Christmas Snack Ideas in the Air Fryer
By Bea from Duronic
Every December, kitchens across the UK transform into battlefields. Trays slide in and out of ovens, timers beep incessantly and hosts try to balance hot snacks with cold drinks. I watched this happen for years, until a stat caught my attention: more than a third of households now use high-performance dual basket air fryers during the festive season, shaving up to 20% off cooking time compared to traditional ovens. That number stuck with me. It made me rethink how Christmas snacks should actually be done, using an air fryer to keep things fast, predictable and far less stressful.
I started experimenting with a Duronic Dual Zone Air Fryer AF34 and everything shifted. The twin baskets let me cook two recipes at once, each at a precise temperature and if I wanted to cook a larger batch, I could just use the larger drawer. No more juggling trays or overcooked bottoms. What once felt stressful became surprisingly simple. And if there’s not enough space in your kitchen for three drawers, the AF24 twin drawer air fryer or the AF14 Large Drawer air fryer are both great alternatives.
Why You Need to Have a Dual Basket Air Fryer This Christmas
Christmas cooking has two main challenges: time and space. Traditional ovens can feel restrictive. You often need multiple temperatures and some dishes need rapid heat while others cook gently. A good dual zone air fryer solves both problems.
The Duronic AF34 Dual Air Fryer allows two different foods to cook simultaneously; mushrooms can roast on one side while sausage rolls crisp on the other or you can use the large drawer to cook large batches in one go.
AF34 Air Fryer Available in Black & Gold, Black & Silver and White
AF24 Air Fryer Available in Black & Gold, Black & Silver and White
AF14 Air Fryer Available in Black & Gold, Black & Silver and White
The Duronic Air Cooker AF24 and the Duronic Small Air Fryer AF14, suit smaller kitchens or topping up snacks without crowding the main oven. With even cooking, lower energy and faster results, you can spend less time fretting over trays and more time enjoying the atmosphere.
This blog walks you through Christmas snacks that are perfect for the digital air fryer oven, from warm, savoury bites to quick, indulgent sweets. I will share exact temperatures, timings and practical tips so you can serve your guests without spending the entire day in the kitchen. Let us start with the savouries.
Savoury Christmas Snacks
These are the snacks that disappear first. Warm, crisp and perfectly shareable.
Filo Feta Bites
Flaky, salty and quick.
Lay a sheet of filo on the counter and brush lightly with olive oil. Mix crumbled feta with a pinch of chopped parsley, spoon onto the filo and fold into triangles. Chill for fifteen minutes to prevent leakage.
Cook in the Compact Air Fryer at 185°C for 6-7 minutes. Golden edges, crisp layers, soft, salty filling. Serve with warm honey or chilli jam. Double the batch because these vanish fast.
Sausage Rolls
A Christmas classic.
Use quality sausage meat seasoned with sage, finely diced onion and other delicious ingredients. Roll into strips, wrap in pre-rolled puff pastry and brush with beaten egg. Cook in the Dual Basket Air Fryer at 180°C for 12-14 minutes. You get crisp tops, soft interiors and no soggy bases.
Find the detailed recipe here.
Tip: Freeze raw rolls flat. Cook from frozen, adding 3 extra minutes. Stress-free, reliable and consistently delicious.
Parmesan Bread Bites
Warm, aromatic, irresistible.
Cut soft bread dough into bite-sized pieces or tear shop-bought bread into bite seized pieces. Toss in olive oil, garlic powder and finely grated Parmesan. Or you can place the Parmesan cheese inside for a molten, comforting snack. Place in a single layer in the Digital Air Fryer Basket. Cook at 175°C for 6 minutes. Slight puffing, crisp exteriors, soft centres.
The twin basket design comes in handy here. While bread bites cook, baked Brie bites can cook simultaneously.
Baked Brie Bites
Small, soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
Cut puff pastry into squares, press into silicone cups, add a cube of Brie and a little cranberry sauce. Cook in the Small Air Fryer at 185°C for about 8 minutes. Soft pastry, warm centre, no spills. Serve straight from the basket. Reheat easily if needed.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Hearty and vegetarian-friendly.
Choose medium mushrooms, remove stems and chop them finely. Mix stems with soft cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Spoon into caps. Cook at 190°C in the Air Fryer Oven for 8-9 minutes. Tops brown beautifully, mushrooms stay firm and the flavour is rich and comforting.
Sweet Christmas Snacks
When savouries disappear, it is time for quick, indulgent treats.
