Air Fryer Ready Meals

Before you embark on your air frying journey, consider these crucial points to ensure safety and optimal results:

Is the Original Container Air Fryer Safe?

A primary concern when cooking frozen meals in an air fryer is the safety of the container it comes in. To determine if a TV dinner container is air fryer safe, always refer to the packaging. Look for instructions that indicate whether the container is suitable for oven baking. If the packaging explicitly states it can be used in a conventional oven, it is generally safe for the air fryer as well. However, if there’s any doubt or if the container is made of plastic or foam, always transfer the food to an air fryer-safe dish.

Will the Container Fit Inside Your Air Fryer?

Even if a container is oven-safe, its size might be an issue. Most air fryer ovens are spacious enough to accommodate standard microwave meal containers. However, if you own a smaller air fryer with a basket design, you might find that the original container is too large. In such cases, simply transfer the meal into a smaller, air fryer-compatible pan or dish. Ensuring a proper fit allows for optimal air circulation, which is key to even cooking and crisping.

Do You Desire a Crispy Finish?

One of the air fryer’s greatest strengths is its ability to create wonderfully crispy textures. This is fantastic for items like fried chicken, fries, or even the top layer of a lasagna. But what if your meal, such as a creamy mac and cheese or a saucy curry, doesn’t benefit from a crunchy top? No problem! To prevent unwanted crisping and maintain moisture, simply keep your frozen dinner covered with aluminum foil for most of the cooking duration. You can remove the foil for the last few minutes if you want a slight crisp or browning.

⭐ Unlocking the Benefits: Why Air Fry Ready Meals?

🥘 Essential Ingredients: Your Chosen Ready Meals

The core ingredient for making delicious TV dinners in the air fryer is, of course, the microwave meal itself. However, to transform a simple frozen meal into a more satisfying and nutritious dish, I highly recommend incorporating additional elements. For instance, consider adding a bagged salad and a light dressing on the side to boost your vegetable intake and create a more complete meal.

If your chosen microwave meals are typically lower in protein, supplementing with extra protein is a smart move to keep you feeling full and energized. Excellent options include pre-cooked rotisserie chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, or cooked edamame. These additions are simple to prepare and significantly enhance the meal’s nutritional value.

To illustrate the versatility of air frying, here are some specific frozen meals I’ve used successfully. Remember, with minor adjustments, these instructions can be applied to your own favorite TV dinner selections:

• Amy’s Cheese Enchilada Meal
• Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala
• Amy’s Vegetable Lasagna
• Kevin’s Roasted Garlic Chicken (Note: this is a refrigerated item that I froze before air frying for demonstration purposes)
• Amy’s Mac and Cheese
• Primal Kitchen Chicken Fried Rice Cauliflower Skillet

🍽 Essential Equipment for Air Frying Ready Meals

To successfully prepare TV dinners in the air fryer, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment. Foremost is, of course, an air fryer – whether it’s a basket-style model or an oven-style unit. You’ll also need aluminum foil for covering certain dishes and a reliable meat thermometer to ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature. For meals that require transfer from their original packaging, or those with sauces, parchment paper and an air fryer-safe aluminum pan will be invaluable. I personally use these aluminum pans with my 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven.

This guide is adaptable for nearly any air fryer brand, including popular models like the Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Philips, and Power Air Fryer. While the fundamental principles remain consistent, it’s important to remember that cooking times may vary slightly based on your specific air fryer’s wattage and size. Always monitor your food and adjust times as needed for perfect results.

🔪 Step-by-Step: How to Air Fry Ready Meals

Before you begin, always confirm that your microwave food container is safe for the air fryer. A good rule of thumb is: if it’s safe for a conventional oven, it’s generally safe for the air fryer. Always double-check the product packaging. Remove any plastic overwrap, film, or lids, and if the original container isn’t oven-safe, transfer the meal to a parchment-lined, air fryer-safe aluminum pan or ceramic dish.

