How to use an air fryer to elevate your charcuterie board – tried and tested tips from a trained chef

The air fryer is my secret to being the perfect party host, without much effort at all. With the ability to save energy, cook crispy food quicker than traditional ovens, and save on washing up, it's a hero for low-effort Christmas or New Year celebrations.

One dish that can be easily elevated with an air fryer? The charcuterie board. The secret to a standout board lies in balance: blending sweet with savory, soft with crunchy, and classic with unexpected. The best air fryer can help you to achieve this harmony with ease.

From crunchy nuts to stunning homemade garnishes, this modern kitchen marvel takes your appetizers to a whole new level. As a chef, I’m excited to share my top tips for using your air fryer to create show-stopping charcuterie boards.

My edit of the best air fryers

If you're late to the air fryer party, these are the top three models from my best air fryer list. You can cook delicious dishes in any of these air fryers.

1. Air-fryer baked brie

Baked brie is a crowd-pleasing favorite, and the air fryer delivers that gooey center in record time. I preheat my air fryer to 350°F, then place the brie on parchment paper (which is the best air fryer liner for sticky foods). Once the air fryer is hot, place the brie into the basket and bake for around 7 minutes (or until heated through and gooey inside). Top with a sprig of fresh rosemary and serve alongside crusty bread, figs or crackers.

2. Sweet & spicy nuts

Nothing says cozy like a handful of warm, spiced nuts. With an air fryer, it’s effortless to toast almonds, pecans, or cashews to perfection. Toss two cups of nuts in a bowl with two tablespoons of melted butter, two tablespoons of maple syrup, a pinch of cayenne and salt. Place them on parchment paper, then air fry at 300°F for 10 minutes. Make sure to shake the basket halfway through. The result? A golden mix that adds warmth and crunch to your board.

3. Pantry Pasta Chips

A crunchy, unexpected twist. Boil your favorite short pasta (bowties and fusilli work wonderfully). Drain and let the steam run off the pasta until dry. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, a very generous pinch of salt, and a crack of pepper. Air fry at 390°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

The chips come out so crispy and delicious, you'd be tempted to eat them straight away, but they are even better finished with some grated parmesan. This one is my go-to when I'm making appetizers on short notice, since I always have pasta in my pantry.

4. Bacon ribbons

Air-fried bacon twists are my favorite thing to put on a charcuterie board. Take a pack of thick-cut bacon, lay them on parchment paper in the air fryer basket, and twist each slice into spirals. Air fry at 390°F for 8-9 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden. It's so quick, easy, and free from excess grease. They look like twirled holiday ribbons.

5. Dried orange slices

For an easy, natural charcuterie garnish, I use my air fryer to create dried orange slices. Thinly slice one or two oranges, then pat the slices dry with a paper towel. Arrange them in a single layer and air fry at 200°F for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are totally dry. The result is delicately crisp slices with a jewel-like color. Nestle them among your cheeses and meats.

Tips & tricks

To get the crispiest textures, make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding your ingredients. And to reap the rewards of the easy clean up, use parchment paper liners – but just make sure your food is weighty enough to keep the paper anchored to the basket, otherwise this can be a fire risk.

Finally, remember to shake the air fryer basket regularly for small fried ingredients, like the nuts or pasta chips. This will ensure an even, golden crispiness all-over.

Pair your crispy air-fried goodies and gooey baked cheese with cured meats, fresh fruits, and a few seasonal touches like dried oranges, sprigs of rosemary or fresh cranberries. It will be as beautiful as it is delicious.