Though Thanksgiving is a holiday for you to spend time with your loved ones and express gratitude, the day always comes with a fair number of stressors — especially if you are hosting the festivities. You must plan and cook a feast before you can even begin to enjoy the holiday. But this year, there’s a way to make cooking Thanksgiving dinner easier than ever before: use an air fryer. The handy countertop device is essentially a second oven. You can create incredible, delicious dishes and cook your entire meal faster, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the company of your guests. Check out these four air fryer Thanksgiving recipes to make hosting the holidays a breeze this year.
Air Fryer Baked Brie
Baked brie is the ideal Thanksgiving appetizer. This recipe uses cranberries, pears, and bacon to top the delicious cheese. Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to bake in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 4.5 oz. round Brie
- 1 cup pear, diced
- 1/4 cup pancetta bacon
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/8 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp dried cranberries
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the pears, cranberries, and sugar. Pour in the water and simmer the mixture over low heat until the pears soften and the syrup thickens. Fry the bacon in a frying pan until it becomes crispy. Remove any plastic packaging from the cheese, then place it back in the wooden box without the lid. Place the container in the air fryer and cook at 390 degrees for six minutes, or until the cheese is heated through. Plate the brie and top with the bacon and pear/cranberry mixture. Serve with crackers.
Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
The air fryer is excellent for adding just the right amount of crisp to vegetables. Try this recipe for parmesan brussels sprouts as a side for your holiday meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. brussels sprouts, halved
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a medium bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the parmesan, panko, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle half of the mixture on the sprouts and toss to coat. Add the brussels sprouts in an even layer in the basket and cook at 390 degrees for five minutes. Open the fryer, add on the remainder of the topping, and toss. Cook for another five minutes, or until the veggies are golden brown.
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes are a holiday essential. This year for Thanksgiving, consider these tasty rosemary-flavored roasted potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes and add them into a large bowl. Chop the rosemary and sprinkle the pieces over the potatoes. Drizzle the olive oil on top and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss to coat the potatoes evenly. Pour the seasoned potatoes into the basket and cook at 370 degrees for 20 minutes, pausing to shake after 10 minutes. If some pieces are still firm, cook for an additional five minutes until every potato is tender.
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Did you know you can even make desserts in the air fryer? These apple hand pies are perfectly portioned and take less than 20 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1 14.1 oz. refrigerated pie crust package (2 crusts)
- 1/2 21 oz. can apple pie filling
- 1 large egg
- Water
- 2 tsp turbinado sugar
Instructions
Remove the pie crusts from the packaging and let them sit until they come to room temperature. Use a 5-in circular cookie cutter to cut the crusts for the mini pies. You should be able to cut out at least six circles. Place two slices of apple from the pie filling onto the bottom half of each circle. Dip your fingertip in the water and moisten the edges of the crusts. Fold the top half of the dough over to create a half-moon shape and pinch the edges of the crust together. Then, use a fork to crimp the edges and seal. In a small bowl, combine the egg with a small amount of water. Brush the pies with the egg wash and sprinkle the sugar on top. Make three little slits in the top crust of each pie.
Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the pies two at a time at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles. Place the pies on a wire rack to cool and repeat the process with the rest of the hand pies. Serve with caramel sauce or ice cream.
The air fryer is such a helpful device to have in the kitchen, especially when you have to cook for the holidays. You can make so many wonderful dishes in the fryer and do it so much faster than in a conventional oven. These four recipes are just the tip of the cooking iceberg. Try out any one of these delicious air fryer recipes and simplify holiday hosting this Thanksgiving.
BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.
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