Air Fryer Leftover Turkey Casserole with Stuffing and Gravy

This air fryer leftover turkey casserole turns the three things left in the fridge after Thanksgiving, turkey, gravy, and stuffing, into one dish that’s on the table in about 30 minutes. The turkey and gravy go on the bottom, the stuffing goes on top, and the air fryer does what the microwave can’t: it brings the stuffing back to crispy.

It’s the leftover-turkey version of my air fryer chicken and stuffing casserole, with two shortcuts. The stuffing is already cooked, so there’s no skillet step, and the gravy replaces the can of soup. If you made your stuffing in the air fryer this year, this is where the leftovers go.

Why this leftover turkey casserole works in the air fryer

• Everything is already cooked. You’re only reheating, so the covered stage is 12 minutes instead of 20, and there’s no temperature to chase.
• The stuffing re-crisps. Day-old stuffing goes soft in the microwave and dries out in the oven. Uncovered in the air fryer, the top crisps in 8 minutes while the inside stays moist.
• The gravy does the work. Leftover gravy already has the turkey flavor a can of soup is trying to imitate.
• Six servings in a 7-inch dish. You use up the leftovers without turning on the oven for one casserole.

Ingredients for air fryer leftover turkey casserole

• Leftover turkey: Shredded or diced, light or dark meat. Deli turkey works in a pinch; chop it.
• Leftover gravy: Turkey gravy, jarred gravy, or a packet all work. No gravy at all? See the swap in the FAQs.
• Leftover stuffing: Any kind. Homemade, Stove Top made in the air fryer, or the stuffing from the bird. Crumble it so it spreads in an even layer.
• Turkey or chicken broth: Only if the stuffing is dry. A splash brings it back.
• Butter: Melted and drizzled over the stuffing before the uncovered stage so the top browns.
• Black pepper: The gravy and stuffing are already salted, so taste before adding salt.
• Cranberry sauce: For serving. Instant Pot cranberry sauce if you have it, canned if you don’t.

Full amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to make leftover turkey and stuffing casserole in the air fryer

Step 1: Preheat and mix. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. In a large bowl, stir the turkey and gravy together with a few grinds of pepper, then spread the mixture into a greased, deep 7-inch round dish that fits your basket.

Step 2: Air fry covered. Cover the dish tightly with foil and air fry at 350°F for 12 minutes, until the gravy bubbles at the edges.

Step 3: Loosen the stuffing. While the turkey heats, crumble the stuffing into a bowl. If it’s dry from the fridge, stir in a splash of broth until it holds together when pressed.

Step 4: Top and butter. Take the dish out, remove the foil, and give the turkey mixture a stir. Spoon the stuffing over the top in an even layer and drizzle with the melted butter.

Step 5: Air fry uncovered. Return the dish to the air fryer, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the stuffing is crisp and browned on top and the center reads 165°F. Rest 5 minutes and serve with cranberry sauce.

No leftovers? Make it from scratch

This is worth making any week, not just the week after Thanksgiving. Roast an air fryer boneless turkey breast and dice 3 cups, make a box of Stove Top stuffing in the air fryer, and use a jar of turkey gravy. Or make a full batch of my air fryer stuffing and use half here.

What size dish fits your air fryer

The whole recipe fits a deep 7-inch round dish, about 2 quarts, which fits most 5.8-quart and larger basket air fryers with room for air to move around it. For a 4-quart basket, use a 6-inch dish and halve the recipe. Oven-style and most dual-basket air fryers take an 8×8 pan.

The dish has to be deep; the stuffing is a full layer on top. Leave about an inch of clearance under the heating element so the stuffing doesn’t scorch.

Variations

• Mashed potato layer. Spread a cup of leftover mashed potatoes over the turkey before the stuffing goes on, shepherd’s-pie style. Add 3 minutes to the covered stage.
• Add a vegetable. Stir leftover green beans, roasted vegetables, or a cup of thawed peas into the turkey and gravy.
• Cranberry swirl. Dot a few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce over the turkey layer before topping. Sweet, tart, and it looks like Thanksgiving.
• Cheesy top. Scatter ½ cup shredded cheddar or Swiss over the stuffing for the last 3 minutes.
• Ham instead of turkey. Christmas leftovers, same method; use chicken broth to loosen the stuffing.

What to serve with it

It’s a full plate on its own, so keep the sides light: air fryer green beans with mushrooms and onions or a green salad, and frozen rolls heated in the air fryer if there are any left from the holiday.

Storage, reheating, and how long leftovers are safe

• The leftover window: Cooked turkey, gravy, and stuffing are safe in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If Thanksgiving was Thursday, make this by Sunday or Monday, or freeze the leftovers first.
• Refrigerator: The finished casserole keeps 3 days, covered.
• Reheat: Cover with foil and air fry at 325°F for 6 to 8 minutes, then uncover for 2 minutes to crisp the top.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Air fryer leftover turkey casserole FAQs

I don’t have leftover gravy. What do I use? One 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken soup plus ½ cup of milk, undiluted otherwise. That’s the base my chicken and stuffing casserole uses, and it works the same here.

Can I use leftover chicken instead of turkey? Yes, same amounts and timing. Rotisserie chicken is the easiest swap.

My stuffing was soft to begin with. Will it crisp? Yes, as long as the second stage is uncovered and the stuffing isn’t wet. Skip the broth, drizzle the butter, and give it the full 10 minutes.

Can I assemble it ahead? Assemble the turkey layer the night before and refrigerate. Add the stuffing right before cooking so it doesn’t soak up the gravy, and add 3 minutes to the covered stage.

Does this work in an oven-style air fryer? Yes. Use an 8×8 pan on the lowest rack and start checking the top at 8 minutes in the uncovered stage.

More leftover turkey recipes for the air fryer

• Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes: crispy, panko-coated bites made from chopped leftover turkey.
• Air Fryer Turkey Turnovers: leftover turkey in a creamy filling, wrapped in pastry.
• Air Fryer Mashed Potato Pancakes: for the other container in the fridge.
• Air Fryer Chicken and Stuffing Casserole: the year-round version of this recipe.