14 Air Fryer Southern Favorites Anyone Can Make

Air fryers have reshaped home cooking by delivering the crisp textures and golden browning Southern food is famous for while using far less oil. This collection of fourteen approachable Southern favorites adapts traditional recipes for the air fryer, keeping soul-satisfying flavors intact while cutting grease and cleanup. You’ll find classics like buttermilk fried chicken, crispy catfish, hush puppies, and sweet peach cobblers alongside vegetable sides such as crispy okra and collard chips. Each recipe includes practical timing tips, seasoning swaps, and serving ideas so anyone can make a Southern feast at home.

1. Classic Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Juicy chicken pieces are marinated overnight in tangy buttermilk, then coated with seasoned flour and breadcrumbs before crisping in the air fryer. The hot circulating air creates a perfectly golden crust while keeping the meat tender and flavorful inside. With no deep-frying mess or excess oil, this dish delivers the rich Southern flavor everyone craves. Serve with hot sauce, honey or lemon for brightness, and remember to preheat the basket and avoid crowding to ensure every piece crisps evenly and beautifully.

2. Crispy Catfish Fillets

Cornmeal-crusted fillets are a Southern staple that adapt perfectly to the air fryer. Lightly misted with oil, they cook to a golden brown with a flaky interior and crisp exterior that rivals any fish fry. The texture is satisfying yet far lighter than traditional deep frying, making it easy for weeknight meals. Pair them with a tangy tartar sauce or a smoky remoulade, or build them into sandwiches with pickles and lettuce. Flip once during cooking for even browning, and serve hot for the best crunch.

3. Po’ Boy-Style Crispy Shrimp

Plump shrimp tossed in seasoned flour, panko or cornmeal crisp beautifully in the air fryer, delivering all the crunch with less oil. Once cooked, they’re ready to pile onto crusty French bread with lettuce, tomatoes and creamy remoulade for an authentic New Orleans experience at home. The shrimp finish in minutes, making this a quick but festive option for gatherings. Flip halfway through cooking to ensure an even golden crust, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture in every bite.

4. Hush Puppies

Golden-brown cornmeal fritters are a classic fish-fry companion, and the air fryer makes them lighter yet still crisp outside and tender within. Made with onion, buttermilk and a hint of sugar, they develop a subtle sweetness that balances savory mains. Perfect as snacks or side dishes, they pair well with fried fish, barbecue meats or simply a pat of butter. For best results, form small rounds, avoid crowding the basket and brush lightly with melted butter after cooking to add shine, moisture and irresistible flavor.

5. Honey-Butter Cornbread Muffins

These individual cornbread portions bake up with golden tops and tender centers in the air fryer. A drizzle of honey and melted butter brushed on while warm creates a glossy finish and enhances their sweet-savory flavor. They’re ideal alongside chili, fried chicken or even as a breakfast treat with jam. The compact muffin size ensures even cooking and easy serving. Grease the molds well, avoid overfilling and cook in small batches for consistent results that highlight the comforting taste of homemade Southern cornbread.

6. Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

Layers of chilled butter folded into soft dough rise tall in the air fryer, creating biscuits with golden tops and tender, buttery interiors. Their rich aroma and crisp crust rival bakery versions but with faster prep and cleanup. Serve warm with sausage gravy, fried chicken or fruit preserves for classic comfort. Avoid overmixing the dough, keep the butter cold for maximum flakiness and brush the tops with butter after cooking for shine and flavor. They’re quick to make yet timelessly Southern and soul-satisfying.

7. Fried Green Tomatoes

Tangy slices of firm, unripe tomatoes are dredged in cornmeal or seasoned breadcrumbs, then crisped to perfection in the air fryer. The result is a crunchy coating around a slightly softened, tart center, offering a snack or side that captures Southern tradition without excess oil. These pair beautifully with remoulade, ranch or even a sprinkle of sea salt. For best results, slice tomatoes evenly, flip halfway through cooking and serve hot. They’re perfect as appetizers, side dishes or layered on sandwiches for added flavor.

8. Southern BBQ Chicken Thighs

Air frying produces juicy chicken thighs with caramelized barbecue glaze that clings to each bite. The heat crisps the skin and locks in juices while intensifying smoky, sweet and tangy flavors. Serve with coleslaw, cornbread or pickles for a classic Southern plate. To achieve perfect results, brush sauce during the last minutes of cooking to avoid burning, flip once for even caramelization and rest briefly before serving. These thighs are equally suited for casual dinners or weekend cookouts with family and friends.

9. Sweet Potato Fries with Cinnamon

Hand-cut sweet potatoes tossed with oil, cinnamon and salt roast to crisp-tender perfection in the air fryer. Their natural sweetness deepens as edges caramelize, and the cinnamon adds a cozy warmth that pairs well with barbecue or burgers. Serve with a maple-yogurt dip or spicy aioli for contrast. To maximize crispness, soak the fries briefly in water, dry thoroughly and cook in a single layer with a mid-cycle flip. These fries bring a healthier, flavorful twist to a Southern favorite.

10. Air Fryer Okra

A Southern classic reinvented, okra slices coated with cornmeal or breadcrumbs cook up golden and crunchy without excess oil. The air fryer’s heat eliminates the slimy texture often associated with okra, leaving a tender bite inside and crisp coating outside. They make a perfect side or finger food with hot sauce or ranch. For best texture, coat evenly, avoid overcrowding and shake the basket halfway through cooking. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness, making this a modern, guilt-free take on a traditional dish.

11. Pecan Pie Bites

Mini versions of the beloved pecan pie caramelize beautifully in the air fryer, delivering nutty, toffee-like richness in portable form. A buttery crust holds a gooey filling loaded with pecans that bakes quickly in muffin tins or silicone molds. These bite-sized desserts are perfect for holidays, gatherings or weeknight indulgence. Cool slightly to allow the filling to set before serving, and garnish with whipped cream or maple drizzle. The air fryer ensures consistent browning while keeping prep simple and mess-free every single time.

12. Crispy Collard Green Chips

Thick, sturdy collard leaves transform into crisp, flavorful chips when brushed with oil, seasoned and air-fried. They offer a healthy yet Southern-inspired snack with a satisfying crunch, similar to kale chips but heartier in texture. Perfect as a side, garnish or guilt-free appetizer, they can be seasoned with salt, garlic powder or smoked paprika for variety. Dry leaves thoroughly before cooking to ensure crispness, and fry in small batches for best results. These chips make a clever, wholesome twist on traditional Southern greens.

13. Chicken and Waffles (Air-Fryer Method)

Achieve the ultimate sweet-savory pairing by air-frying seasoned chicken until crisp and serving it with hot waffles. The chicken’s crunch balances the soft, fluffy waffles, while butter and maple syrup tie everything together. Using the air fryer reduces grease but delivers the same irresistible texture. Heat frozen or fresh waffles in the same basket for quick serving. Always check the chicken reaches 165°F for safety and flavor. This dish is a show-stopping brunch or dinner that feels indulgent yet lighter and easier to make.

14. Peach Cobbler Cups

Sweet peaches spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar bubble beneath a biscuit-style topping in individual ramekins or muffin tins cooked in the air fryer. The result is a dessert that tastes homemade yet requires little effort, with golden tops and tender fruit underneath. These cobblers are portion-friendly and perfect for topping with ice cream or whipped cream. To avoid overflowing, fill cups only halfway and cook until the topping turns deep golden. They’re a warm, fragrant way to end any Southern-inspired meal.