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Air Fryer Thanksgiving Appetizers

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Make your holiday prep a little easier this year with these simple Air Fryer Thanksgiving Appetizers.

Each recipe cooks quickly, saves valuable oven space, and brings big flavor without extra work.

From crispy bites to warm, festive starters, these easy recipes are perfect for kicking off your holiday meal.

For even more ideas to help you plan the holiday, check out my full collection of Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.


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This post was originally published in 2023 and refreshed in 2025 with updated tips, clearer instructions, and helpful new details for holiday cooking.

At-a-Glance: Air Fryer Thanksgiving Appetizers

What You’ll Find: A collection of quick, easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes made entirely in the air fryer to save time and oven space.

Why You’ll Love It: These festive starters cook fast, use simple ingredients, and deliver big flavor without adding extra work to an already busy holiday. They’re reliable, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for last-minute hosting.

Perfect For: Thanksgiving gatherings, potlucks, Friendsgiving parties, or any time you need warm, delicious appetizers in minutes

Time-Saver or Pro Tip: Preheat your air fryer for the crispiest results and prep ingredients ahead so you can cook multiple appetizers back-to-back with ease.

👉Click HERE to grab my Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners eBook for even more delicious ideas!

Table of Contents

Why Use an Air Fryer for Thanksgiving Appetizers

Air fryers cook appetizers quickly, which is a lifesaver when your oven is already reserved for the turkey and side dishes.

They also help keep everything warm and crispy without extra oil. These air fryer Thanksgiving appetizers are simple, reliable, and perfect for serving right as your guests arrive.

Looking for more easy ways to prep your holiday meal? Try my Thanksgiving Instant Pot Side Dishes, Air Fryer Appetizers collection, or Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes for even more simple ideas.

📌Make sure you grab the FREE Thanksgiving Checklist to help keep you organized while you plan out your full menu.

Air Fryer Tips for Beginners

  • Preheat the air fryer while you prep the food so everything cooks evenly.
  • Avoid overcrowding the basket or tray to keep appetizers crisp.
  • Open the air fryer during cooking if you need to check on doneness.
  • Shake the basket halfway through to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
  • Most of the air fryer recipes on my site are tested in a basket-style Hamilton Beach Air Fryer, but these tips work with any model.

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Air Fryer Wontons Appetizer

Crispy "fried" wonton's filled with vegetarian mix. Prep ahead tips and freezing tips included for an easy Thanksgiving or holiday appetizer.
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Photo credit: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon

These chicken bacon bites are ready in minutes! Serve with your favorite dipping sauces for an easy, delicious holiday appetizer.
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Photo credit: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

These cream cheese stuffed sweet peppers are epic crowd pleasers…what’s not to love about perfectly seasoned creamy cheese overtaking your senses with the perfect tang of pepper and a touch of heat to bring it all full circle?
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.theroastedroot.net

Soft And Chewy Pretzel Bites

Homemade pretzel bites have the classic pretzel flavor you know and love. And this super easy recipe makes the perfect appetizer for a crowd watching the games on Thanksgiving Day.
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Photo credit: thebellyrulesthemind.net

Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Serve these bacon wrapped scallops with a garlic butter sauce and be ready to hand out copies of the recipe!
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Photo credit: www.plattertalk.com

Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

Crispy wontons fried to golden perfection with an easy crab-cream cheese filling.
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Photo credit: dinedreamdiscover.com

Air Fryer Mozzarella Bites

Made in an air fryer, this recipe is easy to make, super tasty side dish, appetizer, or snack that your whole family will love!
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Photo credit: lifecurrentsblog.com

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Dill pickles are breaded then air fried using just a light spritz of cooking spray. The result is crispy, breaded tangy dill pickles served up with a creamy spicy sauce. It’s a delicious flavor explosion you can’t get enough of.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.agoudalife.com

Air Fryer Mini Ravioli Appetizer

Bite sized frozen ravioli dipped in eggs and seasoned breadcrumbs then air fried till crispy! Serve with your favorite marinara sauce for easy dipping.
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Photo credit: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
Air Fryer Ravioli

