This air-fryer stuffing transforms classic festive flavours — sausage, chestnuts, herbs, and dried fruit — into a golden, crispy side dish without needing to heat up the oven. The outside becomes crunchy while the inside stays moist and flavorful, giving you a delicious room-saving alternative for holiday dinners or any cozy roast night.
Ingredients
- A little vegetable oil (to grease the dish)
- A handful of fresh sage, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh thyme leaves, picked
- 500 g sausage meat
- 100 g soft white breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons sherry (or another sweet wine)
- 100 g chopped dried apricots
- 150 g cooked chestnuts (from a pouch), roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons caramelised red onion chutney
- A grating of nutmeg
- A pinch of mixed spice
- Salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–35 minutes (depending on depth of mixture)
- Total Time: ~40–50 minutes
- Servings: about 6–8 portions (depending on serving size)
- Cuisine: British / Holiday Side Dish
- Course: Side dish / Stuffing
Instructions
- Grease an enamel or oven-safe dish so it will fit comfortably into your air fryer (or oil the base and sides of the air-fryer basket if using a flat-sided basket).
- In a large bowl, combine the sausage meat, breadcrumbs, dried apricots, chopped chestnuts, chopped sage and thyme, sherry, red-onion chutney, nutmeg, mixed spice. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Use your hands to mash and mix everything well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish or air-fryer basket, smoothing out the top evenly.
- Place in the preheated air fryer and roast at 180°C for 25–35 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a metal skewer into the center — it should come out piping hot (or the internal temperature should reach about 70°C). If the top browns too much before the middle cooks, cover loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
- Once cooked through and golden on top, remove carefully, let rest a few minutes, then cut into portions and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the sausage meat and increase the amount of nuts, seeds or cooked lentils — add herbs and seasoning to boost flavor.
- For extra crunch, stir in some chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) along with chestnuts — gives a nice texture contrast.
- If your air fryer is small, cook in batches rather than overfill the basket — ensures even cooking and proper crisping.
- Add a splash of apple juice or stock to the mixture before cooking for a moister, richer stuffing.
Approximate Nutrition (per serving — assuming 8 servings)
- Calories: ~615 kcal
- Fat: ~34 g
- Saturated fat: ~12 g
- Carbohydrates: ~51 g
- Fibre: ~9 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Salt: can vary depending on sausage & seasoning (use moderate salt if concerned)
Ingredients
Method
- Grease an enamel or oven-safe dish so it will fit comfortably into your air fryer (or oil the base and sides of the air-fryer basket if using a flat-sided basket).
- In a large bowl, combine the sausage meat, breadcrumbs, dried apricots, chopped chestnuts, chopped sage and thyme, sherry, red-onion chutney, nutmeg, mixed spice. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Use your hands to mash and mix everything well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish or air-fryer basket, smoothing out the top evenly.
- Place in the preheated air fryer and roast at 180°C for 25–35 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a metal skewer into the center — it should come out piping hot (or the internal temperature should reach about 70°C). If the top browns too much before the middle cooks, cover loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
- Once cooked through and golden on top, remove carefully, let rest a few minutes, then cut into portions and serve warm.
Notes
- Fat: ~34 g
- Saturated fat: ~12 g
- Carbohydrates: ~51 g
- Fibre: ~9 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Salt: can vary depending on sausage & seasoning (use moderate salt if concerned)
FAQs
Can I use this stuffing inside a turkey instead of cooking it alone?
It’s best cooked separately in the air fryer — stuffing inside a turkey often cooks unevenly and can pose food safety risks if not heated thoroughly.
What if the top gets too brown before the centre cooks?
Loosely cover the top with foil for the last 10–15 minutes of cooking to prevent over-browning while allowing the center to finish cooking.
Can I make the mixture ahead of time?
Yes — you can mix and press it into the dish ahead, cover and refrigerate. When ready to cook, just pop into the air fryer (you may need to add a few extra minutes).
Is it easy to reheat leftovers in the air fryer?
Yes — reheat at about 160–170°C for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness without drying the stuffing.
