🎄 Air Fryer Christmas Dinner: 20 Crowd-Pleasers You Can Make in Minutes 🍗✨

byGlobeish •
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“Festive cartoon air fryer mascot wearing a Santa hat with holiday air fryer foods like ham, Brussels sprouts, and bacon-wrapped green beans, promoting Air Fryer Christmas Dinner: 20 Crowd-Pleasers with the tagline ‘Crispy food. Zero holiday stress.’ on a sparkling pink background.”

🎄 Air Fryer Christmas Dinner: 20 Crowd-Pleasers You Can Make in Minutes 🍗✨

Holiday comfort food — faster, crispier, and way less stress.

Hosting Christmas dinner doesn’t have to mean sweating over the oven all day. Let your air fryer be your holiday MVP this year — delicious results, quicker cook times, and zero culinary meltdowns. 😅🔥

Below are 20 easy air fryer Christmas dishes worth celebrating — plus Amazon gear links so my readers can upgrade their kitchen like holiday cooking pros.

Note: Some links may be affiliate links — thank you for supporting Air Fryer Nation!

🦃 Air Fryer Christmas Main Dishes

Show-Stopping Holiday Meals in Minutes

1. Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Crispy skin • Juicy center • Holiday-worthy in under 45 min

⭐ Ingredients
  • 2–3 lb turkey breast (boneless or bone-in)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt + pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  • Pat turkey breast dry (crispy skin secret!).
  • Rub with oil + all seasonings.
  • Place skin-side up in basket.
  • Cook 35–45 min, until:
  • Internal temp = 165°F
  • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. (Don’t skip!)
🍽️ Optional Gravy
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Instant-Read Thermometer
👉 Turkey Carving Set

2. Glazed Ham Steaks
Sweet + Sticky Perfection Without Heating the Whole House

⭐ Ingredients
  • 2–4 ham steaks (pre-cooked)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  • Whisk glaze ingredients.
  • Brush ham with glaze.
  • Cook 6–8 min, flipping halfway + reglazing.
  • Add final glaze drizzle before serving.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Silicone Basting Brushes
👉 Honey Glaze Packets

3. Garlic Butter Prime Rib Bites
Fancy AF • 5–7 min cook time

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 lb prime rib pieces or steak cubes
  • 2 tbsp melted garlic butter
  • 1 tsp steak seasoning
  • Fresh parsley (optional)
🔥 Instructions
  • Toss steak cubes with garlic butter + seasoning.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • Cook 5–7 min, shaking halfway.
  • Rest 5 min for ultimate juiciness.
  • Toss with extra garlic butter + parsley.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Steak Knife Set
👉 Herb Butter Packs

4. Pesto-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Mozzarella = Christmas Magic ✨

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 pork tenderloin (1–1.5 lb)
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • Salt + pepper to taste
  • Olive oil
  • Butcher’s twine for tying
🔥 Instructions
  • Butterfly pork tenderloin (cut lengthwise but not through).
  • Spread pesto + mozzarella inside.
  • Fold shut + tie with twine every 2–3 inches.
  • Brush outside with oil, salt + pepper.
  • Air fry 370°F (188°C) for 20–25 min.
  • Internal temp should reach 145°F.
  • Rest 8–10 min before slicing into medallions.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Meat Thermometer
👉 Butcher’s Twine

5. Lemon & Herb Salmon
Light option for calorie-conscious guests

⭐ Ingredients
  • 4 salmon fillets (skin-on)
  • Juice + zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill or parsley
  • Salt + pepper
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
  • Season salmon + brush with oil + lemon.
  • Cook 8–10 min depending on thickness.
  • Serve with extra lemon wedges + fresh herbs.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Parchment Air Fryer Liners
👉 Citrus Squeezer

