Air fryer Christmas sides: roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and more
The trimmings are what crowd the oven on Christmas Day. Every one of them cooks well in an air fryer, and with two drawers you can do two at once.
Christmas sides: times and temperatures
| Side | Temperature | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roast potatoes (parboiled) | 200°C | 25–30 min | Shake every 10 minutes |
| Roast potatoes (frozen) | 200°C | 20–25 min | No oil needed if pre-coated |
| Pigs in blankets | 180°C | 12–15 min | Turn halfway; cook until no pink remains |
| Honey roast parsnips | 180°C | 18–20 min | Add the honey for the last 5 minutes |
| Brussels sprouts (halved) | 180°C | 12–15 min | Add bacon lardons for the last 8 minutes |
| Carrot batons | 180°C | 15–18 min | Toss in butter and thyme |
| Stuffing balls | 180°C | 12–15 min | Cook until piping hot in the middle |
| Frozen Yorkshire puddings | 190°C | 4–5 min | Straight from frozen |
Times are for the Smart Chef 11 L with food in a single layer. Bigger or more crowded batches take longer. For frozen foods, check the pack too.
The crispiest roast potatoes
- Peel about 1 kg of floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King Edward, and cut them into even chunks.
- Parboil for 8–10 minutes in salted water, until the edges soften.
- Drain, leave to steam dry for 5 minutes, then shake them in the pan to rough up the edges.
- Toss with 1–2 tablespoons of oil or goose fat and a pinch of salt.
- Cook at 200°C for 25–30 minutes, shaking every 10 minutes, until deep golden.
1 kg fills one drawer in a single layer. For a crowd, use Match to cook two drawers of potatoes at the same settings.
Pigs in blankets
Wrap each chipolata in half a rasher of streaky bacon, with the join underneath. Cook at 180°C for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway, until the bacon is crisp and the sausages are cooked through with no pink in the middle. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup in the last 3 minutes makes them sticky.
Two drawers, two sides
Put sides with different times in different drawers and press Sync, and both finish together. Good pairs:
- Roast potatoes (drawer 1) with parsnips (drawer 2)
- Pigs in blankets (drawer 1) with sprouts and bacon (drawer 2)
- Stuffing balls (drawer 1) with carrots (drawer 2)
Planning the whole meal? See our Christmas dinner plan for turkey crown timings and a countdown. For everyday foods, there's the air fryer cooking times chart, and our crispy chips use the same method as the potatoes.
Updated 3 November 2026
More guides
- Christmas dinner in an air fryer: timings and plan
- Air fryer Christmas party food and Boxing Day leftovers
- Air fryer cooking times chart (UK)
- Dual drawer vs single drawer air fryer: which is best?
- How to clean an air fryer
- How much does an air fryer cost to run in the UK?