Once you make air fryer stuffing, you will wonder why you ever made it any other way. The sweet tartness of the dried cranberries pairs perfectly with the savory vegetables, pecans, and sage for a stuffing that will be the star of your holiday table.
If you're looking for a way to save oven space on Thanksgiving and Christmas, look no further than air fryer stuffing.
This delicious recipe is perfect for the holidays, and you won't believe how good it is.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a side dish that will please the whole family.
Once you try baking stuffing in the air fryer, you may never go back to making this much-loved side dish in your oven again.
Ingredients for Cooking Stuffing in an Air Fryer
- Bread: You can use whatever type of bread you like; just remember that the taste and texture will play a significant role in the final dish. We recommend using sturdy bread like sourdough, but feel free to experiment. Bread that is slightly stale works just fine in this recipe.
- Butter: Butter adds flavor to the sauteed vegetables. You can use either unsalted or salted butter.
- Onion: I recommend yellow or white onion, but you could use red if you like. Just make sure that it's chopped into small pieces. You can add garlic or garlic powder to the onion if you like.
- Celery: Celery is a classic stuffing ingredient that adds a lovely crunch to the dish. Again, just make sure to chop it into small pieces.
- Pecans: Pecans add a lovely flavor and crunch to the dish. If you're not a fan of nuts, feel free to leave them out.
- Broth: This is used to moisten the stuffing. You can use either homemade or store-bought.
- Sage: Sage is a traditional stuffing herb that adds a lovely flavor to the dish. You could use thyme or rosemary if you don't have any on hand.
- Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are used to season the stuffing. I recommend using good quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add a lovely sweetness to the dish. You could use raisins or chopped dried apricots if you don't have any on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Bread is Best for Stuffing?
Many types of bread work well for stuffing in the air fryer! Options include
- White
- Sourdough
- Multigrain
- Potato
- Challah
- Brioche
- Semolina
- Rye (I like this with a mix of a more neutral bread)
- Pumpernickel (As with rye, I like this in a 50/50 blend of a more neutral bread.
Can I Make Stuffing Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make stuffing ahead of time and either refrigerate it or freeze it.
To refrigerate, allow the stuffing to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To freeze, place the stuffing in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to serve, thaw the stuffing in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven until warm.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled. Just double all of the ingredients and divide them into two dishes. Cook separately in your air fryer.
Tools Needed to Make Air Fryer Stuffing
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- Air Fryer
- Small casserole dish for the air fryer
Storage
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat the leftovers in your air fryer for the best texture.
How to Make Stuffing in the Air Fryer
For complete instructions and measurements, see the recipe card below.
First, start by cubing your bread. Cut it into slices, and then cut your slices into cubes.
You'll want to use about 5 to 6 cups of bread cubes, depending on the size of your dish and your air fryer.
Place the cubes in a single layer in your air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary. Spray with cooking spray. (You also can toss with olive oil or avocado oil.)
Cook at low heat until the bread is crispy.
Next, it's time to cook the veggies. Melt the butter in a saute pan or skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
Add the onion and celery, and cook for 8 minutes, until tender. (You can also do this in a small dish in your air fryer.)
Stir in the pecans and cook, stirring constantly, for another 3 minutes. Add the broth and cook for one more minute.
Now, it's time to assemble the stuffing. Place the bread cubes, sage, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Pour the vegetable mixture over the bread and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary. Stir in the cranberries.
You can add more broth at this point if you like a moister stuffing.
Spray a 1 ½ qt air fryer safe baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared dish and cover with foil.
Preheat your air fryer to 350° F. Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil, and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes, until the top is crispy and brown.
Garnish with parsley or your favorite fresh herbs if desired.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Stuffing
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed bread
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup butter
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup vegetable broth plus more for a moister stuffing
- 1 teaspoon sage
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Place the bread cubes in a single layer in your air fryer. (You may need to cook in batches.)
- Spray with cooking spray.
- Cook at 275° F for 15 minutes, until crispy.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, and cook for 8 minutes, until tender.
- Add the pecans and cook, stirring constantly, for another 3 minutes. Add the broth and cook for one more minute.
- Place the bread, sage, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and pour the vegetable mixture over it.
- Toss well to combine.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings.
- Stir in the cranberries. (You can add more broth for a moister stuffing.)
- Spray a 1 ½ qt air fryer safe baking dish with cooking spray
- Transfer the stuffing mix to the prepared dish and cover with foil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350° F.
- Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil, and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes, until the top is crispy and brown.
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