A food writer has tested whether an air fryer can handle a full Christmas dinner, using a Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer model. The verdict: the chicken was juicy and quick, but roast potatoes failed to crisp up without hot oil or goose fat.
The experiment began with a small chicken (no whole turkey available) stuffed with lemon, herbs, and garlic, cooked for 37 minutes. Then vegetables—honey-glazed carrots, parsnips, and potatoes—were added alongside for another 18 minutes. Total cooking time was just 55 minutes, far less than a traditional oven.
The writer noted that the 10.5-litre air fryer could fit about 10 potatoes, 10 stuffing balls, and four portions of carrots. Stuffing balls and pigs in blankets took about 12 minutes. The chicken came out juicy and well-cooked, but the roast potatoes lacked the desired crispy crust.
Other downsides included limited capacity (the chicken would not feed a whole family) and the need for pre-preparation of vegetables. However, the air fryer simplified cooking by reducing the number of trays and timings to monitor.
Overall, the air fryer is a viable option for a small Christmas dinner, especially for the meat, but traditional oven methods are better for roast potatoes and gravy.
