Air-Fried Turkey For Thanksgiving: Is It Possible?

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. The star of the show is often the turkey, but cooking it can be a daunting task that takes up precious oven space and time. That's where air fryers come in. Air frying a turkey is not only possible, but it's also a convenient and tasty way to prepare your bird. It's easier than you might think, and you can free up your oven for all those tasty side dishes.

Air fryer turkey cooking times and temperatures

Air fryers are a great way to cook a juicy and delicious turkey, especially if you're short on oven space. They can also be used to make gravy in the same glass vessel, saving you time on washing up!

The cooking time for your turkey will depend on its weight. A good rule of thumb is to cook it for 8-10 minutes per pound. For example, a 15-pound turkey will take around 2 hours to cook. If you're cooking in winter, it may take a little longer.

It's important to ensure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking. This can take a few days. Once thawed, remove the neck and giblets, and pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Let the turkey sit for at least 30 minutes to come to room temperature.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C) for 5 minutes. Place the turkey, skin side down, into the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes at 350°F (180°C). After this time, flip the turkey so that it is skin side up and continue to cook for a further 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 150-165°F (66-74°C). The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey and the power of your air fryer, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check that your turkey is fully cooked.

Your turkey is ready when it has an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

How to prepare a turkey for air frying

Preparing a turkey for air frying is a relatively simple process, and it can be a great way to save oven space during Thanksgiving or other holiday meals. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your turkey for air frying:

Step 1: Thaw the Turkey

Firstly, ensure your turkey is completely thawed if it was frozen. This can take a few days, so plan ahead.

Step 2: Brine the Turkey (Optional)

Some recipes suggest brining the turkey overnight for extra flavour and juiciness. If you choose to brine, remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels before letting it sit for at least 30 minutes to come closer to room temperature.

Step 3: Season the Turkey

Create a spice mix with your preferred seasonings. A simple mixture of salt, pepper, dried herbs, and garlic powder can work well. You can also add other seasonings like paprika, cayenne, or onion powder to suit your taste. Coat the entire turkey with the spice mix, ensuring even coverage.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey, but a good rule of thumb is to cook it for about 8-10 minutes per pound.

Step 5: Place the Turkey in the Air Fryer

Load as many turkey parts as possible into the air fryer basket, placing the breast skin-side down to start. If you are cooking a whole turkey, use a turkey stand to ensure stability.

Step 6: Cook the Turkey

Check the temperature after about 15 minutes and rotate the turkey pieces as needed to ensure even cooking. After about half an hour, flip the turkey breast so the skin side is up to crisp up the skin. Continue cooking until the thickest part of the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to preparing a delicious air-fried turkey for your holiday feast!

Air fryer alternatives

Yes, you can cook a Thanksgiving turkey in an air fryer. It is possible to cook a whole turkey in an air fryer, but it takes a unique one to do it right. Some indoor tabletop air fryers can only cook a turkey breast, but there are also large-capacity outdoor air fryers that can cook up to a 20-pound turkey.

If you are cooking a turkey breast, you can coat it with olive oil and a dry rub of salt, thyme, rosemary, pepper, sage, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar. Put the turkey skin-side down in the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer and roast at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Then, flip the turkey over and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit, about an additional 15 minutes. Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

If you are cooking a whole turkey, you can brine it overnight and then pat it dry with paper towels. Let the turkey sit for at least 30 minutes to come closer to room temperature. Season the turkey with a mixture of salt, pepper, dried herbs, and garlic powder, making sure to get under the skin wherever possible. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey for about one hour. Check the temperature after about 15 minutes and rotate the turkey as needed to ensure even cooking. The turkey is fully cooked when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you don't have an air fryer, there are a few alternatives you can consider for cooking your Thanksgiving turkey:

• Oven: Cooking a turkey in the oven is a traditional method that can produce juicy and flavorful results. However, it may require more oven space and time compared to an air fryer.
• Oil-less turkey fryers: These use convection technology to cook the turkey with circulating hot air, resulting in a crispy skin. They are a good alternative if you want to achieve a similar texture to an air-fried turkey without using oil.
• Halogen heat air fryers: These fryers use a halogen infrared light to cook the turkey, resulting in even cooking and a juicy outcome. They are similar to cooking in a small convection oven.
• Outdoor gas turkey fryer: This option uses propane instead of electricity to power the air fryer. It is a good alternative if you are cooking outdoors and have access to a propane source.

Air fryer benefits

Air fryers offer a multitude of benefits for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, making it a convenient and appealing option.

Firstly, air fryers provide a faster cooking method. Depending on the size of the turkey, it can be cooked in a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven methods. This is particularly advantageous when preparing a large feast for Thanksgiving, where time management is crucial. The circulating hot air in the air fryer cooks the turkey evenly and efficiently, resulting in a juicy and tender outcome.

Secondly, air fryers are a safer alternative to traditional deep-frying methods. They eliminate the need for hot oil, reducing the risk of accidents and creating a safer cooking environment. This benefit is especially appealing to those who may be intimidated by the idea of frying a turkey due to safety concerns.

Additionally, air fryers are versatile and can be used for various cooking functions. Many air fryers have multiple settings, allowing users to air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, and more. This versatility means you can prepare a range of dishes with different cooking requirements, all with one appliance.

Air fryers are also known for producing juicy and flavorful turkeys. The convection technology used in air fryers ensures even cooking, resulting in a crispy skin and moist meat. The ability to control the temperature and cooking time precisely helps prevent overcooking, a common cause of dry meat.

Lastly, air fryers are a convenient option for those with limited oven space. During Thanksgiving, when multiple dishes need to be prepared simultaneously, air fryers can be a lifesaver. They free up oven space, allowing you to cook the turkey while using the oven for other side dishes and desserts. This benefit is especially useful for those with small kitchens or limited cooking appliances.

In conclusion, air fryers offer a faster, safer, and more versatile cooking experience for preparing a Thanksgiving turkey. They produce juicy and flavorful results while also freeing up oven space, making them a convenient and appealing choice for the holiday season.

Air fryer turkey seasoning and flavouring

If you're looking to cook a Thanksgiving turkey in an air fryer, you'll be pleased to know that it's possible and you can get a juicy and flavourful result.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to seasoning and flavouring your turkey. Firstly, it's a good idea to brine the turkey beforehand. This will help to keep it juicy and moist, and it can be done overnight for best results. You can also pat the turkey dry with paper towels and let it sit for about 30 minutes to come closer to room temperature before seasoning.

When it comes to seasoning, you can use a variety of herbs and spices. A simple option is to whisk together salt, pepper, dried herbs, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices like paprika, cayenne, or onion powder to suit your taste. It's important to coat the entire bird with the seasoning mix to ensure even coverage.

Another option is to brush the turkey with olive oil and then apply a dry rub. A mixture of salt, thyme, rosemary, pepper, sage, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar can be rubbed onto the turkey, making sure to get under the skin. You can also slide slices of butter and garlic under the skin for added flavour.

If you're cooking turkey legs, you can whisk together olive oil, poultry seasoning, parsley, salt, paprika, and pepper, and brush this mixture onto the legs before and during cooking.

Remember, the key to a juicy air-fried turkey is to not overcook it. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, and remove the turkey from the air fryer once it reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions