Read on for your complete guide to the best Thanksgiving air fryer recipes to pair with your turkey. But first, we’re dishing up a few general tips about how to utilize your air fryer to make holiday hosting no sweat.
4 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Strategies to Save Time and Coveted Oven Space
Its small size means the heat can circulate around the food at a more rapid clip, which often translates to a slightly shorter cook time than in a regular-sized oven. And since that oven is often overloaded with tasks on Thanksgiving, consider tagging in your air fryer for these tasks:
1. Greet guests with air-fried snacks.
Depending on the time of day, diners might be a bit peckish before the full dinner hits the table. So with that in mind, we always like to offer at least one or two Thanksgiving appetizers for all to nibble on as the other elements of the feast finish up. Since the oven and stove are likely occupied by the turkey, gravy, and other traditional Thanksgiving recipes, we like to heat up some apps in the air fryer. Below, we’re sharing a couple of homemade ideas, but keep in mind that some of the best air fryer Thanksgiving recipes for snack time can be found in the freezer aisle at the supermarket. Who could be mad about a pre-meal pizza roll or mozzarella stick?
2. Use the air fryer to “roast” vegetables.
A sheet pan takes up precious real estate in the oven. Instead, try our Thanksgiving air fryer recipes below for everything from Brussels sprouts to root vegetables to squash. Or get creative and toss together your seasonal favorites with olive oil, salt, and your seasoning blend of choice. Air fry until tender and golden brown.
3. Upgrade your Thanksgiving or Black Friday brunch.
Instead of sticking with the usual routine of an oven-baked breakfast casserole or acting like a short-order cook overseeing separate skillets of bacon, eggs, and pancakes, try air frying a family-sized batch of baked donuts, quick bread, jam-stuffed pastries, or French toast this holiday season. We have Thanksgiving air-fryer recipes for all of that and more ahead.
4. Reheat Thanksgiving leftovers in the air fryer.
We’ve already raved about reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer, but that’s far from the only item you can rejuvenate in the appliance. Everything from rolls to vegetables to pie (holy smokes, how amazing would a slice of air-fried apple pie taste served a la mode?!) can be reheated in the air fryer. Stick to medium heat, about 325° F, and check every couple minutes to see if the recipe has reached your desired level of warmth. To protect the bottom of your machine from any potential drips or sticking, we recommend covering it with one of our best air fryer accessories: a parchment paper liner.
Our Best Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes
Sure, you could deep-fry a turkey. But we’re partial to roasting the bird, then rounding out the menu with these Thanksgiving air-fryer recipes.
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Appetizers
While the turkey finishes up, pour a round of spirit-free Thanksgiving drinks to ease into the holiday you and your guests snack on these easy appetizers.
Air-Fryer Spiced Walnuts Pretzel-Crusted Air-Fryer Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Vegetables any which way, twice-baked potatoes, and even dressing/stuffing can be made in this multitasking appliance. As we were pulling together this list of Thanksgiving air fryer recipes for side dishes alone, we started wondering, “how many air fryers are too many to store in one kitchen?” So much air fryer awesomeness, so little time. Choose a couple of your favorites, sprinkle in your family heirloom holiday sides made in the oven or on the stove, then prepare to dig into an unforgettable feast.
Air-Fried Balsamic Glazed Carrots Broccoli and Cheese Air-Fried Baked Potatoes Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Maple-Bourbon Glaze Air Fryer Vegetarian Dressing Air-Fryer Rosemary Garlic Baby Potatoes Air-Fryer Roasted Vegetables Honey-Roasted Air-Fryer Butternut Squash Air-Fryer Mushrooms with Balsamic, Thyme, and Goat Cheese
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Dessert
No Thanksgiving menu is complete without pie, if you ask us. But we like to offer some alternatives for those who might have different dietary restrictions or preferences—or cravings. Purchase a pint of vanilla ice cream to pair with one or both of these warmly-spiced, autumnal air-fryer Thanksgiving recipes.
Brown Sugar and Pecan Air-Fryer Apples Air-Fried Apple Fritters with Salted Caramel Sauce
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Weekend Brunch
On Thanksgiving morning or before Black Friday shopping (or football-watching, movie-binging, or napping—do you!), put your air fryer to work once more for one of these family-friendly recipes.
Air-Fryer Banana Bread Spiced Cider Donuts Air-Fried French Toast Sticks with Berries Air Fryer Strawberry Pop Tarts
