23 Low-Carb Air Fryer Recipes for Spring
Light, crispy, and stupidly easy — your air fryer is officially spring-ready.
Overhead flat-lay shot on a light weathered oak wood surface. A black air fryer basket sits slightly off-center, filled with golden, herb-crusted chicken bites and vibrant green asparagus spears glistening with olive oil. Surrounding the basket: a halved lemon, a small white ceramic bowl of garlic aioli, a few sprigs of fresh thyme and dill, scattered cherry tomatoes, and a linen napkin in sage green. Natural window light floods in from the left side, casting soft shadows. The mood is airy, clean, and fresh — a classic spring morning kitchen vibe. Color palette: warm whites, sage green, golden yellow, and pops of red from the tomatoes. Shot styled for Pinterest recipe pins, 2:3 vertical ratio.
Spring rolls around and suddenly I want to eat food that actually feels light. Not sad lettuce-on-a-plate light, but genuinely satisfying, flavor-packed, crispy-edged meals that don’t make me feel like I swallowed a brick afterward. That’s exactly where my air fryer comes in, and honestly, I don’t know how I managed spring eating before it existed.
If you’re cutting back on carbs right now — whether you’re doing keto, just trying to eat cleaner, or you’re simply bored of pasta — these 23 low-carb air fryer recipes are going to become your new rotation. We’re talking spring vegetables at their best, lean proteins with killer seasoning, and sauces that make everything taste like someone actually put effort in. Spoiler: most of these take under 25 minutes.
I’ve also sprinkled in some tool recommendations that genuinely make air fryer cooking easier (not just fancier), plus tips I’ve learned from months of actual trial and error. Let’s get into it.
Why Low-Carb and Air Fryer Are a Perfect Spring Match
Here’s the thing about spring cooking — the produce is showing up. Asparagus, zucchini, snap peas, fresh herbs, bell peppers. All of it naturally low in carbs, all of it incredible when it hits the dry, circulating heat of an air fryer. You get caramelized edges, tender centers, and zero sogginess. It’s basically roasting, but 40% faster and without heating your whole kitchen.
On the science side, reducing carbohydrate intake has well-documented benefits. According to Mayo Clinic, low-carb diets can support weight loss, improve blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes — particularly when the focus stays on lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables. That’s exactly what these recipes are built around.
And because the air fryer uses minimal oil, you’re getting the crispy texture people love from frying without the calorie load. IMO, that’s the best trade-off in modern cooking. You’re not sacrificing anything — you’re just smarter about how you cook.
Pat proteins completely dry before placing them in the air fryer basket. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Dry surface = golden crust every time.
The 23 Low-Carb Air Fryer Recipes
1 Lemon Herb Chicken Bites
These are my go-to when I need something fast and feel like I’ve earned a real meal. Diced chicken breast, fresh lemon zest, garlic powder, dried thyme, a touch of olive oil, and salt. That’s genuinely it. The air fryer does the heavy lifting — you get golden, juicy bites with slightly charred edges in about 14 minutes.
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced into 1-inch cubes
- Zest of 1 lemon + 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
- Toss all ingredients in a bowl until chicken is well coated.
- Air fry at 400°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Serve with a quick squeeze of fresh lemon over the top.
Love these? Get more herb-forward chicken inspiration with these air fryer lemon herb chicken recipes for spring.
2 Crispy Zucchini Fries with Parmesan
Cut zucchini into sticks, coat in a mix of almond flour and finely grated parmesan, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and let the air fryer work its magic. These come out genuinely crispy — not “they’re fine for a vegetable” crispy, but actually crispy. Kids eat them without complaint, which is basically a Michelin star in my house.
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into fry-shaped sticks
- 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 egg (beaten), salt
- Dip zucchini sticks in egg, then press into almond flour-parmesan mix.
- Arrange in a single layer in the basket (don’t crowd them).
- Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once. Get Full Recipe
3 Air Fryer Asparagus with Garlic and Lemon
Asparagus in spring is basically cheating at vegetables. It’s already delicious — the air fryer just makes it extraordinary. Toss trimmed spears with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Eight minutes at 390°F gives you tender stalks with perfectly caramelized tips. Finish with a shower of lemon zest and you’re done.
