (which weren’t that long ago – HAH!), I went to the North Carolina State Fair every year where I would ALWAYS get some deep fried Oreos. With COVID-19, I sadly will be passing on the North Carolina State Fair this year, but I hope to bring some of it with me home to Washington, DC!

Through it all, I have LOVED using my Air Fryer! Not only has it saved me time, but it has also allowed me to enjoy some unique meals that I would not have anticipated I would ever try. If you are stuck on whether or not to purchase an Air Fryer, then I say GO FOR IT! Trust me, you will not regret it.

Shop my Ninja Black 4 Quart Air Fryer here!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

Weekly Menu Round-Up: March 1-5

As someone who loves a good menu, I am very excited about this week’s eats. This week’s menu consists of some recipes that have been family favorites in my Mom’s kitchen while growing up and also some that I have grown to love over the years. Everything for this week’s menu has been purchased from Aldi, and I have had such a fun time crafting it all!

Monday

So, tonight, I will be making my Mom’s Lemon Caper Salmon recipe with salmon filets and serving it with my favorite side dish of green bean casserole and roasted Brussels sprouts. To use the leftovers, I will be making a Lemon Caper Salmon Linguine Pasta and serving it with my new vegetable favorite of Sautéed Kale.

Tuesday

Another favorite of mine growing up has been crab cakes, so I will be enjoying some crab cakes with a side of roasted broccoli and a biscuit (and maybe a drizzle of Old Bay seasoning!).

Wednesday

Who doesn’t LOVE breakfast for dinner?! For Wednesday night, I will be making a fried egg over corned beef hash – a favorite of mine from my Papa’s and Grandma’s kitchen! In addition to my favorite breakfast recipe, I will also be having a good olde biscuit.

Thursday

Aldi has a wide variety of different raviolis, so I will be trying their spinach ravioli and having it with a buttery garlic parmesan sauce that I love to make (and is so so so easy to do!). On the side, I will be enjoying my favorite new Caesar salad twist – a kale Caesar salad!

Weekend

If you know me, then you know that I am a sucker for a delicious one pot recipe, so I will be making my Mom’s Dutch Oven Tuna Casserole recipe in my own kitchen. I could not be more excited to enjoy this few days-lasting casserole in my own apartment!!!

I am oh so excited to enjoy the many delicious kitchen favorites of mine in my own kitchen this week. A taste of home is always a great way to kick off the month of March!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

The Easiest Roasted Broccoli Recipe

I have always been a lover of cooking, especially recipes that are easy to make yet still taste AMAZING! Ever since I got my college apartment last year, I began to want to try many new recipes. One of my favorites of them all has been my Roasted Broccoli – something that has now become a staple in my kitchen. Today, I will be sharing how YOU can can a try to making your own version of my long and behold Roasted Broccoli in your own kitchen!

Easy Roasted Broccoli

  • Ingredients:
    • Broccoli florets/broccoli bunch (chopped into florets)
    • Olive oil
    • Sea salt
    • Cooking spray
    • Any other spices/seasonings to your liking
  • Directions:
    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees
    • Spray pan with cooking spray
    • Wash broccoli & place it on the pan
    • Drizzle broccoli with olive oil and sprinkle sea salt and any other spices/seasonings to your liking
    • Place pan in the oven for 25 minutes
    • Enjoy!

The best part of my Roasted Broccoli recipe?! You can make it uniquely your own by adding the spices/seasonings that you LOVE! Here’s to many enjoyable times in the kitchen with a healthy and delicious recipe!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Single Lady

Ahhh, the coveted February 14 is approaching us. Valentine’s Day is such a fun, love-filled day; however, it can be hard to embrace this special holiday when you do not have a significant other to spend it with. While having a significant other may make Valentine’s Day more exciting, it should not put a damper on the day. That being said, I decided to put together a list of five different ways that you can live your best single life as a single lady on Valentine’s Day! *Cues Beyonce’s Single Ladies*

1 – Shopping Spree!

I mean, who doesn’t love a great shopping spree?! Like many others, shopping has always been one of those activities that can easily brighten my spirits. I have always seen Valentine’s Day as a great time to treat one’s self. Around mid-February is also when many retail stores begin to carry their Spring merchandise. This means that not only will you get first dibs on some super cute Spring finds, but you’ll also be celebrating Valentine’s Day by giving yourself some love.

2 – Order Some Great Takeout

I don’t know about you, but if I’m not feeling 22, then I’m feeling some food! One thing that has remained a constant in my life is some great food, especially takeout. Valentine’s Day is a great time to show yourself some self love and treat yourself to some Postmates or UberEats from one of your favorite places. Food is ALWAYS a favorite, am I right?!

3 – Host a Girl’s Night!

One of the best ways to forget about being single on Valentine’s Day is to spend it with some of your favorite single ladies. Being with others who are in the same boat as you only helps relive what could have been a damper night. Another great thing about hosting a girl’s night is that there are literally ENDLESS possibilities for how you and your girls could spend it. From making fondue (check out this super easy non-fondue maker-friendly recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron) or brownies and ice cream sundaes, to watching a classic RomCom and testing out some new face masks from Target, or doing everything in between, a girl’s night is always an excellent way to spend V-Day!

4 – Get Out and Explore!

Travel has consistently been a favorite thing of mine! I have always been a firm believer that one can find something new in their own backyards. Have a museum or a park/trail in mind that you’ve always wanted to explore?! Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to check it out, while getting some me time in as well. One can also check out their city/town favorites again as well, as having a new set of eyes on a previously-seen place will only enrich your perspective of it. By seeing something old or new, you will be providing yourself with the opportunity to do something you have always wanted to do (and maybe even allowing yourself to feel less blue)!

5 – Take a Trip to the Animal Shelter!

Being on single on Valentine’s Day may make some people feel lonely. There are also many sweet dogs and cats that unfortunately may feel lonely daily in animal shelters. Visiting animals will not only cheer up your spirits, but you’ll make many animals’ days SO MUCH BETTER!!! Like ourselves, animals just want love too and showing it to them will only show yourself the beauty of animal love on a holiday founded upon love.

Being a single lady on Valentine’s Day can feel a bit drab to some, but it does not have to be. Although being single may be hard for us all single chickas out there at times, it is important to remember to strive to love yourself first before putting yourself in any kind of relationship. At the end of the day, it is about what you want both for yourself and in a potential significant other, and you will not truly know that until you fall in love with your one and only self. Be kind to yourself and show yourself love not only on Valentine’s Day, but today and everyday in between. Valentine’s Day is only one day. Go out there and have a Happy Valentine’s Day, you beautiful single lady <3

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment