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You Can Cook Your Entire Christmas Dinner In An Air Fryer, Here's How
You can air-fry your Christmas feast
By Maria J. Ritchie · December 15, 2023
Originally published on loveFOOD
A faster festive feast
Hosting a Christmas meal needn't mean being stuck in the kitchen all day and missing out on the festive fun; in fact, with a little help from an air fryer, serving up a festive feast can be a total breeze. Everyone's new favorite gadget can help to cut down on cooking times and energy costs, can tackle (and even improve) everything from roast potatoes to pigs in blankets – and can even be used to cook the turkey itself. We've put together a collection of easy-to-follow festive recipes, complete with simple instructions on how to adapt them for your air fryer.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover how you can cook your entire Christmas dinner in an air fryer – yes, really!
Ham and Stilton tartlets
Crumbly blue cheese takes center stage in these divine ham and Stilton tartlets, which can be served either as canapés with drinks at a Christmassy gathering or plated up as a starter on Christmas Day. Our recipe makes 12 tartlets, which can be baked in an air fryer to save time. Simply set your machine to 350°F, line the basket with baking paper, then cook the tarts for 15-18 minutes or until set and golden brown.
Baked figs with halloumi, prosciutto and basil
A taste bud–tingling combination of sweet and salty flavors, these prosciutto-wrapped fig and halloumi bites are the nibbles you never knew you needed in your Christmas spread. They taste best served hot, so ensure they're cooked to perfection by using your air fryer. Set your gadget to 375°F, and cook for 6-8 minutes.
Get the recipe for baked figs with halloumi, prosciutto and basil here
Wellington sausage rolls
A speciality of Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain, these fun party snacks bring together two British favorites: beef Wellington and sausage rolls. The resulting bite-sized pastries are gloriously tasty and, handily, they can be both baked and reheated in an air fryer. For a flaky crust and moist center, air-fry your sausage rolls at 375°F for 12-16 minutes.
Devilled eggs
Made with tahini and za'atar, this Middle Eastern–inspired take on devilled eggs brings the classic Christmas canapé bang up to date. To make life easier, simply place your eggs in your air fryer basket, space them out well to allow the air to circulate, then air fry for 12 minutes at 275°F. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath, peel them when they're cool enough to handle, then follow the recipe's next steps.
Get the recipe for devilled eggs with creamy tahini and za’atar here
Mulled wine
Not only will adding some slices of dehydrated orange make your mulled wine look extra fancy, but it'll also fill your house with some lovely festive aromas. Simply dust your orange slices with some cinnamon and sugar, then pop them on the air fryer rack. Dehydrate them at the lowest temperature your air fryer has for two to three hours. Once ready, they make the perfect garnish for drinks.
Orange-glazed ham
Infused with fruity flavors and warming spices, a glazed ham makes the ultimate Christmas centerpiece – and cooking your joint in an air fryer will give it a deliciously crispy crust and a tender, juicy interior. Steps 1-6 of our recipe can be done on the hob; then, finish off your glazed ham by air frying it at a temperature of 400°F for approximately 20 minutes.
Get the recipe for orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa here
Crispy pork belly
Crunchy crackling, moist, perfectly cooked meat... air-fried pork belly really is something of a Christmas miracle. Not only is it delicious, but air-frying will also take a fraction of the time it'd take to cook pork in a conventional oven. When it's ready, pair your meaty show-stopper with a good, tangy chutney; the acidic notes will help to balance out the richness of the fat.
Turkey crown
A whole turkey may be too big for most air fryers, but a turkey crown will work a treat. Start by seasoning your crown with your chosen herbs and spices, then place it in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for about 15 minutes per 1.1lb, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remember to brush your turkey with melted butter frequently to keep it moist, and let it rest before carving.
Vegan stuffing
To cook this flavor-packed Christmas staple in an air fryer, lightly oil an ovenproof dish and pile in the stuffing, packing it down firmly. Rough up the surface a bit with a fork, then scatter over some breadcrumbs, nuts and seeds. Trickle over a little more oil, then air fry for about 20 minutes at 350°F, or until nicely browned and crispy on top.
Pigs in blankets
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without pigs in blankets – and happily, these moreish little morsels crisp up to perfection in an air fryer basket. It couldn't be easier to make your own; they take less than 10 minutes to cook, and all you'll need is bacon and sausages. Serve them up alongside your turkey as the ultimate festive side dish, or serve as a canapé or festive snack.
