Hey there! I’m Carly Morrison
Listen, I’m gonna be straight with you, four years ago, if someone told me I’d be running a food blog called “Carly Recipes” from my shoebox Brooklyn apartment, I would’ve laughed so hard I’d have spilled my bodega coffee all over our fire escape.
But here we are! I’m a 40-year-old Park Slope mom, former elementary school teacher, and completely obsessed air fryer enthusiast who somehow turned a Christmas gift into a full-blown career. Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are.
How This All Started
Back in 2020, my sister gave me a Ninja Foodie for Christmas. My first thought? “Great, another gadget for my kitchen that’s smaller than most people’s closets.” But then I made these crispy Brussels sprouts that even my veggie-hating 11-year-old Tyler actually ate, and asked for seconds! That’s when I knew this little machine was something special.
Jake (my husband) still jokes that our coat closet has become “the air fryer museum” because yeah, I now own three different models. Don’t judge, when you live in a Brooklyn apartment, you get creative with storage. One lives under our bed and gets rotated in based on what I’m cooking. Only in Brooklyn, right?
From Teacher to Food Blogger
For 15 years, I taught elementary school at PS 321 here in Brooklyn. I loved those kids, but when my air fryer chicken wing recipe went viral on Pinterest two years ago, everything changed. Jake literally had to talk me through the decision to leave teaching, but “Carly Recipes” had grown into something I couldn’t ignore.
My Brooklyn Kitchen Reality
Let me paint you a picture of my setup: I’ve got my air fryers on a rolling cart that moves between the kitchen and living room, magnetic spice containers stuck to the fridge to save counter space, and a foldable cutting board that goes over the sink. My ring light clamps to the window frame for photos, and yes, I use our fire escape to cool baked goods, it’s a building tradition!
This is real life cooking, people. No marble countertops or walk-in pantries here. Just a Brooklyn mom making it work with what she’s got.
What You’ll Find Here
Every single recipe on this blog gets tested at least three times before I share it. I cook barefoot (helps me “feel” the kitchen, don’t ask), take notes on my phone with greasy fingers, and blast my 90s pop playlist while I work. My kids know that when mom’s testing recipes, they’re gonna eat well, or at least get some entertaining kitchen fails to laugh about.
I specialize in turning comfort food favorites into air fryer magic, converting vegetables for picky eaters (looking at you, Tyler), and creating “fake-out takeout” that’s healthier but just as satisfying. Everything I share has been family-tested and Jake-approved, because if he doesn’t lick his plate clean, I’m not sharing it with you.
Real Talk About Air Frying
I’m not here to tell you air fryers cure everything or that every recipe works perfectly the first time. I’ve had my share of disasters, the Great Fish Stick Fire of 2020, the time I accidentally air fried Jake’s MetroCard (it was in my apron pocket), and that memorable evening when I set off three apartments’ smoke detectors with burnt bagels.
But here’s what I know for sure: air frying has been a total game changer for our family. It’s fast, it makes vegetables actually edible for kids, and cleanup is a dream, which matters when you’re juggling Brooklyn parent life.
Beyond the Blog
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me walking through Prospect Park for school pickup, moderating my “Carly’s Crispy Crew” Facebook group (we’re 12,000 strong now!), or planning our next family adventure around the city. Emma’s 14 and getting into photography, Tyler’s obsessed with basketball, and Jake keeps us all grounded with his perfectly-timed dad jokes.
We’re just a regular Brooklyn family figuring it out one air-fried meal at a time.
Let’s Connect!
I respond to every comment because this community is what makes it all worth it. Whether you’re a fellow small-kitchen warrior, a parent trying to get kids to eat vegetables, or just someone curious about this whole air fryer thing, I’m here for it.
Find me on Instagram @carlyrecipes for daily recipe testing chaos, join our Facebook group for support and inspiration, or just drop me a line. I love hearing from you!
Thanks for being here, and remember, if this Brooklyn mom can make it work in a tiny apartment with picky eaters and zero counter space, you’ve absolutely got this.
Now let’s get cooking!
Carly