The main dish is the star of the Christmas dinner table, and these show-stopping recipes are made to impress. You’ll find glazed ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin, roast turkey, stuffed pork tenderloin, and an elegant salmon option, with something for every size of gathering.
Many of these recipes cook in the air fryer, which is a holiday game changer. It frees your oven for the potatoes, stuffing, and rolls, and most of these mains are ready faster than a traditional roast. Pick one centerpiece for a small family dinner, or pair two, like ham and turkey, for a bigger crowd.
Christmas Ham
A glazed ham is the classic Christmas centerpiece, and it’s one of the easiest mains to make.
1. Air Fryer Honey Glazed Baked Ham
A fully cooked ham brushed with a sweet honey and brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer. It takes just three ingredients and cooks in a fraction of the usual time. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Honey Glazed Baked Ham
2. Air Fryer Gammon
The British holiday favorite, glazed with honey or brown sugar and Dijon mustard. It finishes at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly. Try a honey and orange glaze for an extra festive twist.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Gammon
Beef Main Dishes
For a truly special Christmas dinner, nothing beats a beautiful cut of beef.
3. Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib
A holiday-worthy prime rib with a deeply seasoned crust and a juicy, tender center. It works best with a smaller roast, and the recipe includes a doneness chart so you can pull it at exactly the right moment. Let it rest before slicing.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib
4. Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin (Filet Mignon)
The most tender cut of beef, seared to a deep crust on the outside and buttery and pink in the middle. It’s ready in about 15 minutes at 400°F and feels like a steakhouse dinner at home.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin
5. Easy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Tender filet mignon wrapped in crispy bacon and air fried at 370°F for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway. It’s an elegant choice for a smaller Christmas dinner for two or four.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
6. Air Fryer Roast Beef
A juicy, tender roast made with eye of round, top round, sirloin tip, or tri-tip. A high-heat sear builds a flavorful crust, and the recipe includes an internal temperature guide. Serve it sliced thin with gravy or horseradish sauce.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Roast Beef
Turkey Main Dishes
Not just for Thanksgiving. Turkey makes a beautiful Christmas centerpiece too.
7. Juicy Air Fryer Whole Turkey
Yes, you can roast a whole turkey in a large air fryer. It cooks at 350°F for about 25 minutes per pound, and a 10 to 12 pound bird fits most large models. Check yours before you buy the turkey.
Get the recipe: Juicy Air Fryer Whole Turkey
8. Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
A tender, flavorful turkey breast roast that’s perfect for a smaller Christmas dinner. You get all the holiday turkey flavor without cooking a whole bird.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
Pork Main Dishes
Pork is budget-friendly and pairs perfectly with festive apple and herb flavors.
9. Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing
Juicy pork tenderloin filled with a sweet and savory apple stuffing. It looks impressive on the table and comes together quickly, which makes it ideal for festive celebrations.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing
10. Pork Roast in the Air Fryer
A seasoned pork roast air fried at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, until it reaches 145°F inside. It’s simple, hearty, and delicious with roasted vegetables and applesauce.
Get the recipe: Pork Roast in the Air Fryer
Seafood Main Dish
A lighter, elegant option for the Christmas table.
11. Air Fryer Maple Glazed Salmon
Salmon brushed with a glaze of pure maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard, then air fried for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges caramelize while the inside stays juicy. It’s a great choice for Christmas Eve or a smaller holiday dinner.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Maple Glazed Salmon
Tips for Choosing and Timing Your Christmas Main Dish
- Match the main to your crowd. A whole turkey or ham feeds a big family. Filet mignon, a turkey breast roast, or salmon is perfect for four or fewer.
- Check your air fryer size first. Large roasts and whole turkeys need a big basket or an air fryer oven. Measure before you shop.
- Use a meat thermometer. It’s the only reliable way to know a roast is done. Pull beef a few degrees early, since the temperature keeps rising while it rests.
- Always let it rest. Give roasts 10 to 15 minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.
- Plan your oven around the main. Cook the main in the air fryer and use the oven for potatoes, stuffing, and rolls, so everything finishes at the same time.
- Glaze at the end. Sugary glazes on ham and salmon can burn, so brush them on near the end of cooking.
Christmas Main Dish FAQs
What is the most traditional Christmas dinner main dish? In the U.S., glazed ham, prime rib, and roast turkey are the most popular Christmas centerpieces. In the U.K., gammon and turkey are classic choices.
What is the easiest Christmas main dish to make? The honey glazed ham is the easiest. It starts with a fully cooked ham, so you’re really just heating it through and caramelizing the glaze.
Can I cook my Christmas main dish in the air fryer? Yes. Ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, salmon, and turkey breast all cook beautifully in the air fryer. A whole turkey needs a large air fryer, so check the size of yours first.
What is a good Christmas main dish for a small gathering? Bacon-wrapped filet mignon, the boneless turkey breast roast, or maple glazed salmon are all perfect for two to four people.
How much meat should I plan per person? A common guideline is about 1/2 pound of boneless meat per person, or about 1 pound per person for bone-in roasts and whole turkey. Plan a little extra if you want leftovers.
Merry Christmas, and enjoy every bite of your holiday dinner!
