Cody Casey
Cooking a turkey in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare a holiday meal. It's a great option if you're short on oven space, and it produces a juicy, flavourful turkey with a crispy skin. The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey and air fryer, but a good rule of thumb is to cook it for 8-10 minutes per pound. For example, a 15-pound turkey cooked on a 65-70 degree day took just over 2 hours. It's important to ensure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking and to let it rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 8-10 minutes per pound |
| Temperature | 350°F (180°C) |
| Resting time | 10-30 minutes |
| Turkey weight | 3-20 lbs |
| Turkey type | Whole turkey or turkey breast |
| Turkey skin | Skin side down or up |
| Turkey temperature | 165°F (74°C) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
How to check if your turkey is cooked
Checking if your turkey is cooked is a crucial step in the cooking process. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this when using an air fryer:
Firstly, it is important to note that the cooking time for a turkey in an air fryer will depend on the size of the bird. As a rule of thumb, you should allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes per pound. For example, a 15-pound turkey will take around 2 hours to cook.
Now, there are several ways to check if your turkey is cooked through. The most recommended method is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest parts of the thigh, wings, and breast, ensuring it is close to but not touching any bones. The turkey is cooked when the thermometer registers a temperature of 165°F/74°C. Checking the temperature 10 minutes before the recommended cooking time is ideal, as it gives you an idea of how much longer the turkey needs to cook.
If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can opt for a visual check. However, it is important to wait until the turkey is at least 85% cooked before checking, as opening the air fryer too early can cause a significant loss of heat and affect the cooking time. For a visual check, pierce the thickest parts of the thigh, wings, and breast with a fork or thin knife. If the juices run clear and are no longer pink or reddish, the turkey is likely cooked.
Additionally, a cooked turkey should have a golden-brown skin. However, relying solely on the colour of the skin may not be accurate, as some suggest that the ideal internal temperature for a juicier turkey is 150°F/66°C, which may not produce the same colour.
Once your turkey has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and be reabsorbed, ensuring a moist and juicy turkey.
Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Mushrooms, Cooked Perfectly
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$129.19 $169.98
How to prepare your turkey for cooking
Preparing a turkey for cooking in an air fryer is a simple process. First, ensure that your turkey is thawed, which can take a few days in the refrigerator. If you're cooking a whole turkey, remove the neck and giblets. You can also remove the rib cage using kitchen shears.
Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. You can then season the turkey with salt, pepper, mixed herbs, garlic powder, and sweet paprika, or use a dry brine. Alternatively, you can inject your turkey with a marinade for extra flavour.
Next, rub the turkey with olive or vegetable oil. Place the turkey on a carving board and cover it loosely with foil to allow the juices to redistribute. You can then use a sharp knife to carve the meat away from the bone, creating a more even surface for cooking.
Finally, place the turkey in the air fryer basket, skin side down. You can spray the basket with cooking spray or use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Now your turkey is ready to cook!
Air-Fryer Bagels: Quick, Crispy, and Delicious
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to season your turkey
When seasoning your turkey, you can either use a simple combination of salt and pepper or a more complex blend of seasonings.
If you're short on time or prefer a simpler flavour profile, you can season your turkey with just salt and pepper. This classic combination will enhance the natural flavour of the turkey without overwhelming it. You can also add other simple seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder to add depth of flavour without much extra effort.
On the other hand, if you want to get creative with your seasonings, you can try a blend of several different spices and herbs. For example, you could use a mixture of salt, paprika, dried rosemary, dried coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This combination will give your turkey a more complex and robust flavour. You can also try other blends of seasonings, such as Italian herbs, thyme, or cayenne pepper, depending on your personal preference.
In addition to dry seasonings, you can also add moisture to your turkey by injecting it with a marinade. This can be done by using a store-bought marinade or making your own by melting butter with chicken stock, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, onion, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, sage, chicken bouillon powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Allow this mixture to cool, and then carefully inject it into different parts of the turkey. The marinade will add flavour and moisture to your turkey, making it even more juicy and delicious.
Finally, don't forget to consider the cooking method you're using when seasoning your turkey. For example, if you're cooking a whole turkey in an air fryer, you may want to add slices of butter and garlic under the skin for added flavour and moisture. You can also drizzle or rub oil on the outside of the turkey before adding your chosen seasonings. This will help to ensure that your turkey comes out juicy and tender, with a beautiful golden brown skin.
Frying Potatoes Twice in an Air Fryer: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How long to cook your turkey for
The cooking time for your turkey depends on its weight, the outside temperature, and the type of air fryer you are using. It is recommended to cook your turkey for 8-10 minutes per pound. For example, a 15-pound turkey cooked on a 65-70 degree day took just over 2 hours.
If you are cooking a turkey breast, the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the breast. A good rule of thumb is to cook the breast skin-side down at 350°F for 20 minutes. Then, turn it over and cook for another 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the breast. You can check if the turkey is cooked by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 150°F in the thickest part of the breast. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can check by piercing the turkey with a knife. If the juices run clear and are no longer pink, then the turkey is cooked.
It is important to note that the temperature of the turkey will continue to rise as it rests, so it is recommended to check the temperature 10 minutes before the recommended cooking time. Additionally, it is important to let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute and be re-absorbed into the meat.
Air Fryer Frozen Bread: A Quick, Crispy Treat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What to do after cooking your turkey
Cooking a turkey in an air fryer is a much safer and healthier alternative to deep frying. It is also quicker and saves oven space. Once you've cooked your turkey, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure it's ready to serve and to preserve leftovers.
Firstly, it's important to let the turkey rest before carving. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and cover it loosely with aluminium foil to keep it warm. The turkey should rest for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30-40 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute in the meat and for the temperature to continue rising.
While the turkey is resting, you can make gravy using the pan drippings. If you have cooked your turkey in an air fryer, there should be a small tray at the bottom of the fryer that collects the drippings. You can also use the leftover neck and giblets to make giblet gravy.
Once the turkey has rested, it's time to carve it. Start by removing the wings, then the legs, and then the breast meat. You can then cut the legs into thighs and drumsticks and slice the breast meat.
Be sure to refrigerate any leftover meat within two hours of cooking. Cover the leftover turkey and store it in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, arrange the sliced turkey in a single layer in a baking dish, cover with broth (1 cup per 1 pound of turkey), and dot with butter. Bake at 350°F until heated through (30-35 minutes), ensuring all leftovers are reheated to a minimum of 165°F.
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A turkey cooked in an air fryer takes about 8-10 minutes per pound. A 15-pound turkey cooked on a 65-70 degree day took just over 2 hours.
The ideal temperature for cooking turkey in an air fryer is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The best way to check if the turkey is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Pierce the thickest parts of the thigh, wings, and breast. If the juices run clear and are not pink or reddish, the turkey is cooked.
It is recommended to let the cooked turkey rest for 10-30 minutes before carving and serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, preventing dry turkey meat.
The size of the turkey you can cook in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer. A standard 3-6 quart air fryer can cook simple smaller dishes and meals. A larger 20-quart air fryer can cook a turkey of up to 20 pounds.