4 Garlic Butter Salmon Bites
Cut fresh salmon into cubes, toss with melted butter, garlic, a pinch of smoked paprika, and a little dill. Air fry at 400°F for 7–8 minutes. The outsides caramelize while the centers stay buttery and tender. Serve over cauliflower rice or on top of a big spring greens salad. Get the full salmon bites recipe here — these are genuinely one of the best things I’ve made this year.
5 Crispy Chickpeas with Smoked Paprika
Yes, chickpeas have more carbs than pure proteins, but they’re packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and they satisfy that crunch craving better than anything. Rinse and completely dry canned chickpeas, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Air fry at 390°F for 15 minutes, shaking every 5. Store in an open container (not sealed) so they stay crunchy.
For chickpeas, dryness is everything. Spread them on a paper towel for 10 minutes after rinsing. Any trapped moisture = soft chickpeas. Nobody wants soft chickpeas.
6 Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs with Herbs
Skip the breadcrumbs — ground turkey meatballs hold together beautifully with just an egg, grated parmesan, and a handful of fresh parsley and basil. Season with garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Roll into balls and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes. They come out golden outside, juicy inside, and work with literally any sauce you feel like that night.
7 Stuffed Bell Peppers (No Rice)
Traditional stuffed peppers use rice as a filler. These use cauliflower rice instead, and the difference in carb count is dramatic (about 30g saved per serving). Fill halved bell peppers with a mix of seasoned ground beef or turkey, cauliflower rice, diced tomatoes, cumin, and a little cheese on top. Air fry at 375°F for 14–16 minutes. Spring peppers from the farmers market are especially sweet right now. Get Full Recipe
Kitchen Tools for These Recipes
A friend asked me what actually makes air fryer cooking better — not just prettier Instagram-worthy, but genuinely easier and more consistent. Here’s what I actually use and would genuinely recommend.
Physical Tools
Large Basket Air Fryer (5.8 Qt)
The basket size matters more than any other feature. A 5.8-qt means you cook a full pound of chicken in one batch, no sad second rounds. I use this large-basket air fryer and it cooks more evenly than anything else I’ve tried.
Mandoline Slicer
For zucchini fries, veggie chips, and anything that needs uniform cuts, a good mandoline pays for itself in the first week. I rely on this adjustable mandoline slicer for almost every veggie prep session.
Glass Meal Prep Containers
Low-carb eating gets so much easier when you’ve prepped containers ready to go. These airtight glass containers keep air-fried proteins and veggies fresh for 4 days without turning soggy.
Digital Resources
Air Fryer Spring Meal Plan PDF
A full 4-week low-carb spring meal plan with shopping lists and prep schedules. Grab the digital download here and stop staring at your fridge wondering what’s for dinner.
Low-Carb Macro Tracker Template
A simple spreadsheet (works in Google Sheets or Excel) that tracks your daily carb, protein, and fat targets alongside your air fryer meals. Download the tracker here — it takes about 2 minutes to set up.
Air Fryer Temperature Cheat Sheet
A printable reference card for cooking temps and times for every protein and vegetable in this article. Print it out and stick it on the fridge. You’ll use it constantly.
8 Shrimp with Garlic and Lime
Large shrimp cook in under 7 minutes in the air fryer, which means this recipe is faster than ordering delivery. Season with garlic powder, chili flakes, lime zest, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt. Air fry at 400°F for 6–7 minutes. Serve over a bed of sauteed spinach or cauliflower rice. The lime brightens everything up in that quintessentially spring way.
9 Cauliflower “Steaks” with Tahini Drizzle
Cut a whole head of cauliflower into 1-inch thick slabs, brush with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic. Air fry at 380°F for 16–18 minutes. While they cook, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, and a pinch of salt for the drizzle. This is one of those meals that looks like way more work than it is. Genuinely impressive for how little effort it takes. Get Full Recipe
10 Chicken and Broccoli Bites Bowl
Toss diced chicken breast and broccoli florets together with sesame oil, coconut aminos (your low-carb soy sauce swap), garlic, and ginger. Spread in the basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 13–15 minutes, shaking halfway. The broccoli gets slightly charred and nutty, the chicken stays juicy, and the whole bowl comes together with a drizzle of sriracha and sesame seeds.
11 Air Fryer Egg Cups with Spinach and Feta
Silicone muffin cups go straight into the air fryer basket. Crack an egg into each, add a small handful of fresh spinach, crumbled feta, and a pinch of chili flakes. Air fry at 330°F for 8–10 minutes depending on how set you like your yolks. These are excellent for meal prep — make six on Sunday and you’ve handled weekday breakfasts for most of the week.
12 Pork Tenderloin with Dijon and Herbs
Rub a pork tenderloin with Dijon mustard, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Let it sit for even 10 minutes if you have time. Air fry at 400°F for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The result is embarrassingly easy for how impressive it looks. FYI, this one is also great cold the next day sliced thin over a salad.
13 Air Fryer Snap Peas with Sesame
Snap peas in spring are sweet and tender, and they need basically zero intervention. Toss with sesame oil, a little coconut aminos, salt, and toasted sesame seeds. Air fry at 380°F for 5–6 minutes. They stay slightly snappy (pun fully intended) with just enough char on the edges. Outstanding as a side with any protein on this list.
14 Eggplant Chips with Za’atar
Thinly slice eggplant (use a mandoline if you have one), brush lightly with olive oil, and season with za’atar, salt, and a touch of garlic powder. Air fry at 375°F for 12–14 minutes until they’re crackling and golden. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend of dried thyme, sumac, and sesame — it transforms eggplant from boring to genuinely interesting. You can find it at most grocery stores or make your own in about 2 minutes.
15 Taco Bowl with Ground Beef and Lettuce Cups
Form ground beef into loose crumbles, season heavily with cumin, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, and a little oregano. Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, breaking up and shaking halfway. Serve in crisp butter lettuce cups with fresh pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and sour cream. This hits every single taco craving with a fraction of the carbs of a traditional bowl.
Season your proteins the night before and store them in the fridge. Even 12 hours of marinating makes a massive difference in flavor depth — and your weeknight dinner goes from 25 minutes to 15.
16 Cod Fillets with Herb Crust
Cod is flaky, mild, and takes flavor incredibly well. Press a mixture of almond flour, lemon zest, fresh parsley, dill, garlic powder, and olive oil onto the top of each fillet. Air fry at 390°F for 10–12 minutes until the crust is golden and the fish flakes easily. This is restaurant-quality fish with eight minutes of actual work. Pair with roasted asparagus from recipe three and you have a full spring plate.
17 Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
Halve the sprouts, toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar (just a drizzle), salt, and black pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway. The outer leaves get wonderfully crispy and slightly charred while the centers turn sweet and tender. If you wrote off Brussels sprouts years ago, this version will change your mind. I’ve made converts at multiple dinner parties with exactly this recipe.
18 Chicken Caprese Skewers
Thread cubed chicken breast, fresh mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes onto wooden skewers (soaked in water first). Brush with olive oil, dried basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 390°F for 11–13 minutes. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh basil. These are genuinely stunning — the colors are all spring and the flavors are all summer. Excellent for when you want something that looks like effort but isn’t.
19 Spiced Lamb Kebabs
Ground lamb mixed with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, garlic, fresh mint, and salt. Mold onto skewers and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, turning once. The spice profile here leans Mediterranean, and it pairs beautifully with a cucumber-yogurt sauce on the side. These are one of the most satisfying things I’ve made all spring — substantial, fragrant, and completely carb-conscious.
20 Portobello Mushroom “Pizzas”
Remove the stems and gills from large portobello caps. Fill with a spoonful of marinara (check the label — you want one with under 5g of sugar per serving), shredded mozzarella, and whatever toppings you want. Olives, peppers, fresh basil. Air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. I know “mushroom as pizza base” sounds like diet food punishment, but these are actually legitimately good. Get Full Recipe
21 Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Slice slightly firm avocados into wedges. Dip in beaten egg, then coat in almond flour mixed with smoked paprika, salt, and garlic powder. Air fry at 390°F for 7–8 minutes. They come out with a lightly crispy shell and creamy, warm center. Serve with a chipotle mayo dipping sauce (mayo + adobo sauce from a can of chipotles, lime juice, salt). These disappear so fast it’s almost offensive.
22 Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Take 3–4 asparagus spears and wrap a thin slice of prosciutto around the bundle. A tiny drizzle of olive oil, a crack of black pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. This is technically a side dish but I’ve absolutely eaten it as a full lunch with no regrets. The salt from the prosciutto against the grassy sweetness of spring asparagus is genuinely exceptional.
