If you are planning on losing weight, you will need to pay more attention to what you eat. You should also consider the method of cooking when preparing your meals because that can also affect the nutritional value of the dishes. If you want to find a healthy way to prepare your protein and vegetable without compromising the flavour, you can try cooking them in an air fryer.

Like the rice cooker, an air fryer is a kitchen gadget that will make food preparation fast and easy. It can also help to reduce the fat and calories in your dishes because you will use less oil, compared to traditional cooking methods. Check out these great air fryers recipes that you can make when you are on your weight loss diet.

The air fryer is a great gadget to have in the kitchen to prepare healthier versions of your favourite dishes. Cooking meals in the air fryer will help to reduce the amount of oil that is used in traditional cooking methods. Here are some delicious and healthy recipes to add to your weight-loss diet plan.

Crispy Tofu Bites

Photo Source: Anh Nguyen (Unsplash)

Tofu is great for weight loss because it can help to keep you fuller for a longer time. It is also low in calories, high in protein, and it is rich in calcium and magnesium. There are plenty of ways to prepare tofu, but this method will give you crispy tofu that would be perfect for every meal. You also use them as a side dish for your meal prep plan.

To make this recipe, you will need:

• 1 block firm tofu, that has been pressed to drain excess water and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce, low sodium
• 1 tsp. seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. corn starch or potato starch

Place the tofu, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Toss everything together and set it aside to marinate for half an hour. Preheat the air fryer at 190° Celsius. When you are ready to cook, toss the marinated tofu in the starch and make sure every piece is evenly coated. Place the tofu in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes. Toss the tofu halfway through the cooking time to get all the pieces evenly cooked and crispy. Serve on its own or with your favourite dipping sauce.

Spicy Salmon

Salmon is one of the best types of protein that you can consume during your weight loss journey. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids but low in calories. You can prepare salmon on a regular frying pan but using the air fryer can help to get rid of any excess fat from the fish. This air friedsalmon recipe features a tangy and spicy seasoning, great for both lunch and dinner. You can have its own with a side of vegetable or with some brown rice.

For this recipe, you will need:

• 1 lb. fresh salmon
• ½ tsp. chili powder
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 whole limes (1 lime sliced thinly and 1 juiced)

Preheat your air fryer at 190° Celsius. Season the piece of salmon with chili powder, pepper, and salt. Take the lime slices and place them on top of the seasoned salmon. Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. You can use a meat thermometer to check if the salmon is fully cooked. The thickest part of the fish would be around 65° Celsius. Take the salmon out of the air fryer and pour the lime juice onto the salmon while it is still hot. Garnish with some chopped parsley and serve as a main dish or with some brown rice.

Crispy Cauliflower with Buffalo-Style Seasoning

Photo Source: Louis Hansel (Unsplash) 

Cauliflowers are high in fibre and low in calories, making them great vegetables to consume for losing weight. Most people will steam or blanch the cauliflowers, but if you want a new way to prepare cauliflowers, you can try this recipe out. Air frying cauliflower will make them crispy, and when you pair them with this seasoning, you will end up with a delicious cauliflower side dish.

To make this dish, you will need:

• 1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into bite-sized florets
• 2 tbsp. barbecue-style hot sauce (you can add more if you like spicy food)
• 1 ½ tsp. maple syrup
• 2 tsp. avocado oil
• 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast (you can also use cheese powder)
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. corn starch or arrowroot starch

Preheat your air fryer to 190° Celsius. Combine all the ingredients for the seasoning in a large bowl and toss in the cauliflower. Make sure every floret is well coated with the sauce. Add the cauliflower into the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes. Cook the cauliflower in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Halfway through the cooking, toss the cauliflowers to get them evenly cooked and crispy. Once all cauliflower is cooked, it is ready to be served. You can have them as a side dish or an appetizer.