Proof you CAN cook your entire Christmas dinner in an air fryer! It will save you 90 minutes and cost a pound or two less… SARAH RAINEY shows you how it’s done

As the gadget of the year, praised for its ability to produce golden chips, crispy bacon and sizzling sausages, the air fryer may have made it onto your Christmas wish list. But have you thought about opening it early and using it on the big day to prepare every ingredient on your lunch menu?

According to a new report from consumer champion Which? the popular appliance beats both the oven and the microwave in timing, cost and taste when it comes to preparing everyday dishes like roast chicken, baked potatoes and even baking a cake.

Amid rising energy costs and rising food prices, it’s no wonder home chefs are turning to the air fryer – which can save you a third of your energy bill – to prepare family meals.

But can you use it to prepare turkey and all the trimmings, which costs an average of €3.74 to cook in a conventional oven – and how much money and time can you save? I turned to my Ninja 5.2-ltr air fryer (argos.co.uk) to test the hacks, tips and times you need to prepare a Christmas dinner for six – all without turning on the oven .

UPSIDE DOWN TURKEY CROWN

The size of your air fryer determines the size of your turkey. The largest units have a capacity of 7.3 liters, which can fit a small bird, but a better option is a medium crown, which is everything except the legs and wings.

My turkey crown weighs 1.8kg, which can comfortably feed six – and takes 2 hours and 25 minutes to cook in the oven at 180 degrees.

The air fryer needs less than half this time, but the trick is to cook the turkey upside down so that the skin comes into contact with the bottom and sides of the appliance. This makes it extra crispy. I lightly rub vegetable oil into the peel, season it with salt, pepper and dried herbs and put it in the air fryer for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. It takes a bit of squeezing, but as long as it is well oiled everywhere, it won’t stick.

When the timer buzzes, I use tongs to turn it over and cook for another 20 minutes, until the juices run clear. My crown then needs to rest for about 75 minutes – this allows the juices to be reabsorbed, making it extra moist. I cover it loosely in aluminum foil (too tight and the skin will be soggy) to keep it warm while I make the rest of the meal.

The result? Tender, juicy meat; the skin is golden brown and crispy and remains that way even after resting, thanks to the turbo heat in the air fryer.

TIME SAVED: 1 hour and 35 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 50p

MICROWAVE FRIED POTATOES

Crispy, golden brown roasts are the secret to a good Christmas dinner – and the air fryer guarantees perfect results every time. But if you want that fluffy inside, there’s a clever hack involved.

First I peel the potatoes and cut them into large pieces. Then I put them in a heatproof bowl with a little cold water, cover the bowl with cling film and cook them on high in the microwave for 10 minutes.

This steams and partially cooks the potatoes; You can also do it on the stovetop or, if you have an air fryer with a grill edge, place the potatoes on top and cover with water so they don’t get soggy.

Once steamed, the potatoes need to be put in the air fryer at 200 degrees for eight minutes. Amazingly, you don’t need any oil or goose fat to make them crispy, but it’s Christmas so be as indulgent as you like.

Sizzling and golden brown, with melty middle notes, these are impressive roast potatoes with a cooking time of just 18 minutes, compared to the usual 45 minutes. I set them aside in a heatproof bowl and cover with foil until the rest of the garnish is done.

TIME SAVED: 27 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 17p

FROZEN PIGS IN BLANKETS

There’s little space in the fridge at this time of year, so save some space by cooking the pigs in blankets straight from the freezer – a clever way to make the bacon ultra-crispy.

Air fryers are ideal for cooking frozen foods because the rapid circulation of hot air in the frying compartment ensures they cook evenly and quickly without becoming soggy when the ice turns to water.

Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees and throw the pigs in blankets into it; there should be enough space in the compartment to prepare about 20 pieces in one layer. If you stack them on top of each other, they won’t get crispy.

After just 12 minutes, with a good shake along the way, they’re ready: crispy, brown bacon and perfectly cooked sausages inside. I try a few – just to be sure – and cover them with aluminum foil.

TIME SAVED: 23 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 11p

Sprouts soaked in salt

Pre-soaking your Brussels sprouts will prevent them from tasting bitter and can help them cook through without them becoming mushy and losing their color. Cooking in an air fryer is no different. I start by making a hole in the bottom of each of the larger sprouts – to help the water seep in – and soak them in a bowl of warm, salted water for 20 minutes (you can do this while the roast potatoes and pork lying in blankets). to cook).

