Can you cook an entire Christmas dinner in an air fryer? An expert reveals the common mistakes to avoid - and when the oven might be the answer
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It’s official: the air fryer isn’t just a weeknight workhorse anymore. At Christmas – when the oven is full, the family is hungry and the timings are tight – it can come in very handy. But before you hand over the entire festive feast to your countertop companion, it’s worth knowing when the air fryer is the best option… and when the oven still deserves its starring role.
Welcome to your Christmas air fryer rulebook: the dos, the don’ts, and the dish-saving wisdom you’ll be glad you read before the big day.
When the air fryer shines
At Christmas, the air fryer truly comes into its own, says Clare Andrews, air fryer expert and author of bestseller The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook.
The air fryer truly comes into its own at Christmas, says Clare Andrews
‘Many traditional side dishes cook in half the usual time and with far less energy than heating a conventional oven, which is especially useful when energy bills are high and time is tight,’ she explains. Thanks to rapid hot air circulation, the air fryer delivers the crisp, golden finish we all want on Christmas Day, from crunchy roast potatoes and beautifully browned pigs in blankets to irresistible stuffing balls, caramelised parsnips and tender, sweet carrots.
Andrews also highlights how well the air fryer handles smaller festive centrepieces. Turkey crowns, small to medium ham joints and meals for two to four people cook quickly and evenly without wasting energy or waiting for an oven to preheat. For smaller families, couples or anyone hosting an early practice Christmas dinner, it keeps things efficient and delicious.
Another advantage is its ability to free up much-needed oven space. When you’re juggling multiple dishes, the air fryer can take care of the trimmings while the oven focuses on the main event. As Andrews puts it: ‘It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce stress in the kitchen on the busiest cooking day of the year.’
Where the oven wins
As much as Andrews champions the air fryer, she’s clear that the oven still plays an important role, especially for larger gatherings. Large turkeys, family-sized roasting trays of vegetables and big joints of meat often exceed the capacity of an air fryer, and some dishes simply benefit from long, steady roasting in the oven.
Large turkeys often exceed the capacity of an air fryer, notes Andrews
She also notes that liquid-heavy dishes like casseroles, gravies, sauces and saucy vegetables aren’t suitable for the enclosed fryer basket - one common air fryer mistake people make. And depending on how many people you’re cooking for, you may need to rotate batches in and out of the fryer, which can be more time-consuming than using the oven.
Still, Andrews emphasises that the air fryer remains invaluable for crisping, reheating and finishing dishes. ‘It’s not about replacing the oven,’ she explains, ‘but about using both appliances to their strengths.’
The best of both worlds
For Andrews, the secret to Christmas cooking success is simple: preparation. She stresses the importance of considering how many people you’re cooking for and which dishes you want to make, then using each appliance in the smartest possible way.
‘Let the oven handle the big showstoppers,’ she advises, ‘and let the air fryer work its quick, crispy, time-saving magic on everything else.’
This combination reduces oven juggling, prevents timing disasters and creates a more relaxed cooking environment – exactly what you need when you’re hosting or trying to enjoy the day yourself.
Andrews has cooked an entire Christmas dinner in an air fryer, confirming that ‘it really is possible, and far easier than people expect.’ But she also acknowledges that success depends on the size of your fryer, the number of people you’re feeding and the number of sides you intend to serve. Small households will find it easy, while larger families may need to plan strategically.
That’s why she always recommends a quick trial run. It doesn’t need to be a full Christmas dinner – just practise the dishes you’re unsure about so you can fine-tune timings, temperatures and basket space.
As she says: ‘A little practice goes a long way. By Christmas Day, you’ll feel calmer, more confident and ready to enjoy the feast just as much as everyone else.’
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