Air-Frying Duck: The Perfect Timing For Crispy Deliciousness

Air fryer duck is a tasty alternative to roast chicken or beef and takes much less time to cook than an oven-roasted duck. Depending on the recipe, air fryer duck can take between 45 and 65 minutes to cook.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for duck in an air fryer will depend on the size of the duck and how well done you like it.

If you are cooking a whole duck, it will take around an hour. Set your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the duck for 45-55 minutes. The duck should have an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast. Once this temperature is reached, let the duck rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

If you are cooking duck breasts, preheat your air fryer to 160 degrees Celsius and cook the breasts for 12-15 minutes, depending on how well done you like them. Leave the duck to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For a super crispy skin, season the duck with salt and pepper and secure the legs with foil. Place the duck in the air fryer basket, breast side up, and fold the wings under the duck. Cook for 25 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain the fat from the bottom of the air fryer basket and poke the skin with toothpicks. Mix honey with Hoisin sauce and brush the duck. Cook for another 20 minutes, then drain the fat again. Change the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Internal temperature

When cooking duck in an air fryer, the internal temperature of the duck should reach 170 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the duck breast. This should take around 45-55 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or 12-15 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius.

It is important to note that the duck should not be tied during the cooking process, as the legs need to move freely so the juices and fat can drain. The duck should be cooked breast side up, and it is recommended to drain the fat from the bottom of the air fryer basket periodically to prevent burning.

After the duck has reached the desired internal temperature, it should be allowed to rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This resting period helps to retain the juices and ensures a juicy, tender duck.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that cooking duck in an air fryer is a faster alternative to oven-roasting, which can take up to three hours. With an air fryer, you can achieve a delicious, crispy-skinned duck in a fraction of the time.

Resting time

During the cooking process, it is also important to regularly drain the fat from the air fryer basket. Duck is much fattier than other poultry, and the fat can reach the burning point if not drained properly. By draining the fat and allowing the duck to rest, you will achieve a juicy and flavourful result.

The resting time will also depend on the size of the duck and the cooking temperature. A whole duck cooked at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-55 minutes should rest for about 10 minutes. A smaller duck breast cooked at a lower temperature of 160 degrees Celsius for 12-15 minutes will only need to rest for about 5 minutes.

Additionally, it is important to note that the duck should not be tied during the cooking process. The legs should be able to move freely so that the juices and fat can drain properly. This will also impact the resting time, as a duck that has been tied will take longer to reach the optimal internal temperature.

Seasoning

Cooking duck in an air fryer is a great way to make a tasty, juicy roast duck. It's much faster than cooking it in the oven, which can take up to three hours.

You can also try other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary. Be generous with the seasoning, as it will add flavour to the duck.

Once the duck is seasoned, you can secure the legs with foil and place it in the air fryer basket, breast side up. Fold the wings under the duck.

Cooking

Cooking time will depend on how you like your duck cooked. For medium-rare duck breasts, cook for 12-15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. For a whole duck, cook for 45-55 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure to drain the fat from the bottom of the air fryer basket regularly. This will help prevent the duck from burning.

Let the duck rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender duck.

Crisping the skin

Firstly, pat the skin of the duck legs with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help ensure that the skin crisps up nicely during cooking.

Next, place the duck breasts skin side up in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 45-55 minutes. During this time, the fat will drain from the duck, so make sure to pour off any excess fat regularly to prevent it from burning.

Once the duck has reached an internal temperature of 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This resting time will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender duck with crispy skin.

If you want even crispier skin, you can increase the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, as suggested by some recipes. Keep a close eye on the duck during this time to prevent burning.

Frequently asked questions