The slow cooker and air fryer are not just kitchen gadgets; they’re a timesaving, flavor-enhancing dynamic duo that empowers you to prepare delicious meals with ease. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities or simply someone who enjoys good food without the fuss, these appliances are poised to become trusted companions in the heart of your home. The slow cooker’s ability to transform cuts of meat into tender dinners – thanks to hours of gentle simmering– and the air fryer’s capacity to crisp up favorites without oil in record time have ushered in a new era of efficient cooking. Each has earned its rightful place on kitchen countertops everywhere.
Our top-notch culinary team went to work to develop a variety of delicious air fryer and slow cooker recipes that are sure to become tried-and-true family favorites. From snacks, to desserts, to soups and stew, we have a recipe here for whatever you’re craving.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taquitos
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | tablespoon oil |
| 1 | (16-ounce) package Jennie-O® ground turkey |
| 2 | cups mashed sweet potatoes |
| 1 | (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed |
| 1½ | cups shredded Monterey jack cheese |
| 2 | tablespoons water |
| 1 | teaspoon onion powder |
| ½ | teaspoon garlic powder |
| ½ | teaspoon cumin |
| Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste | |
| 30 | (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas, warmed |
| Nonstick cooking spray | |
| Fresh cilantro | |
| Pico de gallo, for serving | |
| Herdez® avocado hot sauce, for serving | |
| Herdez® salsa cremosa, for serving |
Directions
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, crumbling turkey with back of spoon, until turkey is cooked through. Transfer to large bowl. Let cool slightly.
Stir in sweet potatoes, black beans, cheese, water, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
Spread 2 tablespoons turkey mixture into each tortilla. Roll up.
Spray basket of air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Working in batches, place filled taquitos seam side down in air fryer. Spray tops of taquitos with nonstick cooking spray. Air fry taquitos at 425 F for 7 to 8 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with pico de gallo, Herdez® avocado hot sauce and Herdez® salsa cremosa.
SPAM® Maple Air Fryer Butternut Squash and Fresh Greens
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | (12-ounce) can SPAM® maple, cubed |
| 4 | cups cubed butternut squash |
| 2 | tablespoons olive oil |
| 2 | tablespoons maple syrup |
| 1 | teaspoon kosher salt |
| 1 | teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
| Baby greens | |
| Chopped Planters® dry-roasted almonds | |
| Crushed red pepper flakes |
Directions
In large bowl toss together squash, SPAM® maple cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
Add to air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry at 400 F for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until squash is tender and SPAM® maple is crisped and browned.
Remove from air fryer basket. Serve warm over baby greens. Garnish with almonds and crushed red pepper flakes.
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Easy MealsIngredients
| 1 | (20- ounce) package Hormel® cinnamon apples |
| ½ | teaspoon ground cardamom |
| 1 | teaspoon orange zest, divided |
| 1 | (14.1- ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts |
| 1 | egg, lightly beaten, plus 1 teaspoon water |
| 3 | teaspoons turbinado sugar |
| ½ | cup powdered sugar |
| 3 | teaspoons cream |
Directions
Combine apples, cardamom and ½ teaspoon orange zest in bowl.
Unroll pie crusts onto cutting board. Using a 5-inch round cutter, cut out 6 rounds. Place 4 tablespoons apple mixture slightly off center on each round. Fold over filling; press edges with fork to seal. Prick top of each 3 times with tip of knife to vent. Brush each with beaten egg mixture; sprinkle with sugar.
Working in batches, place 2 pies in air fryer basket at a time. Air fry at 350°F 10 to 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Carefully remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining pies.
In small bowl combine powdered sugar and cream until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Stir in remaining orange zest. Drizzle on pies while warm.
Slow Cooker Turkey Nacho Soup
Easy MealsIngredients
| 1 | (16-ounce) package Jennie-O® ground turkey |
| 1 | cup chopped onion |
| 1 | cup chopped green pepper |
| 3 | cloves garlic, minced |
| 1 | jalapeno, finely chopped |
| 1 | (15-ounce) can corn, drained |
| 1 | (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed |
| 1 | (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes |
| 1 | tablespoon chili powder |
| 2 | teaspoons cumin |
| 1½ | teaspoons salt |
| ½ | teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
| ¼ | teaspoon cayenne pepper |
| 4 | cups chicken broth |
| 2 | cups shredded cheddar cheese |
| ½ | cup heavy cream |
| 2 | tablespoons flour |
| Chi-Chi’s® authentic tortilla chips for serving |
Directions
Heat oil In large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, crumbling turkey with back of spoon, until turkey is cooked through.
In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, add cooked turkey, onion, green pepper, garlic, jalapeno, corn, black beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne and broth. Cover; cook on high setting 4 hours.
Stir in cheese.
In bowl, whisk together cream and flour until smooth. Stir into soup. Cover; cook 20 minutes.
Serve with tortilla chips.
Slow Cooker Pecan Monkey Bread
Easy MealsIngredients
| 1 | (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated flaky layers biscuits |
| 1 | stick butter, melted |
| ½ | cup sugar |
| 2 | teaspoons cinnamon |
| ¾ | cup brown sugar |
| ⅔ | cup chopped Planters® roasted pecans |
| ⅓ | cup caramel sauce, for serving |
Directions
Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Cut biscuits into quarters. Place melted butter in bowl. In another bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon.
Dip biscuit quarters in butter; then dip in cinnamon-sugar mixture, tossing to coat evenly. Place in bottom of slow cooker.
Sprinkle brown sugar and pecans over top of biscuit pieces.
Cover. Cook on low 2½ hours, or until dough is cooked thoroughly. Drizzle servings with caramel sauce.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Easy MealsIngredients
| 4 | cups water |
| 4 | teaspoons Herb Ox® cold-water-dissolve granulated beef bouillon |
| 2 | tablespoons olive oil |
| 2 | pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes |
| Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste | |
| 1 | pound baby red potatoes, quartered |
| 2 | carrots, cut into 1-inch-thick slices |
| 1 | onion, chopped |
| 3 | cloves garlic, minced |
| 2 | tablespoons tomato paste |
| 1 | tablespoon Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 | teaspoon thyme |
| 1 | dried rosemary |
| 1 | teaspoon smoked paprika |
| 2 | bay leaves |
| ¼ | cup flour |
| 2 | tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves, if desired |
Directions
Dissolve bouillon in water.
Heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In 6-quart slow cooker, place beef, potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. Stir in bouillon mixture, tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, rosemary, paprika and bay leaves; season with salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours or high heat for 3 to 4 hours.
In small bowl, whisk together flour and ½ cup stew broth. Stir flour mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30 minutes or until thickened.
Serve garnished with parsley, if desired.