Imagine combining the slow-cooking convenience of your Crock-Pot with the crisp, quick results of your air fryer.
It’s the perfect match! While the slow cooker creates tender, flavorful meals over hours, the air fryer crisps them up in minutes, giving your dishes a delightful texture.
Whether it’s for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, these air fryer slow cooker recipes offer the best of both worlds.
Let’s dive into 10 easy, mouth-watering meals you can make with this dynamic duo!
1. Slow cooker BBQ Pulled Pork with Crispy Ends
Start your BBQ pulled pork in the slow cooker for a long, tender cook. After several hours, the pork will be perfectly soft. But here’s the trick: instead of stopping there, transfer it to the air fryer to give it crispy edges that add extra flavor and texture.
- Tip: After shredding the pork, air fry it at 400°F for 5-7 minutes to get crispy, caramelized ends.
Recommended Product: The Crock-Pot Slow Cooker is perfect for slow-cooking pork shoulders, making your pulled pork super tender.
2. Chicken Wings: Tender Then Crispy
Slow-cook your seasoned chicken wings first to lock in moisture and flavor. Once they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, pop them into the air fryer to crisp up the skin to perfection.
- Tip: Air fry the wings at 390°F for 8-10 minutes to achieve that crispy skin everyone loves.
Recommended Product: Pair your wings with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp for both slow cooking and air frying in one appliance.
3. Slow Cooker Beef Tacos with Crispy Shells
Make tender beef for tacos by slow-cooking a chuck roast with spices until it falls apart. Then, fry the shredded beef in the air fryer for crispy bites to fill your taco shells.
- Tip: After shredding, air fry the beef at 400°F for 5 minutes for extra crunch.
Recommended Product: Try the Philips Air Fryer XXL for evenly crisped taco fillings every time.
4. Crispy Slow Cooker Potatoes
Slow cook your potatoes with garlic, herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil to infuse them with flavor. Then, toss them into the air fryer to get a crispy, golden-brown finish that’s irresistible.
- Tip: Air fry the slow-cooked potatoes at 400°F for 6-8 minutes to get them perfectly crisp on the outside.
Recommended Product: The Ninja Foodi Grill and Air Fryer is a great all-in-one appliance that gives you the flexibility of grilling, air frying, and slow cooking.
5. Slow cooker chili with Air Fryer Cornbread
Let your slow cooker handle the chili while you whip up a quick batch of cornbread in your air fryer. The chili comes out hearty, and the cornbread gets a crispy, golden exterior.
- Tip: Air fry your cornbread at 360°F for 12-15 minutes, checking for a perfectly crispy top.
Recommended Product: The Dash Compact Air Fryer is the perfect size for baking small batches of cornbread to pair with your chili.
6. Air Fryer Slow Cooker Ribs
Start by slow-cooking your ribs to lock in flavor and tenderness. Then, transfer them to the air fryer to finish with a crispy, caramelized glaze that sticks to your fingers in the best way possible.
- Tip: After slow-cooking, air fry the ribs at 375°F for 5-6 minutes, adding BBQ sauce in the final few minutes.
Recommended Product: The Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer makes it easy to transition from slow cooking to air frying in one device.
7. Crispy Air Fryer Slow Cooker Carnitas
Cook your carnitas low and slow until the pork is juicy and tender. Then, give it a quick spin in
the air fryer for crispy edges that are perfect for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.
- Tip: Air fry the shredded pork at 400°F for 5 minutes to get those deliciously crisp bits.
Recommended Product: The GoWISE USA Air Fryer provides ample space for crisping up your carnitas with ease.
8. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with a Crispy Top
Slow-cook your mac and cheese to get a creamy, cheesy consistency. Then, finish the dish by transferring it to the air fryer for a crunchy breadcrumb topping that everyone will love.
- Tip: Air fry your mac and cheese at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to create a golden crust on top.
Recommended Product: The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven has the perfect tray size for baking a family-sized mac and cheese.
9. Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with Crispy Skin
Slow-cook a whole chicken to lock in flavor, then finish it in the air fryer to get that perfect, crispy skin. It’s a combination that guarantees tender meat and a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Tip: Air fry the chicken at 375°F for 10 minutes after slow-cooking to crisp up the skin.
Recommended Product: The Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer is a multi-functional appliance that works great for roasting whole chickens.
10. Crispy Slow Cooker Buffalo Cauliflower
Cook buffalo cauliflower in the slow cooker for a tender and spicy dish; then air fry it for an extra crispy, crunchy texture that mimics the perfect bar snack.
- Tip: Air fry the cauliflower at 390°F for 8 minutes after slow cooking to get it perfectly crispy.
Recommended Product: The COSORI Air Fryer Max XL offers a large capacity, making it ideal for cooking batches of crispy cauliflower bites.
Conclusion
With these air fryer slow cooker recipes, you no longer have to choose between juicy tenderness and crispy goodness. You can enjoy both!
These recipes bring out the best of each appliance—tender, slow-cooked meals with a crispy air fryer finish.
Whether you’re cooking up a Sunday roast or prepping weeknight dinners, the slow cooker and air fryer duo will make your meals effortless and delicious.
Discover the Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners and enjoy a variety of mouthwatering, easy-to-make recipes that fit perfectly into your healthy lifestyle! Plus, don’t forget to check out our recently published articles for more tips, reviews, and air fryer inspiration.
