Christmas Dinner in an Air Fryer

There’s so much to love about a roast dinner, but let’s be honest, there are also a lot of drawbacks. The piles of oily baking trays in the sink, the amount of time it takes to get everything prepped and cooked, and the spike in energy bills that comes with having the oven on all day. It’s a lot!

This year, we’re following a new bright star of the kitchen. Air fryers are one of the best eco-friendly and fuel-efficient alternatives to your old oven. From turkey and Yorkshire puddings to the gooey chocolate dessert, here’s how you can cook Christmas dinner in an air fryer.

Ready in a Flash Roast Dinners

Let’s start with the main event of Christmas dinners. Whether you’re serving meat, fish or vegan nut roast, the air fryer can handle cooking without fuss. In a traditional oven, getting perfectly crisped edges and succulent insides can be a herculean task. However, with the right air fryer, this becomes surprisingly straightforward.

Different cuts of meat will call for slightly different approaches. You won’t be surprised to learn that a whole turkey is never going to fit in your air fryer, but a turkey crown (the body of the bird outside legs or wings) or breast will. With the Lakeland Oven 12L you can choose to air fry Christmas turkey, a whole chicken (1.2kg in weight) on the rotisserie function, or even a juicy pork joint!

The rapid air flow inside the fryer means that you only need to warm up your device for a few minutes, and the even heat distribution makes it easier to achieve that mouth-watering golden-brown finish.

For fish enthusiasts, salmon fillets will emerge from the air fryer with perfectly crisped skin and tender flaky meat. A simple marinade with herbs, lemon zest, and garlic ensures that the fish retains its moisture, all while imparting intense flavours.

Fast and Fresh: Air Fryer Yorkshire Puddings and Roast Potatoes

Once again, the iconic Yorkshire pudding battles it out with roast potatoes for the number one spot. These dishes are always the true favourites, and cooking your roast dinner in an air fryer won’t change that.

When air frying Yorkshire puddings, make sure your other offerings are nearly ready. You want to serve these golden clouds while they’re hot and fresh. The recipe and process will be exactly the same as oven cooking, but you’ll only need to heat up the greased tray for 10 minutes and cooking time can be as low as 5 minutes!

The large Cuisinart Air Fryer TOA60U can fit our Yorkshire Pudding Tray, and with such fast cooking time, you can go back for seconds and thirds! We’ve got a beautiful and easy-to-follow recipe for Yorkies here.

For the roast potatoes, once you’ve given them a brief parboil and season, they’re ready to reach an unparalleled crispness in the fryer. The quick circulating hot air guarantees a crunchy exterior while preserving the fluffiness inside, especially when carefully spaced our quick-clean air fryer liner.

Air frying roast potatoes is a real game changer. With a model like the Lakeland 8L Dual Basket Air Fryer, you can crisp up potatoes in one draw while your pigs-in-blankets or chicken legs roast in the other – effortless!

Make the Most of Vegetables in the Air Fryer

The festive table cannot be set without a vibrant array of vegetables. Cooked in the air fryer, they’ll bring the colour, texture, and nutritional boost you need. No overboiled carrots or boring peas please!

Brussels sprouts often get a bad rep, but wait till you’ve tried them air-fried. Their outer leaves char for a gentle crunch, while the inside remains tender. Throw in some whole chestnuts, drizzle on a bit of olive oil, and sprinkle some salt, pepper, and garlic powder – then into the air fryer they go!

Air fryer carrots and parsnips are a wonder all by themselves. Picture honey-glazed carrots with perfectly caramelized edges. Or parsnips seasoned with rosemary, olive oil, and a touch of sea salt make for a sweet and fragrant dish. In the Lakeland 8L Dual Basket Air Fryer With Easy View, you can watch as your vegetables cook and whisk them out at just the right moment.

We know this next one is contentious, but in some households, cauliflower cheese belongs on the Christmas roast menu. Try air frying our recipe for Cheddar, Cauliflower & Leek Gratin – even if it’s a new one this year, it’ll go down a storm.

Don’t Forget Christmas Pudding

Wrapping up a Christmas feast with pudding is a must! And the air fryer promises to deliver on festive desserts. Even the traditional Christmas pudding can be whipped up in minutes – it’s the nostalgic Christmas touch with a modern cooking twist!

Prepare your Christmas Pudding mix as usual using our tried and tested Whisky Figgy Pudding recipe. Then, instead of steaming or baking for hours, pop it in the fryer. It crisps up the outer layer beautifully while maintaining that moist, dense texture inside we all love. And don’t forget to serve with a generous helping of cream or custard.

Or if you’re after some chocolatey indulgence, then how about some Mini Chocolate Christmas Pudding Cakes? In just a few minutes, these gooey-centred treats emerge from the fryer, ready to be dusted with powdered sugar or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The results of this recipe are sure to be irresistible.

As you gather around the table this festive season, take a moment to appreciate the delicious food, smaller washing up pile, and relax knowing that the energy bill won’t be through the roof. Embrace the air fryer for this festive season for a stress-free and merry Christmas!

Roast Dinner Air Fryer Recipes

Whether it’s on the big day or practicing in advance, our easy to follow air fryer recipes makes all the side dishes easy for your Christmas dinner. Check out our recipes below:

Air Fryer Herb Roast Potatoes

Air Fryer Orange & Honey Roasted Carrots

Air Fryer Bacon & Sprouts

Air Fryer Yorkshire Puddings