There are countless Thanksgiving traditions—and pretty much all of them involve food of some sort. Often with a large turkey at the center. If you’re considering making an RV Thanksgiving dinner, you probably think it will be very different from one served in a traditional house. And that can be true. But isn’t that part of the charm?
Yet, just because even the most luxurious RVs lack a huge kitchen with double ovens, six burners, and expansive countertop space does not mean you can’t make a fantastic feast. And best of all, Thanksgiving in an RV opens up infinite possibilities for views and fellowship. It’s also a pretty good excuse for keeping your guest list delightfully intimate. (Invite only your most favorite people—we won’t ask who doesn’t make the cut.)
So, what’s the secret to creating a cozy, delicious, and surprisingly simple RV Thanksgiving dinner? Your trusty air fryer. It doesn’t take up a whole lot of space. But it sure can do some heavy lifting, especially in small spaces. Plus, it’s fast, energy efficient, and won’t turn your RV into a sauna.
Even if you aren’t hosting the holiday gathering in your rig (say, you’re joining friends or family in their more traditional home), you can still contribute a delicious air-fryer Thanksgiving dish to share.
Here, you’ll find not only the simple recipes but also how to time the dishes so everything’s served at just the right temperature. Plus, you’ll find some tips and tricks to ease the cleanup process.
Let’s do this!
Gear Up (with Surprisingly Little)
The first thing you’ll need to do is gather your essentials. Again, you don’t need a gourmet kitchen—you can make do with very little. In fact, with a modest air fryer, you can create an entire holiday meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
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- Air fryer (the star of the show). Any size works; however, those with smaller baskets (rather than racks) may require more than one batch, especially if you’re cooking for a crowd.
- Bistro towel and oven mitt to protect your hands when moving hot food from the air fryer to another container.
- Mixing bowl and utensils, such as spoons, a spatula, and a set of tongs.
- Foil or parchment liners to make cleanup ridiculously easy as you move from one food to the next.
- A small cutting board and a paring knife for prepping veggies or slicing the turkey tenderloin. Or perhaps a fun cutting board for serving cheese, meats, or veggies.
- Collapsible containers or plates to hold cooked dishes while you air-fry the next round.
- Tiny spice kit with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, poultry seasoning, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
Optional (Helpful) additions:
- Silicon muffin cups
- Mini foil loaf pans
- Meat thermometer
Quick Note: Air fryers are popular with RVers because they’re energy-efficient. That said, if you are plugged into a low-amp hookup or are running other appliances at the same time, it’s important to keep an eye on your electrical load. The last thing you want is to trip the breaker when the turkey’s only half done, immediately killing the Thanksgiving vibe.
It’s All in the Timing
No matter where you’re cooking your Thanksgiving meal, timing it right means all the food lands on the table warm, crisp, and right on time. This takes some smart planning and strategy. Luckily, your humble air fryer has your back, taking much of the stress out of the day. The key is to cook the dishes that hold well first and then save the fast-cooking items for last.
Start with Anything That Holds Heat Well: Stuffing Muffins & Sweet Potatoes
Dishes like stuffing muffins and potato boats not only stay warm for longer, but also reheat beautifully in minutes in the air fryer. So, start cooking these first.
After they’re cooked, loosely tent them with foil or pop them into your oven (if you have one) with the power off. Because RVs tend to hold heat, keeping hot dishes warm can be easier than you’d expect.
The Star of the Show: Turkey Tenderloin (or Small Turkey Breasts)
The turkey takes the longest to cook, but the air fryer cuts the time significantly compared to oven roasting. Starting it earlier also gives you time to prep the sides as it cooks. And then once it’s done, it needs about 10 minutes to rest—giving you enough time to reheat the rest of the RV Thanksgiving dinner right before you eat.
While the turkey is cooking in the air fryer, it’s also a good time to assemble any cold foods if you haven’t already, such as:
- A relish tray
- A small charcuterie board
- Cranberry sauce
- A green salad
Reheat What Needs It
Once the turkey is done, it needs time to rest. This is a good time to pop the stuffing muffins and sweet potatoes back into the air-fryer for a quick reheat. They’ll be as toasty, fragrant, and good as when they first came out of the air fryer.
Make a Quick Hot Side (if You Want One)
Last but not least, you can make the fastest dishes right before everything hits the table, such as:
- Crispy Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Or Air-fried carrots
These take less than 8 to 12 minutes to cook, so they’ll be fresh and hot right when you’re ready to serve.
Congratulations! All that’s left is to slice the turkey, lay out the dishes, pour your drink of choice, and celebrate the day.
Now, let’s get to why we’re here: the recipes for your RV Thanksgiving dinner.
