Air Fryer Turkey Crown: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Cooking a turkey crown in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious, juicy, and tender turkey with a golden, crispy skin. It's a great option for those who want to save time and oven space, especially during the festive season. The air fryer method can cook a turkey crown in less than an hour with minimal prep and fuss, making it a convenient choice for any occasion. By following simple recipes and adjusting cooking times based on the size of the crown, anyone can master the art of cooking a mouth-watering turkey crown in an air fryer.

Choosing the right turkey crown size

Choosing the right size of turkey crown is crucial when cooking with an air fryer. The crown must fit into the air fryer basket, so the size of the basket will determine the size of the crown. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can opt for a larger bone-in turkey breast joint. Conversely, if you have a smaller air fryer, choose a smaller crown, or one without the legs attached, as these tend to stick up and touch the heating elements.

A turkey crown of 1.5 kg is a good size to aim for, as it can fit in many air fryers and feeds four to six people. A 1.3-2 kg turkey crown is also a good option, feeding up to six people. If you are cooking for a larger group, you can always cook two smaller crowns, one in each basket if your air fryer has dual baskets.

It is important to remember that the size of the turkey crown will determine the cooking time, so a larger crown will take longer to cook. Additionally, if the crown is too big, you can always cut the drumettes and rib cage off and lay them under the crown.

Preparing the turkey crown

Next, remove the turkey crown from the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Then, pat the crown dry with kitchen paper or a kitchen towel to remove any moisture from the skin. This will help to ensure that the skin becomes crispy when cooked.

After drying the turkey crown, it is time to season it. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, mixed herbs, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano. Mix your chosen seasonings with oil (olive or vegetable oil will work) and use a pastry brush to coat the entire turkey crown with the mixture.

At this point, you can also add some ingredients to the cavity of the bird for extra flavour. Try adding a halved clementine, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs such as sage, rosemary, or thyme. If your turkey crown does not have a cavity, you can simply tuck these ingredients around the crown in the air fryer basket.

Finally, place the turkey crown in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time.

Cooking the turkey crown

Selecting the Turkey Crown:

Firstly, choose a turkey crown that fits your air fryer. Opt for a relatively small crown (around 1.3-2+ kg) that can be easily placed in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, consider choosing a crown without the legs attached. You can find fresh or frozen turkey crowns in most major supermarkets and butchers.

Preparing the Turkey Crown:

Before cooking, remove the turkey crown from the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour beforehand to bring it to room temperature. Then, pat the crown dry with kitchen paper to remove any excess moisture from the skin. This step will help ensure that your turkey crown has a crispy skin.

Seasoning and Stuffing:

Prepare a mixture of oil and your desired seasonings. Common seasoning choices include oregano, paprika, and garlic powder, salt, pepper, and mixed herbs. Use a pastry brush to generously coat all sides of the turkey crown with this mixture.

If your crown has a cavity, you can stuff it with clementine halves, shallots, garlic cloves, and fresh herb sprigs. If there is no cavity, simply tuck these ingredients around the crown in the air fryer basket.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Place the turkey crown, skin-side down, into the air fryer basket. Cook for 20-30 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

After the initial cooking time, flip the turkey crown so that it is skin-side up. Continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 150°F (65-66°C) in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bones. You can use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Resting and Serving:

Once the turkey crown is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This resting time ensures that the juices are reabsorbed into the meat, keeping it moist and juicy.

Your air-fried turkey crown is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favourite side dishes and don't forget to use the delicious juices for gravy!

Resting the turkey crown

After cooking the turkey crown in the air fryer, remove it and let it rest for at least 10–15 minutes before carving. You can also let it rest for 20–30 minutes to allow the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat. During this time, cover the turkey loosely with aluminium foil.

The resting time is essential, and you should not skip it. It keeps the juices in the meat, making it moist and flavourful. This step also gives you an opportunity to make gravy with the juices.

After the resting period, carve the turkey crown and serve with your favourite sides. You can also store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days and use them in various dishes, such as casseroles, soups, sandwiches, or pies.

Serving the turkey crown

Once your turkey crown is cooked, it's important to let it rest for a minimum of 20 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, ensuring that it is moist and tender. While the turkey crown is resting, you can prepare some side dishes, such as roast potatoes, in the air fryer.

After resting, use two forks to flip the turkey crown over and place it on a platter or carving board. Cover it loosely with aluminium foil to keep it warm. You can let the turkey rest for up to 30 minutes, and it will still be warm when you serve it.

When you're ready to serve, carve the turkey crown into slices. You can use a carving set for this. Only slice as much of the meat as you need and cover the rest to keep it warm. The uncut meat can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.

Serve the juicy, tender turkey crown slices with your favourite side dishes. Some side dish suggestions include roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, apricot stuffing, red cabbage, honey-roasted parsnips and carrots, cheesy Brussels sprouts gratin, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, and, of course, turkey gravy.

Frequently asked questions