If you’re cooking for a smaller crowd this year, or just need some extra space in the big oven, then I have great news! I’m bringing you 19 easy air fryer Thanksgiving recipes so you can make appetizers, sides, the main course, or even dessert right in your favorite countertop appliance.
Why Make Thanksgiving Recipes in Your Air Fryer
Using an air fryer for Thanksgiving recipes has several advantages, making it a great choice for holiday cooking. Here are some of the reasons I reach for it every year:
Time Saving
Air fryers both preheat and cook food faster than traditional ovens, reducing time spent, usually significantly. This is especially helpful during Thanksgiving when oven space is limited due to multiple dishes being prepared!
Crispier Texture
Air fryers use rapid air circulation, which gives foods a crisp exterior without needing much oil. This makes your dishes like turkey breast, stuffing, and roasted vegetables crispier on the outside, while still maintaining juicy, tender, and flavorful interiors.
Efficiency
With the oven occupied by the main turkey or large casseroles, an air fryer provides an additional cooking appliance. It helps free up oven space and allows you to multitask, preparing side dishes or appetizers simultaneously!
Versatility
Your air fryer can be used for a wide variety of Thanksgiving dishes, from appetizers like baked Brie and deviled eggs to main dishes like turkey tenderloin, and even desserts like pumpkin pie!
So, without further ado, let’s get into some tasty recipes!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Did you know your air fryer can do a great job of “boiling” your eggs to make deviled eggs? It takes about the same time as the stovetop, with no need to get a pot dirty or watch over them!
Deviled eggs are probably the most popular Thanksgiving appetizer out there, and this cute pumpkin version really takes them to the next level. Don’t worry, there’s no actual pumpkin in them.
This classic filling is tinted by putting the paprika in the filling, which is then shaped to look like a pumpkin, and finished with a chive stem. It’s the perfect air fryer Thanksgiving recipe to get the party started!
If you want to keep up with the pumpkin themed treats, make sure to check out my no bake Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats for a dessert option!
For an elegant looking (yet incredibly easy to make) Thanksgiving appetizer option, you’ll love this cranberry baked Brie. Best of all, it cooks in just 10 minutes in your air fryer, saving you at least 5 minutes over your oven (and that’s not even including preheating time)!
This gooey cheese is topped with cranberry sauce (you can also make it after Thanksgiving to use up leftovers), along with crunchy walnuts for texture.
It’s perfect to spread on crackers (I like rosemary ones for this dish), apple slices, or your favorite dippers!
If you prefer your appetizers in a poppable, portable format, then try my Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites for this classic combination wrapped in flaky puff pastry bites!
Whether you serve them as an appetizer or as part of your main course, these air fryer smoked turkey wings are a great Thanksgiving recipe!
Simply season some smoked wings in your favorite spice blend (I like jerk seasoning) and then air fry them until the skin is crispy and delicious! Serve with a side of dipping sauce (I do cilantro lime with my jerk version) for a tasty treat!
These wings are a great snack or appetizer, and also a perfect option if you’re serving something other than turkey as your main course, but still want a nod to a more traditional offering as well!
For a vegetarian friendly option, check out my Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower Wings instead!
This air fryer turkey tenderloin is so easy to make, you could enjoy it on a weeknight! However, it’s also elegant enough for the Thanksgiving table, and perfect when you’re cooking for 2-4 people instead of a whole crowd!
You can get pre-marinated tenderloins right at the store, or choose to season your own. Either way, it only takes around 20 minutes (depending on exact size) to have an amazing turkey tenderloin that’s browned on the outside and juicy on the inside.
You can even take this to another level with my Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin that's coated with a smoky BBQ sauce!
Looking for an even faster option than a tenderloin? These easy air fryer turkey breast cutlets are the answer! They cook up juicy and delicious in 10 minutes or less for an incredibly easy main course for Thanksgiving.
Turkey cutlets are basically the equivalent to a boneless pork chop, and the ideal pick when you’re cooking for 1-2 people. Honestly, they’re so quick and convenient that I’ll make them for busy weeknights too!
Pair with your favorite Thanksgiving sides for an incredibly easy meal that’s worthy of your holiday table!
While turkey is by far the most traditional meat served for Thanksgiving, it’s always good to have alternative options, like this air fryer chuck roast.
You can get it cooked to a medium-rare to medium level in just over an hour, saving you time over the traditional oven with an equally delicious result!
