There are three reasons the Thanksgiving holiday is amazing: We get to hang out with family, reflect on what we are thankful and grateful for, and of course, the food we get to feast on. The holiday is generally centered around the meal, where we get to indulge in all the elaborate fixings of a meal that took hours to prepare — something we don't often get to do in these hectic times.
For anyone planning a Thanksgiving meal, there are actually some fun kitchen gadgets that we can use besides the oven, which will inevitably be on overdrive all day. There's also the bonus of being able to make some healthier options without having to add more time to meal prep. All that's needed is something like an air fryer.
There's so much that can be cooked in the air fryer, including Thanksgiving dishes, and we've rounded up some of the best ones for every course. Some of these air fryer recipes are even perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers!
Herb Turkey Breast
While you can't cook a large turkey in an air fryer, you can downsize things a bit with a turkey breast. This amount of meat is just the right size for the air fryer. This recipe includes a variety of herbs to make this turkey breast stand out from a typical bird, and it just sings.
Air Fryer Glazed Ham
Some people don't care for turkey or prefer to offer a few different options, which is where ham comes in. This can be made with a glazed and sugary outside with a super juicy interior thanks to the air fryer. With a five-minute prep time and 55 minutes to cook, it will be ready super fast.
Whole Chicken
While turkey and ham are traditional for Thanksgiving, there are no written rules that we have to follow. It's just important we have a meal we can enjoy together and if that means chicken, well that's all good. This recipe uses the air fryer to cook up a whole chicken that the entire family can enjoy and frees up more precious oven space.
Turkey & Stuffing Egg Rolls
For another way to incorporate turkey and stuffing into your Thanksgiving, why not package them together? These turkey and stuffing egg rolls are a tasty new twist. They will definitely add something different to your holiday. They only take about 10 minutes to cook, so you can serve them up as appetizers or with the rest of the meal.
Air Fryer Crescent Rolls
There is something about eating rolls along with our big meal that just makes it so much tastier. Being able to soak up the gravy with a warm roll just makes it all the more delicious and these can be made in the air fryer, giving that crispy outside and soft, warm inside.
Pumpkin Biscuits
We were already sold on this with the word "biscuit." There's almost nothing better than having a biscuit as a side other than the fact that this was made easily in the air fryer. This one has a delicious pumpkin flavor to it that will tie well into Thanksgiving meal.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
If you are looking for something fun and cheesy for your Thanksgiving rolls, check out this cheesy garlic bread. This option is super easy to make and takes the classic dinner rolls to the next level for a Thanksgiving meal to remember.
Cornbread
Did you know that you don't even need the oven to make Jiffy cornbread? You can cook this mix right in the air fryer and free up some much-needed space for other foods. This adds something special and makes this cornbread even easier.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
There are a whole variety of different appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that can be enjoyed for Thanksgiving, but there's nothing better than some seafood wrapped in bacon. We love that this gets the bacon perfectly crispy while not overcooking the shrimp.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of those side dishes that we either really love or really don't care for. If the family is on team #AllTheMushrooms, these are stuffed with cheese then topped with more cheese and cooked in the air fryer. This is a great option for an amazing appetizer as well.
Stuffing Balls
Stuffing is all the smells of traditional Thanksgiving that's melded into one dish and it's a must-serve for many families. This recipe takes the classic ingredients and makes them into neat little balls, rather than using the mix to stuff the turkey. But all the flavors are there, and they're easier to serve.
Mac & Cheese
We know that mac and cheese can seem like a kids' dish, but it's so much more than that. It's a great cheesy side for Thanksgiving and there's something there the picky eater kids will enjoy, too. This can be fancied up by changing the cheese used — like swapping cheddar for gouda. Not only will the kids enjoy this, but the adults will too.
Brie With Cranberry Filling
If you want to add something extra fancy to the appetizer lineup, check out this baked brie with cranberry filling. It is super easy to make this in the air fryer. This is one that always comes out perfectly and is sure to impress your guests.
Honey-Roasted Carrots
Vegetables are the star of the side dishes and carrots are a favorite of adults and kids for Thanksgiving. This recipe sweetens the carrots up just enough to make them pair well with turkey or ham. It takes only around 30 minutes to make these.
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
We know that these vegetables aren't a favorite of everyone who's going to eat the meal, but we think every person should give these a chance. This recipe pairs Brussels sprouts with Parmesan cheese and surprisingly those two flavors balance each other out perfectly. Also, it's cheese and a vegetable, which is always a good pairing.
Smashed Potatoes
Potatoes are one of those side dishes that we can serve in several different ways and it all still makes sense. Smashed potatoes are not quite mashed potatoes and not quite roasted, so this dish is a smart choice if we're only able to have one of them at dinnertime.
Acorn Squash
Squash is an underrated side dish that we only seem to bust out at Thanksgiving. The best part of this vegetable is that it can take on many different flavors — whether we want it to be sweet or savory. This air fryer recipe has a sweet flavor to it that's ready in 25 minutes.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a fun side dish to add to the Thanksgiving meal because kids love to eat with their hands. This is a family-friendly recipe where the kids and the parents all love it. Making this in the air fryer is faster than boiling or roasting — a huge bonus.
Roasted Beets
Roasted beets are a lovely Thanksgiving side dish, partly because they're the perfect colors of fall. A bowl of roasted vegetables make the table spread stand out and we can't forget that these taste like happiness on a fork. Bonus points because this dish only requires a few ingredients.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a must-have for Thanksgiving and there are so many recipes out there to play with to make something special. It's surprising that this recipe can be made with an air fryer, but it can — and it can be ready in about 30 minutes.
Apple Cider Donuts
We can't talk about Thanksgiving without discussing dessert. It's not a full meal until that happens and these apple cider donuts will hit the spot perfectly. And with a prep time of 25 minutes and cook time of 45 minutes, it's not going to overwhelm an already busy day. You could switch things up and serve them for breakfast with some coffee instead.
Individual Apple Pies
It is hard to imagine Thanksgiving without apple pie. The good news is that you can make these individual pies right in your air fryer! They are also much easier than baking a traditional apple pie because they are made with ready-made crust and apple pie filling. What a great way to end a delicious holiday!
