Air Fryer Stuffing
Air fryer stuffing is the perfect easy side dish for the holidays. You can bake it right on the counter leaving room in your regular oven for other main dishes.
Air fryers are such a fantastic invention, especially during the hectic holiday season.
There is nothing better than getting perfectly crispy side dishes baked up separately while my main oven roasts my herb butter turkey.
This golden brown stuffing came out perfectly from my air fryer. I used my herby stuffing bread to make homemade stuffing croutons, but you can use your favorite brand from the store, too.
But stuffing isn't just for Thanksgiving! It is such a delicious side dish, you could enjoy it even on a weeknight with a roast chicken or pork chops if you prep ahead some stuffing mix for baking in your air fryer in a pinch.
Why This is the Best Recipe
I'm a huge fan of my Ninja Foodi air fryer, I use it most nights of the week. I think this is the best air fryer stuffing recipe because:
- Easy Prep: This basic stuffing recipe can be made with my homemade stuffing croutons or even your favorite store bought bag of croutons.
- Easy to Portion: You don't need to make the entire 9x13 at once. You could divvy up the stuffing into a muffin pan or smaller baking dish depending on your air fryer size.
- Easy to Tweak: This simple recipe has just the core basics. Want to dress it up? Go ahead and add some delicious mix-ins. Be sure to check out my ideas below.
Ingredients
This classic stuffing recipe only needs a few simple things to make it:
- Stuffing Croutons: I used my homemade stuffing bread to make homemade stuffing croutons but you could use your favorite brand of store bought croutons instead.
- Fresh Celery
- Fresh Onion
- Butter
- Poultry Seasoning: If you don't have this on hand, you could substitute the same quantity of dried thyme, dried rosemary, and dried sage.
- Chicken Stock
- Eggs
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
Prep Your Baking Dish
Before you get started, decide how you plan to bake the stuffing. It will depend on the size and shape of your air fryer.
Place your baking dish inside to make sure it fits so you know it will work!
You could choose:
- A 9x13-inch dish: This pan worked inside my Ninja Foodi.
- 2 8x8-inch dishes and bake them separately
- A small muffin pan
- Use an ice cream scoop to drop big balls of stuffing on foil
Whichever baking vessel you choose, rub softened butter all around the inside and set aside.
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Prep the Stuffing Croutons
If you're using homemade stuffing croutons, you'll want to prep them before you start the rest of this recipe.
I've included full step by step instructions and photos of how to make them in my stuffing croutons recipe here.
Soften the Vegetables
Melt the butter in a large skillet.
Dice the celery and onions and add them to the pan. Stir and cook for 5 - 6 minutes or until the onions have softened.
Add the poultry seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together.
Mix the Stuffing
Place the prepared croutons in a very large mixing bowl.
Scrape all the softened vegetables and melted butter from the skillet into the bowl and stir.
Measure the chicken stock and crack the eggs into the liquid. Whisk them together.
Pour the liquid into the croutons and gently toss to coat.
Spread the stuffing mixture into your prepared pan.
Air Fryer Baking Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
If you're baking an 9x13-inch pan like I did, bake it for about 30 - 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown like this:
If you're baking it in a smaller pan, you'll have to cut the time accordingly. For an 8x8-inch dish, I'd check the stuffing at 20 minutes.
For muffin pans or stuffing balls, I'd bake them for 10 minutes and then check for the golden brown exterior and an interior temperature of 165°F.
Make Ahead Tips
During Thanksgiving week, my mom and I always prep our stuffings the day before and then bake them fresh the day of the holiday meal. Just store it in the fridge covered in foil to keep it safe.
However, you can even bake the stuffing in advance and just warm it through before serving. This is a great way to use up leftovers, too.
If you want to freeze the stuffing, I would recommend baking it and allowing it to cool to room temperature. Cover it in foil and freeze up to 6 months.
Thaw the frozen stuffing in the fridge overnight and then warm it right up in the air fryer before serving.
Variations
This meatless stuffing is a great simple option for bringing to a potluck or serving at the holiday.
However, if you want to dress it up a little bit, you could always add:
- Chopped Apples and Dried Cranberries
- Browned Sausage Crumbles
- Extra Chopped Veggies
The same air fryer baking method would also work if you prefer to make a corn bread dressing with my cornmeal stuffing bread!
Serving Suggestions
I served this delicious stuffing with roasted chicken thighs and a pan gravy one weekend as a special cozy dinner for my husband and I.
It would pair really well with my roast chicken and vegetables for Sunday dinner but would be right at home on your holiday table with a Crockpot turkey breast and homemade gravy.
More Air Fryer Side Dishes
Looking for more delicious air fryer side dishes for your holiday meal? Here are a few of my favorites:
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Stuffing
Ingredients
- 1 batch stuffing croutons or 10 cups of your favorite brand of stuffing croutons from the store
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the baking dish
- 1 onion diced
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 sprinkle black pepper
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 3 eggs
Instructions
- Plan your baking dish that will fit inside your air fryer. Test to be sure it fits. Then rub softened butter all around the inside of the dish and set aside.
- Place the stuffing croutons in a very large mixing bowl.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced celery and onions and stir together. Cook for 5 - 6 minutes or until the onions have softened. Add the poultry seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper and stir.
- Scrape the softened veggies and all the butter into the mixing bowl with the croutons. Gently toss to coat. All the croutons should be gently moistened by the butter.
- Measure the chicken stock. Crack the eggs into the measuring cup and whisk them together. Pour the liquid over the croutons and gently toss to coat.
- Gently spread the stuffing mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Bake a 9x13-inch dish for 30 - 35 min or until golden brown on top. See my notes below for other size pans.
Recipe Notes
The Right Pan for Your Air Fryer
All air fryers have different dimensions, you'll need to work with the space you have and double check that your baking dish will fit. Various size dishes will need various times to cook. Here is a guide to help you find the right time: An 8x8-inch dish should be checked at about 20 minutes. Smaller portions like a muffin pan or individual ramekin should start at just 10 minutes. No matter which size you choose, the stuffing should reach 165°F at the center and be golden brown on the outside.Save This Recipe to Your Recipe Box
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