Perfecting Frozen Lasagna in the Air Fryer

For a delicious frozen lasagna, I used a 9.5-ounce (269g) Amy’s Vegetable Lasagna. The container was confirmed to be air fryer safe. Begin by removing all plastic wrap from the lasagna and securely cover the entire container with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the lasagna, ensuring it cooks through evenly without drying out the edges.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Once preheated, carefully place the foil-covered frozen lasagna into the middle of the air fryer oven. Cook for approximately 45 minutes. After this initial cooking time, remove the foil and continue to air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. This final step allows the cheese on top to melt beautifully and achieve a slightly golden, bubbly finish, elevating your lasagna experience.

How to Air Fry Frozen Mac and Cheese for Creamy Goodness

For a perfectly cooked frozen mac and cheese, I utilized a 9-ounce (255g) Amy’s Mac and Cheese, ensuring its container was air fryer safe. Start by removing the plastic wrap from the frozen macaroni and cheese, then cover it completely with aluminum foil. This method helps the cheese sauce to melt evenly and prevents the pasta from drying out.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Once ready, place the foil-covered frozen mac and cheese in the center of the air fryer oven and cook for an initial 40 minutes. After this period, carefully remove the foil, give the mac and cheese a gentle stir to redistribute the cheese and pasta, then recover it with foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes. This two-stage covered cooking ensures a creamy, thoroughly heated result, making for an incredibly comforting meal.

Mastering Frozen Stir Fry and Bowl Meals in the Air Fryer

Air frying frozen stir-fry meals and bowl meals (like Banquet Mega Bowls or Healthy Choice bowls) is a fantastic way to achieve a vibrant and flavorful dish. For this demonstration, I air-fried a substantial 20-ounce (567g) package of Primal Kitchen Chicken Fried Rice Cauliflower Skillet. The principles here are widely applicable, though cooking times may vary significantly depending on the meal’s size and density. This particular meal was quite large, so adjust accordingly for smaller portions.

Begin by removing the stir-fry meal from its bag and transferring it into an aluminum baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Cover the aluminum pan securely with foil. If your meal includes a separate sauce packet, place it in a bowl of warm water to thaw while the main dish cooks.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Place the covered pan with the meal into the middle of the air fryer oven and bake for 30 minutes. After this, remove the pan, stir the contents thoroughly, cover with foil again, and return to the air fryer for another 30-35 minutes. This stirring ensures even cooking and prevents cold spots.

Finally, remove the foil and stir the meal one last time. Air fry for an additional 5 minutes, uncovered. This crucial step helps to evaporate any excess moisture, allowing the vegetables and rice (or cauliflower rice) to achieve a delightful texture and slight crispness.

Before serving, always verify the internal temperature of the food using a meat thermometer. For meals containing chicken or other meats, aim for a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If it hasn’t reached this temperature, stir again and air fry uncovered for another 5 minutes, checking periodically. (If your specific microwave meal package suggests a different safe internal temperature, always follow those guidelines.)

Effortlessly Cooking Frozen Chicken (with Sauce) in the Air Fryer

To demonstrate cooking frozen chicken with sauce, I prepared a 16-ounce (454g) container of Kevin’s Roasted Garlic Chicken. While this is typically a refrigerated, fully cooked item, I froze it beforehand to simulate a frozen ready meal scenario. The original packaging for this product is not air fryer safe, so I removed all the chicken and transferred it to a parchment-lined aluminum pan, which I then covered with foil.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Place the foil-covered frozen chicken in the middle of the air fryer oven and bake for 30 minutes. After this initial cooking, carefully remove the pan, gently break the chicken into smaller, manageable pieces to ensure even heating, recover it with foil, and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

It is critical to check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer after cooking to ensure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). While the chicken is cooking, remember to thaw any accompanying sauce packets by placing them in a bowl of water, changing the water if it becomes too cold. Once the chicken is fully cooked, combine it with the thawed sauce, stirring thoroughly. This meal is often hearty enough to be divided into 2-3 lunches, and I particularly enjoy serving it over a bed of fresh spinach for added nutrition and flavor.