Air-Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes for RVers
If you have your own favorite recipes, go with those. But if you’re looking for air-fryer specific recipes, these are bound to delight your holiday tastebuds:
Photo by Joshua Wall on Unsplash
Crispy Stuffing Muffins
A perfectly portioned, golden crisp fan favorite.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dried stuffing mix
- 1 ½ cups broth (turkey, chicken, or veggie)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 Tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Using a tray that fits into the air fryer, add the butter, celery, and onion, and “sauté” for 3 to 4 minutes at 350° F. (Alternatively, use your RV stove burner for this step.)
- Mix the sauteed veggies with the stuffing mix, egg, and broth.
- Scoop into silicone or foil muffin cups.
- Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes at 350° F. You’ll know they’re done when they’re crispy on top.
Photo by Karyna Panchenko on Unsplash
Air-Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
A juicy, savory favorite that’s just the right size for an RV feast.
Ingredients:
- 1 – 2 turkey tenderloins or a 2- to 3-pound boneless turkey breast (as long as it fits in your air-fryer)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 360° F.
- Rub the oil and spices into the turkey.
- Place the turkey into the basket, leaving a little space around each piece.
- Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check to ensure the temperature is 165° F.
- Allow the turkey to rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Photo by Sheri Silver on Unsplash
Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
Sweet, cozy, and caramelized in minutes—a true Thanksgiving treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Optional toppings: pecans, pumpkin pie spice, or even mini-marshmallows
Directions:
- Microwave the sweet potatoes for 4 to 6 minutes until just soft.
- Slice lengthwise and fluff the insides with a fork.
- Add butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- Air fry at 390° F for 6 to 8 minutes, until lightly caramelized.
- Top with your choice of pecans, spices, or marshmallows in the final minute.
Photo by Keenan Loo on Unsplash
Crispy Brussels Sprouts (or Green Beans)
These quick, crunchy veggies are a fresh, delicious counterpoint to your meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts, cut in half, or green beans, trimmed
- 1 – 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Optional: balsamic glaze, lemon zest, or bacon bits
Directions:
- Toss the vegetables with oil and seasoning.
- Air fry for 8 – 12 minutes at 380° F, shaking the basket twice.
- Before serving, drizzle with balsamic glaze, lemon zest, or bacon bits.
Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash
Pumpkin Spice Hand Pies
Fast, festive, and so easy to share.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of refrigerated pie dough
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 egg
Directions:
- Cut pie dough into rectangles (like mini Pop-Tarts).
- Mix brown sugar and spices into pumpkin puree.
- Add a spoonful of filling into each pie, fold, and crimp edges.
- Brush tops with egg wash.
- Air fry at 360 ° F for 8 to 10 minutes.
For some extra bonus points (not that they’re needed), dust with powdered sugar after they’ve cooled.
Make the Most of Shortcuts
You don’t have to make or prepare everything yourself. There’s no shame in taking help where you can find it. A couple of simple shortcuts that won’t take anything away from the feast include store-bought cranberry sauce, a pre-cut fruit or veggie tray, or prepared hummus. This is your RV Thanksgiving meal. Make it the way you want it.
Not Hosting? You Can Still Bring Holiday Cheer
If you’re rolling into someone else’s Thanksgiving, you can still show up with a dish that tastes like you spent hours in a gourmet kitchen—even if you only spent minutes in your RV galley. Some of the best fan-favorite recipes to bring include:
- Crispy stuffing muffins—portable and perfectly portioned
- Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potato Boats for Thanksgiving comfort that holds its shape
- Pumpkin Spice Hand Pies, especially good if you want to be invited back next year.
Stress-Free Clean-up Tips
RVs also come with smaller sinks and disappearing counter space. Fortunately, a few smart tips can keep your tiny kitchen tidy—even while preparing a full-on feast.
- Line your air-fryer basket with parchment paper liners or foil to reduce stuck-on bits. Cleanup is nearly instant. Just take care to avoid covering the fan area entirely. Air frying works because of the enhanced airflow.
- Pre-soak sticky dishes in a collapsible tub that stores flat when you aren’t using it. If you’re at a campground with one, a dishwashing station makes it even easier to fly through cleanup. The sinks are likely to be much larger than your RV’s. Just remember to bring your collapsible tub, good gloves to protect your hands from the very hot water, and a good towel.
- Wipe down surfaces often as you cook. It may sound silly, but a quick wipe-down can help prevent chaos and make after-dinner cleanup so much faster, so you and your guests can focus on what really matters—how much you have to feel grateful for.
- Let the air fryer cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before washing.
Wrapping up Your Thanksgiving in an RV
Thanksgiving doesn’t need a big kitchen with a bigger guest list to feel special. In fact, some of the most intimate gatherings are the most inviting and cherished. Equipped with just an air fryer, a handful of cozy ingredients, and a little creativity, you can serve a delicious, memory-making feast that’s just right for your RV.