Easy Christmas Side Dishes in the Air Fryer
On Christmas Day the turkey takes up the whole oven, so I’ve put together these easy Christmas side dishes you can make in the air fryer.
There are crispy potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a few Christmas favorites like pigs in a blanket.
Most of them take 30 minutes or less. You can get on with the rest of the dinner as they cook.
If you have vegetarian guests, the stuffed mushrooms are a great choice. Pigs in a blanket and roasted chestnuts are nice to pass around with drinks before dinner.
At the end, I’ve added tips on what to cook first and which sides you can make ahead. Click on any recipe for the full method.
Potato Sides
1
Crispy Air Fryer Baby (Mini) Potatoes
These crispy baby potatoes have Cajun seasoning and take 20 minutes from start to finish. Use just a light coating of olive oil, or they can turn greasy.
Check out this recipe
2
Air Fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes
I scoop out baked potatoes, mix the potato with cheddar, pesto and cream, then air fry them again. Use russet potatoes if you can. Allow about 70 minutes in total.
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3
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
Season these sweet potato rounds with smoked paprika and cumin. Cut the slices to the same thickness, so they all cook evenly. In 24 minutes they’re soft in the middle with crispy edges.
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4
Air Fryer Potato and Onions
You only need paprika, salt and pepper for these potatoes. Cut them to a similar size, and shake the basket halfway through. They’re ready in 30 minutes.
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Vegetable Sides
5
Air Fryer Roasted Whole Beets in Foil
I roast whole beets in foil with just olive oil and salt. Pick ones of about the same size. They’re naturally sweet and take about 70 minutes.
Check out this recipe
6
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes
Season the butternut squash cubes with honey, smoked paprika and cinnamon. Toss them halfway through the 25 minutes. Give them longer if you like crisp edges.
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7
Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
I make these sprouts with bacon and some parmesan. Halve the bigger ones to keep them all about the same size. They’re ready in 17 minutes.
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8
Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower Bites
Dip the florets in egg, then coat them in panko with smoked paprika and cumin. They’re crispy outside and tender inside after 30 minutes.
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9
Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli
I toss the broccoli in soy sauce, sesame oil and chili flakes. At 8 minutes, it’s the quickest side on this list.
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10
Air Fryer Mushrooms and Red Onions
Toss the mushrooms with red onions, paprika and dried oregano. They’re soft and golden in 15 minutes.
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Extras and Snacks
11
Air Fryer Mini Pigs in a Blanket
I wrap mini cocktail sausages in bacon and brush them with honey mustard partway through. Lay them seam side down in the basket, with space between each one. They take 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
12
Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts
Roasting chestnuts in the air fryer is much easier than in the oven. Pick ones with firm, glossy shells, and skip any that rattle. Plan on about 30 minutes.
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13
Air Fryer Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms Without Cream Cheese
I fill the mushrooms with garlic, parsley, parmesan and cheddar. The filling shrinks a little, so pack it in tightly. They’re done in 20 minutes.
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14
Air Fryer Garlic Bread with Cheese
This crispy garlic bread has parmesan on top and takes 10 minutes. You can serve it as a side or a snack.
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15
Homemade Air Fryer Biscuits
I make these biscuits with butter and plain yogurt. Use the butter straight from the fridge for flaky layers. They bake in 20 minutes.
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How to Cook Your Christmas Sides in the Air Fryer
- Write a timeline the day before, so you know when each side needs to go in.
- Leave the turkey in the oven and cook the sides in the air fryer, one after another.
- Spread each side out in a single layer.
- Cook the crispy baby potatoes last. They’re best fresh from the air fryer.
- Take the turkey out to rest, then warm the pigs in a blanket and the roasted vegetables in the bottom of the oven. About 10 minutes is enough.
Christmas Sides You Can Make Ahead
- You can roast the beets up to 5 days ahead. Peel and slice them, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Peel the sweet potatoes the day before, slice them and leave them in cold water in the fridge. Pat them dry before you season them.
- Cooked pigs in a blanket freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Peeled roasted chestnuts last 3 to 4 days in the fridge. You can roast them a couple of days before Christmas.
For more festive ideas, take a look at all my Holiday Recipes.
