From Freezer & Fridge to Festive: Easy Holiday Recipes with Your Air Fryer

The holidays are about togetherness, laughter, and of course, good food. However, when your calendar fills up with shopping, decorating, and get-togethers, you’ll want quick and easy meal solutions to maximize your celebration time.  

Your air fryer, combined with a supply of frozen and refrigerated dairy staples, offers the perfect solution! With ease, you can serve up golden, crispy appetizers, comforting sides, and even sweet treats that will make the season merrier.

Get the best results with these simple air fryer tips:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket — Spacing items out allows hot air to circulate, which is the secret to getting that perfect crisp.
• Use a Light Spray of Oil — Frozen foods often need just a quick mist of cooking spray to crisp up beautifully. A little goes a long way!
• Shake or Flip Halfway Through — For even browning and crunch, pause halfway through cooking to shake the basket or flip larger items.
• Check Before Your Timer Beeps — Air fryers sometimes cook faster than the package directions suggest. Peek in a few minutes early to avoid overcooking.
• Line for Easy Cleanup — Use parchment liners or foil (with holes poked for airflow) to make cleanup a breeze, especially helpful with cleaning during the busy holiday season.

Begin the Celebration with Quick Air Fryer Appetizers

Mini Mozzarella Stick Skewers

Thread frozen mozzarella sticks and cherry tomatoes onto small skewers. Air fry until golden and crispy, and then drizzle with marinara and pesto for a fun, handheld bite.

Loaded Potato Bites

Air fry frozen tater tots or mini hash browns, place on small individual plates and top with shredded cheese, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Crispy Potstickers with Dipping Sauce

Air fry frozen potstickers or dumplings until crisp. Serve with a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a drizzle of chili oil for a simple but sophisticated appetizer.

Mini Meatball Bites

Cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer, then glaze with cranberry sauce for a flavorful holiday party pick. Add festive toothpicks for easy serving.

Mediterranean Hummus Bites

A nourishing, satisfying appetizer made with English muffins and tasty Mediterranean toppings, these Hummus Bites will be a crowd pleaser!

Spinach & Artichoke Phyllo Cups

Fill frozen mini phyllo shells with frozen spinach artichoke dip, then air fry until bubbly. Easy, elegant, and perfectly portioned for holiday entertaining.

Serve Up Some “Satisfrying” Holiday Sides

Cheesy Air-Fried Broccoli Bites

Toss frozen broccoli florets with shredded cheddar cheese, a spoon of Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs in a bowl. Air fry florets until crisp and golden. Serve with a side of yogurt-based ranch dip.

Loaded Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls

Mix frozen, thawed mashed potatoes with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions. Roll into balls, coat with breadcrumbs, and air fry until its crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

Crispy Green Beans

Start with pre-seasoned frozen green beans to create these delicious Crispy Green Bean “Fries.” Simple, flavorful, and a perfect veggie side, or appetizer.

Sweet Potato Rounds with Cinnamon Yogurt Drizzle

Air fry frozen sweet potato slices until caramelized, then top with a drizzle of vanilla Greek yogurt mixed with honey and a pinch of cinnamon. A lighter, festive twist on candied yams.

Air-Fried Cheesy Pull-Apart Rolls

Use frozen dinner rolls, stuff each with a cube of mozzarella or other cheese, brush with butter and garlic powder, and air fry until golden and gooey. Perfect for pairing with holiday roasts or weekday soups.

End Things on a Sweet Note – No Oven Needed!

Mini Cheesecake Bites

Fill frozen mini phyllo cups with a blend of ½ cream cheese, ½ Greek yogurt, and a touch of vanilla. Air fry until lightly golden, then top with a dollop of cherry pie filling or frozen berries for an instant dessert bite.

Apple Cinnamon Turnovers

Use frozen puff pastry squares filled with apple slices, cinnamon, and a touch of butter in these delicious Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Turnovers. When done, drizzle with vanilla yogurt icing or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Air-Fried Donut Holes

Roll frozen biscuit dough into small balls and air fry until puffed and golden. Toss warm donut holes in melted butter and cinnamon sugar for a quick holiday classic. Top a few donut holes with a small scoop of your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bomb Bites

Place mini marshmallows and chocolate chips inside frozen phyllo cups. Air fry briefly until melty, then top with crushed peppermint and a swirl of whipped cream or yogurt topping.

With just your air fryer and a few frozen and refrigerated dairy favorites, the holidays can be deliciously simple. Stock up on simple staples now, and you’ll be ready to whip up festive, stress-free dishes all season long.

Visit EasyHomeMeals.com for even more delightful holiday recipes utilizing frozen and refrigerated foods.

About the Author: Shari Steinbach, MS RDN

Shari is a nationally recognized food and nutrition consultant with over 25 years of experience as a health professional with two major supermarket chains in the Midwest. She specializes in crafting unique programs for her clients that provide meaningful nutrition and meal planning solutions for today’s consumers. Shari holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition from Andrews University in Michigan.