Air Fryer Stuffing: Can You Cook It?

Yes, you can cook stuffing in an air fryer! It's a simple and tasty addition to your meal and can be made gluten-free and dairy-free. The air fryer is a small convection oven that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, making it faster and more energy-efficient than a conventional oven. You can make stuffing in an air fryer by forming the mixture into balls or placing it directly into the basket. The cooking time varies depending on the method and desired texture, but it typically takes around 10 minutes at 180°C/356°F for stuffing balls and 3-5 minutes at 320°F/170°C for basket-cooked stuffing.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking stuffing in an air fryer depend on the type of stuffing you are preparing.

Stovetop stuffing

For stovetop stuffing, you should set the temperature to between 320 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time should be between 5 and 10 minutes. If you are using an air fryer oven, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 5 minutes.

Paxo stuffing balls

For Paxo stuffing balls, it is recommended to cook at a lower temperature for 15 minutes and then increase the temperature to crisp the outside for the final 5 minutes. This two-step process ensures that the balls are cooked through and not just crispy on the outside. If you are using a Cosori Lite (‎CAF-LI401S) air fryer, you can air fry at 200C/390F for 3 minutes to colour and crisp up the tops.

Homemade stuffing

For homemade stuffing, it is recommended to cook at 325F/170C for 22-24 minutes or until the stuffing is golden brown.

General tips

It is important to ensure that the dish you are using fits your air fryer with sufficient airflow around and under the dish to ensure thorough cooking. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to cook the stuffing in several smaller batches. Stirring the stuffing halfway through cooking can help it cook evenly without burning.

Gluten and dairy-free options

Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available for those who want to cook stuffing in an air fryer. For gluten-free options, you can buy gluten-free versions of stuffing or use gluten-free flour and potato starch for the breading. Paxo, for example, offers a gluten-free option for their stuffing.

When preparing the gluten-free stuffing, it is recommended to follow the packet instructions for the amount of water to add, as the rate of absorption will differ from that of regular wheat stuffing. You can also use chicken stock or meat juices instead of water to enhance the flavour.

For dairy-free options, you can simply replace the butter with a dairy-free substitute.

• Prepare the gluten-free stuffing mix according to the packet instructions, using either water, chicken stock, or meat juices.
• Form the stuffing into balls of uniform size.
• Lightly spray or brush the stuffing balls with oil to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Place the stuffing balls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Set the air fryer to a lower temperature, around 170-180°C, and cook for 15-17 minutes.
• Increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to crisp up the exterior.

You can also make gluten and dairy-free onion rings in the air fryer. Peel and slice sweet onions, then bread them with eggs, gluten-free panko, and seasoning. Air fry the onion rings in batches at 400°F for 9 minutes until golden and crispy.

Additionally, air fryers can be used for gluten-free baking, such as doughnut holes, hand pies, and corn on the cob.

Reheating and storing

When it comes to storing and reheating your stuffing, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, cooked stuffing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 to 5 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it. It is advisable to freeze it in portions so that you can easily take out and reheat the amount you need.

To reheat your stuffing, you can use either a microwave or an air fryer. If using a microwave, add a drop of water to the dish to prevent the stuffing from drying out. Similarly, when reheating in an air fryer, you can add a small amount of water to the dish to keep it moist. Reheating in an air fryer may dry out the stuffing, so it is recommended to use a dish that is not much bigger than the portion you are reheating. A foil packet can be useful for reheating smaller portions.

If you are reheating frozen stuffing, it is best to let it defrost first, although it can be cooked from frozen with a few extra minutes added to the cooking time. When reheating stuffing balls in the air fryer, cook them for 5 minutes, turn them over, and then cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, depending on their size.

What to cook stuffing with

Yes, you can cook stuffing in an air fryer! Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your air-fried stuffing:

Choosing a Dish

It is important to choose a dish that fits in your air fryer with sufficient airflow around and under it to ensure the stuffing cooks thoroughly. Metal or enamel dishes are preferable as glass or ceramic dishes do not conduct heat well in an air fryer.

Ingredients

You can use a pre-made stuffing mix or make your own. If you are making your own, you can use any type of bread you like—white, wheat, gluten-free, or multi-grain. Just make sure to dice the bread into small pieces. You can also add vegetables to your stuffing, such as onions, celery, carrots, leeks, or mushrooms. Sautéing the vegetables in advance will give you the freshest flavour. If you are using a pre-made mix, you will need to add water to create a thick consistency. For a more flavourful dish, you can use chicken stock or cooking juices instead of water. You can also add butter to improve the texture and taste.

Cooking Instructions

Place the stuffing in the air fryer basket or a dish and cook at 320-356°F (160-180°C) for 8-17 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you are using an air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function. For a crispy topping, air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes at a higher temperature.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover stuffing can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days or frozen for later. To reheat, you can use the air fryer, but be aware that this may dry out the stuffing. It is recommended to reheat in the microwave, adding a drop of water to prevent dryness.

What to cook stuffing in

Yes, you can cook stuffing in an air fryer! It is a great way to save money and time, as you don't need to turn on your oven and wait for it to preheat. You can also cook other parts of your meal, like roasted veggies, sprouts, and carrots, in the air fryer, saving even more time and energy.

When making stuffing in an air fryer, it is recommended to use thin metal dishes, as heatproof glass and ceramic dishes do not conduct heat well in an air fryer. Make sure there is sufficient airflow around and under the dish for thorough cooking.

To make the stuffing, you can use any type of bread you have, including white, wheat, gluten-free, or multi-grain. You can also use pre-made stuffing packs, which are usually made with boiling water, although some recipes call for chicken stock or cooking juices for extra flavour. For a vegetarian option, stick with water. For a dairy-free option, use a dairy-free butter substitute.

Once you have your bread and liquid base, you can add in vegetables like onions, celery, carrots, leeks, and mushrooms. You can sauté the vegetables the night before and mix them into your bread mixture the next day, or mix them in fresh. Form the mixture into balls, and brush or spray them with oil to get a crispy exterior. Place them in the air fryer and cook at 180ºC / 356ºF for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. For a more well-done option, some suggest cooking at a lower temperature for 15 minutes, then crisping up at a higher temperature for an additional 5 minutes.

You can also cook stuffing in a dish in the air fryer. Place the stuffing in an air fryer-safe dish and heat at 320ºF/170ºC for 3-5 minutes, adding more time if needed.

Frequently asked questions