Cinnamon Sugar Puffs
Festive and aromatic.
Cut pre-rolled puff pastry into small rectangles, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Air fry in the Air Cooker at 180°C for 6 minutes. They rise fast, caramelise at the edges and smell incredible. Toss in extra cinnamon sugar while warm. Perfect with hot chocolate.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Soft centres, crisp edges.
Scoop small portions of refrigerated or freshly made dough onto baking parchment. Cook in the oil free cooker at 165°C for 7 minutes. Slight spread, perfect edge texture, soft centre. Serve immediately when someone asks for something sweet.
Mini Pastry Tartlettes
Pretty, adaptable, fast.
Use shortcrust pastry cut into small circles. Fill with jam, lemon curd or whatever filling you like. If you're feeling fancy, cut and stick extra pastry on top to make the tart look pretty. Cook in the Air Fryer Oven at 175°C for 6-8 minutes depending on size. Cool fully and dust lightly with icing sugar for a festive touch.
Air-Fried Marshmallow Dip
Yes, it works. Yes, it tastes amazing.
Use an oven-safe ramekin, layer chocolate chunks at the base, and cover with marshmallows. Cook in the Digital Air Fryer at 180°C for 4 minutes until the tops toast and chocolate melts underneath. Serve with biscuits, fruit or cinnamon puffs. Children and adults enjoy it equally.
How to Prep Christmas Snacks Efficiently
Use the baskets smartly
Dual zone models like the Air Fryer Dual Basket let you time finishes instead of starts. Mushrooms on one side, sausage rolls on the other, different durations, same finish.
Pre-freeze raw pastry items
Chill sausage rolls, Brie bites and tartlettes. Freeze flat. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to normal time. Pastry behaves better, textures stay consistent.
Keep the basket clean between dishes
A quick wipe with a damp cloth prevents cross-flavours or use silicone basket liners. Garlic residue on cinnamon pastries is never welcome.
Duronic Powerful Air Fryer Models for Festive Cooking
These Duronic air fryers stand out thanks to strong airflow and convenience. The improved circulation ensures even browning across all foods, giving reliable results every time.
AF34 Dual Zone Air Fryer – Dual baskets plus a large drawer, high capacity, lets you cook two recipes at once or larger batches.
AF24 Large Air Fryer – Dual baskets only, ideal for smaller kitchens or topping up snacks.
AF14 Small Air Fryer – Single large drawer, compact and perfect for small kitchens and topping up on snacks.
Using an air fryer cooker makes a noticeable difference in the kitchen. Foods cook evenly, with pastry, cheese, bread dough and vegetables coming out perfectly browned every time. The fast, reliable heat circulation saves both energy and time, making festive cooking less stressful and more enjoyable.
FAQs
What are the best Christmas snacks to cook in a dual air fryer?
Air fryers are such versatile appliances that can help you whip up anything. Use the dual baskets to try some of the recipes above, one drawer for savoury snacks like sausage rolls and the other drawer for something sweet like the cinnamon sugar puffs. Cook them separately or simultaneously and keep snacks moving without relying on the oven.
Can I cook multiple Christmas snacks at once?
Yes. A twin air fryer lets you run two recipes simultaneously at different temperatures. Ideal for hosting, keeping snacks flowing without crowding the oven.
How long do Christmas pastries take in a compact air fryer?
Most pastries cook in 6-10 minutes at 170–190°C. Puff pastry rises quickly due to compact heat, giving crisp, golden results faster than a conventional oven.
Are air fryer baked recipes healthier than oven-baked versions?
Often. Using a digital fryer requires less oil while maintaining crispness. Snacks brown and cook evenly without deep frying or excessive butter.
Can I prepare snacks ahead and cook them in a digital air fryer?
Absolutely. Freeze raw pastries or stuffed vegetables flat. Cook in the dual air fryer directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to standard time.
Do Duronic air fryers digital handle pastry and cheese without sticking?
Yes. Non-stick baskets handle sticky fillings effectively. For items like cookie dough or marshmallow dip, use the silicone liners for easier cleanup.
Conclusion
Christmas hosting does not need to be chaotic. Duronic powerful air fryers make snacks faster, more consistent and less stressful. They deliver even cooking, crisp results and handle a variety of foods without crowding the kitchen.
Try the recipes above. They are fast. Festive. Delicious. Most importantly, they give you back time, the most valuable gift you can offer yourself this season.
