The air fryer has revolutionized our kitchen. If you don’t have one yet, trust us—it’s a game changer. We use ours almost daily, and during our weekly warehouse runs, we’ve found that Costco is packed with incredible finds that cook perfectly in this must-have appliance. 

From snacks to proteins to veggies, here are our favorite air fryer foods from the warehouse.

Best Proteins to Air Fry

Salmon – We didn’t grow up eating fish, so it always felt a little intimidating. However, frozen seafood from Costco made it more accessible, and the air fryer made it easier. Our go-to method? Coat the top with Dijon mustard and pat on some panko breadcrumbs. In just minutes, you’ll have a crispy, flavorful salmon dinner.

Chicken Wings – Costco has several wing options: Foster Farms Take Out Wings (frozen), fresh vacuum-sealed (refrigerated), and pre-cooked wings near the rotisserie chickens. Each one benefits from some time in the air fryer, but the pre-cooked wings see the biggest improvement, getting that just-out-of-the-oven texture.

Italian Sausage—One rainy night, grilling was out of the question, so we tossed Italian sausages into the air fryer. It was a win! Pierce them with a fork, air fry at 400°F for about 12 minutes, and check the temperature (165°F) for juicy, flavorful sausage with a crisp casing.

Shrimp—The biggest problem with shrimp is overcooking. Air frying solves this! Toss shrimp with olive oil and your favorite seasoning (Kinder’s blends at Costco are top-tier), then cook at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Perfect for tacos, salads, or pasta!

Real Good Chicken Strips—We’re not usually fans of gluten-free products, but these surprised us. They’re crispy, flavorful (not spicy), and way less greasy than when cooked in the oven.

Snack Time Favorites

Sweet Potato Fries – These are made with just sweet potatoes, which we love! But be careful—they crisp up fast and can burn quickly. Like regular fries, don’t overcrowd the basket.

French Fries – Costco’s Kirkland Signature French Fries are a hit! They taste just like crispy dinner fries—without the excess oil. The key? Keep them in a single layer to ensure maximum crunch.

Dino Nuggets – Kids swear the dinosaur shape makes them taste better. We’re skeptical, but they do make for a quick lunch or after-school snack. Bonus: Older kids can make them without worrying about preheating an oven.

Mini Tacos—Do not, we repeat, do not microwave these! They get soggy and sad. Instead, crisp them up in the air fryer and serve them with Don Pancho’s Cilantro Lime Crema (which is back in stock at Costco!).

Mozzarella Sticks – We hate it when cheese oozes out before the coating crisps. Luckily, the air fryer prevents that disaster. Pair them with Rao’s Marinara Sauce—Costco has the best price!

Crispy Appetizers & Party Pleasers

Panko Shrimp – We did a full review on these, and they’re an air fryer must-have. Serve with garlic aioli or buffalo sauce for a fantastic appetizer.

Spring Rolls – Need a vegetarian appetizer? Try Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls! They come with a dipping sauce and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer—freeing up oven space during the holidays.

Spanakopita – These flaky, cheesy, spinach-filled triangles are always a win, especially around Easter. The air fryer makes them even crispier.

Tempura Shrimp – Another frozen shrimp option that benefits from the air fryer. No more soggy tempura—just golden, crispy goodness.

Portuguese Custard Tarts – Afternoon coffee break essential. The problem? We hate waiting for the oven to preheat. The solution? Air fry them in 10 minutes, no preheating required! Check out our review.

Costco Foods We’ll Never Air Fry Again

Some things just aren’t meant for the air fryer—trust us, we’ve tried!

Hamburgers — Just… no. The mess was out of control, and the flavor? Not worth it. We’ll happily save our favorite frozen Costco burgers for the grill, where they belong.

Chicken Tenderloins — We’re talking about raw, unbreaded ones. No matter what we did, they always turned out dry. If you’ve cracked the code, let us know, but for now, we’ll stick to other cooking methods.

Bacon — Same disaster as hamburgers. We’ve experimented with all sorts of cooking methods (even a waffle iron—don’t ask), and nothing beats the oven. Sure, it takes a little longer, but it’s practically mess-free and turns out perfectly crispy every time

Thinking About Buying an Air Fryer? Here’s What to Consider

If you don’t have an air fryer yet, we did a ton of research before buying ours and learned a lot in the past year. This article by Wirecutter was especially helpful.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Size Matters—Since our kitchen is small, we opted for a 4.1L model. It works, but it requires batch cooking for our family of four. If space isn’t an issue, go for a 6L or 8L model.
• All-in-One vs. Air Fryer Only – We prefer an air fryer-only model. It’s cheaper and easier to clean. Cooking can get messy, and we’d rather clean a simple basket than an entire toaster oven.
• Controls & Presets – Most air fryers come with preset buttons, but we never use them, just like with a microwave. Many food brands now include air fryer instructions on their packaging, but when in doubt, 400°F is a good starting point.

The air fryer has earned its spot on our counter, and Costco’s freezer aisles are stocked with incredible finds to make the most of it. Whether you’re whipping up a quick snack, cooking dinner, or prepping for a party, these Costco air fryer foods are guaranteed to be crispy, delicious, and easy to make!

Give It a Try!

Costco has an incredible selection of air fryer-friendly foods that make mealtime easier and more delicious. Do you have a favorite we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below—we’re always looking for new warehouse finds to try! 

Happy air frying! 🎉

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