Quick Christmas Sides for When You’ve No Time (or Oven Space)

Christmas cooking is one of those things we all romanticise… until we’re in the kitchen, the timer is going off, there’s no oven space left, someone’s asking where the gravy is, and you’re mentally calculating how long the turkey actually needs. It’s chaos and that’s exactly why having a few quick and easy Christmas side dishes up your sleeve can make all the difference.

Easy Air Fryer & Slow Cooker Christmas Sides to Save the Day

If you’re hosting this year and panicking a little (or a lot), don’t worry. You’re not alone. December is busy, life is hectic, and the last thing anyone needs is complicated cooking. That’s why I’ve put together a list of foolproof Christmas sides you can make quickly, using either the air fryer or slow cooker. These recipes are perfect for people who want big Christmas flavour without hours of prep or washing-up. Whether you need something last-minute or just want a stress-free dinner, these sides will genuinely save your sanity.

Why Quick Christmas Sides Are a Life-Saver

Every December, more of us turn to the air fryer and slow cooker because they take the pressure off. The oven is usually taken up by the turkey, ham, nut roast or centrepiece, which leaves very little room for the sides. But your guests still want stuffing, carrots, pigs in blankets, red cabbage and crispy roasties — and the air fryer or slow cooker can do all of this with very little effort.

Quick Christmas sides are essential because:

They free up your oven for the foods that actually need it
They reduce stress, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
They cook faster than traditional methods
They’re budget-friendly, with fewer ingredients
They save energy, perfect for long days in the kitchen
They’re perfect for batch cooking, especially slow cooker dishes

So if you’re juggling visitors, wrapping presents or just trying to survive the festive madness, these recipes will help massively.

Air Fryer Stuffing Balls

Stuffing is a classic Christmas side dish, but it can take up precious oven space. The air fryer is a total game-changer here. You get beautifully golden, crisp-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside stuffing balls in a fraction of the time. Why they’re perfect in the air fryer:

Ready in minutes
Crispy without deep-frying
Perfect for batch cooking
Kid-friendly and great for nibbling

Air Fryer Stuffing Balls

Honey & Bacon Wrapped Carrots

Carrots are one of those sides that everyone expects to see at Christmas dinner, but many people forget about them until the last minute. Good news: you can make honey & bacon wrapped carrots in the air fryer, and they’re incredible. Why they belong on your Christmas table:

Only 3–4 ingredients
Works with any main
Kids (and picky adults) love them

Air Fryer Honey & Bacon Wrapped Carrots

Air Fryer Stuffed Pigs in Blankets

Let’s be honest: pigs in blankets might be the real star of Christmas dinner. But making trays of them can crowd the oven. Using the air fryer means you can cook a batch in minutes — and even better, you can give them a little upgrade. Why air fryer pigs in blankets are superior:

Crispier and juicier
No greasy oven trays
Cook faster
Perfect party food

Air Fryer Stuffed Pigs in Blankets

air fryer cranberry and soy cocktail sausages

Cranberry & Soy Cocktail Sausages

If you’re looking for a Christmas crowd-pleaser that takes almost no effort, these Cranberry & Soy Cocktail Sausages are unbeatable. They’re sticky, glossy and packed with flavour — the perfect balance of sweet cranberry and savoury soy, with that irresistible caramelised finish. They’re ideal for Christmas parties, buffet tables or as a quick side to round out your festive dinner. Minimal ingredients, zero fuss and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Air Fryer Cranberry & Brie Stuffed Chicken

Air-fried ‘Roast’ Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary

Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

Let’s talk about roasties — the most argued-about Christmas side. Everyone has feelings about how they should be made. And yes, traditional oven roast potatoes are great, but air fryer roasties are ridiculously good and so much quicker. They come out golden and crispy without needing litres of oil. And you don’t have to preheat an oven for ages. Why you’ll love them:

Seriously crispy edges
Uses far less oil
Ready much faster
No shaking hot oven trays
Perfect for topping up the roastie bowl mid-meal

Air-fried ‘Roast’ Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary

Christmas

Hosting at Christmas doesn’t need to feel like running a restaurant kitchen. It’s meant to be relaxed, cosy and full of good food — not frantic pot juggling and oven Tetris.

That’s why quick Christmas sides make such a difference. They help you:

Save time
Save energy
Reduce stress
Make more space in the oven
Keep everyone fed and happy

The air fryer and slow cooker are genuinely two of the best tools you can use over Christmas, especially if you’re short on time or cooking for a full house. They’re energy-efficient, quick and incredibly versatile. And with the recipes above, you can serve a full spread of festive sides without ever turning the oven on!

How to Stay Organised When Cooking Christmas Dinner

If you’re the designated cook this year, these tips will help keep you sane:

Prep as much as possible the day before

Chop vegetables, mix stuffing, prep your turkey and ham — get everything ready so you’re not rushing on Christmas morning.

Use your slow cooker overnight

Gravy bases and some veggie sides work brilliantly this way.

Assign a job to everyone in the house

Someone sets the table, someone slices bread, someone takes coats — you don’t have to do it all.

Keep things simple

Not every side needs to be a masterpiece. Quick and tasty wins every time.

Use the air fryer to top up dishes

If you run out of roasties, pigs in blankets or stuffing, the air fryer saves the day.

Happy Cooking!!

Whether you’re hosting for the first time, feeding a crowd or just trying to keep things stress-free, these quick Christmas sides will genuinely help. They’re simple, flavour-packed and perfect for anyone with limited oven space (or limited patience like me). From crisp air fryer stuffing balls to moreish pigs in blankets, this is your cheat sheet to an easy, delicious Christmas dinner.

If you try any of these, tag me on Instagram @boredoflunch — I love seeing your Christmas cooking!