When Thanksgiving sides and pies take over the oven, choosing a main that cooks elsewhere helps keep the meal on schedule. These 17 air fryer recipes span turkey, chicken, pork, seafood, casseroles, pasta, and soups, with total times from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Use them for a smaller meal or add another main while the oven handles traditional dishes.
Air Fryer Lobster Roll
Restaurant-style lobster rolls stay manageable with Air Fryer Lobster Roll, a 25-minute recipe that makes two servings. The filling brings lobster together with garlic butter, chives, dill, and lemon, then tucks it into toasted buns. Serve the rolls with slaw or kettle chips for a small holiday meal. Their short cook keeps one main moving while the Thanksgiving oven handles everything else.
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Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Golden skin and juicy meat make Air Fryer Whole Chicken a practical centerpiece when the oven is booked. It takes 1 hour and serves four, using rosemary, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and avocado oil on a 3-to-4-pound chicken. Carve it with potatoes and green beans for a smaller holiday table. The air fryer gives the main its own space while pies and sides stay in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Air Fryer Baked Ziti
Saucy layers make Air Fryer Baked Ziti a filling option for a family-style meal without taking over the oven. It takes 45 minutes and serves eight, combining ziti with Italian sausage, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Spoon out hearty portions beside a green salad or roasted vegetables. This pasta casserole offers a familiar main for relatives who want something substantial alongside the Thanksgiving favorites.
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Air Fryer Broccoli Soup
Silky texture gives Air Fryer Broccoli Soup an easy place in a smaller holiday menu. It takes 20 minutes and serves four, blending broccoli and garlic with vegetable stock, mint, ricotta, Cheddar, and cream. Offer it in bowls with sourdough croutons, or pour smaller cups as a first course before the main dish. Its quick preparation leaves more time and oven room for the rest of the meal.
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Air Fryer Chicken Divan
The bubbling top on Air Fryer Chicken Divan turns a familiar casserole into a main that can cook alongside the oven dishes. It takes 30 minutes and serves six, pairing chicken and broccoli with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, and Cheddar under crushed Ritz crackers. Set out a serving spoon and add rice or a salad. The compact cooking time helps dinner stay on track when the oven is full.
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Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders
Party-sized sliders give Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders enough heft to stand in as a main dish. They take 20 minutes and serve six, with mini burger patties, American cheese, slider buns, and a homemade sauce of mayonnaise, relish, mustard, and seasonings. Put them on a platter with pickles and a crisp salad. Their small format makes it easy to serve a crowd without asking for oven space.
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Holiday hosting is easier when Air Fryer Turkey Breast cooks outside the crowded oven. It takes 1 hour and serves 16, seasoning turkey with olive oil, thyme, paprika, garlic, and onion powder before a maple-mustard finish. Slice it for sandwiches or arrange it as another main beside the traditional roast. This gives guests a second turkey option while the oven remains available for stuffing, vegetables, and dessert.
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Air Fryer Lentil Soup
Deep, aromatic flavor gives Air Fryer Lentil Soup enough presence for a meatless main or a warm first course. It takes 1 hour and serves eight, bringing lentils together with tomatoes, onion, ginger, curry powder, vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Finish bowls with lime and cilantro, and set bread nearby for dipping. The soup can be portioned before guests arrive, keeping last-minute oven tasks to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lentil Soup
Air Fryer French Onion Casserole
Deeply browned layers lend Air Fryer French Onion Casserole the savory character of onion soup in a pasta main. The recipe takes 30 minutes and serves six, combining yellow onions, sherry, thyme, beef broth, short pasta, Gruyère, and panko. Serve it with a green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the plate. Its air fryer method leaves the oven open for the rest of Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Onion Casserole
Air Fryer Lasagna
Pull-apart layers make Air Fryer Lasagna a substantial main for anyone who wants a pasta option on the holiday table. It takes 1 hour and serves eight, layering lasagna noodles with ground beef, tomatoes, ricotta, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Cut it into squares and pair with a simple salad. The air fryer handles this bubbling casserole while the Thanksgiving oven stays free for turkey and sides.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lasagna
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Crunchy edges and creamy layers give Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole the appeal of the classic dish in a shareable bake. It takes 45 minutes and serves six, with rotisserie chicken, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, Dijon, and a buttery breadcrumb topping. Spoon portions onto plates beside green beans or a salad. It adds a filling chicken main without competing for oven room.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Air Fryer Meatball Casserole
Individual portions of pasta and meatballs make Air Fryer Meatball Casserole easy to serve at a busy family meal. It takes 50 minutes and serves six, combining ground beef meatballs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, marinara, penne, and mozzarella. Pair it with garlic bread or a green salad for a complete plate. The air fryer takes care of this cheesy casserole while the oven stays available for the holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatball Casserole
Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Velvety spoonfuls give Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie Soup the familiar flavor of a pot pie in bowl form. It takes 55 minutes and serves six, combining cooked chicken with potatoes, celery, mushrooms, mixed vegetables, chicken stock, milk, and thyme. Set out bread or flaky biscuits for dipping. This warming main can be served from the stovetop after cooking, leaving the Thanksgiving oven to other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Air Fryer Vegetable Pasta Bake
A crisp top and tender pasta make Air Fryer Vegetable Pasta Bake a hearty meatless option for the holiday menu. It takes 20 minutes and serves six, with short pasta, red onion, bell pepper, zucchini, tomato sauce, cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spinach. Add a salad or extra vegetables on the side. Its short cook makes room for another main while oven racks are occupied by sides and pies.
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Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Crisped skin and a savory pan sauce make Air Fryer Turkey Wings a useful second turkey dish for a holiday meal. They take 40 minutes and serve three, with onion, poultry seasoning, garlic, chicken broth, and white wine. Spoon the sauce over the wings and serve with mashed potatoes or green beans. Smaller portions suit a few guests or add variety beside a larger roast without using the oven.
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Air Fryer Vegetable Soup
Bright broth and tender vegetables give Air Fryer Vegetable Soup a lighter place among the heavier holiday mains. It takes 40 minutes and serves four, with celery, carrots, leeks, cannellini beans, spinach, peas, rosemary, and vegetable broth. Ladle it into bowls with Parmesan and bread, or serve modest portions before the main course. It cooks independently of the oven, which helps keep a crowded Thanksgiving schedule manageable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Vegetable Soup
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Quick-crisped edges make Air Fryer Pork Chops a strong option when a small main needs to come together fast. The recipe takes 15 minutes and serves two, seasoning bone-in chops with sage, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil. Pair them with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a simple salad. Their short cook frees up the oven for the dishes that need longer baking time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops