Crisp mornings, twinkling lights, the smell of cinnamon and pine trees in the air – Christmas is almost here! So what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with festive-inspired dishes and sweet treats prepared in the air fryer?
Whether you bought an air fryer during the recent Black Friday sale or are a long-time convert, the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to put the appliance to the test. Especially if you are hosting loved ones throughout the holiday.
Not only have the best air fryers gained near-cult status for their versatility, but they also offer a healthier alternative to oil frying. They also use less energy than traditional ovens, are faster and can be much less hassle. Just the kind of quality and convenience you need at a sometimes stressful time of year.
To help you feel inspired this holiday season, I've picked five of my favorite air fryer Christmas recipes below, all of which put a little twist on traditional festive flavors and dishes.
And if you're feeling particularly ambitious, we've explained how you can even cook turkey in your air fryer, albeit with a few caveats!
Looking for a gift for the air fryer lover in your life? Us air fryer gift guide will help with that.
1. Poppers from Turkey
If you're looking for a more exciting way to serve turkey this Christmas, or are looking for festive snacks or canapés for the holidays, these turkey poppers are a great, tasty and alternative way to keep up with tradition.
The cream cheese ensures that the turkey does not dry out and the crispy bacon provides a delicious, crunchy and salty taste. You can add jalapenos for a bit of spice, or add different herbs and spices to the cream cheese to enhance the flavor even more.
Plus, they're incredibly easy to make and can be made with just three ingredients. The perfect, hassle-free, cost-effective way to feed your family or large groups this Christmas.
2. Mini pecan pies
I love warm pecan pie, especially during the holidays when the weather is cold, the nights are long and I crave sweet, festive flavors. However, it's not the easiest dessert to make at home, so I found a compromise.
These mini pecan pies have all the flavors you expect from a large pie – crunchy pecans, a soft, sweet center and crunchy pastry – but in individual, bite-sized portions that you can make in the air fryer.
It only takes 20 minutes from start to finish and if you use pre-rolled dough you can make sweet holiday treats in just a few steps.
3. Sirloin steak
Not everyone likes turkey, so if you prefer to serve beef, or if you want to serve both to give your family options, this is it Air fryer prime rib is worth a try.
Simply mix the butter with salt, pepper and flavors of your choice – I like rosemary and garlic – rub the mixture over your prime rib and place in the air fryer for 45 minutes. The butter seeps into the meat leaving it moist and delicious, while the fat gets a perfectly crispy and salty texture.
I recommend letting the meat rest for at least 20 minutes to maximize its flavor, but this means you can make it a little in advance and have one less thing to worry about when serving the rest of the dish. your meal.
4. Pork, apple and sausage rolls
If you're hosting during the holidays, and especially if you're hosting a buffet, you'll probably want to serve sausage rolls. They are a buffet staple and when my family and friends want something, you have to stock up.
Instead of buying them frozen, or making multiple trips to the store during the holidays to buy them fresh, you can make your own.
These air fryer sausage rolls are easy and quick to bake. You can make them ahead of time and freeze them, or make a large batch of filling and bake batches as you need them. They taste best when served straight from the air fryer and my family likes to dip them in tomato sauce.
5. Green beans
Green beans are me and my family's favorite vegetables at Christmas, but they can be quite bland when cooked and can take a long time in the oven.
This recipe for air fryer green beans offers a happy medium between taste and time. You can replace the onions and mushrooms with strips of bacon, or replace the Italian herbs with mint. It even works well with frozen green beans.
The options are almost endless and it's a great, stress-free way to both take your side dishes to the next level this Christmas and encourage your kids to eat more vegetables. Win win!