Kid Food

15 Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes to Make in an Air Fryer

Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
published Nov 15, 2021
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Crisp-golden Brussels sprouts that have been cooked in an air fryer
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

By now you’re probably well-acquainted with all the amazing things you can do with your air fryer (hello, potato chips and crispy tofu!). So it should come as no surprise that this mighty appliance is a totally brilliant addition to your Thanksgiving game plan.

While it’s definitely not big enough to fit a whole turkey, there are a ton of other ways it will make getting your holiday dinner on the table a little easier. Whether there’s not quite enough space in the oven, you need to cook one dish at a different oven temperature than everything else, you want to minimize cook time on a side dish, or you simply want to turn out an impossibly crispy batch of Brussels sprouts, your air fryer is the answer.

From crowd-pleasing apps to side dishes galore to holiday-worthy mains, here are 15 air fryer Thanksgiving recipes you’ll want to include in your menu.

Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

By now you’re probably well-acquainted with all the amazing things you can do with your air fryer (hello, potato chips and crispy tofu!). So it should come as no surprise that this mighty appliance is a totally brilliant addition to your Thanksgiving game plan.

While it’s definitely not big enough to fit a whole turkey, there are a ton of other ways it will make getting your holiday dinner on the table a little easier. Whether there’s not quite enough space in the oven, you need to cook one dish at a different oven temperature than everything else, you want to minimize cook time on a side dish, or you simply want to turn out an impossibly crispy batch of Brussels sprouts, your air fryer is the answer.

From crowd-pleasing apps to side dishes galore to holiday-worthy mains, here are 15 air fryer Thanksgiving recipes you’ll want to include in your menu.

1 / 12
Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Butternut Squash

For crispy and tender butternut squash in a fraction of the time, use your air fryer.

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2 / 12
Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Turn to your air fryer for this impossibly crispy and easy side dish.
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3 / 12
Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Carrots

In less than 12 minutes, the carrots are hot, blistered, and ready for a squeeze of fresh lemon and herbs.

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4 / 12
Credit: Kristina Vanni
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air fryers are great for cooking green beans (fresh or frozen!).
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Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Brussel sprouts may be the perfect veggie to cook in the air fryer. Their insides become tender while their outsides crisp to perfection.
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Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani; Food Styling; Jesse Szewczyk
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Bite-sized garlic-butter mushrooms are savory with crispy edges, all thanks to the air fryer.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Duncan Fitzpatrick
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air-fry slender stalks of broccoli for a tender and crispy-tipped side dish to serve all year long.
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8 / 12
Credit: Tara Holland
Air Fryer Beets
The concentrated heat from the air fryer halves the time it would take to roast beets in the oven, and your results will be even crispier.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
The high fan speed and concentrated heat of the air fryer makes baked potatoes that are fluffy and tender on the inside and shatteringly crisp on the outside.
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Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez
Quick & Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus comes out perfectly tender and crisp every time, with just the right amount of char at the tips. Plus, it's ready in less than 10 minutes.
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Credit: Kelli Foster
Air Fryer Sweet Potato
Just 35 minutes stands between you and tender, fluffy sweet potatoes with lightly crisped skin.
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Credit: Tara Holland
Air Fryer Squash
While summer squash and zucchini are most abundant in summer, they're available year-round and make a color Thanksgiving side.
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This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: 15 Perfect Thanksgiving Recipes to Make in Your Air Fryer

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