Air Fryer Easter Casserole is my favorite way to make a cozy holiday dish without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s loaded with tender asparagus, peas, corn, and baby potatoes in a cheesy Gruyère cream sauce with fresh thyme, all topped with a crispy golden breadcrumb crust. Rich, creamy, and comforting, it’s the kind of dish everyone asks about before the meal is even over.
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I make this for Easter Sunday, spring gatherings, and potlucks when I want a hearty side that looks impressive and feeds the whole family with minimal effort. It’s also perfect for making ahead, and using the air fryer gets it done faster than the oven, which makes busy holiday days so much easier. Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Easter Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Getting a creamy, golden casserole out of an air fryer feels like a little bit of kitchen magic, and once you make it this way, you won’t want to go back.
Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by lightly greasing a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. Choosing the right size here matters because it needs to sit flat in the basket with enough room for hot air to circulate around it.
I use a ceramic casserole dish that distributes heat evenly and fits just fine in my spacious air fryer basket, but if you need a smaller dish, a round ceramic baking dish is your way to go, though you may need to air-fry in batches.
Build the Leek and Garlic Base
Melt the unsalted butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, then add the sliced leeks and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until they’re completely soft and silky.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir continuously for 1 minute to cook out that raw flour taste.
Don’t rush this step because it’s building the flavor foundation for your entire sauce.
Make the Cream Sauce
Gradually whisk in the milk and vegetable broth, then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly. A flat whisk is your best friend here because it keeps lumps from forming as you add the liquid.
Stir in the heavy cream and cook briefly until the sauce is smooth, velvety, and coats the back of a spoon.
Add the Vegetables and Cheese
Add the asparagus, peas, corn, and baby potatoes directly into the sauce, then season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in half of the Gruyère, half of the Parmesan cheese, and all of the fresh thyme.
Use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to fold everything together gently so the potatoes don’t break apart, then transfer the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Prepare the Topping
In a small or medium bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, the remaining Gruyère, the remaining Parmesan, and the olive oil until everything is evenly combined and the crumbs look lightly moistened.
Sprinkle the topping evenly across the surface of the casserole in a single layer.
Air Fry Until Golden and Bubbly
Place the dish into your trusty air fryer and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 18 minutes until the top is deeply golden, the edges are bubbling, and the filling is hot all the way through.
Keep an eye on it in the last few minutes since air fryers can vary, and you want that crust golden brown but not overdone.
Rest and Garnish
Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly so it scoops cleanly rather than running all over the plate.
Scatter fresh parsley over the top right before serving for a bright, herby finish. Enjoy!
Since this casserole travels well, it’s a great option for Easter brunch at someone else’s home or a spring potluck. Keep the baking dish covered tightly with aluminum foil or a stretch-fit silicone casserole lid, then wrap the dish in a thick kitchen towel or tuck it into an insulated casserole carrier to keep it warm.
Serve within an hour of cooking for the best texture, and give it a few extra minutes in the oven or air fryer at the destination if it needs to be refreshed before serving.
Air Fryer Easter Casserole
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked asparagus chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 pound baby potatoes quartered
- 2 medium leeks white and light green parts only, thinly sliced and washed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Lightly grease a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook leeks for 5–7 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw taste.2 medium leeks, 2 cloves garlic, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Gradually whisk in milk and vegetable broth, simmering 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in heavy cream and cook briefly until smooth and creamy.1 cup whole milk, 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, ½ cup heavy cream
- Add asparagus, peas, corn, and potatoes, then season with salt and pepper. Stir in half of the Gruyère, half of the Parmesan, and the fresh thyme. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish.1 cup cooked asparagus, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 pound baby potatoes, 1 cup Gruyère cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, Salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- Mix breadcrumbs, remaining cheeses, and olive oil, then sprinkle on top.1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Notes
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Once the casserole has cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers into an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, pop individual portions into the air fryer or microwave, or the whole dish in the oven until warmed through.
For longer storage, the casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Portion it into individual servings before freezing so you can thaw only what you need. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Easter Casserole
It pairs beautifully with something light and fresh alongside it. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, a cucumber and radish salad, a fresh spinach salad, or a platter of sliced fresh fruit cuts through the richness of the delicious Gruyère sauce perfectly.
Roasted carrots, honey-glazed parsnips, sautéed mushrooms, roasted bell pepper, or green beans also complement the spring vegetable flavors really well. A crisp kale salad with a light citrus dressing is another great option if you want something heartier that adds extra flavor and contrast to the plate.
For an Easter brunch spread, consider serving it alongside warm dinner rolls or crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce left on the plate. Deviled eggs, a simple tomato and herb salad, or a cold glass of sparkling lemonade all round out the table nicely without competing with the flavors.
If you’re serving it for a holiday morning spread, crispy hash browns, breakfast sausage, or crumbled bacon make great additions to the plate.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more easy air fryer casserole recipes I think you’ll love.
