29 Low-Effort Meals for Days When Energy Runs Thin

Some days do not leave much room for cooking. These 29 meals lean on slow cookers, air fryers, and forgiving recipes that show up without asking much in return. They are not about shortcuts, they are about staying fed when everything feels heavy. This list exists for nights when effort is the rare ingredient.

Four cooked salmon fillets garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices are arranged on a white oval plate. — Lemon Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy chicken noodle soup slow cooked until rich and comforting. — Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Chicken and noodles melt into creamy broth all day. We let this take over dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A black plate holding several pieces of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken tenders garnished with chopped parsley, set on a rust-colored cloth with sauce and herbs visible in the background. — Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Sweet heat coats crisp chicken fast. It barely feels like cooking.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Taquitos

Cheesy potato taquitos cooked crispy in air fryer. — Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Taquitos. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Potatoes and cheese roll into crunchy bites. These fill the gap when energy is gone.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Taquitos

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Glazed chicken breasts with cranberries, green beans, and stuffing on a white plate, garnished with parsley. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken simmers under sweet-tart sauce without help. The house smells ready early.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Short ribs slow cooked until tender with rich glossy sauce. — Slow Cooker Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Short ribs soften into rich sauce slowly. Dinner waits without pressure.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew

Lamb stew simmered slow until vegetables and lamb break down into a hearty rich broth. — Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Lamb cooks into smoky, steady stew. We trust the pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew

Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow cooker bolognese simmered into a thick, hearty meat sauce. — Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Meat sauce builds depth while no one stirs. It handles pasta nights easily.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Legs roast until the skin crackles. It feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Thighs turn juicy with crisp edges. This one never drags.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup slow cooked with short ribs and vegetables. — Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Barley thickens broth beside tender beef. The bowl carries the night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Sticky citrus sauce coats crispy bites. We scoop and move on.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork slow cooked until it shreds easily for sandwiches or tacos. — Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Pork collapses into shreddable strands. It stretches across days.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Shredded beef slow cooked until tender with juices pooling beneath the pulled strands on a platter. — Slow Cooker Shredded Beef. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Beef falls apart with zero babysitting. It fills whatever needs filling.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

A bowl of sausage, potatoes, and green beans garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Potatoes soak up sausage flavor all afternoon. The pot does not ask questions.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Air Fryer Shrimp

Shrimp snap tender in minutes. Dinner shows up fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites

Spicy-sweet glaze sticks to crunchy chicken. The bowl empties quietly.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites

Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

Air fryer honey garlic chicken coated in sticky glaze with crisp caramelized edges. — Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Sticky sauce melts into chicken fast. It smells better than it looks.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Tilapia flakes under warm spices. Seafood never felt simpler.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spiced Tilapia

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Beef softens into deep gravy all day. The counter handles it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Air fryer salmon bites with crispy edges served with sriracha-lime dipping sauce. — Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Salmon bites roast crisp with bold sauce. We dip straight from the tray.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Quick Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air fryer chicken tenders crunchy and golden arranged beside dipping sauce. — Quick Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Golden tenders cook without drama. The line forms immediately.
Get the Recipe: Quick Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Vegetables

Mixed vegetables brown fast with almost no prep. This fills plates easily.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Vegetables

Slow Cooker Hoisin Sliders with Kale Slaw

Sliders filled with hoisin pulled pork topped with spicy kale slaw. — Slow Cooker Hoisin Sliders with Kale Slaw. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Hoisin chicken cooks sticky and bold. Slaw wakes everything up.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoisin Sliders with Kale Slaw

Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Four grilled salmon fillets garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices are arranged on a white oval platter. The fillets are seasoned with herbs and pepper. The edge of a striped cloth and a serving of broccoli are partially visible. — Lemon Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Salmon flakes under bright citrus. It tastes lighter than the effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Pork chops stay juicy with crisp edges. This resets dinner fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer Pickle Brined Chicken Wings

Air fryer pickle brined wings crisped with seasoning on golden skin. — Air Fryer Pickle Brined Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Wings crisp with tangy bite. Nobody waits.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pickle Brined Chicken Wings

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

Slow cooked turkey taco filling with tender seasoned turkey. — Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Turkey shreds into taco filling while the day runs long. We just set out shells.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker

BBQ chicken cooked in a slow cooker until tender and piled onto soft rolls. — BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Chicken cooks itself into saucy shreds. Buns barely cool.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker

Air Fryer Duck Legs

Duck cooks tender with crisp skin. This feels bigger than the work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Duck Legs