Air Fryer Stuffing: Can You Do It?

Yes, you can cook stuffing in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to make a delicious side dish to accompany a roast dinner or Christmas lunch. You can use a packet mix, such as Paxo, or make your own from scratch. The cooking time will depend on the type and size of your air fryer, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes to cook at a temperature of 180-200 degrees Celsius.

How to make stuffing in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 170g sage and onion stuffing mix
• 30g-425ml water (or chicken stock)
• 25g-30g butter
• 1 egg (optional)

Method

• Add the dried stuffing mix to a mixing bowl, along with the butter.
• Pour over boiling water (or hot chicken stock) and mix until the water has been absorbed.
• Leave the mixture to stand for 5 minutes.
• Form the mixture into balls (or place in a heatproof dish).
• Place the stuffing balls on greaseproof paper in the air fryer basket, or put the dish in the air fryer.
• Cook at 170-180°C for 10-20 minutes, until golden brown. If you are cooking from frozen, add an extra 3-5 minutes.

Tips

• You can use any brand of stuffing mix, or make your own from scratch.
• You can add sausage meat to your stuffing mix for an extra meaty flavour.
• If you want to make stuffing from scratch, you can add extra herbs and spices like rosemary, garlic or mustard.
• You can cook the stuffing in a dish or form it into balls.
• If you are cooking the stuffing in a dish, you can add an egg to the mixture for a richer flavour.
• Tin foil or greaseproof paper can be placed in the air fryer to make cleanup easier.

How to make stuffing balls in an air fryer

Yes, you can make stuffing balls in an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 170g of dried sage and onion stuffing mix (you can use a different flavour if you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon of butter (this will help the balls crisp up and add flavour)
• 425ml of boiling water
• Olive oil spray (or Fry Light spray)

Method:

• Add the dried stuffing mix to a large bowl.
• Pour over the boiling water and mix with a spoon.
• Let the mixture stand for 5-8 minutes.
• Melt the butter and add it to the mixture.
• Roll the mixture into equal-sized balls. The number of balls you make will depend on how big you want them, but most recipes suggest making 10-12 balls.
• Place a sheet of greaseproof paper or baking parchment in the air fryer. This will help the balls cook without sticking to the air fryer basket.
• Put the balls into the air fryer, leaving space between them. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray.
• Cook in the air fryer at 180°C for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through. You can also cook them at a higher temperature (200°C) for a shorter amount of time (5 minutes, turn, then 2 minutes).

Tips:

• You can make the stuffing balls in advance and chill them in the fridge until you're ready to cook them.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the balls in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• You can freeze any leftover cooked stuffing balls for up to 3 months.
• To reheat the stuffing balls, put them in the air fryer at 180°C for 3-5 minutes, or until they're hot throughout.

How to reheat stuffing in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat stuffing in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Place your leftover stuffing in an air fryer-safe dish. Make sure the dish is not much bigger than the amount of stuffing you are reheating to prevent it from drying out. You can also add a small amount of water or butter to the dish to prevent dryness.
• Set the air fryer to a low temperature, between 180°C and 350°F (depending on your air fryer model).
• Put the dish in the air fryer and reheat for about 3-5 minutes for individual stuffing balls or smaller portions, or 8-10 minutes for a larger amount.
• Check the stuffing and, if necessary, continue heating for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it is heated through to your liking.

Tips for Reheating Stuffing in an Air Fryer:

• If you are reheating stuffing balls, be mindful that bigger balls will take longer to reheat.
• To prevent the stuffing from drying out, you can cover the dish with tin foil or greaseproof/baking parchment paper. This will also make cleanup easier.
• If you are reheating frozen stuffing, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What dishes to use in an air fryer for stuffing

When making stuffing in an air fryer, the dish you use is important. It is recommended to use a thin metal dish, as heatproof glass and ceramic dishes do not conduct heat well in an air fryer. You can also use an enamel dish. Ensure that the dish fits in your air fryer with enough room to get it in and out, and that there is sufficient airflow around and under the dish for the food to cook thoroughly.

If you don't have a suitable dish, you can make one out of foil. You may need to use multiple layers to create something with a little rigidity. Alternatively, you can use takeaway-style foil containers, which can be very useful for air frying.

How to make Paxo stuffing in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix (170g)
• Boiling Water (475ml)
• Salted Butter (25g)
• Vegetable Spray Oil

Method:

• Put a kettle on to boil.
• Measure 170g of Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix into a mixing bowl.
• Add 25g of salted butter.
• Pour over 475ml of boiling water.
• Stir until all the water has been absorbed and the butter has melted and mixed in.
• Leave the stuffing to sit for 5 minutes so the water can fully hydrate the mix.
• If your air fryer has a preheat setting, start it now.
• Spoon the stuffing into a suitable dish. It should fit into your air fryer with enough room to get it in and out.
• Rough up the top of the stuffing so there are craggy bits that will get crispy and crunchy. Spray with a little vegetable spray oil.
• Place the dish into the air fryer.
• Air fry for 17 minutes at 170°C/340°F. This longer, slower cooking time ensures the inside of the stuffing is properly heated and cooked.
• Air fry for a further 3 minutes at 200°C/390°F to colour and crisp up the top of the stuffing.

Tips:

• This recipe was tested in a Cosori Lite (‎CAF-LI401S) air fryer with a 3.8-litre capacity.
• Not all air fryer models require preheating. Please refer to the instructions for your particular model.
• The size of the dish you use will depend on the size of your air fryer. Ensure there is sufficient airflow around and under the dish for the stuffing to cook thoroughly.
• You can make the stuffing in advance and freeze it, but it is easier to simply leave the packet in the cupboard until you are ready to cook.
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen.
• To reheat, use the microwave or air fry again, adding a drop of water to ensure the stuffing doesn't dry out.

Frequently asked questions