A full roast dinner from one small appliance sounds ambitious, but it's very doable — and uses far less energy than firing up the oven. The trick is sequencing: cook in the right order, rest the meat while the trimmings finish. Here's the plan.
Key takeaways
Q: Can you cook a roast dinner in an air fryer?
A: Yes — cook the meat first, rest it under foil, then power through the potatoes and veg while it rests. A dual-basket model makes it even easier.
Q: What's the hardest part?
A: Capacity. Cook in stages and use the meat's resting time (20–30 minutes) to crisp the potatoes and veg.
The timing plan
Roast potatoes and meat take longest, so they lead. Everything else slots into the meat's rest. A small roast for 2–4 people works best; for more, lean on staging or a dual-zone air fryer.
| Component | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey crown / joint | 160°C / 320°F | ~30–35 min per kg |
| Roast potatoes | 200°C / 400°F | 22–28 min |
| Parsnips & carrots | 190°C / 375°F | 15–20 min |
| Brussels sprouts | 190°C / 375°F | 10–14 min |
| Pigs in blankets | 190°C / 375°F | 12–15 min |
Order of cooking
- Meat first. Cook the turkey crown or joint, then rest it under foil for 20–30 minutes.
- Potatoes next. While the meat rests, crisp the roast potatoes.
- Veg together. Parsnips and sprouts share a temperature.
- Trimmings last. Pigs in blankets and stuffing finish in minutes.
Trimmings
- Pigs in blankets — see the full method.
- Yorkshire puddings — possible, with caveats; here's how.
- Gammon for a change of meat — our air fryer gammon glaze is a winner.
Keep the cooking times chart open as your master reference while you sequence everything.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook a full Christmas or Sunday roast in an air fryer?
Yes, in stages — cook the meat first and rest it while the potatoes and vegetables crisp. A dual-basket air fryer makes timing several components much easier.
Is it cheaper than using the oven for a roast?
For a small roast, usually yes — the air fryer heats a smaller space and avoids a long oven preheat, so it draws power for less time.
How do you keep everything hot?
Rest the meat under foil (it holds heat well for 20–30 minutes) and cook the quick items last, so the potatoes and veg are ready just as you carve.