Ella Walter
Cooking a 15-pound turkey in an air fryer is a much safer and healthier alternative to frying. It is also faster than cooking it in the oven and saves oven space. The cooking time depends on the size of the bird, the temperature setting, and the weather if it is an outdoor fryer. A 15-pound turkey can take anywhere from 2 hours to 3 hours to cook in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to cook 15 lb turkey in an air fryer | 2 hours to 3 hours |
| Time taken per pound | 8-15 minutes |
| Ideal internal temperature | 165°F |
| Placement in air fryer | Breast side down |
| Temperature setting | 350°F-400°F |
| Pre-cooking steps | Thawing, removing giblets and neck, seasoning |
| Post-cooking steps | Covering with foil, resting for 10-20 minutes |
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Air fryer capacity
For a 15-pound turkey, a larger air fryer capacity is required. Some air fryers have an expansion ring that increases their capacity to 16-18 quarts, which is suitable for a 14-16 pound turkey. Halogen-style air fryers can accommodate turkeys up to 16 pounds, but anything larger may not fit in the glass bowl.
It is important to ensure that the turkey fits comfortably within the air fryer, with the height of the meat below the top of the basket. A good rule of thumb is to allow 8-10 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. Therefore, for a 15-pound turkey, you would need to allow at least 2 hours of cooking time, and potentially up to 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Additionally, it is worth noting that air fryers can cook turkeys in a fraction of the time compared to conventional ovens, and they produce juicy and flavorful results. The circulating hot air cooks the turkey evenly, resulting in a crispy skin without drying out the meat.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for a 15-pound turkey in an air fryer will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the temperature setting, and the desired level of doneness. On average, it takes about 2 hours to cook a 15-lb turkey in an air fryer, which equates to about 8-15 minutes per pound.
It is important to ensure that your turkey is fully thawed before placing it in the air fryer. This can take several days, so plan accordingly. A frozen turkey will take longer to cook and may result in dry meat.
When air frying a 15-lb turkey, it is recommended to cook it at a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness, but it is generally recommended to cook the turkey until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Fully thaw the turkey and remove the neck and giblets.
- Season the turkey with your desired spices and rub with oil or butter.
- Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F and 400°F.
- Place the turkey in the air fryer basket, breast side down.
- Cook the turkey for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste the turkey with broth or juices every 30 minutes to keep it moist.
- Flip the turkey breast side up halfway through the cooking time.
- Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.
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Temperature settings
The temperature settings for cooking a 15-pound turkey in an air fryer depend on the type of air fryer you have and your desired level of doneness. Here are the general guidelines and considerations for temperature settings:
Firstly, ensure your air fryer can accommodate a 15-pound turkey. Most air fryers can fit turkeys up to 16 pounds, but it's important to check your specific model's capacity. If your turkey is larger than the recommended size, it's best to use a conventional oven to avoid uneven cooking.
When cooking a 15-pound turkey in an air fryer, the general rule of thumb is to set the temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature you choose within this range. For example, at 350°F, you can expect the turkey to take around 2.5 to 3 hours to cook, or about 15 minutes per pound. On the other hand, a higher temperature of 400°F will cook the turkey faster, typically taking 45 to 60 minutes, or about 7 to 10 minutes per pound.
It's important to note that cooking times are estimates, and the best way to ensure your turkey is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the turkey should reach at least 165°F. Some sources recommend slightly higher temperatures, such as 170°F for the breast or 180°F for the thigh, to ensure doneness.
Additionally, consider the outdoor temperature if you're using an outdoor air fryer. Cooking in colder weather may require a little more time, so adjust your temperature setting and cooking time accordingly.
Lastly, remember to fully thaw your turkey before placing it in the air fryer. This will ensure even cooking and help achieve the desired temperature for a juicy and tender turkey.
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Preparing the turkey
Thawing the Turkey: Start by completely thawing your 15-lb whole turkey. It is important to never put a frozen turkey into an air fryer as it will result in dry meat and increase cooking time. Plan ahead and thaw the turkey in the refrigerator for a few days before cooking.
Placing the Turkey in the Air Fryer: Place the base rack in the air fryer and spray it with oil. Put the turkey in the air fryer, breast side down for the initial cooking. Pour some broth over the turkey, about 1/2 cup, and then place the extender ring and lid on the air fryer.
Cooking Temperature and Time: Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F/175°C. The general rule of thumb for cooking time is 8-10 minutes per pound of turkey. For a 15-lb turkey, this would be approximately 2 hours. However, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey towards the end of cooking. The turkey is fully cooked when the thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
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Making gravy
A 15-pound turkey is at the upper limit of what can be cooked in an air fryer. The turkey will shrink during cooking, but it's still advisable to use a larger air fryer, as a 15-pounder will be a tight squeeze.
Assuming you have a large enough air fryer, the cooking time will be approximately 3 hours 45 minutes (at a rate of 15 minutes per pound). You should also allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking, keeping it covered in foil, which gives you the perfect opportunity to make your gravy.
- Remove the turkey from the air fryer and cover with foil to rest.
- Take out the lower rack from the air fryer.
- Skim any chunks or tidbits from the juices and drippings at the bottom of the air fryer.
- Put some flour into a medium-sized bowl.
- Ladle around 1 cup of the juices and drippings into the flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the flour and juices mixture back into the air fryer, along with the remaining juices and drippings. Whisk until smooth.
- Place the air fryer lid back on and air fry at 400°F/205°C for about 10 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk a couple of times while cooking.
- Carve and serve your turkey with the delicious gravy.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 2 hours to cook a 15-pound turkey in an air fryer. The rule of thumb is to cook it for 8-10 minutes per pound.
The temperature should be set to 350°F/175°C.
It takes about 8-15 minutes to cook a pound of turkey in an air fryer.
The ideal internal temperature for a turkey cooked in an air fryer is 165°F.