🍟 Lazy Chef Approved Air Fryer Holiday Sides

Fast • Festive • Zero Stress

6. Crispy Stuffing Balls
Leftover stuffing → Holiday gold ✨

⭐ Ingredients
  • 3–4 cups leftover stuffing (any kind)
  • 1 egg (helps bind)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (optional)
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  • Mix stuffing + egg together.
  • Roll into golf-ball-sized balls.
  • Lightly brush with melted butter.
  • Air fry 8–10 min, shaking halfway.
  • Cook until crispy outside + warm inside!
🧀 Make It Extra
Dip in gravy or cranberry sauce 😍

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Non-stick Air Fryer Basket Mat

7. Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
The recipe that converts sprout-haters 🎯

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt + pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
  • Toss sprouts with oil + garlic + salt + pepper.
  • Cook 12–15 min, shaking at 7 min.
  • Toss with Parmesan after cooking (keeps it melty but not burnt!).
  • Serve immediately for max crisp.
✨ Optional
Drizzle with balsamic glaze 😍

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Parmesan Grater
👉 Olive Oil Sprayer

8. Cheesy Potato Stacks
Layered potatoes + butter = 😍

⭐ Ingredients
  • 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère
  • Salt + pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer 375°F (190°C).
  • Stack 6–8 potato slices into mini towers.
  • Brush each stack with melted butter + salt + pepper.
  • Air fry 15–18 min.
  • Add cheese in last 3–4 min so it melts perfectly.
🎄 Holiday Tip
Serve in mini cupcake liners for adorable presentation!

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Mandoline Slicer
👉 Silicone Cupcake Liners

9. Candied Carrots
Honey + cinnamon + butter = holiday spirit

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 lb baby carrots
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  • Toss carrots with butter + honey + cinnamon + salt.
  • Cook 10–12 min until caramelized.
  • Drizzle extra glaze before serving.
🍭 Optional
Add brown sugar for candied crunch

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Silicone Tongs
👉 Honey Squeeze Bottle

10. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
Festive + Ridiculously Easy 🎁🥓

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 lb green beans (trimmed)
  • 6–10 slices thin bacon
  • Salt + pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
  • Bundle 6–8 green beans → wrap with 1 strip bacon.
  • Place seam-side down in basket.
  • Cook 10–12 min until bacon is crispy.
✨ Optional Glaze
Mix 1 tbsp brown sugar + 1 tbsp melted butter → brush on before cooking


🧀 Fast + Crowd-Pleasing Holiday Air Fryer Appetizers

Zero stress • Big flavor • Party approved 🥳

11. Cranberry Brie Bites
Pinterest-famous holiday classic ✨

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 wheel of Brie, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole)
  • Fresh rosemary (optional garnish)
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer 350°F (175°C).
  • Cut puff pastry into 1.5–2 inch squares.
  • Press squares into mini tart cups or silicone liners.
  • Add a cube of Brie + small spoon of cranberry.
  • Air fry 6–8 min until golden + melty.
  • Garnish with tiny rosemary sprigs before serving.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Mini Tart Pan
👉 Air Fryer Silicone Cups

12. Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms
5-minute prep → gone in 30 seconds 😆

⭐ Ingredients
  • 12–16 white mushrooms, stems removed
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder + pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 370°F (188°C).
  • Mix cream cheese + bacon + Parmesan + seasoning.
  • Spoon into mushroom caps.
  • Air fry 7–9 min, until tops turn golden.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Mini Baking Cups
👉 Silicone Tongs

13. Mozzarella Snowballs
Cheesy ornaments 🎄

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 block mozzarella, cut into 1–1.5 inch cubes
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1–1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Marinara for dipping
🔥 Instructions
  • Dip cheese cubes: flour → egg → panko.
  • Freeze 10–15 min to prevent melting blowouts.
  • Preheat air fryer 380°F (193°C).
  • Cook 6–8 min, shake halfway.
  • Serve with warm marinara ❤️
✨ Optional
Spritz with oil for extra crispiness.

