Kyl Haselbauer has 20 years of experience working in fine-dining and modernist kitchens, including Bar Cotto and Anchovies &amp; Olives in Seattle. He is also the owner of Bright Spot, a café and coffee shop in Seattle.

Kyl Haselbauer

Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this Thanksgiving side dish is a staple for a reason—it’s hearty, filling, and flavorful. But the absolute best version strikes a satisfying balance between crispy, crunchy, tender, and moist. Unfortunately, most stuffing recipes end up stuck on one end of that texture spectrum. Our first journey to texture town led us to a waffle iron—<a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/stuffing-waffles">stuffing waffles</a> are fun to make and have plenty of nooks and crannies for collecting gravy. But your stuffing can still end up overcooked and crunchy, with nary a moist interior in sight, or undercooked and still too soft. So, what’s a Thanksgiving Goldilocks to do? Air fry! Simply baking your stuffing in a muffin pan won’t do the trick. Yes, it helps to form the muffin shape, bind the stuffing, and cook the eggs—but it’s only half the journey. And this year, we’re determined to reach our ultimate texture destination. A final finish in the air fryer unlocks that crispy, crunchy crust we so desire, while keeping the interior moist and fluffy. (If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still achieve great results by baking the muffins in stages. We’ve got more notes and tips for you below.) And we know what you’re thinking. Boxed stuffing mix?! Blasphemous! But hear us out—it delivers flavor and texture, and everything you need (except stock or water) comes right in that beautiful red box. It’s an easy win and a great time saver. But if you’re feeling adventurous, level it up with homemade <a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/savory-bread-pudding">Savory Bread Pudding</a>. Drizzled with <a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/turkey-jus-gras">Turkey Jus Gras</a> or dolloped with butter and a little cranberry sauce, these stuffing muffins might even be good enough to replace your dinner rolls. Crispy, moist, and flavorful, they may be all the starchy handheld goodness your Thanksgiving table needs this year.

Level Up Your Thanksgiving Stuffing Into Epic, Crispy, Air-Fried Muffins