Five Italian Recipes That Prove the Air Fryer Is a Summer Essential

The air fryer is the most useful kitchen tool on a hot summer day — it gives you golden, crispy results without heating the whole kitchen. These five recipes use it for everything from a quick side of caramelized cherry tomatoes to a green bean frittata, crispy eggplant, sea bream, and stuffed peaches for dessert.

The Air Fryer Stuffed Peaches turn ripe nectarines into an easy summer fruit dessert without ever touching the oven. Their soft, warm flesh pairs with a creamy ricotta filling, brightened by lemon peel and fresh mint. They’re ideal when you want something light and seasonal after a casual cookout or weeknight dinner.

Pro tip: you can swap cow’s milk ricotta for sheep’s milk ricotta or a soft goat cheese if you like a tangier, more pronounced dairy flavor.

The Frittata with Green Beans in Air Fryer is a no-fuss egg dish built around tender summer green beans. Eggs, Parmigiano Reggiano, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil come together quickly into a comforting, savory bake with a crisped exterior. It’s a great option for busy weeknights or a simple brunch when you want something satisfying but light.

Pro tip: you can serve slices tucked into crusty bread with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for an easy sandwich-style lunch.

The Air Fryer Sea Bream gives you tender, flavorful fish with minimal heat in the kitchen. The sea bream cooks quickly with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon, shallot, caper berries, Taggiasca olives, and cherry tomatoes for a bright, savory pan sauce. It’s ideal for a light summer dinner when you want something elegant but still weeknight-friendly.

Pro tip: you can spoon the olives, tomatoes, and cooking juices over crusty bread to soak up every bit of the seasoned oil.

The Eggplants in Air Fryer deliver that classic summer eggplant experience with a lighter touch. The pieces come out crunchy on the outside and soft inside, simply seasoned with parsley, basil, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt. They’re a great option alongside grilled meats or fish, or as part of an easy antipasto spread.

Pro tip: you can add a pinch of chili powder and two tablespoons of semolina, breadcrumbs, or cornmeal to get a spicier, extra-golden and slightly crunchier crust.

The Cherry Tomatoes Confit in Air Fryer concentrate the sweetness of datterino tomatoes without any added sugar. Slowly cooked with garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano, they turn slightly caramelized and deeply savory. They’re perfect for spooning over crostini, folding into salads, or serving alongside grilled fish on warm evenings.

Pro tip: you can toss these confit tomatoes with hot pasta and a little of their cooking oil for an instant, sauce-like topping.

The cherry tomatoes and eggplant are the fastest — both under 20 minutes and useful beyond this article. Spoon the confit tomatoes over pasta or crostini all week. The sea bream and frittata are the weeknight mains. The stuffed peaches are the thing to make when you want dessert without turning on the oven.