Air Fryer Stuffing Balls: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Cooking stuffing balls in an air fryer is a convenient, stress-free, and tasty way to prepare this delicious side dish. It is an excellent way to save valuable oven and hob space in your kitchen, which is particularly useful when cooking large festive meals or Sunday roasts. The air fryer method is a game-changer if you prefer to eat your stuffing warm and fresh from the oven. This guide will teach you how to make perfect, crispy, soft-centred stuffing balls every time.

Air fryer temperature and time

The ideal temperature and time for cooking stuffing balls in an air fryer will depend on the specific air fryer model and the desired texture and crispness of the final product. However, here is a general guide:

Firstly, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer. Most sources suggest preheating to 180°C or 350°F, although one source recommends 320°F. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, turn it on at the beginning of your preparation.

When it comes to cooking the stuffing balls, the temperature and time can vary. Some sources suggest cooking at 350°F (180°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, spraying them with olive oil or butter to achieve a golden colour. Another source recommends cooking at 320°F for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.

If you prefer your stuffing balls to be cooked through with a crispy exterior, one source suggests cooking at a lower temperature of 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes, and then increasing the temperature for an additional 5 minutes to achieve the desired crispness. This two-step process ensures that the inside of the stuffing balls is properly cooked, and not just the exterior.

For reheating leftover stuffing balls, a lower temperature of 180°C (350°F) for 3 to 4 minutes is recommended, or until they are piping hot.

How to make the stuffing mixture

The first step in making the stuffing mixture is to melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. You can use salted butter or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Then, add some chopped celery and onion to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are softened, which should take around 5 minutes.

Next, you will need to combine the cooked vegetables with other dry ingredients. The exact ingredients will vary depending on your personal preference and the type of stuffing you are making, but common ingredients include bread cubes or breadcrumbs, parsley, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add an egg to the mixture, which will help bind the ingredients together.

Once you have combined all the dry ingredients, you will need to mix in a liquid to moisten the mixture and help it hold together. This liquid can be chicken broth, vegetable stock, or water. If you are using water, it should be warm or boiling to help melt the butter and combine the ingredients. You can also add some olive oil or another type of oil to add moisture and flavour to the mixture.

Finally, you can add any additional ingredients or seasonings to the mixture. This might include herbs such as sage or parsley, or spices such as pepper or paprika. You can also add ingredients such as cranberries, nuts, or sausage meat to give your stuffing a unique flavour.

Rolling the mixture into balls

When making stuffing balls to cook in an air fryer, it's important to ensure the mixture is cool enough to handle before you start rolling. The number of balls you'll be able to roll out of your mixture will depend on the recipe you're following and the size of the balls. For example, some recipes suggest making 8 equal-sized balls, while others suggest making 12 or 20 evenly-sized balls.

To get evenly-sized balls, you can try marking sections in your mixture before you start rolling. For instance, if you're making 12 balls, you can smooth over the mixture and mark 12 sections to ensure your balls are all the same size. However, if you prefer a more rustic look, you can simply roll the mixture into balls without marking sections first.

Before rolling the mixture into balls, you can dip your hands into cold water to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. Then, simply start rolling the mixture into balls using your hands. If you're making the balls ahead of time, you can place them in the fridge to chill until you're ready to cook them.

Keep in mind that the size of your stuffing balls will impact their cooking time. Larger balls will take longer to cook, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to store and reheat

Storing your leftover stuffing balls is easy. Simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover stuffing balls, there are a few reheating options to choose from. You can reheat them in the microwave for convenience, or you can use your air fryer to retain their crisp texture. To reheat in the air fryer, turn it on to a low temperature and place the leftover balls inside for about 5 minutes, depending on their size. If you're reheating frozen stuffing balls, it's best to let them defrost first, although some sources suggest you can reheat them from frozen. The reheating time for frozen balls is around 10-12 minutes at 180°C (350°F).

What to serve with stuffing balls

Stuffing balls are a fun and casual variation of the traditional Thanksgiving side dish, stuffing. They can be served as a side dish with poultry, pork, or beef dishes. They can also be served as an appetizer, in which case they should be made smaller and served with a homemade or purchased cranberry dip.

If you are serving them as a side dish, you can add bacon and cheese to the balls themselves, or serve them with grilled bacon rolls. You can also add chopped apples, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, or pecans to the mixture.

If you are serving them as the main event, they go well with mashed potatoes, roast meats, vegetables, and cranberry sauce.

Frequently asked questions