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Bored of Lunch’s 12 Days of Easy Festive Recipes
Christmas is all about delicious food, cosy vibes, and festive cheer, but it can be stressful in the kitchen. Juggling multiple dishes and timing everything perfectly can be tricky. That’s where your air fryer and slow cooker come in. These two appliances make festive cooking easier, faster, and less stressful, giving you more time to enjoy the season.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Christmas
The air fryer is perfect for crispy, golden results without extra oil. It works like a mini oven, circulating hot air to cook food evenly. Using it at Christmas means you can:
- Cook crispy turkey skin without hours of basting.
- Make golden pastry treats like sausage rolls and croissants.
- Prepare snacks and starters quickly.
- Save oven space for bigger dishes.
Air fryer recipes are ideal for festive favourites like cheese dips, cocktail sausages, and stuffed chicken, giving you that impressive look without the stress.
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Christmas
The slow cooker is a hands-off hero for festive cooking. Simply pop in your ingredients in the morning and come back to a perfectly cooked meal hours later. Benefits include:
- Tender meats like ham or turkey.
- Indulgent desserts like chocolate fondant or bread and butter pudding.
- Festive drinks such as mulled wine or Bailey’s hot chocolate.
- Freeing up your oven for other dishes.
Using both an air fryer and slow cooker lets you create a full Christmas feast without the stress, from starters to mains, snacks, desserts, and drinks.
Bored of Lunch’s 12 Days of Festive Recipes
Here’s a festive countdown of 12 easy recipes that are either air fryer or slow cooker-friendly. They’re simple to make, full of flavour, and perfect for Christmas.
Air Fryer Festive Cheese Dip
Start your festive season with a warm, cheesy dip. This recipe combines melty cheese, garlic, and a touch of cranberry for a seasonal twist. The air fryer gives the top a golden, bubbling finish, making it a crowd-pleasing starter.
Tip: Serve immediately with crackers or breadsticks for the best gooey texture.
Air Fryer Terry’s Chocolate Orange Croissants
Indulge this Christmas with these buttery croissants filled with Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Cooked in the air fryer, they’re crispy on the outside and melty inside, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Air Fryer Brie & Honey Garlic Bread
Soft bread filled with creamy brie, honey, and a hint of garlic turns into a melty, golden delight in the air fryer. Perfect as a starter or Christmas snack.
Air Fryer Cranberry & Soy Cocktail Sausages
These sweet and savoury cocktail sausages are perfect for Christmas parties. The air fryer crisps the edges beautifully, making them ideal for sharing.
Tip: Shake the basket halfway through cooking for even crisping.
Air Fryer Cranberry & Brie Stuffed Chicken
A show-stopping main dish, cranberry and brie stuffed chicken is juicy and flavourful. The air fryer crisps the outside perfectly while keeping the meat tender.
Slow Cooker Bailey’s Bread & Butter Pudding
This boozy bread and butter pudding is rich, comforting, and easy to make. The slow cooker keeps it moist and prevents burning, creating a dessert that’s perfect for Christmas evenings.
Air Fryer Stuffing & Cranberry Sausage Rolls
Festive sausage rolls with cranberry and stuffing are golden, flaky, and full of flavour. Perfect for lunch, snacks, or a buffet.
Slow Cooker Bailey’s & Lindt Hot Chocolate
This decadent hot chocolate is perfect for cosy nights. Bailey’s and Lindt chocolate melt together in the slow cooker, creating a creamy, indulgent drink. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for a festive touch.
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham (Cooked in Cola)
Slow-cooked ham with honey, mustard, and cola is fall-apart tender and full of festive flavour. The slow cooker does all the hard work, making it ideal for feeding a crowd.
Tip: Add cloves or orange slices for extra aroma and flavour.
Air Fryer Dry-Brined Crispy Turkey Crown
Dry-brining ensures your turkey crown is juicy, tender, and full of flavour. The air fryer crisps the skin perfectly, saving you time and stress.
Tip: Pat the turkey dry before cooking for the crispiest skin.
Slow Cooker Terry’s Chocolate Fondant
Chocolate fondant is rich, molten, and impressive, but easy with a slow cooker. The gentle heat creates a perfect molten centre without risk of overcooking.
Tip: Grease your dish well and serve immediately with cream or ice cream.
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Perfect Christmas Eve drink in my opinion, and the slow cooker makes it effortless. Red wine, spices, citrus, and sugar slowly warm to perfection, filling your home with holiday scents.
Extra Tips for Easy Christmas Cooking
- Chop, measure, and prep ingredients in advance to save stress.
- Use the slow cooker for desserts or mains to free your oven.
- Fresh, simple ingredients make a huge difference.
- Always check meat with a thermometer in the air fryer.
- Focus on a few impressive dishes rather than overcomplicating.
Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful. With these 12 easy festive recipes using the air fryer and slow cooker, you can enjoy a tasty, stress-free festive season. From starters and mains to desserts and drinks, these recipes are perfect for creating a delicious countdown to Christmas.
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