This year, we're celebrating with the ultimate kitchen companion: the air-fryer. Faster than an oven and endlessly versatile, an air-fryer transforms everyday ingredients into meals in a fraction of the time it usually takes.

So, whether you're cooking for the first time, cooking with the kids, or are a seasoned home chef, these recipes have you covered.

1. Air-fryer pork belly

Pork belly is the ultimate dad dish and is always impressive. Cooking it in the air-fryer delivers the golden crackling that usually takes hours in the oven in way less time. Paired with a punchy gochujang BBQ sauce, this one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

 Air-fryer pork belly recipe

2. Air-fryer buttermilk chicken breasts

Chicken breasts often get a bad reputation for being dry and boring, but not here. The buttermilk marinade keeps the meat succulent and flavourful, while the air-fryer gives it a beautiful golden finish without drying it out. Served on toasted ciabatta with a vibrant Turkish-style ezme, this is a step up from the everyday that dad truly deserves.

Air-fryer buttermilk chicken breasts recipe

3. Air-fried fish with sundried tomato filling 

If dad loves fish but you've always been nervous about cooking it in the air-fryer, this recipe is your saviour. Chef Kerry Kilpin's genius trick of sandwiching two fillets together keeps the fish moist and prevents it from drying out. The herby crumb topping adds a restaurant-worthy finish. It's impressive without being complicated.

Air-fried fish with sundried tomato filling recipe

4. Vienna bites

These golden, crispy strips are perfect for a laid-back afternoon of watching sport, card games or just lounging around with the family.

Vienna bites recipe

5. Banana fat cakes

No Father's Day feast is complete without something sweet, and these banana fat cakes are the kind of treat that brings the biggest smiles. Think vetkoek meets banana bread: golden and drizzled with melted chocolate. They're easy to devour straight from the fryer, and dad won't be able to stop at just one.

Banana fat cakes recipe

Cheers to all the dads out there!

Find more air-fryer recipes here.

This content was created with AI assistance. However, it was fact-checked, edited and ideated by actual human beings at TASTE.