5 Air Fryer Recipes for Picnics, Barbecues and Beach Days

Got an invite for a sunny occasion on the horizon and no idea what to bring? Whether you're heading to the park with a blanket, setting up the BBQ in the garden or packing a cool bag for the beach, our air fryer is the best way to meal prep. Fast, fuss-free and surprisingly brilliant at finger food, it turns out crowd-pleasing bites with minimal effort.

The Keplin 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer is ideal for batch-cooking before a day out, with two independent cooking zones so you can run two recipes at once. It even picked up a Good Housekeeping Award, described as "clear and intuitive to use" - which is exactly what you need when you're trying to get five things ready before you have to load the car. Here are five recipes to try for your next outdoor adventure.

1. Sausage Rolls with Sage & Mustard

Sausage rolls are a British picnic staple for good reason. This version takes things up a notch with fresh sage and moreish mustard mixed into the sausage meat, resulting in a delicious combination that disappears fast at any gathering.

Makes around 10 rolls

What you need:

• 450g pork sausage meat
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp mustard
• 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper
  

How to make them:

1. Mix the sausage meat with the sage and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into two long rectangles.
3. Shape the sausage mixture into a log along one edge of each rectangle, then fold the pastry over and crimp the edges with a fork.
4. Brush with beaten egg and cut into pieces.
5. Air fry at 200°C for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once halfway, until the pastry is golden and puffed.

Chef's tip: These travel brilliantly. Make a batch the night before, refrigerate and eat them cold the next day. Easy peasy!

2. Crispy Sweetcorn Fritters

These little golden patties are the kind of thing that always gets finished first. Crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, with sweet bursts of corn throughout. They work equally well as a starter or as a snack – and you may want to start eating them year-round.

Makes around 10 fritters

What you need:

• 250g sweetcorn (tinned and drained, or fresh)
• 75g plain flour
• 1 egg
• 3 spring onions, finely sliced
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Salt, pepper
• Olive oil spray

How to make them:

1. Combine the sweetcorn, flour, egg, spring onions, baking powder and seasoning in a bowl and mix until you have a thick batter.
2. Shape into small patties with your hands
3. Spray the air fryer basket with a little olive oil. Add the fritters in a single layer and spray the tops.
4. Air fry at 190°C for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
   

Chef's tip: Sour cream with a squeeze of lime is the perfect dipping sauce. A little sweet chilli works great, too!

3. Air Fryer Scotch Eggs

A proper Scotch egg is one of the great joys of outdoor eating. Making them in the air fryer is easier than you think and far less messy than deep frying.

Make 4 scotch eggs

What you need:

• 4 eggs (for the centres)
• 1 egg, beaten (for coating)
• 400g sausage meat
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 75g plain flour, seasoned
• 100g panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper

How to make them:

1. Boil the 4 eggs for 8 minutes, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. Once cool, peel carefully.
2. Mix the sausage meat with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Divide into four equal portions and flatten each one into a thin patty.
3. Wrap a patty around each egg, moulding it evenly all over. Roll each one in seasoned flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs.
4. Set the Scotch Eggs on a silicone liner and air fry at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes. Turn halfway, until the coating is golden brown and the sausage is cooked through.
   

Chef's tip: If you like a softer egg (that's a bit messier when eating outdoors), soft boil for 6 minutes only.

4. Crispy Halloumi Bites with Honey & Paprika

If you are catering for vegetarians or just want something quick and brilliant, air fryer halloumi is the answer. It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and comes out delicious with a soft, slightly squeaky centre.

Makes 6 bites

What you need:

• 1 block halloumi (around 225g)
• A drizzle of olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• Pinch of smoked paprika (optional)
  

How to make them:

1. Slice the halloumi into pieces roughly 1cm thick.
2. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each slice.
3. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and add a pinch of smoked paprika (if desired.)
4. Air fry at 200°C for 6 minutes.
5. Add a drizzle of honey and air fry for a further 2 minutes.

Chef's tip: These are wonderful when tucked as a sandwich base with cucumber, tomatoes and tzatziki for a quick and satisfying lunch under your parasol.

5. Peanut Chicken Skewers

Juicy and packed with flavour, these peanut chicken skewers are the kind of thing you may be remembered for on the next get-together. The marinade does all the with its slightly sticky coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. Perfect for any occasion, alone or accompanied.

Makes 8 skewers

What you need:

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp curry powder
• Wooden skewers
  

How to make them:

1. Mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, honey and curry powder together in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Add the chicken chunks and toss to coat well. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge if you have time to spare
3. Air fry at 200°C for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
4. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, thread the pieces onto skewers for easy snacking.

Chef's tip: These are just as good cold as they are warm, making them ideal for prepping and packing without the faff. They hold up perfectly in a cooler bag.

Pack It, Eat It, Enjoy It - That's the Point.

Every single one of these recipes works because of one thing: a good air fryer. The Keplin Air Fryer range gives you the power and capacity to batch-cook everything you need before a day out, without heating up the whole kitchen. Make a big batch, pack it and enjoy the sun. Hello summer days!

FAQs About Making Air Fryer Picnic Food