Air fryer stuffing balls offer a fresh twist on classic stuffing. Made with Paxo stuffing mix, these crispy, bite-sized treats are versatile, customizable, and perfect for Christmas dinner or a quick, easy side dish.
Preparing stuffing balls in an air fryer is an excellent way to save valuable oven and hob space in your kitchen, which is particularly useful when cooking large festive meals or Sunday roasts where multiple dishes are being prepared simultaneously.
Don't forget to try my other air fryer favourites, like air fryer parsnips and crispy air fryer brussels sprouts!
👩🍳 Looking for an oven-baked stuffing recipe? Try my easy sausage meat stuffing or simple apricot stuffing!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
Air fryer stuffing balls are so easy to make and bake!
- These stuffing balls are ready in under 20 minutes, making them a quick and easy addition to your Sunday lunch or Christmas dinner.
- Using store-bought Paxo mix saves time and effort, and you can customize them with your favourite herbs or spices.
- Make them ahead of time and store in the fridge, then cook in the air fryer for a convenient, stress-free meal.
"It's simple - when someone tells you how to do it! Thanks for sharing this.... gave me confidence to try Paxo in the AF400UK." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steve
🛒 Ingredients
Stuffing Mix - 170g packet of Paxo sage and onion stuffing mix. You could try different flavoured stuffing mixes if you prefer, and different brands.
Fry Light - a light oil spray to ensure the stuffing balls are crispy on the outside and don't stick to the air fryer basket. You could also brush them with melted butter instead.
Boiling Water - to help bind the stuffing together.
🔪 How to cook stuffing balls in air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C and set the timer for 8 minutes.
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Top Tips
- Before you start cooking, preheat the air fryer to ensure that it's hot enough to cook the stuffing balls evenly.
- Make the stuffing balls the night before and chill them in your fridge ready to air fry the next day.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the stuffing balls in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get crispy all over.
- Once the stuffing balls are cooked, serve them immediately while they're still hot and crispy.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Air fryer stuffing balls are the perfect accompaniment to a roast dinner or Christmas lunch with roast turkey, beef and honey roast gammon, air fryer pigs in blankets, polenta roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, slow cooker red cabbage, honey roast parsnips and carrots, crispy air fryer brussels sprouts, bread sauce, and devils on horseback!
You could also serve the stuffing balls as a party appetiser, with some of your favourite dips. And don't forget the obligatory turkey, cranberry, and stuffing sandwiches on Boxing Day!
📖 Variations
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the stuffing balls in a conventional oven too.
- Vary the flavours and use different dry stuffing mixes. Supermarkets are usually full of different stuffing flavours in the run-up to Christmas!
- Add the zest of 1 clementine to the sage and onion stuffing balls to give them a festive flavour.
- Add a handful of dried cranberries, raisins or chopped apricots to the mix.
- Try my apricot stuffing recipe in the air fryer!
🥡 Storage
Store - Any leftover cooked stuffing balls can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Reheat - Reheat the stuffing balls in the microwave or air fryer (which will help retain their crispness).
Freeze - Air-fried stuffing balls can be frozen for up to 3 months.
❓ FAQs
Air frying is healthier than frying in oil. It cuts calories by about 70% in most cases.
Yes, you can definitely reheat stuffing balls in an air fryer. Reheat them at 180 C (350 F) for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot.
Yes! Make the stuffing balls following the recipe and place them on a plate. Cover with clingfilm or pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring up to room temperature before air frying.
Yes, air fry frozen sage and onion stuffing balls for 10-12 minutes at 180C (350F).
Sage and onion stuffing balls take 8 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 180 C (350 F). A meat-based stuffing will take a little longer (always test with a meat thermometer).
More air fryer recipes
More easy side dishes
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Stuffing Balls
Would you like to save this?
We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 170 g Sage and Onion Stuffing Mix Paxo or another brand
- 1 teaspoon Fry Light Spray
- 425 ml Boiling Water
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°c (350 °F) and set the timer for 8 minutes.
- Place the dried stuffing mix in a large bowl.170 g Sage and Onion Stuffing Mix
- Pour over 425ml of boiling water and mix with a spoon.425 ml Boiling Water
- Let the mixture stand for 8 minutes.
- Roll the mixture into 12 equal balls. Spray one side with olive oil spray and place oil side down into the air fryer basket, then spray the upward facing side of each stuffing ball. Air fry for 5 minutes.1 teaspoon Fry Light Spray
- Turn each stuffing ball with a tong. Air fry for a further 3 minutes until crispy on the outside.
Notes
- Make the stuffing balls the night before and chill in your fridge ready to air fry the next day.
- It's important not to crowd food into an air fryer. The recipe I give here makes 12 stuffing balls in a large 6 litre air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer cook them in two batches.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the stuffing balls in a conventional oven too.
- Vary the flavours and use different dry stuffing mixes. Supermarkets are usually full of different stuffing flavours in the run up to Christmas!
- Add the zest of 1 clementine to the sage and onion stuffing balls to give them a festive flavour.
- Add a handful of dried cranberries for a fruity flavour.
⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐
With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!
Lisa Huff says
Such a fun holiday idea! Love that there are only 3 ingredients. Quick and easy!
Nathan says
I can't believe I've never seen stuffing balls before! This recipe is delicious and so easy to make in the air fryer. Definitely an instant favorite!
Louise Cayzer says
I'm the proud new owner of an airfryer and was looking for a way to make stuffing in it! Worked out perfectly. Yum!
Julie says
These are a perfect side dish to go with any meal. Bonus that they are so easy to make.
Roxana says
Wow this is such an easy recipe. And an incredible resource full of tips and helpful information for air frying.
Steve says
It's simple - when someone tells you how to do it!
Thanks for sharing this .. gave me confidence to try Paxo in the AF400UK