Cooking delicious meals doesn’t need to drain your bank account. Get creative with your air fryer! You can enjoy tasty, satisfying meals for under £5 a serving.

This blog explores five budget meals air fryer fans will love. Great for beginners or those on a budget, these ideas use simple ingredients. They show how easy it is to make low-cost meals with an air fryer at home.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, these meals prove that cheap air fryer recipes can still feel special.

Why the Air Fryer Is Perfect for Budget Cooking

Air fryers are not just great for healthy meals — they’re brilliant for saving money too.

Here’s why they help keep costs down:

  • Shorter cooking times mean lower electricity usage
  • No need for expensive oils or fats
  • You can revive leftovers or cook frozen foods to perfection
  • Small portions stretch further when cooked properly

The air fryer makes it easy to turn simple ingredients into crispy, golden meals with less waste.

Master the basics with our handy guide: Getting Started with Your First Air Fryer.

Meal 1: Crispy Chickpea and Sweet Potato Bowl

This is a plant-based meal full of flavour and crunch. Sweet potatoes offer fibre and comfort, while chickpeas add protein and crispiness.

Ingredients (serves 2 for under £5 total):

  • 1 large sweet potato, diced
  • 1 tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Garlic powder, paprika, salt
  • Handful of spinach or lettuce (optional)
  • Plain yoghurt or tahini for drizzling

Why It Works

The air fryer caramelises sweet potatoes nicely, while chickpeas turn crunchy and savoury. It’s filling, nutritious, and easy to adapt with whatever greens or sauces you have on hand.

Serve it in a bowl and it feels like café food — on a tight budget.

A black plate with roasted chicken leg, carrots, garlic, and basil, accompanied by mustard in a bowl and cutlery on a linen napkin.

Meal 2: Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Carrot Fries

Chicken thighs are affordable, flavourful, and ideal for air frying. Paired with homemade carrot fries, this meal is comforting and cost-conscious.

Ingredients (serves 2 for under £5 total):

  • 2 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Mixed herbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper
  • A spoon of plain yoghurt or sour cream for dipping (optional)

Why It Works

Chicken thighs stay juicy inside and crisp outside, especially with skin-on options. Carrot fries are a clever substitute for chips, roasting quickly and sweetly in the air fryer.

You can season both however you like and enjoy a balanced, warm dinner that feels far more expensive than it is.

Meal 3: Toasted Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

A fast meal you can whip up with pantry staples. It’s toasty, gooey, and packs a lot of flavour — with almost no fuss.

Ingredients (serves 2 for under £5 total):

  • 2 medium flour tortillas
  • ½ tin of black beans or kidney beans, mashed slightly
  • ½ cup grated cheese
  • ½ tsp cumin or taco seasoning
  • Spray oil for the basket
  • Salsa or plain yoghurt on the side (optional)

Why It Works

Air-frying makes tortillas nice and crispy. They turn golden and crunchy, all without butter or pan-frying. The beans and cheese melt together for a hearty, satisfying filling.

Cut into wedges and serve with a side dip for a fun, family-friendly option.

Meal 4: Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes make a brilliant base for all sorts of toppings. Here, an egg adds protein and richness to an otherwise simple dish.

Ingredients (serves 2 for under £5 total):

  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp salt and black pepper
  • Optional: chopped herbs, grated cheese, or leftover veggies

Why It Works

Cook the potatoes until soft. You can microwave or parboil them. Then, slice off the top and scoop out a bit of the flesh. Crack an egg into each potato and air fry again until the white is set.

You get a golden, crispy shell with a perfectly cooked egg inside. It’s surprisingly filling, budget-friendly, and great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

An overhead view of six rectangular mini pizzas with sausage, bell peppers, and melted cheese on a cooling rack.

Meal 5: Mini Pizza Toasts with Tinned Tomatoes

Pizza cravings hit hard, but there’s no need to spend £20 on takeaway. These little toasts offer all the flavour for a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients (serves 2 for under £5 total):

  • 4 slices of bread
  • ½ cup tinned chopped tomatoes (drained slightly)
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ cup grated cheese
  • Optional: sliced onion, olives, or leftover vegetables

Why It Works

Spread tomato on each slice. Sprinkle with seasoning. Top with cheese and extras. Air fry until bubbly and golden.

It’s like a personal pizza — crispy, gooey, and customisable. Great for kids, snacks, or fast dinners when money’s tight.

Tips for Making Low-Cost Air Fryer Meals Work

Making tasty meals on a budget isn’t only about picking low-cost ingredients. It’s also about your cooking methods.

Smart Tricks for Better Results

  • Use spices to boost flavour without extra cost
  • Buy frozen vegetables or tinned beans for longer shelf life
  • Mix leftovers into fresh dishes (e.g. roasted veg into wraps or bowls)
  • Spray, don’t pour, oil to stretch bottles further
  • Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding and undercooking

Even the most basic foods taste better when crisped perfectly in the air fryer.

What to Keep in Your Budget Pantry

Having versatile, low-cost items in your kitchen helps you cook meals quickly, so you don’t have to shop every day.

Pantry Essentials

  • Rice and pasta
  • Tinned tomatoes and beans
  • Flour tortillas
  • Dried herbs and spice blends
  • Potatoes, carrots, and onions
  • Eggs and cheese

These ingredients are the base for many budget-friendly air fryer recipes. You can mix and match them easily, creating endless combinations with little effort.

Planning Your Week Around Budget Air Fryer Meals

Meal planning helps you avoid impulse buys and stretch ingredients further.

For example:

  • Use roasted carrots as a side one night and in wraps the next
  • Cook extra chicken thighs and use leftovers in quesadillas
  • Plan two egg-based meals across breakfast and dinner
  • Reheat mini pizza toasts as snacks the next day

Using the air fryer during the week means fewer dishes and quicker meals. You also get more consistent results, all while saving food and money.

Delicious Doesn’t Mean Expensive

Great meals do not require big budgets. You can enjoy tasty, creative meals that are budget-friendly and full of flavour with the right approach.

The air fryer brings convenience, crispness, and confidence to budget cooking. These five ideas are just the start. Many low-cost air fryer meals are waiting for you to try.

It doesn’t matter if you’re cooking for a family or just for yourself. Making delicious and affordable meals is simpler than ever.

Grab the ingredients, preheat your fryer, and show that dinner can be smart and satisfying.

(Need meal prep ideas? Check out Weekly Air Fryer Meal Plan for Families.)