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Marinara Dipping Bowls
👉 Oil Sprayer

14. Honey BBQ Meatballs
Kid-Favorites + Adult-Approved 😍

⭐ Ingredients
  • 20–30 frozen meatballs (pre-cooked)
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Holiday toothpicks for serving 🎄
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer 380°F (193°C).
  • Mix BBQ sauce + honey in a bowl.
  • Toss frozen meatballs in sauce.
  • Cook 10–12 min, shaking halfway.
  • Add decorative toothpicks + serve warm.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Frozen Meatballs
👉 Holiday Toothpicks

15. Crab Cake Minis
Luxury snack on a lazy budget 🦀✨

⭐ Ingredients
  • 8 oz lump crab (or imitation crab to save $$)
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Lemon wedges for serving
🔥 Instructions
  • Mix everything together in a bowl.
  • Shape into 12–15 mini patties.
  • Preheat air fryer 380°F (193°C).
  • Cook 7–9 min until golden, flipping at 5.
  • Serve with lemon + optional aioli.
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Mini Burger Mold/Press
👉 Crab Cake Seasoning (Old Bay)

🍫 Desserts (Last-Minute Sweetness)

Lazy-chef approved • Zero stress • Maximum joy ✨

16. Apple Pie Hand Pies
Warm & cozy + ice cream FTW 🍎🥧

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
  • 1 cup canned apple pie filling (chopped smaller)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • Cinnamon sugar (optional)
🔥 Instructions
  • Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
  • Cut pie crust into 3–4 inch circles.
  • Add 1 tbsp filling to each — fold + crimp edges.
  • Brush with egg wash.
  • Air fry 8–10 min until golden.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon sugar if you’re fun 😆
🍨 Serve with:
Vanilla ice cream or caramel drizzle

🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Non-stick Pastry Mat
👉 Pastry Crimper

17. Sugared Donut Holes
Shake. Shake. Shake. 🎉
⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 can refrigerated biscuits
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
🔥 Instructions
  • Cut biscuits into quarters; roll into balls.
  • Air fry 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 min.
  • Brush with melted butter.
  • Toss in cinnamon sugar while warm.
  • (Use a shaker bottle ↓ for easy coating)
🛒 Gear Ideas:
👉 Food-Safe Shaker Bottle
👉 Silicone Tongs

18. Chocolate Lava Cakes
YES… in the air fryer 🤯🍫

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • Pinch of salt
🔥 Instructions
  • Melt chocolate + butter.
  • Whisk in eggs + sugar + flour + salt.
  • Pour into greased ramekins (3–4 oz size).
  • Air fry 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 min.
  • Center should be slightly jiggly.
  • Let rest 2 min → flip or eat straight from ramekin.
😍 Serve with
Powdered sugar + berries or ice cream


19. Gingerbread Churros
Holiday spice + dunking required 

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp gingerbread spice or:
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Cinnamon sugar for coating
🔥 Instructions
  • Bring water + butter + brown sugar to a boil.
  • Stir in flour until dough forms.
  • Cool slightly → mix in egg + spices.
  • Pipe into churro sticks using star tip.
  • Air fry 360°F (182°C) for 8–10 min.
  • Coat in cinnamon sugar while warm.

20. S’mores Dip
Lazy Christmas miracle 🔥🍫

⭐ Ingredients
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 15–20 marshmallows
  • Graham crackers for dipping
🔥 Instructions
  • Place chocolate chips in mini skillet.
  • Top with marshmallows.
  • Air fry 370°F (188°C) for 4–6 min→ golden + gooey perfection 😍
  • Serve with graham crackers + big smiles.

📌 Bonus: Lazy Prep Tips

✔ Use foil or parchment (affiliate gear link here)
✔ Preheat when needed (crisps faster!)
✔ Don’t crowd the basket
✔ Flip for even browning
✔ Use a meat thermometer for holiday roasts
→ Another perfect affiliate link placement

🎁 Holiday Gear Upgrade

Amazon Best Sellers:
Ninja DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer
Cook sides + mains at once like a genius 💡

Paris Hilton Air Fryer — Glam Pink Edition
For the bougie Christmas cook 💅✨

Cosori Pro II
Big basket for big feasts
👉 Shop Now For Holiday Air Fryer Deals 🎄🔥






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