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are simple and easy to make, with just 5 pantry ingredients! They're crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with garlic flavor!
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Photo credit: www.sunglowkitchen.com

Air Fryer Baked Feta Cheese Appetizer

This Air Fryer Feta Cheese Appetizer is warm, creamy and so delicious. And it’s also super quick and easy to make, so it’s perfect for serving up as mid-afternoon snack, when entertaining guests, and as a tasty game day nosh.
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Photo credit: recipesfromapantry.com

Mini Corn Dogs in Air Fryer

Air fryer mini corn dogs are a kid-friendly snack the whole family loves. Learn everything you need to make them here!
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Photo credit: summeryule.com

Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp

These crispy air fryer frozen coconut shrimp take only 10 minutes to make! Straight from the freezer into the air fryer. They come out with a crunchy, golden brown coating and a tender and juicy inside. Topped with a spritz of lime, chopped cilantro, and served with your choice of dipping sauce.
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Photo credit: thelittlestcrumb.com

Air Fryer Boneless Wings

These Air Fryer Boneless Wings are spicy, hot, and flavorful! They are easy to make and are the perfect appetizer!
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Photo credit: www.everydayfamilycooking.com

Mac and Cheese Bites in the Air Fryer

What's a better way to use up mac and cheese than by making these delicious mac and cheese bites in the air fryer?! They are cheesy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Dip them in marinara for the perfect pairing.
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Photo credit: www.everydayfamilycooking.com

Easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly crispy on the outside, tender, soft on the inside, and so easy to make! Learn how to cook Brussels Sprouts in the air fryer and enjoy this perfect side dish with fresh garlic and a tangy balsamic reduction.
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Photo credit: theforkedspoon.com

Air Fryer Frozen Scallops

Let’s cook air fryer bacon wrapped scallops. It's perfect all year around, tastes amazing and is incredibly easy to prep and air fry. If you love bacon and you love scallops then you will love this bacon wrapped scallops air fryer recipe.
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Photo credit: recipethis.com

Easy Gluten-Free Jalapeno Poppers

These gluten-free jalapeño poppers are the perfect game day snack. Cheesy, creamy, and spicy, this easy appetizer can be baked in the oven or air fryer!
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Photo credit: livglutenfree.com

Frozen Potstickers in Air Fryer

Cooking frozen potstickers in an air fryer is so easy! It's our favorite way to cook potstickers (aka gyoza, dumplings) because they come out crispy on the outside and tender and warm on the inside. Serve air fryer potstickers as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce!
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Photo credit: veggiedesserts.com

Air Fryer Kielbasa

This Air Fryer Kielbasa recipe makes the most deliciously crispy yet tender smoked sausage! In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked sausage that you can serve as an appetizer on cocktail sticks.
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Photo credit: yousaypotatoes.com

Air Fried Sweet Potato Tots

These Air Fried Sweet Potato Tots are the perfect side dish, appetizer, or snack! The outside is super crispy, and the inside is filled with a warm gooey sweet potato mixture. They're so easy to make, can be air fried or oven baked, and only require a few simple ingredients!
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Photo credit: freshwaterpeaches.com

Recipe FAQ's

To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!

Can I make air fryer appetizers ahead of time?

Some air fryer appetizers can be prepped ahead, but most taste best when cooked right before serving. You can prep fillings, cut ingredients, and assemble items in advance, then air fry them at the last minute for the crispiest results.

How do I keep air fryer appetizers warm on Thanksgiving?

Place cooked appetizers on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven, or cover loosely with foil. This keeps them warm without softening the crispiness.

Can I use parchment paper or foil in the air fryer?

Yes, but leave space around the edges for air to circulate. Perforated parchment works especially well for holiday appetizers.

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois is the voice behind Walking on Sunshine Recipes, where she shares easy, family-friendly meals made with simple ingredients. She believes dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious and offers practical recipes, monthly meal plans, and free printables to help busy families cook with less stress and more joy. When she’s not in the kitchen, Lois enjoys time with her family, gardening and sharing inspiration from her home in rural Pennsylvania.

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