🥧 10 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Desserts That Impress Without the Oven

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Key Takeaway: Skip the oven this Thanksgiving! These 10 air fryer desserts are golden, gooey, and impossible to resist — all ready in minutes and guaranteed to wow your guests.

Every Thanksgiving table needs a show-stopping dessert lineup — but your oven’s already busy with turkey, casseroles, and sides.
That’s where the air fryer comes in: it turns out flaky pies, melty chocolates, and perfectly crispy sweets faster than you’d ever expect.

Whether you want something classic like apple pie or a creative twist like s’mores hand pies, these air fryer desserts prove that the sweetest part of the meal doesn’t need an oven.

Grab your whisk — we’re diving in!

🥧 1. Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Bites

Close-up of mini pumpkin pies in golden crusts, topped with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon. Warm autumn light, shallow depth of field, rustic wood surface with small pumpkins and pie spice jars in background. Realistic texture and cozy Thanksgiving styling.

Mini, creamy, and loaded with cozy fall spice — these bites deliver all the pumpkin pie magic in 12 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 package mini pie crusts

Steps:

  1. Mix pumpkin, milk, egg, and spice.
  2. Fill mini crusts and place in air fryer.
  3. Air fry at 320°F for 10–12 minutes, until set.
  4. Cool and top with whipped cream.

Tip: These actually taste better the next day chilled.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Bites

🍎 2. Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies

Flaky golden apple hand pies with cinnamon sugar on top, broken open to reveal gooey apple filling. Shot on a neutral linen napkin with sliced apples and cinnamon sticks around. Soft, natural daylight and subtle steam for warmth.

Flaky, sweet, and perfectly portable — these hand pies bring nostalgic fall flavor without oven chaos.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 cup apple pie filling
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 egg (for brushing)

Steps:

  1. Cut crust into circles, add filling, fold, and crimp.
  2. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sugar.
  3. Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until golden.

Tip: Dust with powdered sugar for a bakery finish.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies

🍫 3. Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cakes

Molten chocolate lava cake with melted center oozing out on white dessert plate, dusted with powdered sugar. Scoop of vanilla ice cream melting slightly beside it, moody light and blurred fall background for elegance.

Rich, melty centers with that perfect soft edge — your guests will never believe these came from an air fryer.

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz dark chocolate
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 egg + 1 yolk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp flour

Steps:

  1. Melt chocolate and butter together.
  2. Whisk in egg, sugar, and flour.
  3. Pour into ramekins.
  4. Air fry at 370°F for 6–7 minutes until edges set.

Tip: Serve with vanilla ice cream — classic perfection.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cakes

🍪 4. Air Fryer S’mores Cookies

Chewy cookies loaded with melted marshmallows and chocolate chunks, topped with mini graham cracker pieces. Placed on a parchment-lined tray, cozy campfire-inspired setting, warm tones, and melty texture highlighted.

All the campfire flavor without the smoke — chewy, gooey, and totally addictive.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar + ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup flour
  • Mini marshmallows + chocolate chips

Steps:

  1. Mix cookie dough and fold in marshmallows + chips.
  2. Air fry spoonfuls at 320°F for 6–8 minutes.
  3. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tip: Press a mini graham cracker into each before baking for crunch.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer S’mores Cookies

🥧 5. Pecan Pie Hand Pies

Golden hand pies with glossy, caramelized pecan filling visible through small vents. Brushed with butter and sprinkled with sea salt. Shot on dark wood with a drizzle of caramel and scattered pecans. Soft, warm Thanksgiving lighting.

Sweet, nutty, and caramelized — bite-sized Southern comfort in minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp corn syrup
  • 1 egg

Steps:

  1. Mix filling, spoon onto crust circles, fold and crimp.
  2. Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, until golden.

Tip: Brush with butter and sprinkle sea salt for balance.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Pecan Pie Hand Pies

🍏 6. Air Fryer Baked Apples

Whole baked apples stuffed with cinnamon, sugar, and butter, bubbling and caramelized on top. Served in small ramekins, drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with granola. Cozy kitchen background, golden light, steam visible.

Soft, caramelized, and bursting with cinnamon — your kitchen will smell amazing.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large apples, cored
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Granola for topping

Steps:

  1. Stuff apples with sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
  2. Air fry at 350°F for 12–14 minutes until tender.

Tip: Top with granola and drizzle caramel sauce.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Baked Apples

🍰 7. Mini Cheesecakes

Mini cheesecakes with graham crusts, smooth creamy tops, and a cranberry swirl. Displayed on marble board with festive red berries and greenery. Bright, natural light and soft focus for modern Thanksgiving vibe.

Creamy, tangy, and individually portioned — perfect make-ahead desserts.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • Graham cracker crusts

Steps:

  1. Mix filling ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into mini crusts.
  3. Air fry at 300°F for 10–12 minutes.

Tip: Add pumpkin puree or cranberry swirl for festive flair.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Mini Cheesecakes

🍩 8. Air Fryer Donut Holes

Warm pumpkin donut holes coated in cinnamon sugar, piled in a rustic bowl. Golden brown with visible sugar crystals, cozy autumn napkin underneath, blurred pumpkins in background. Soft window light for warmth and realism.

Fluffy, golden, and coated in cinnamon sugar — an instant crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can biscuit dough
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

  1. Cut dough into small pieces.
  2. Air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes until golden.
  3. Toss in butter and cinnamon sugar.

Tip: Add a maple glaze for fall flavor.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Donut Holes

🍪 9. Air Fryer Churros

Fresh churros dusted with cinnamon sugar, stacked in a parchment-lined basket. Chocolate dipping sauce in small bowl beside them, warm golden light, shallow depth of field emphasizing crisp ridges.

Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and sugar-dusted to perfection.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

  1. Make dough, pipe into strips.
  2. Air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
  3. Roll in cinnamon sugar.

Tip: Serve with chocolate dipping sauce.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Churros

🍎 10. Air Fryer Cranberry Bread Pudding

Rustic ramekin filled with golden bread pudding dotted with cranberries, dusted with powdered sugar. Spoon inserted showing soft, custardy texture. Warm neutral background with cozy holiday props — plaid napkin, pine sprigs, soft steam rising.

Sweet-tart cranberries meet warm vanilla custard — cozy perfection in a ramekin.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cubed bread
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Steps:

  1. Combine all ingredients and let soak 5 minutes.
  2. Air fry at 320°F for 12–15 minutes until set.

Tip: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
👉 Get the full recipe → Air Fryer Cranberry Bread Pudding

🧡 Final Thoughts

The sweetest part of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to involve the oven — or the stress. These air fryer desserts are quick, foolproof, and just as delicious as their baked counterparts.

From mini pies to melty chocolate cakes, your air fryer officially just became your secret weapon for dessert success.

🧡 Love these? Don’t miss my 12 Air Fryer Sides That Steal the Show and 15 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Appetizers to Kick Off the Feast to complete your full air fryer Thanksgiving menu!

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