This elegant looking beef roast has just 5 ingredients, and you can customize the seasonings to your liking, or to coordinate with other dishes on the table. Speaking of, chuck roast pairs well with all the Thanksgiving side dish classics like potatoes, vegetables, and even stuffing!
Speaking of classic Thanksgiving side dishes, you can make your classic green bean casserole in the air fryer too!
It’s loaded with green beans (and you can use canned, frozen, or freshly cooked), creamy soup, seasonings, and of course crispy onions too!
Best of all, it cooks up in just 15 minutes – it doesn’t get more convenient than that!
If you want to try something new (and even more convenient) this year, you can try my Air Fryer Bird’s Eye Crispy Green Beans which are a breaded, crispy version ready in under 10 minutes!
If the idea of fries for Thanksgiving is exciting, then you may also want to give these air fryer pumpkin fries a try!
These crispy fries are made with a fresh pie pumpkin cut up and seasoned with your choice of herbs and spices, so you can customize them to complement the rest of your meal.
Once browned and crisped to your liking, make sure to add some finishing salt for the best flavor, and then serve with a dipping sauce of your choice! Pumpkin pairs well with cinnamon, honey, or maple-based dips, chipotle or curry mayo, or ginger or sage-based sauces.
Staying in the realm of squash, these air fryer butternut squash slices are a delightful Thanksgiving side dish option!
Season them just the way you like them, and roast the slices in your air fryer in just 15-20 minutes. Top with seasonal favorites like walnuts, cranberries, thyme, and goat cheese to make an elegant presentation exploding with flavor.
Not into squash slices? Try my crispy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries, creamy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Soup, or any of my Best Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipes instead!
Parsnips are a delightful root vegetable and make for an elegant air fryer Thanksgiving side dish option!
Even cut the long way, they roast up perfectly in under 20 minutes, making for a quick option that doesn’t sacrifice on flavor.
Parsnips also pair well with a lot of other Thanksgiving flavors, like thyme and maple syrup, so they’ll fit in perfectly with the rest of your spread!
Another classic Thanksgiving side dish you can make in your air fryer is this sweet potato casserole, marshmallows and all!
Canned yams are mixed with your favorite sweet stuff, like brown sugar, cinnamon, and maple syrup for a side that could easily be a dessert too! Plus, it’s ready in only about 15 minutes thanks to the air fryer’s quick cooking.
Finish with toasted brown marshmallows and crunch pecans for an extra treat!
If you prefer your sweet potatoes to not be in mashed form my Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes feature an entire sweet potato, loaded with maple, cinnamon, pecans, and a hint of chili powder for some heat. This side looks elegant, but is actually incredibly easy to make!
Want something on the sweeter side, but not into the mushy texture of the classic casserole? Then air fryer candied yams might be the perfect choice for your Thanksgiving table!
Cube up some yams, toss them with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices, and air fry them to perfection in just 20 minutes.
These roasted potatoes come out tender on the inside, with brown, caramelized edges, and a sweet, slightly sticky sauce that’s sure to make them the talk of the table!
For a less sweet alternative in the same vein, check out my Air Fryer Beets and Sweet Potatoes, which make use of seasonal root vegetables for a dish that’s delicious, beautiful, and packed with savory flavors!
When it comes to sides on the sweeter side, these air fryer maple glazed carrots are another perfect choice for your Thanksgiving table!
The carrots roast up beautifully in your air fryer in just 10 minutes, with their natural caramelized sweetness blending perfectly with maple, herbs, and seasonings of your choice.
Roasted carrots are another dish that’s highly customizable, so you can adjust the seasonings to your personal tastes, or to highlight the rest of the flavors on your table.
Stuffing, also sometimes known as dressing, is a staple for Thanksgiving, and another great side dish you can make in your air fryer!
This Southern style cornbread dressing features cornbread instead of regular bread cubes, along with onions, celery, and lots of seasonings to really deliver the flavor.
Bake it up in your air fryer in just 20 minutes, for a version of stuffing that’s ready in 30 minutes or less with prep time included. Now that’s convenient!
For a more classic stuffing preparation that’s loaded with sweet and savory flavors, you have to try this air fryer whiskey, sausage, and cranberry stuffing!
It’s loaded with cubes of French bread, whiskey, dried cranberries, pork sausage, and all your favorite Thanksgiving herbs like sage, rosemary, and parsley for a savory flavor explosion!
