15 EASY 3-Ingredient Recipes for Your Instant Pot, Air Fryer, Grill or No-Bake!
Make your day so much easier and tastier with these 3-ingredient recipes. Who knew that dinner and dessert could taste so good with so little effort. 3-ingredient recipes saves you time and money. You and your family will even be able to enjoy “fancy” dinners on busy nights with these minimal recipes. From Instant Pot ribs to homemade pizza bites, you will never want to go back to complicated dinners again.
Check out my YouTube video where I give you a step-by-step guide for each of these awesome recipes.
Here are 15 of the very best 3-ingredient recipes. We broke them up into Main Dish, Side Dish, and Dessert, so it will be easier for you to menu plan.
5 of the Best 3-ingredient Main Dishes
1. Easy Air Fryer or Grilled Ranch Pork Chops
Pork chops may seem like a fancy dinner, but it doesn’t have to be! You will only need ranch seasoning and an oil of your choice. Say hello to an easy and tasty air fryer pork chop dinner even on busy nights!
To modify this recipe for the air fryer, simply pat pork chops dry, then lightly apply some cooking oil (I prefer avocado oil). Apply 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning mix. Lightly salt and pepper. Cook in air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 380˚ or until internal temp reaches 140 degrees, rotating once half way thru cooking. Watch my Air Fryer 101 video to learn how to adapt ANY recipe for the air fryer!
2. Instant Pot Ribs
These Instant Pot Ribs recipe is a different version of this pulled pork recipe. It is so easy and another fun meal that you didn’t know you could have on busy nights.
All you need is your favorite BBQ rub and a can of root beer (or any dark soda). First, pat your ribs dry, apply your favorite rub liberally and massage into ribs. Then, place rack of ribs on top of trivet, inside instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Let natural release for 10 minutes and enjoy! Optional: coat with your favorite BBQ Sauce and broil for 2-3 minutes in oven.
That’s it for a filling and new favorite dinner.
3. Air Fryer Pizza Bagel Bites
These air fryer pizza bites are a favorite for my kids. I love that I only need mini bagels, pizza sauce, cheese, and any other toppings we want. My kids love it because they can customize their dinner however they want. Plus, its way better than anything we would buy frozen at the store.
4. Savory Instant Pot Chicken
This savory Instant Pot chicken is also a modification of a pork chop recipe that is ridiculously easy and delicious. You will only need montreal steak seasoning, soy sauce, and water.
First, Mix 1/2 cup water with 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 TBSP montreal steak seasoning in a gallon sized bag. Then, Add 4 chicken breasts and let marinade anytime between 3-24 hours. Next, sear chicken via the instant pot sauté mode, about a minute per side. Turn off sauté mode and pour marinade and an extra 1/2 cup of water in instant pot liner. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Add a trivet and place chicken on trivet, side by side. Cook 6 minutes at high pressure (add an extra minute or two if using larger chicken breasts). Let natural release for 5 minutes then quick release.
You can enjoy it as a classic chicken dinner or in a salad. Your options are quite endless here with this Savory chicken!
5. Air Fryer Salmon
You will love this Easy Air Fryer Salmon because it is packed with protein and tastes amazing. You’ll need honey, Dijon mustard, and salt & pepper for this one!
5 Simple 3-ingredient Sides & Snacks
6. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob will change the way you eat corn on the cob. You can have this prepped and ready in just 12 minutes. For this awesome and fresh side you just need an air fryer, cooking spray, and salt & pepper.
7. Air Fryer Carrots
These air fryer carrots are another simple and fresh side that are great with any dinner. You could even make them as a healthy after-school snack. You will need olive oil, Italian seasoning, and salt & pepper to enjoy this game-changer.
8. Air Fryer Asparagus
I love how easy and delicious my air fryer makes any side, especially these air fryer asparagus. This one is my family’s favorite side to eat with our ribs. You only need olive oil and salt & pepper and you’ll gobble this one up 10 minutes later.
9. No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars
These super simple no bake peanut butter oat bars have changed the way I snack. You can whip this up in about 7 minutes. After they have cooled, your family will enjoy them as an after-school snack. You can even eat them as an on-the-go breakfast. It’s seriously so fun and healthy.
10. Cake Mix Banana Muffins
This super easy banana bread or banana muffins make such a great after school snack. My kids get so excited when they see me making these. But honestly, I’m surprised they even notice because it only takes me 4 minutes to prepare and then I pop them into the oven.
5 Easy 3-ingredient Treats
11. Copycat Wendy’s Frosty
When quarantine started, our family was making this copycat Wendy’s frosty at least once a week. You’ll just need your favorite chocolate milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whip cream. It isn’t healthy, but it’s ridiculously good. Plus its so easy your kids could whip this one up with no problem. (In fact it was my 17-year old who was making it every week).
12. Air Fryer Smores
Enjoy smore’s all year around with this classic treat in your air fryer. Air Fryer Smore’s are so less messy and tastes better too.
13. Mini Caramel Apples
This fun twist on caramel apples will change everything. These mini-caramel apples are really fun to make together as a family and tastes super amazing. You will just need apples, caramel, and a little-bit of water to enjoy this one.
14. Cream Cheese Dip
Next time you think about making a dip, you have to try this easy cream cheese fruit dip. You just need marshmallow crème, cream cheese, and vanilla. Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds and looks.
15. Frozen Hot Chocolate
Last but certainly not least, is this frozen hot chocolate. This is another great treat that you can enjoy all year around as long as you have chocolate milk, your favorite hot chocolate mix, and whip cream.
Final Thoughts
Cooking and baking has never been easier with these 3-ingredient recipes. What I love most about these recipes is how little effort and time they take. Most of them you can enjoy in under 30-minutes. Each recipe has its own flare, but they are all so simple, tasty, and (for the most part) healthy!
Which recipe are you excited to try? What other 3-ingredient recipes do you love? Let us know in the comments below!