Then I drain them, put them in the air fryer with a little herb-flavored butter, chopped red onion and pieces of bacon, and cook everything at 180 degrees for 15 minutes.

Amazingly, the sprouts are still green, with a nice crisp bite and nice charred edges. The bacon and onions have crisped up and the spicy butter has melted into a delicious, delicious sauce. These are much tastier – and more gourmet – than regular cooked Brussels sprouts.

TIME SAVED: 15 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 14p

ULTIMATE CRISPY PANIC

Peel and chop the parsnips as you normally would, and put them in the air fryer with a drizzle of olive oil, maple syrup and sea salt. For flavor you can also add a handful of grated Parmesan cheese.

These last 14 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. I hear them start to sizzle almost immediately as they release their juices and crisp up. You’ll need to shake them a few times while cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

The powerful fan in the air fryer blows them all around with super hot air, so there is no risk of soggy parsnips. Instead, they are beautifully caramelized and sweet.

I cover them with foil until it’s time to serve.

TIME SAVED: 26 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 13p

10 MINUTES FILLING BALLS

Whether your stuffing is homemade or store-bought, it is easiest (and safest (from a food hygiene perspective, avoiding contact with raw meat)) to cook it in balls rather than in the bird.

These taste the best crispy and crunchy, so the air fryer is perfect for getting them just right.

Mine takes 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, shaking frequently to ensure they don’t stick to the fryer. They are salty, meaty on the inside and golden brown on the outside – just the way I like them.

TIME SAVED: 20 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 10p

‘STEAMED’ RED CABBAGE

Air fryers aren’t known for gently cooking vegetables, but there’s no reason you can’t use it to ‘steam’ red cabbage; indispensable in every Christmas distribution.

I cut my cabbage into strips and mix it in a bowl with festive spices: orange zest, half a teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg, a teaspoon of cranberry sauce and some grated apple.

Then it goes into the air fryer with a few tablespoons of water and I cook it for six minutes at 180 degrees. This steams the cabbage and retains its sharp taste. To make it crispy, I drain the water, add a tablespoon of olive oil and turn the heat up to 200 degrees Celsius for another six minutes.

It’s still spicy and fragrant with spices, but there are a few crunchy bits that make it crunchy. I’m impressed: the two-stage cooking process really works. I keep it warm in a foil covered bowl.

TIME SAVED: 33 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 12p

EASIEST GRAVY EVER

Make the gravy after you cook the turkey so you can make the most of all the meat juices that have run off the bird. Sprinkle a handful of flour over the bottom of the air fryer and bake for a few minutes at 210 degrees Celsius. Whisk the cooked flour into the liquid and let it thicken for a minute.

Add boiling water (the more you add, the thinner the gravy will be), some herbs, a dash of red wine and – if you like – a teaspoon of Marmite for saltiness. Return the gravy to the air fryer at 200 degrees Celsius for two minutes until bubbly, thick and delicious.

TIME SAVED: 5 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 5p

CHRISTMAS PUD WITH THREE INGREDIENTS

This Christmas pudding is not included in the total cooking time. You can prepare this Christmas pudding in advance and put it in the air fryer when you are ready to eat, so that it is piping hot in time for dessert.

Made from just three ingredients, it couldn’t be simpler. And unlike a traditional Christmas pud, which is steamed for several hours, cooking takes just 30 minutes.

Mix 250 g mixed dried fruit with 260 ml chocolate milk (you can also use orange juice or unsweetened milk if you prefer) and soak the fruit overnight until it is plump and juicy.

Sift 90 grams of self-raising flour over the fruit mixture and stir well, before pouring into a greased pudding tin (mine is 1 litre, good for six people, but crucially also fits in my air fryer). Cook at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.

Allow the cooked pud to cool for 10-15 minutes, then run a blunt knife around the inside edge to loosen it before dropping it onto a plate. Serve with dollops of cognac cream – and challenge everyone to guess how it’s cooked.

TIME SAVING: 2 hours and 30 minutes

SAVE MONEY: 29p

A version of this article was originally published by post on December 13, 2022