Air-fryer turkey and stuffing parcels

Crisp filo parcels use leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

This recipe makes 4 servings and takes about 18 minutes to prepare plus 16 minutes to cook. Metric and imperial quantities are alternate measurements, so use one system rather than adding both. If you change the yield, keep the pan size and thickness of the food in mind: a crowded pan steams food and a deep baking dish can extend the cooking time.

Equipment

Set out air fryer, pastry brush, mixing bowl. A wide pan gives moisture somewhere to evaporate; for an oven dish, leave space between pieces so heat can circulate. Use separate board and knife surfaces for raw protein and foods that will be eaten without further cooking.

Ingredients

You will need: cooked turkey, chopped: 300 g (10½ oz); cooked sage and onion stuffing, crumbled: 200 g (7 oz); cranberry sauce: 80 g (⅓ cup); baby spinach, chopped: 80 g (3 oz); feta, crumbled: 80 g (3 oz); filo pastry sheets: 180 g (6½ oz); melted butter: 40 g (3 tbsp); sesame seeds: 15 g (1 tbsp). Gather the ingredients before heating the pan so the aromatics do not burn while a measurement is being found.

• cooked turkey, chopped — 300 g / 10½ oz
• cooked sage and onion stuffing, crumbled — 200 g / 7 oz
• cranberry sauce — 80 g / ⅓ cup
• baby spinach, chopped — 80 g / 3 oz
• feta, crumbled — 80 g / 3 oz
• filo pastry sheets — 180 g / 6½ oz
• melted butter — 40 g / 3 tbsp
• sesame seeds — 15 g / 1 tbsp

Method

Read the full method once, then prepare the ingredients in the order listed. Keep raw and ready-to-eat ingredients separate, and wash hands and equipment after raw-protein contact.

Step 1

Mix cooked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, baby spinach and feta in a bowl until evenly combined.

Step 2

Lay out filo pastry sheets, brush each with melted butter, and stack in pairs. Cut each pair into four squares.

Step 3

Place a portion of turkey filling in each square, fold into sealed parcels, brush with remaining butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Step 4

Air-fry at 180°C/355°F for 12 to 16 minutes until deeply golden and the turkey filling is steaming.

Cooking and safety check

Reheat the cooked turkey filling until steaming hot in the centre of every parcel. A time estimate and a browned surface do not prove that the centre is cooked. Use a suitable food thermometer where the ingredient or local guidance requires one, and follow the package or official instructions for the specific food.

Substitutions that respect the dish

A substitution should preserve the recipe’s job, not merely its colour. Use cooked chicken for turkey. Use dairy-free spread and dairy-free feta; check the alternative for soy. Use poppy seeds instead of sesame; sesame is a major allergen.

• Use cooked chicken for turkey.
• Use dairy-free spread and dairy-free feta; check the alternative for soy.
• Use poppy seeds instead of sesame; sesame is a major allergen.

Allergen notes

This recipe contains or may contain milk, gluten, sesame. Check every packaged ingredient because formulations and cross-contact warnings vary.

Common mistakes and how to correct them

Use one troubleshooting change at a time. If the centre is undercooked, return it to the appropriate heat and check again rather than relying on the outside colour. If the pan is dry, add liquid gradually; if it is watery, reduce uncovered. Texture may also reflect crowded equipment, a different ingredient size, or a changed batch quantity.

• Keep unused filo covered with a damp tea towel to prevent cracking.
• Do not overfill parcels or seams will open.
• Arrange parcels in a single layer for crisp pastry.

Leftovers and storage

Parcels are best fresh. Refrigerate cooled parcels for one day and reheat in the air fryer until crisp and steaming.

Serving ideas

These sides and finishes suit air-fryer turkey and stuffing parcels without changing the recipe itself.

• Peppery salad
• Turkey gravy
• Roasted parsnips

Frequently asked questions

Can I use puff pastry?

Yes, bake it in an oven; it is less suited to a short air-fryer cook.

Can I freeze parcels?

Freeze unbaked parcels, then cook from frozen with extra time.

Related recipes and tools

Browse the related recipes for a different appliance, pace, or ingredient pairing. Use the serving scaler only after checking the stated yield, and use the storage guide before deciding whether to save a portion. Related links help with the next decision; they do not make this recipe suitable for every diet or kitchen.

How this route differs from the closely related record

This air-fryer method starts with the listed leftover turkey. Compare the linked record only when its named food state, ingredient role, or recipe ingredient and method matches the decision in front of you.