31 Air Fryer Snacks, Sides, Main Dishes, And Desserts To Make For The Holidays

    Your entire holiday menu is covered.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you're anything like me, you've been using your air fryer religiously ever since finally giving in to the hype and buying one.

    Well, why not use your favorite appliance for your next holiday celebration? Below you'll find a bunch of Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's recipes that are air-fried and fabulous — including appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts.

    1. Air Fryer Glazed Ham

    Best Recipe Box / Via bestrecipebox.com

    Don't stress about the centerpiece of your holiday table. Rather, brush the ham with a simple glaze made with brown sugar, honey, orange juice, and mustard, and air-fry it until it's crispy on the outside.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Ham

    2. Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites

    Neg's Every Day Indulgence / Via megseverydayindulgence.com, Meg's Every Day Indulgence / Via megseverydayindulgence.com

    Turn veggies into a crowd-pleasing finger food by mixing broccoli with egg, cheese, bread crumbs, and herbs, then air-frying until it's crunchy on the outside and melty on the inside.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites

    3. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops

    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    Whether or not your holiday menu consists of a Feast of the Seven Fishes, these bacon-wrapped scallops are always a fan-favorite appetizer.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops

    4. Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Balls

    Life She Lives / Via lifeshelives.com

    You don't need even a drop of oil to "fry" these golden brown and spicy cheese balls, which get their flavor from a mixture of bacon, jalapeños, and scallions.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Balls

    5. Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

    Wanderlust and Wellness / Via wanderlustandwellness.org

    Wonton wrappers are stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, lump crabmeat, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. The result is a crispy-on-the-outside and cheesy-on-the-inside snack worthy of a holiday gathering.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

    6. Air Fryer Ravioli

    Crispy toasted ravioli with dipping sauce.
    Recipe Diaries / Via recipe-diaries.com

    As if cheese-filled ravioli weren't decadent enough, these are coated with panko and Parmesan, then popped into the air fryer until the crust turns nice and toasted. Serve it with marinara sauce for dipping.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Ravioli

    7. Air Fryer Olives

    Confetti and Bliss / Via confettiandbliss.com

    Salty, cheesy, and crunchy, these little Parmesan-stuffed and breaded olives are a finger food guaranteed to impress.

    Recipe: Air-Fried Olives

    8. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    Food Lovin Family / Via foodlovinfamily.com

    Because veggies taste better when they're crispy and wrapped in bacon.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    9. Air Fryer Baked Brie

    Melty baked Brie wrapped in phyllo dough.
    The Cookful / Via thecookful.com

    Wrapped in puff pastry and topped with fruit preserves and your favorite nuts, this melty, creamy Brie is an easy party app that tastes totally fancy.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Brie

    10. Air Fryer Salami and Cheese Egg Rolls

    The Two Bite Club / Via thetwobiteclub.com

    You really only need three ingredients — wonton wrappers, salami, and string cheese — to make this family-friendly appetizer. Try serving with honey mustard or marinara for dipping.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Salami and Cheese Egg Rolls

    11. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

    A bowl of Brussels sprouts with pieces of bacon and Parmesan.
    Mom's Dish / Via momsdish.com

    Cooked in the air fryer, Brussels sprouts get perfectly charred on the outside while remaining soft as butter when you take a bite.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

    12. Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

    A plate of stuffed cheesy mushrooms with herbs.
    Air Fryer Fanatics / Via airfryerfanatics.com

    Baby portobello mushrooms are filled with a mixture of ground sausage, cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs, then they're air-fried until melty and golden brown. You can also easily leave out the meat and make these vegetarian-friendly.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

    13. Air Fryer Crab Cakes

    A plate of air fried crab cakes topped with herbs and spicy sauce.
    The Food Hussy / Via thefoodhussy.com

    Rather than use lots of oil to fry crab cakes on the stove, pop these babies into your air fryer. They get perfectly browned on all sides and taste so fresh when topped with a spicy rémoulade made with tartar sauce, Dijon, lemon, and mayo.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Crab Cakes

    14. Crispy Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes

    Sustainable Cooks / Via sustainablecooks.com

    If there's one side dish you could make for just about any holiday, it's crispy roasted potatoes. These come together in about 30 minutes, and they taste deep-fried even though they call for just 1 teaspoon of oil.

    Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes

    15. Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

    Life Made Sweeter / Via lifemadesweeter.com

    A shareable party appetizer or side dish, these veggie fritters can be made in advance and stored in the freezer for up to three months.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

    16. Air Fryer Turkey Breast

    Savory Thoughts / Via savorythoughts.com

    Any good holiday turkey should boast seriously crispy skin and tender, moist meat. This air fryer turkey breast excels in both criteria.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast

    17. Air Fryer Creamed Corn Casserole

    A creamy corn casserole with a crispy top layer in the basket of an air fryer.
    Air Fryer Eats / Via airfryereats.com

    Just combine the simple ingredients in an oven-safe bowl and place the bowl into the basket of your air fryer. Forty minutes later, you've got a decadent veggie side dish.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Creamed Corn Casserole

    Grazed and Enthused / Via grazedandenthused.com

    In the oven, spaghetti squash takes about an hour, but this air fryer recipe cuts the cooking time in half. Brushed with olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and white wine vinegar, this spaghetti squash is the only version you'll want to eat from here on out.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti Squash

    19. Air Fryer Meatballs

    Spend With Pennies / Via spendwithpennies.com

    Thanks to your air fryer, meatballs achieve that perfect golden-brown char around the entire surface area. Serve these on top of a big ol' bowl of pasta or as an appetizer with marinara for dipping.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs

    20. Air Fryer Basil-Parmesan Crusted Salmon

    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    No Feast of the Seven Fishes would be complete without this perfectly cooked salmon, topped with a creamy, herby, tangy sauce.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Basil-Parmesan Crusted Salmon

    21. Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

    A bowl of apricot-glazed air fried drumsticks.
    Kleinworth and Co. / Via kleinworthco.com

    Chicken drumsticks get seriously crispy in the air fryer, then they're tossed in a sweet and tangy glaze made of apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, chili powder, and soy sauce.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

    22. Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Calamari

    Simplify Create Inspire / Via simplifycreateinspire.com

    Start with fresh or frozen squid to make this game-changing "fried" calamari. It's coated in egg, buttermilk, panko bread crumbs, and salt and pepper.

    Recipe: Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Calamari

    23. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

    Eazy Peazy Mealz / Via eazypeazymealz.com

    Made with just five ingredients — shrimp, cornstarch, coconut flakes, salt, and egg whites — this coconut-crusted shrimp tastes surprisingly fancy.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

    24. Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

    A plate of air fried potato pancakes with sour cream on the side.
    Vegetarian Mamma / Via vegetarianmamma.com

    These pseudo latkes couldn't be easier to make. All you need are mashed potatoes, green onions, flour, egg, and some spices. Top them with sour cream and chives for a satisfying side.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

    25. Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

    Jennifer Banz / Via jenniferbanz.com

    The key to this expertly prepared pork tenderloin lies in the spice rub, a blend of garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and thyme.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

    26. Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

    Happy Foods Tube / Via happyfoodstube.com

    Make these for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or all three.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

    27. Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls

    A plate of apple pie egg rolls with cinnamon, creamy dipping sauce.
    Sustainable Cooks / Via sustainablecooks.com

    If the thought of baking stresses you out, take the safe route with these cinnamon apple-filled egg rolls. They're basically impossible to mess up...and even harder to stop eating.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls

    28. Air Fryer Jelly Donuts

    Two jelly-filled donuts topped with sugar.
    Every Day Family Cooking / Via everydayfamilycooking.com

    This classic Hanukkah dessert has a secret: This version starts with store-bought biscuit dough, so the jelly-filled donuts are ready in about 15 minutes flat.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Jelly Donuts

    29. Air Fryer Oreo Beignets

    Would you believe me if I told you that this sweet and savory dessert calls for just two ingredients? That's right. All you need are Oreos and croissant dough.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Oreo Beignets

    30. Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cake

    The Typical Mom Blog / Via temeculablogs.com, The Typical Mom Blogs / Via temeculablogs.com

    These gooey, individual chocolate cakes are baked in ramekins inside the basket of your air fryer. Best of all, they call for just five ingredients: butter, chocolate chips, eggs, sugar, and self-rising flour.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cake

    31. Air Fryer Apples With Honey Oat Topping

    Three baked apples topped with honey oat crumble.
    Erhardts Eat / Via erhardtseat.com

    It doesn't get much more comforting than these fork-tender cinnamon baked apples topped with homemade honey oats and whipped cream.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Apples With Honey Oat Topping

    What's your favorite holiday recipe to make in an air fryer? Share in the comments!