Christmas dinner in an air fryer: timings and plan
A dual drawer air fryer won't fit a 6 kg turkey, but it can cook a turkey crown for a smaller table, or take every side dish off the oven's hands. Here is a plan for both.
Two ways to use the air fryer on Christmas Day
- Small table (2 to 6 people): cook a turkey crown or a chicken in drawer 1 and the roast potatoes in drawer 2. With Sync, both finish together and the oven stays free for everything else.
- Big table (6 or more): roast the whole turkey in the oven as usual and use both drawers for the sides: roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, parsnips and sprouts. This is the usual oven-space problem solved.
Turkey crown in the air fryer
Each drawer of the Smart Chef holds 5.5 L, which takes a turkey crown of up to about 1.5 kg (it should sit flat with a little space around it). That serves about 4 to 6 people.
- Take the crown out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat it dry, rub with butter or oil, and season.
- Place it skin-side down in drawer 1. Cook at 180°C.
- Turn it skin-side up halfway through. If the skin browns too fast, cover it loosely with a small piece of foil, tucked in so the fan can't lift it.
- It is ready when the thickest part reaches 75°C on a food thermometer and the juices run clear. Rest it under foil for 20 minutes before carving.
| Turkey crown | Temperature | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 180°C | 45–55 min |
| 1.25 kg | 180°C | 55–65 min |
| 1.5 kg | 180°C | 65–75 min |
Times are a guide. Crowns differ in shape, so always check the temperature in the thickest part rather than relying on the clock. A food thermometer costs a few pounds and takes the guesswork out of the big day.
Countdown plan for a small table
For dinner at 2pm, with the crown in drawer 1 and potatoes in drawer 2:
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 11:30 | Take the turkey crown out of the fridge. Peel the potatoes. |
| 12:00 | Parboil the potatoes for 8–10 minutes, drain and leave them to steam dry. |
| 12:15 | Crown in drawer 1 at 180°C for 75 minutes. Oiled potatoes in drawer 2 at 200°C for 30 minutes. Press Sync: drawer 2 waits and starts itself so both finish together. |
| 12:50 | Turn the crown skin-side up. Drawer 2 starts around 13:00; shake the potatoes every 10 minutes after that. |
| 13:30 | Check the crown reaches 75°C. Rest it under foil. Keep the potatoes warm in the oven on low. |
| 13:35 | Pigs in blankets in drawer 1, parsnips in drawer 2, both around 180°C, Sync on. |
| 13:55 | Make the gravy with the resting juices, carve and serve. |
Sides for a big table
If the turkey is in the oven, run the air fryer in rounds: potatoes and parsnips first, then pigs in blankets and sprouts while the turkey rests. Full times and temperatures for each side are in our Christmas sides guide.
Tips for the day
- Don't overfill the drawers. A single layer with gaps crisps far better than a heaped pile, so cook in two rounds if needed.
- Use the viewing windows instead of opening the drawers, so the heat stays in.
- Lay out every drawer, tray and timer the night before, and write your timings on a piece of paper by the cooker.
- Turkey safety: defrost a frozen crown fully in the fridge (allow about a day per 2 kg), and never wash raw turkey, as it spreads germs around the sink.
Cooking for one or two this year? A roast chicken with vegetables follows the same method and is ready in under an hour.
Updated 3 November 2026
More guides
- Air fryer Christmas sides: roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and more
- 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?