Air Frying Frozen Enchiladas to Perfection

For this guide, I air-fried a 9-ounce (255g) Amy’s Enchilada meal. The instructions provided here are easily adaptable for cooking other types of frozen Mexican food, ensuring consistent and delicious results every time.

The container for Amy’s Mexican meal is typically oven-safe, and therefore suitable for the air fryer. Begin by carefully removing any plastic wrap or film covering the frozen enchilada meal. Once uncovered, firmly wrap the entire container in aluminum foil. This helps to steam the enchiladas, allowing them to heat through evenly and keeping the tortillas soft and moist, preventing them from drying out or becoming tough.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. After preheating, place the foil-covered frozen cheese enchilada meal directly into the middle of the air fryer oven. Cook for approximately 45 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully remove the meal from the air fryer and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the flavors to meld and prevents accidental burns from the hot filling, ensuring a perfectly enjoyable experience.

Preparing Frozen Curry Meals in the Air Fryer

For this demonstration, I air-fried a 10-ounce (283g) Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala meal. These instructions are highly versatile and can be adapted to cook various other protein and grain-based meals, including larger options like Hungry Man dinners or similar frozen entrees.

Crucially, the container for the Saffron Road frozen meal is NOT air fryer safe. In such cases, it is essential to remove the frozen rice and curry chicken from its original container and transfer it into an aluminum baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper. (If your chosen meal has an oven-safe container, this transfer step is unnecessary, and you can proceed with the original packaging.)

Once the meal is in an air fryer-safe pan, cover it securely with aluminum foil. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Then, place the foil-covered frozen meal in the middle of the air fryer oven and bake for an initial 30 minutes. At this point, the meal will be thawed but likely not thoroughly heated.

Carefully remove the pan, stir the contents well to ensure even heat distribution, replace the foil cover, and air fry for an additional 20 minutes. After cooking, always use a meat thermometer to confirm that any chicken or other protein has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If your meal includes a separate sauce packet (my Saffron Road meal did not), thaw it in a bowl of water while the main dish cooks, then stir it in before serving for maximum flavor.

️⏲ Air Fryer Ready Meals: Optimal Cooking Time and Temperature Chart

😋 Beyond the Box: Making Lean Cuisines and Other Ready Meals More Filling

Lean Cuisine once offered “Salad Additions,” which were essentially microwave meals designed to be served over your favorite salad greens. In my humble opinion, these were among the most satisfying Lean Cuisine options, and I miss their presence in stores. However, with a little creativity, you can easily recreate and even improve upon this concept at home, transforming any ready meal into a more substantial and nutritious dish.

The simplest way to boost the volume and nutrient density of your meal is by adding a generous portion of bagged salad. I almost always accompany my ready meals with half of a 4-5 ounce (113-142g) bag of mixed greens. This is one of the easiest and most effective strategies to incorporate fresh green vegetables into your daily diet, adding fiber and vitamins without significantly increasing calories.

Consider options like fresh baby spinach or classic iceberg lettuce, which tend to have a longer shelf life. Alternatively, a vibrant spring mix or delicate butter lettuce with a light vinaigrette can add a gourmet touch. These additions not only make your meal more visually appealing but also significantly increase its satiety without adding heavy calories.

If you find yourself still hungry after these additions, incorporating more protein is an excellent strategy. Hard-boiled eggs, a serving of rotisserie chicken, or even plant-based proteins like lentils or chickpeas can provide sustained fullness. With the right thoughtful additions, you can craft a ready meal that genuinely satisfies your hunger, helping to curb unnecessary snacking between meals and supporting your overall dietary goals.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meal Ideas

If you’re eager for more simple and delicious air fryer recipes, explore these fantastic options to expand your cooking repertoire:

• Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
• Crispy Frozen Fish Fillets in the Air Fryer
• Don’t miss our comprehensive guide to the Best Frozen Foods to Cook in an Air Fryer

Ready Meals in Air Fryer: Your Ultimate Guide

Summer Yule