Brussels sprouts
Love them or hate them, Brussels sprouts are widely considered essential at Christmas. For the most crowd-pleasing take on the leafy green veggies possible, try our easy air fryer recipe – it comes complete with salty, savory bacon bits for an added crispy crunch. What better way to get one of your festive five-a-day?
Comté and Brussels sprouts gratin
If you're a die-hard fan of Brussels sprouts, why not give them an upgrade this year by adding them to this lusciously cheesy gratin? Here, pancetta, thyme and Comté cheese come together to create a tantalizing bake that'll taste divine alongside your Christmas dinner. Adjust our recipe by placing your baking dish directly into an air fryer at a temperature of 325°F, then cook for 15 minutes for delightfully oozy, bubbly results. You can also skip the pancetta for a vegetarian version.
Roast potatoes
No Christmas spread is complete without a heaving bowlful of golden roast potatoes – and handily, potatoes and air fryers are a match made in heaven. These foolproof three-ingredient roasties can be on the table within half an hour, and they're just as crispy, comforting and delicious as traditional oven-cooked ones.
Vegetable peel crisps
Instead of letting your vegetable peelings go to waste this Christmas, why not use your air fryer to turn them into the perfect (and relatively healthy) nibbles to feast on in front of the TV? Our recipe calls for potato peelings, but you can equally throw in some carrot or parsnip peelings, too.
Honey-roasted vegetables
Roasting vegetables like butternut squash, onions, potatoes and beetroot with honey is a fantastic way to entice picky eaters into tucking into their five-a-day. This tasty side dish can easily be made in an air fryer; simply cook your honey-doused veggies at 375°F for 12-16 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
Yorkshire puddings
Though they're traditionally eaten with beef rather than turkey, Yorkshire puddings are a much-loved fixture of Christmas dinners these days – though they can be tricky to perfect, especially when you're juggling everything else for the meal. Make them in your air fryer, though, and they'll come out perfectly puffed-up and golden brown every time.
Mince pies
Who could resist a warm, freshly made mince pie, filled with an oozy mix of fruit and spices? These classic Christmas treats are a breeze to make from scratch in your air fryer. If you're not a confident baker (or you're running low on time), you can use your air fryer to warm up store-bought pies, too.
Ginger snaps
Whether you want to make a whole batch, or you'd rather whip up a single treat for yourself, air fryers are surprisingly brilliant for baking cookies. If you want to make just one ginger snap, be sure to freeze the rest of your dough for when the craving next strikes. Air-fry your cookie at 325°F for eight minutes, until golden and crumbly.
Christmas cake
Making a Christmas cake can be a real labour of love but baking your cake in an air fryer (if the tin fits) will significantly cut down on cooking time. Preheat your air fryer to 275°F, cover your cake tin with foil to prevent it from browning too quickly, then bake for two hours – or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Mini panettone
This traditional Italian bake has taken over the world in recent years, and an air fryer makes (relatively) short work of homemade efforts. With your favorite kitchen gadget at your side, you can bake delightful mini versions in no time, and the sweet little cakes make a lovely gift (alternatively, slip them into the top of your loved ones' stockings to be eaten on Christmas morning). To bake them, preheat your air fryer to 300°F and cook for 15 minutes.
Panettone bread and butter pudding
Turn leftover panettone into a sumptuous dessert with the help of our comforting bread and butter pudding recipe, which can easily be adjusted to suit an air fryer. Simply preheat your machine to 325°F, then place your baking dish, covered with foil, inside for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and allow the crust to brown for approximately five minutes further before serving.
Baked Camembert with garlic and rosemary
Gooey Camembert makes the perfect addition to a Christmas cheeseboard. Simply serve it with a warm baguette, crudités and cranberry sauce (or a tangy chutney) on the side. If you like, you can even use it as a dip for your leftover roast potatoes and veggies once Christmas dinner is over, like a simple fondue. To prepare your Camembert in an air fryer, adjust our recipe by preheating your machine to 350°F, then cook the cheese for eight minutes in an oven-safe baking dish.
Get the recipe for baked camembert with garlic and rosemary here
Have you been cooking Christmas dinner all wrong? Read our top tips here
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