Air Frying With Duck Fat: Is It Possible?

Duck fat is a popular ingredient for adding flavour and texture to dishes. It is used in a variety of cuisines and can be a great alternative to traditional oils when cooking with an air fryer. Air fryers are a convenient way to cook food without using large amounts of oil, and duck fat can be used to enhance the taste and crispiness of dishes like roast potatoes.

Duck fat potatoes

Duck fat is an excellent alternative to traditional oils when cooking potatoes in an air fryer. It gives the potatoes a superior crunch and taste compared to other fats, such as butter or olive oil. The high smoke point of duck fat also makes it a good option for air frying.

To make duck fat potatoes in an air fryer, start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into the desired size. Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes to wash off the starch. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Next, place the potatoes in a bowl and toss them with melted duck fat and your desired seasonings. You can use sea salt, smoked paprika, rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder for seasoning. Load the potatoes into the air fryer basket and cook at a temperature between 320-400°F for 15 minutes. For extra crispiness, shake the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400°F.

You can also make duck fat potatoes ahead of time and reheat them in the air fryer. Simply follow the same steps but stop before the cooking stage. Store the seasoned potatoes in the fridge and load them into the air fryer when you are ready to cook them. To reheat leftover duck fat potatoes, air fry them at 320°F for about 5 minutes.

If you don't have any duck fat on hand, you can use goose fat, lard, or coconut oil as substitutes.

Duck fat fries

Ingredients

• 3 cups of frozen French fries
• 2 tbsp duck fat
• Sea salt
• Dried thyme (optional)

Method

• Toss the frozen fries with the duck fat.
• Put them in the air fryer and air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, or according to the packaging instructions.
• Toss with sea salt and dried thyme, and serve.

Tips

• If you're making a small batch of fries, 1 tablespoon of duck fat may be too much. Try using 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons instead.
• If you're making a larger batch, you can cook the fries in two batches, keeping the first batch warm in a low oven while you cook the second.
• Soaking the cut potatoes in water before cooking helps to wash off the starch, resulting in a crispier fry.

Duck fat roasted potatoes

Yes, you can use duck fat in an air fryer. In fact, duck fat is highly recommended for cooking potatoes in an air fryer. Here is a detailed recipe for duck fat roasted potatoes:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2)
• 2 tablespoons of duck fat, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme
• 1 tablespoon of fresh Meyer lemon juice

Method:

First, peel the potatoes and cut them into half-inch squares. Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Drain the water and place the potatoes on paper towels. Use additional paper towels to pat them dry.

Next, place the potatoes in a bowl and toss them with the duck fat, sea salt, and paprika. Make sure they are well-coated.

Now, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F. Stir the potatoes gently after about 7-8 minutes. Continue air frying for a total of 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.

Once they are done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer immediately and arrange them on a plate. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, if desired. Finally, squeeze the Meyer lemon juice over the potatoes, and serve!

Variations and Tips:

You can also try this recipe with Russet potatoes, or leave the skin on the potatoes for a different texture. Some people also recommend parboiling the potatoes before air frying, to remove excess starch and ensure a crispier texture. Additionally, don't forget to stir or shake the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Enjoy your delicious duck fat roasted potatoes!

Duck breast in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Duck breast
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Plum sauce or hoisin sauce
• Scallions

Optional Ingredients for Marinade

• Garlic
• Worcestershire sauce

Optional Sides

• Roasted vegetables
• Fresh salad
• Caramelized onions
• Rice
• Sweet potato mash
• Cabbage
• Potatoes

Instructions

• Rinse the duck breast under running cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. It is important that the skin is dry as moisture prevents it from becoming crispy.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the skin in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut the meat.
• You can choose to marinate the duck breast for 30 minutes. A simple marinade can be made using garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. However, some people prefer not to marinate the duck to avoid overpowering its flavour.
• Place the duck breast in the air fryer basket. It doesn't matter if you place the breast skin down or up, as the air fryer cooks it evenly on all sides. Do not overcrowd the basket—cook a maximum of two breasts at a time.
• Cook the duck breast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, start checking the internal temperature of the duck breast. If you prefer your duck well done, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take another 4-5 minutes. If you like it medium-rare, pull the breast out at 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the duck breast and serve as is or with a drizzle of plum or hoisin sauce. Add some sliced scallions on top and enjoy!

Tips

• Duck has a unique flavour and is very different from other poultry like chicken and turkey. It has juicy red meat-like texture and a strong full flavour. Therefore, some people prefer not to overpower it with too many spices and seasonings.
• There is no need to spray the air fryer basket with oil as the duck breast has enough fat that will be released during the cooking process.
• For crispier skin, you can preheat your air fryer before placing the duck breast inside.

Duck fat in the air fryer

Duck fat is a luxurious-tasting fat with a high smoke point, making it perfect for use in an air fryer. It gives food a wonderful flavour and a great crunch.

Using Duck Fat to Cook Duck in an Air Fryer

You can use duck fat when cooking duck in an air fryer. It is a great way to ensure the duck skin is crispy and the meat is moist and tender. The only challenge is fitting a whole duck in the air fryer, but a large capacity model can fit a 2kg (4.4-pound) bird.

If you are using a frozen duck, you will need to defrost it first. Place it in the fridge and allow it to thaw for 24 to 48 hours, depending on its size.

To prepare the duck, remove it from the packaging, taking out any giblets stored inside the cavity. Rinse the duck and pat it dry with paper towels—this step is important for achieving crispy skin. Let the duck sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.

Score the duck breast with a sharp knife, piercing the skin but being careful not to cut into the meat. Prick the skin all over with a fork to allow the fat to render during cooking. Season the duck liberally with salt and pepper.

Place the duck breast side down in the air fryer basket, tucking in the wing tips if they are sticking out. Cook for 30 minutes at 300°F (150°C). You can then drain the rendered fat and flip the duck over. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes, then drain any fat again.

Finally, brush the duck with a mixture of honey and soy sauce and cook for a further 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C) to crisp the skin and add a shiny glaze. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—the duck is safe to eat when it reaches a minimum of 165°F (74-75°C).

Let the duck rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to ensure maximum juiciness.

Using Duck Fat to Cook Potatoes in an Air Fryer

Duck fat is also excellent for cooking potatoes in an air fryer, giving them a delicious flavour and a golden, crispy exterior with a creamy centre.

To make duck fat potatoes, peel and cut your potatoes into halves or roast potato-sized pieces. Soak them in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes, then drain and pat dry.

Place the potatoes in a bowl and toss them with duck fat, seasoning, and herbs like sea salt, smoked paprika, rosemary, or thyme. You can also add a squeeze of Meyer lemon juice to amplify the flavour.

Load the potatoes into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. For extra crispiness, you can cook them for an additional 5 minutes at a higher temperature of 200°C/400°F.

Tips for Using Duck Fat in an Air Fryer

• You can save and freeze leftover duck fat from cooking duck to use for air-frying potatoes or other dishes.
• Duck fat has a creamy texture, so you can use less of it compared to butter for a similar taste.
• If you don't have duck fat, you can use alternatives like goose fat, lard, or coconut oil for cooking potatoes in an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions