It’s an annual tradition that culminates with the family gathered around the dinner table to enjoy a sprawling spread of filling foods. Such is the draw of Thanksgiving that Airlines for America, an industry trade group, expects more than 28 million Americans will take to the skies between Nov. 17 and Nov. 28 to arrive at far-flung destinations for everyone’s favorite dinner of the year. This is a 3 percent increase over 2016’s total, and nearly 3 million people are expected to fly on Sunday, Nov. 26 alone.
It’s clear that there’s just something about Thanksgiving that gives us all a chance to break bread and enjoy each other’s company once again. Before there’s bread to break however, there are typically hours spent in the kitchen preparing full-course meals, often for a large crowd. With an air fryer appliance, though, this labor suddenly becomes a thing of the past.
For the unacquainted, an airfryer replaces the supremely unhealthy deep fryer that we’ve used for far too many decades now. The overarching perk that this oil less fryer offers is that it can cook many of your favorite foods in a fraction of the time that a conventional oven could, and it does so completely devoid of unhealthy oils.
Instead, an air fryer will rapidly circulate super-heated air so that food is cooked quickly and evenly while given that deep fryer-like crisp and brown texture by the end. If you’re looking for a way to cut out artery-clogging oils from your diet while still being able to enjoy the foods you’ve grown to love, then few options make more sense than an oil less fryer.
Thanksgiving is a prime opportunity to demonstrate to friends and family the capabilities of an airfryer. Although air fryers might be best know for appetizers and finger-food favorites, they can also be used to prepare full courses and desserts. That’s why we’re offering up two air fryer-centric recipes for your Thanksgiving gathering. Keep reading to learn more about a main course and desert that’s bound to please all of your guests.
Roast Turkey Breast
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 8-pound turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions:
- Season the turkey and rub with olive oil.
- Place the turkey breast-side down in the fry basket of your airfryer. Press the “M” button.
- Scroll to the “chicken” icon.
- Press the “Power” button and adjust cooking time to 20 minutes at 360 degrees.
- When timer is done, carefully turn the breast over.
- Press the “M” button to scroll to the “chicken” icon.
- Press the “Power” button and adjust cooking time to 20 minutes at 360 degrees.
- Test the turkey with a thermometer for proper doneness (165 degrees).
- Let rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Candied Yam and Marshmallow Hand Pies
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 16-ounce can of candied yams with the syrup drained
- 0.5 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon of allspice
- 0.25 teaspoon of salt
- 1 crescent dough sheet
- 2 tablespoons of marshmallow creme
- 1 egg, beaten
- 0.5 cup of confectioners sugar
- 0.5 cup of maple syrup
Directions:
- For the hand pies: One 16-ounce can of candied yams with the syrup drained; 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon; 0.25 teaspoon of allspice; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 1 crescent dough sheet; 2 tablespoons marshmallow creme; 1 egg, beaten.
- For the maple glaze: 0.5 cup confectioners sugar as well as 0.5 cup of maple syrup. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the yams, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Use a fork to smash the yams and stir to combine the spices.
- Place the crescent dough sheet on a cutting board. Cut into four equal pieces and spread a generous mound of the yam filling in the center of two of the dough squares. Top with a tablespoon of marshmallow creme. Using a pastry brush, brush the exposed edges of the dough with the egg wash. Top with the two remaining squares of dough. Use a fork to crimp the edges. Cut three slits on the top of the hand pie for venting.
- Transfer to your oil less fryer and cook at 400 degrees for six minutes. To make the maple glaze, place the confectioners sugar in a small bowl. Add the maple syrup in small splashes until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze slowly runs off a spoon. Drizzle the glaze over the warm hand pies.