Best of all, once assembled, it only needs to cook for 15 minutes in your air fryer! I’ll never go back to making stuffing in the oven now that I’ve learned how convenient the air fryer makes it.
Crescent rolls are a tried and true bread option for your Thanksgiving table, made even easier thanks to your air fryer!
I love the convenience of just popping open a can, rolling, and tossing them in to cook. Crescents come out golden brown and crispy on the outside, while still being flaky and tender on the inside – just what you want from your rolls.
Best of all, the air fryer has them ready in just 10 minutes, saving you room (and an extra pan) in your big oven, while still turning out an equally delicious result!
Undoubtedly one of the most classic desserts you can serve at Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie. Did you know, though, that you could make it right in your air fryer?
Yep, you can bake a whole pumpkin pie in your air fryer, and it only takes about 20 minutes! Talk about time saving when compared to the oven.
This recipe includes a homemade crust, creamy, spiced pumpkin filling, and enough to make two pies in total (so you can feed a crowd)!
Note that you will need a basket or oven style air fryer that’s big enough to hold a pie plate (so I recommend measuring in advance)! However, you can always make some delicious pumpkin hand pies if you’re short on space!
Looking for an alternative to the classic pumpkin pie this year? Try these mini crustless cranberry pies instead, made easily in your air fryer!
They’re the perfect combination of sweet and tart, with an almond batter that’s cake-like surrounding fresh, tart cranberries bursting with flavor!
This mini version bakes in just 15 minutes in your air fryer (and is great if you have a Dual Zone or smaller basket to work with). Alternatively, you can pop the whole recipe into a 9” tart pan and make one bigger dessert – the choice is yours, but it’s delicious either way!
For a bite-sized option, check out these air fryer pumpkin donut holes! They’re made with warm spices, lots of pumpkin, and just totally scream fall and Thanksgiving.
Once the dough is prepped, each batch only takes 6 minutes to cook in your air fryer, and then they get a toss in some cinnamon and sugar for extra flavor, or a glaze if you prefer.
Kids and adults alike love these perfect pumpkin treats, and they’re a fun Thanksgiving dessert option made even easier thanks to your air fryer!
Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook A Turkey In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook a turkey in an air fryer, but it’s typically best for smaller portions like turkey breast or turkey legs.
Whole turkeys may not fit in a standard air fryer unless it’s a large capacity model, or a range with an air fryer function built in. Air frying turkey results in crispy skin and juicy meat, though, so it’s worth it if you can!
What Are The Best Air Fryer Side Dishes For Thanksgiving?
Popular air fryer Thanksgiving sides include roasted butternut squash, carrots or other root vegetables, sweet potatoes, green beans, and stuffing.
These dishes are quick to prepare and offer a crispy texture that adds variety to the meal!
Can You Make Thanksgiving Desserts In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make desserts like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, and even hand pies in an air fryer.
The result is perfectly baked desserts with a golden, crispy crust, all in less time than the traditional oven!
How Do You Reheat Thanksgiving Leftovers In The Air Fryer?
The air fryer is excellent for reheating leftovers like turkey, stuffing, and rolls. Set the air fryer to 350°F and heat for 3-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
This method keeps the food crispy rather than soggy!
Can You Make Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dishes In The Air Fryer?
Yes, many Thanksgiving recipes can be made gluten free using substitutes like almond flour or gluten free bread crumbs.
Dishes like roasted vegetables, turkey breast, and certain desserts can easily be adapted. The air fryer may be a good way to separate different dishes for cooking if you have varying needs to accommodate.
What Thanksgiving Appetizers Can Be Made In The Air Fryer?
Appetizers like stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped dates, baked brie, and deviled eggs are perfect for the air fryer.
They cook quickly and develop a crispy texture, making them ideal for pre-dinner snacks!
Final Thoughts
Well, that’s a wrap! I’ve covered 19 amazing air fryer Thanksgiving recipes you can try this year, from appetizers to main courses, and side dishes to desserts too!
The air fryer is such a versatile appliance, saving you time and oven space while still turning out delicious options for any course on your holiday table.
Plus, I find it’s a great option when you’re not feeding a whole army, as you can easily make portions for 2-4 people and cook the entire meal in your air fryer! It’s also great for sides where not everyone loves them, so you can make smaller quantities and please everyone.
I hope you’ve found inspiration to help you create the most amazing Thanksgiving spread, no matter who you’re enjoying it with!
