If you're lucky enough to have leftovers after Thanksgiving then you may be looking for Thanksgiving leftover ideas. In that case look no further. Today we have a fantastic and delicious recipe for Air Fryer Turkey Cups. This is super tasty and a family favorite!
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Why This Recipe Works
This is a great recipe to use up those leftover Thanksgiving ingredients and it tastes amazing. The combination of flavors in these Air Fryer Turkey Cups is unbeatable. Plus, it's a super easy recipe to make. So if you're looking for a delicious and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers then this recipe is for you!
- Innovative and Fun: These air fryer turkey cups put a unique, bite-sized spin on holiday favorites.
- Air Fryer Efficiency: Achieve crispy edges and tender turkey with the ease of air frying.
- Versatile Snack or Meal: Perfect for appetizers, parties, or a light, protein-packed lunch.
🥘 Ingredients
- Stuffing: Forms a flavorful base in the turkey cups, providing a delightful mix of textures and tastes, from soft bread cubes to aromatic herbs and spices.
- Mashed Potatoes: Add a layer of richness to the turkey cups, making each bite even more satisfying.
- Chopped Cooked Turkey: Is the star protein of the dish, adding a meaty, savory element that contrasts wonderfully with the other ingredients.
- Brown Gravy: Adds a deliciously savory, umami depth to the turkey cups, complementing the turkey and mashed potatoes perfectly.
- Cranberry Jelly: The sweet-tart flavor of cranberry jelly provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory elements, rounding out the flavor profile of these delightful cups.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- No cranberry jelly? No worries! I’ve swapped it for whole berry cranberry sauce, apple sauce, and even pomegranate seeds—each one adds a sweet-tart pop that just works.
- Cheese lovers, trust me on this! Mixing shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the mashed potatoes makes these cups even creamier and more irresistible.
- Veggie boost! I like tossing in some finely chopped carrots, celery, or peas to sneak in extra flavor and texture—plus, it makes me feel like I’m balancing out all that gravy.
- BBQ twist? Yes, please! If I’m in the mood for something different, I swap the gravy for a drizzle of BBQ sauce—it adds this smoky, tangy kick that my family devors.
🔪How To Make Air Fryer Turkey Cups
🔪How To Make Air Fryer Turkey Cups
- Step 1: Warm up your stuffing leftovers to make them more pliable. Form a ½” layer on the inside of a jumbo silicone muffin liner. From the bottom of the cup, press the stuffing to the side of the liner to form a cup.
- Step 2: Bake the stuffing cups in the air fryer basket for 10 minutes at 400°F.
- Step 3: Once cooked, you'll be ready to fill the stuffing cups.
- Step 4: Mix your leftover gravy, mashed potatoes, and turkey meat to create a filling.
- Step 5: Use a large spoon to fill the stuffing cups with the filling.
- Step 6: Return the cups to the air fryer basket and bake for 5 minutes at 350°F.
- Step 7: Remove the cups and let them cool. Once cool, spoon a tablespoon dollop of cranberry jelly.
- Step 8: The Turkey cups are ready to enjoy. If you prefer more gravy as an addition or substitute, have at it.
💡Hint: We love using Silicone Baking Cups in the air fryer. Silicone cups are heat resistant and can go directly from the freezer to the air fryer. Plus, they are non-stick so cleanup is a breeze. If you don't have any silicone baking cups, you can use foil cupcake liners!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Preheat & Prepare Your Cups: Make sure to preheat your air fryer for even cooking. Also, lightly grease your silicone or metal muffin cups so the turkey cups release easily once they're done.
- Flavor Boost: Enhance your turkey mixture with your favorite herbs and spices. Mixing in finely chopped vegetables not only adds moisture but also a nice crunch to each bite.
- Perfect Portioning: When filling the cups, leave a little extra room at the top. This ensures the mixture expands nicely without overflowing, leading to evenly cooked and well-shaped cups.
- Keep an Eye on the Time: Air fryers can vary in performance. Start checking your turkey cups a minute or two before the suggested cooking time to ensure they remain juicy and don’t dry out.
💭 FAQs
While silicone baking cups are recommended for their non-stick properties and ease of removal, you can use regular muffin tins if you prefer. However, ensure that the muffin tin fits comfortably in your air fryer basket and that there's adequate space for air circulation around it. Additionally, you may need to grease the muffin tin to prevent sticking.
To minimize sticking, lightly grease the silicone cups before adding the stuffing mixture. This extra step helps in easy removal after cooking.
Yes, you can prepare the turkey cups in advance. After assembling, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
If cranberry jelly isn't available, you can substitute it with whole berry cranberry sauce or a dollop of apple sauce for a sweet-tart flavor. Alternatively, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds can add a burst of color and a similar taste profile.
🧂Serving Suggestions
If you're looking for more ways to use your holiday leftovers then check out these recipe:
- Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie - you could use mashed potatoes or even sweet potatoes and mash combined.
- Creamy Leftover Mashed Potato Soup - This is a delicious soup and makes a cozy meal.
- Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Pizza - a great way to use turkey leftovers.
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders - This is a fun way to use up those leftover cranberries.
🍽 Try More Fantastic Air Fryer Sides
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, or tag us in our Facebook Group! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Air Fryer Turkey Cups
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Stuffing
- 1.5 Cups Mashed Potatoes
- 1 Cup Chopped Cooked Turkey
- ½ Cup Brown Gravy
- ½ Cup Cranberry Jelly
Instructions
- Warm up your stuffing leftovers to make it more pliable.
- Form a ½” layer on the inside of a jumbo silicone muffin liner. From the bottom of the cup and then press the stuffing to the side of the liner to form a cup.
- Bake the stuffing cups in the air fryer basket for 10 minutes at 400°f.
- While cups are baking. Mix the leftover gravy, mashed potatoes, and turkey meat to create a filling.
- Using a large spoon to fill the stuffing cups with the filling.
- Return cups to the air fryer basket and bake for 5 minutes at 350°f
- Remove and let cool and spoon a tablespoon dollop of cranberry jelly. If you prefer more gravy as an addition or substitute, have at it.
Notes
Nutrition
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These air fryer turkey cups are a brilliant way to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers! Crispy stuffing bases filled with savory turkey and creamy mashed potatoes—each bite is a delightful mini feast.