To inspire you this holiday season, I’ve put together a list of my favourite Christmas air fryer recipes, each offering a unique twist on traditional festive flavours and foods.
Crisp mornings, twinkling lights, and the scent of cinnamon and fir trees in the air – Christmas is nearly here! So, what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to prepare festive foods and sweet treats in the air fryer?
Whether you purchased an air fryer during the recent Black Friday sales or are a long-time convert, the holiday season provides an excellent opportunity to put the appliance to the test. Especially if you are hosting loved ones over the holidays.
Christmas Air Fryer Recipes to Try This Festive Season
Air Fryer Vegetables Recipes
Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts - Easy, Low Carb, Keto, Gluten-Free
These Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts are incredibly simple! Made with only two main ingredients and less than 15 minutes of cooking time!
Air Fryer Asparagus (Fast & Easy!)
This Air Fryer Asparagus is extremely simple to prepare and ideal for when you're short on time! Ready in 5 minutes!
Air Fryer Green Beans - Art From My Table
These deliciously seasoned air-fried green beans are ready in 10 minutes and add an irresistible flavour element to almost any meal.
Air Fryer Kale Chips (Perfectly Crunchy)
This Air Fryer Kale Chips recipe yields a batch of perfectly crispy kale chips in under 5 minutes. All you need to do is season with salt.
Air Fryer Okra
Air fryer okra is one of the best ways to prepare fried okra. These are equally crispy as fried okra, but without much fat, breading, and egg.
Air Fryer Roasted Peppers
This is the simplest way to prepare roasted peppers! There's no need for a grill or a barbecue; simply use the air fryer. So quick and delicious!
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms will be one of the easiest appetizers you've ever made, requiring only a few ingredients and an air fryer!
Air Fryer Potato Recipes
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes are creamy and soft, with a crispy exterior and a flavorful blend of oil, butter, seasoning, and parmesan.
Easy Air Fryer Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes + Video
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes are crispy and salty on the outside while fluffy on the inside, just like the restaurant version! The steakhouse potatoes are stuffed with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Best Air Fryer Greek Potatoes (Easy Recipe)
These simple air fryer Greek potatoes are bursting with Greek flavour and cook in just 20 minutes! The air fryer always produces crispy potatoes!
Air Fryer Steak Fries – Real Food with Sarah
These Air Fryer Steak Fries are ideal as a side or easy appetizer with your favorite sauce or main dish any night of the week!
Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes (Quick + Easy)
Cook sweet potatoes quickly in the air fryer! They turn out crispy on the outside but tender on the inside! Perfect for meal preparation or busy nights!
Air Fryer Meat Recipes
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Air fryer-cooked ribeye steak is juicy and moist. Seasoned with only salt and pepper, then topped with blue cheese butter.
Air Fryer Pork Roast with Apples
The Air Fryer produces tender and juicy roast pork. A perfectly moist and delicious mid-week family meal stuffed with apples and garlic.
Juicy & Tender Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In)
This air fryer turkey breast recipe is moist, tender, and crispy on the outside! You can use either bone-in or boneless turkey breasts.
Air fryer bacon wrapped drumsticks
Learn how to make bacon wrapped chicken legs in an air fryer because these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Drumsticks are the best way to combine bacon with chicken!
Air Fryer Skirt Steak (Carne Asada)
The marinade transforms this tough cut of beef into a juicy, flavorful air fryer skirt steak! Carne asada is ideal for busy weeknights.
Air Fryer Turkey Steaks
These Air Fryer Turkey Steaks can be cooked in the air fryer in under 11 minutes, yielding a perfectly tender and moist turkey breast.
Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
This air fryer pork tenderloin recipe is quick, simple, and delicious. With only three ingredients, it will be ready in no time.
Air Fryer Spare Ribs - Quick & Easy, Low Carb, Keto, Gluten-Free
This Air Fryer Spare Ribs recipe produces juicy ribs in a short period of time. These tender ribs are ready in 30 minutes!
Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
These moist and juicy Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloins have a flavorful panko coating seasoned with Mexican spices and orange zest. Enhance the experience with an optional 4-6 hour soak in a citrus-y brine. The boneless, skinless turkey tenderloins can be cooked in the air fryer for just 25 minutes.
Easy Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
These simple Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops are seasoned with paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder, then cooked in the air fryer for a quick dinner.
Air Fryer Steak
This simple Air Fryer Steak recipe yields a thick, juicy steak with charred edges and a perfectly seared outside. Made in under 20 minutes!
Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Air fryer turkey thighs are seasoned with a homemade poultry dry rub before being air fried until crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Air Fryer Miso Salmon
Air fryer miso salmon is simple to prepare and can be ready in less than 15 minutes. The salmon is topped with a delicious and flavourful miso glaze before air-frying to perfection.
Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Air Fryer Apple Pies Recipe: How to Air Fry Apple Pie
It's completely made from scratch with a flaky and buttery pie crust filled with irresistibly juicy, soft, and sweet apples.
Benefits of using an air fryer this Christmas
Using an air fryer at Christmas can significantly relieve cooking stress for several reasons:
- Faster Cooking Times: Air fryers cook food much faster than traditional ovens, reducing overall cooking time and freeing you up to focus on other tasks. This is especially helpful when juggling multiple dishes and a tight timeline.
- Even Cooking: The circulating hot air in an air fryer ensures even cooking, eliminating the worry of undercooked or burnt spots. This consistent cooking is a lifesaver when dealing with large quantities of food.
- Less Monitoring: Once you’ve set the time and temperature, air fryers generally require less monitoring than oven cooking. This allows you to step away and attend to other Christmas preparations, like wrapping presents or socializing with guests.
- Frees Up Oven Space: Christmas meals often involve numerous dishes competing for oven space. An air fryer provides an extra cooking appliance, allowing you to prepare multiple items simultaneously and avoid oven bottlenecks. You can use it for sides, appetizers, or even parts of the main course.
- Healthier Options: If you’re trying to lighten up your Christmas meal, air fryers can help. They use significantly less oil than traditional frying, allowing you to enjoy crispy foods with fewer calories and less fat.
- Crispy Results without the Fuss: Achieving perfectly crispy roast potatoes, parsnips, or even Brussels sprouts can be challenging. Air fryers consistently deliver that desired crispiness without the need for constant turning or excessive oil.
- Reheating Leftovers: Air fryers are fantastic for reheating leftovers. They can restore the original crispness and texture of food, making leftovers taste just as good as the first time around. This reduces waste and makes post-Christmas meals a breeze.
- Simpler Cleanup: Many air fryers have removable, dishwasher-safe parts, making cleanup much easier than scrubbing greasy pans and oven trays. This is a huge bonus after a long day of cooking and entertaining.
- Versatility: Air fryers aren’t just for “fried” foods. You can use them to roast vegetables, bake small items, warm appetizers, or even cook parts of the main course, adding to their usefulness during the holidays.
Cooking Christmas Dinner in an Air Fryer Frequently Questioned Questions (FAQs)
Can you really cook a full Christmas dinner in an air fryer?
Yes! While you might not fit a massive whole turkey, you can easily cook a turkey crown, roast potatoes, parsnips, and sprouts. If you have a dual-basket air fryer, you can sync the timings so your meat and sides finish together. For larger families, many people use the air fryer for all the “trimmings” to free up valuable oven space for the main bird.
How do I get my air fryer roast potatoes extra crispy?
The secret is to par-boil your potatoes for about 8–10 minutes first, shake them in the pan to roughen the edges (this creates the “crunch”), and then toss them in a little oil or goose fat before air frying at 200°C. Shaking the basket halfway through is essential for an even golden finish.
Can I cook frozen Christmas party food in the air fryer?
Absolutely! The air fryer is actually superior to the oven for frozen snacks like spring rolls, pigs in blankets, and camembert bites. As a general rule, reduce the oven temperature by 20°C and check them at the halfway mark—they usually cook in about half the time!
How do I stop my stuffing from drying out?
Since air fryers circulate hot air rapidly, bread-based stuffing can dry out quickly. To keep it moist, try cooking your stuffing in a small oven-proof dish covered with foil for the first 10 minutes, then remove the foil for the final 5 minutes to get a crispy top.
What is the best way to reheat Christmas leftovers?
Forget the microwave! Reheating leftover turkey, roasties, or even stuffing in the air fryer at 160°C for 3–5 minutes brings back the original texture without making the meat rubbery or the potatoes soggy.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer for these recipes?
While not always mandatory, preheating for 3–5 minutes ensures that your festive treats start crisping immediately. This is especially important for things like Yorkshire puddings or pastry-based recipes where you want an instant “lift.”
How do I convert oven recipes to air fryer?
Usually, it’s -20°C in temperature and 20-25% less time.
This video provides specific advice on which Christmas ready meals and sides are air fryer friendly, making it a great companion to your list of recipes.
In short, an air fryer can be a valuable ally in the kitchen during the Christmas season, helping to streamline the cooking process, reduce stress, and ensure delicious results.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
