Cody Casey
Cooking duck legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a gourmet meal. With a handful of simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can have a delicious, juicy, and crispy duck leg in under an hour. The air fryer's high heat cooks the duck legs to perfection in just 20 to 30 minutes, making them a great option for a simple weeknight dinner or a special occasion feast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade ingredients | Red wine, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, Shaoxing Chinese cooking wine, Demerara, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, spring onions, Chinese Five Spice seasoning, salt, ground cloves, chicken broth |
| Marinade time | 2 hours, overnight, or 24 hours |
| Preheat temperature | 160-200°C/300-400°F |
| Preheat time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | 160-205°C/300-400°F |
| Cooking time | 18-55 minutes |
| Cooking mode | Skin side up, then flipped |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Marinade ingredients and preparation
While some recipes for cooking duck legs in an air fryer do not require a marinade, many recommend it for adding flavour and moisture to the meat.
A simple marinade can be made by combining orange juice, red wine, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add leftover orange to the marinade if you wish. It is recommended to leave the duck legs in this marinade for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight for a more intense flavour.
For a Chinese-style crispy duck, a combination of Shaoxing Chinese cooking wine, dark soy sauce, Demerara sugar, star anise, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, spring onions, Chinese five-spice seasoning, salt, and ground cloves can be used. This marinade is also typically left to sit for at least two hours or overnight.
Before marinating, it is important to defrost the duck legs if they are frozen. This can be done by leaving them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. It is also crucial to prick the skin of the duck legs with a sharp object, such as a toothpick, to allow excess moisture to escape during cooking, resulting in a crispier skin.
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Air fryer temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking duck legs in an air fryer can vary depending on the desired level of doneness, the size of the duck legs, and the specific air fryer being used. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve the best results:
- Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Some recipes suggest preheating to 160°C, while others recommend a higher temperature of 200°C/400°F for a crispier skin.
- Prepare the duck legs by patting them dry with a paper towel and pricking the skin to allow excess moisture to escape. This helps prevent the skin from becoming soggy and promotes even cooking.
- Season the duck legs with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or marinades. You can also brush the duck legs with olive oil before coating them with the seasonings.
- Place the duck legs in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between them for even cooking. Put them skin-side up for the majority of the cooking time.
- For a cooking time of around 20 minutes, set the air fryer temperature to 180°C. Turn the duck legs every 7-10 minutes for even cooking.
- Alternatively, you can cook the duck legs at a lower temperature of 170°C and extend the cooking time to 30-40 minutes, especially if you're cooking frozen duck legs.
- If you're cooking a whole duck, the USDA recommends allowing for one to one and a half pounds of uncooked duck per person. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the duck and the wattage of your air fryer.
- For a whole duck, cook at 300°F for 45-55 minutes. Do not tie the legs during cooking to allow free movement and drainage of juices and fat.
- Check the internal temperature of the duck legs or whole duck with a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- If you notice excessive smoking, pause the cooking process and drain the excess duck fat from the air fryer basket.
- Once the duck legs are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier meat.
Please note that the timing and temperature settings may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of the duck legs or whole duck you are cooking. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the settings accordingly.
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Cooking methods for crispy skin
To achieve crispy skin on your duck legs when using an air fryer, there are several methods you can employ. Firstly, it is important to prepare the duck skin by removing any excess moisture. You can do this by patting the skin with a kitchen towel or paper towel. After this, you should prick the skin to allow the fat to render out during cooking. This will help prevent the skin from becoming soggy and promote even crisping. You can then choose to season the duck legs with salt, pepper, and other spices according to your preference.
The air fryer temperature and cooking time will also impact the crispness of the skin. Most recipes recommend cooking the duck legs at a temperature between 160°C and 200°C, with cooking times ranging from 18 to 45 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time will depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer, so adjustments may be necessary. During cooking, you can flip the duck legs to ensure even crisping on all sides.
For a more complex flavour, you can also try marinating the duck legs before cooking. Marinades can include a variety of ingredients such as wine, orange juice, soy sauce, and spices. By marinating the duck legs for several hours or even overnight, you can enhance the flavour and moisture of the meat, resulting in a crispier skin when cooked in the air fryer.
Additionally, when cooking duck legs with potatoes, you can use the rendered duck fat to coat the potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. This will add flavour and crispness to the potatoes while also utilising the fat released from the duck legs.
By following these methods and adjusting the temperature, cooking time, and seasonings to your preference, you can achieve crispy skin on your duck legs cooked in an air fryer.
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Cooking from frozen
If you're cooking duck legs from frozen, it's recommended that you defrost them first. Place them in the fridge and allow them to thaw for 24 to 48 hours, depending on their size. You can then season and cook them as you would fresh duck legs.
If you're short on time, some sources suggest that you can cook duck legs straight from frozen. One source recommends marinating frozen duck legs overnight, which may be enough time for them to thaw. If you don't have time for this, the same source suggests that you can marinate frozen duck legs for 30 minutes and then air fry them while they're still frozen. In this case, increase the cooking time from 20 minutes to 30-40 minutes.
It's worth noting that cooking times may vary depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer. If you're using the rotisserie feature, the cooking time may also differ. If you're cooking a whole duck, you may need to adjust the cooking time or temperature to ensure that the duck is cooked through.
To check if your duck legs are cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The USDA recommends a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74-75°C) for duck. If your duck legs haven't reached this temperature, cook them for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
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Serving suggestions
When it comes to serving your air-fried duck legs, there are several options to choose from. Here are some suggestions:
Presentation
For a nice presentation, you can chop green onions and cover the cooked duck legs with them. This will add a nice colour and a beautiful crunch to your dish. You can also add a garnish of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a more sophisticated look.
Sides
Duck legs go well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some options:
- Salads with arugula or spinach, cherry tomatoes, and fresh cucumbers.
- Mashed potatoes or goose-fat roast potatoes (you can use duck fat for extra flavour).
- Vermicelli rice with baked bacon-wrapped asparagus.
- Basmati rice with a sauce made from the broth, cornstarch, and water, served with fresh coriander, cucumber, and spring onion.
- Chinese pancakes and Hoisin sauce.
- Steamed or microwaved pancakes, sauce, and vegetables.
Sauces
To add extra flavour to your duck legs, consider using one of these sauces:
- Honey mixed with Hoisin sauce, brushed onto the duck towards the end of cooking, resulting in a nice golden brown colour and a sweet flavour.
- Soy sauce, bean paste, or barbecue sauce can also be used as alternatives to Hoisin sauce.
Marinades
Marinading your duck legs before cooking can add extra flavour. Here are some ideas for marinades:
- Orange and red wine.
- Rice wine (Shaoxing Chinese cooking wine), or alternatively, dry sherry or Mirin.
- Cayenne pepper along with salt and black pepper.
- Spicy chilli sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Duck legs can be cooked in an air fryer in about 20 minutes. However, some recipes suggest cooking them for 30 to 45 minutes.
Marinate the duck legs for at least 2 to 4 hours before air frying. You can also marinate them overnight or for up to 24 hours.
Set your air fryer to 160°C for the first 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 180°C for the last 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can set it to 200°C for 5 minutes, and then cook the duck legs for 8 to 10 minutes.
The duck legs are cooked when the skin is crispy and golden. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the duck legs. The ideal temperature will depend on your personal preference, but most sources recommend cooking duck to an internal temperature of 165-170°F (74-77°C).