23 Mediterranean Chicken Plate with Olives and Tomatoes
Season chicken thighs with oregano, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve alongside halved cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta. Drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon. This is essentially a full Mediterranean bowl without the pita or grain base, and it’s one of the most complete-feeling low-carb meals I make regularly.
For more plates in this style, the Mediterranean chicken plates collection is worth bookmarking — they cover all the weeknight variations of this type of meal.
Making These Recipes Work for Meal Prep
Meal prepping low-carb air fryer recipes is probably the single most effective thing you can do for consistent, healthy spring eating. Most of these proteins keep well for four days refrigerated, and the vegetables reheat beautifully in the air fryer in just 3–4 minutes at 350°F. They actually come back crispier than fresh out of the oven — which, again, is one of the air fryer’s best superpowers.
A reasonable Sunday prep routine: cook a batch of the lemon herb chicken bites, roast a full sheet of asparagus and Brussels sprouts, and prep the egg cups for the week’s breakfasts. Store everything separately in your containers and you’ve effectively handled Monday through Thursday without much effort. For more structured weekly plans, these air fryer meal prep ideas for the week give you a full framework to follow.
One thing worth noting on the health side: research published in Harvard’s Nutrition Source found that low-carbohydrate diets emphasizing plant-based proteins and fats were linked to measurably lower risks of heart disease compared to high-carbohydrate patterns. That’s not a hall pass to eat exclusively bacon, but it is solid validation that cutting processed carbs in favor of proteins and vegetables like these recipes do is genuinely backed by research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make all 23 of these recipes in a small air fryer?
Most of them, yes — but you’ll need to cook in batches. The key rule is never crowding the basket. A single layer with a little space between pieces is what gets you the crispy results you want. A 3.5-qt basket is workable for most recipes here; you’ll just run 2 batches instead of one for the larger portions.
How many carbs per day does “low-carb” actually mean?
There’s no universal definition, but a consensus among nutrition researchers defines low-carb as roughly 50–130 grams of carbohydrates per day. Most recipes in this article come in under 10g per serving, which keeps you well within that range even if you’re eating three meals from this list daily. Always check with your doctor or dietitian if you have specific health conditions.
What’s the best oil to use in low-carb air fryer recipes?
Extra virgin olive oil is the most versatile and adds great flavor. For higher-heat cooking (anything above 400°F), avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is equally healthy. Avoid seed oils like canola or vegetable oil if you’re eating with health in mind — they’re fine occasionally but not ideal for daily use.
Are these recipes keto-friendly?
Most of them are — particularly the pure protein recipes (chicken, salmon, shrimp, lamb) and the non-starchy vegetable sides (asparagus, zucchini, Brussels sprouts). A few, like the crispy chickpeas, are lower-carb but not strict keto. If you’re following strict keto (under 20–30g per day), skip the chickpea and Brussels sprout recipes or adjust portion sizes accordingly.
Can I substitute almond flour with coconut flour in these recipes?
You can, but the ratio changes significantly. Coconut flour is much more absorbent than almond flour — generally use about 1/4 the amount called for if swapping. The texture will also differ slightly; coconut flour tends to produce a denser, slightly grainier crust. Almond flour gives a more neutral, crispier result, so it’s preferable here when you can use it.
Spring Eating Has Never Been This Easy
The beauty of low-carb air fryer cooking in spring is that the season is actually working with you. The produce is naturally low in carbs and extraordinary right now. The air fryer turns all of it into something genuinely craveable in under 20 minutes. And the cleanup takes about 90 seconds because, bless the air fryer, it’s essentially self-cleaning.
Pick two or three recipes from this list and start there. Make the lemon herb chicken bites and the asparagus this week, try the salmon bites on Friday, and do a proper meal prep Sunday with the egg cups and Brussels sprouts. You’ll quickly realize these aren’t diet recipes — they’re just good recipes that happen to be low in carbs.
If you’re newer to air fryer cooking in general, the easy air fryer recipes for beginners collection is a solid starting point before working up to the full list here. And if you want to go deeper into the spring angle specifically, these air fryer spring recipes that feel light and fresh cover even more seasonal variations worth saving.
Now go plug in your air fryer. Spring is short and the asparagus won’t wait forever.
