Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great alternative to cooking a turkey in the oven, especially if you have a small kitchen or need to cook multiple dishes at once. A full turkey takes 3 hours or more to cook in an oven, but an air fryer can cook a turkey breast in just 1 hour. Not only does it free up oven space, but it also results in a juicy and flavourful turkey with a crispy skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Juicy, moist, cooks in a fraction of the time it would in the oven, frees up oven/slow cooker space, minimal dry risk, flavorful, healthy |
| Turkey type | Whole turkey, turkey breast, turkey crown |
| Turkey weight | 3-6 pounds/1.3-2+ kg, 4-5 pounds, 14-16 pounds |
| Turkey prep | Thawed, brined, seasoned, marinated, dry |
| Turkey placement | Skin-side down, then flipped to skin-side up |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F/180-200°C |
| Cooking time | 40 minutes, 45-60 minutes, 1 hour, 20 minutes then 20 minutes, 20 minutes then 30-50 minutes |
| Turkey temperature | 150-165°F/66-74°C |
| Resting time | 15-30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer turkey cooking times
Air-frying a turkey is a great way to free up oven space and get a juicy, tasty result. It's also much faster than cooking a turkey in the oven.
The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey and your air fryer. A 4-5 pound turkey breast should fit in a 5-quart air fryer, while a larger 16-quart air fryer can fit a 14-16 pound turkey.
As a rule of thumb, you should cook your turkey breast for 40-60 minutes, or 7-10 minutes per pound, at 350°F (180°C). Flip the turkey after 20 minutes so that it is skin side up, and continue to cook for another 20-40 minutes. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 150°F (66°C) in the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. The juices should run clear when pierced with a knife, and the skin should be a lovely golden brown.
It's important to note that air fryers vary, and the size of the turkey will determine the cooking time. For best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The recommended temperature is 165°F/74°C. You can also check by piercing the thickest parts of the turkey with a fork or thin knife. If the juices run clear and are no longer pink or reddish, the turkey is cooked.
Once your turkey is cooked, let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, making it juicy and tender.
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How to check if a turkey is cooked
There are several ways to check if your turkey is cooked through. The recommended method is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The internal temperature of the thickest parts of the turkey, such as the thigh, wings, and breast, should be 165°F/74°C. Make sure the thermometer is not touching any bones.
If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can check the doneness of your turkey by piercing the thickest parts of the turkey with a fork or a thin knife. If the juices run clear and are no longer reddish or pink, then your turkey is cooked. You can also check by touching the meat with a fork. If it is tender and soft, and gives slightly when poked or pressed, then it is cooked through.
It is recommended that you do not check the temperature of your turkey until it is at least 85% through its cooking time. Checking too early or too often will cause you to lose heat and affect the cooking time. Check the temperature 10 minutes ahead of the recommended cooking time.
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your turkey breast. A 4 to 5-pound breast should fit in a 5-quart or larger air fryer. Make sure the height of the meat is below the top of the basket.
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How to prepare a turkey for the air fryer
Air-frying a turkey is a great way to achieve a juicy, flavourful bird with a delicate, crispy brown skin. The air fryer method is particularly useful if you have limited oven space or are cooking multiple dishes.
Firstly, you will need to choose a turkey that fits in your air fryer basket. A 3-5 pound turkey breast is a good option, but you can also cook a whole turkey in an air fryer if you have a large enough model. Take the turkey out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
Before cooking, pat the turkey dry with paper towels, then drizzle or rub oil onto the skin. Season the turkey generously on both sides with salt, pepper, mixed herbs, garlic powder, and sweet paprika.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Place the turkey, skin side down, into the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes at 350°F (180°C). After this time, flip the turkey so that it is skin side up and continue to cook for another 20 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer. The turkey is cooked when it reaches a minimum of 150°F (66°C) in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bones. The juices should run clear when the turkey is pierced with a knife, and the skin should be a lovely crisp golden brown.
Once cooked, remove the turkey from the air fryer and place it on a platter or carving board. Loosely cover the turkey with aluminium foil and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, ensuring a juicy, tender texture.
You can also make gravy in the same glass vessel as the turkey, and use the leftover juices and fat from the air fryer to add extra flavour.
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Air fryer temperature settings
The temperature settings for your air fryer will depend on the size of your turkey and the size of your air fryer. A standard 3-6 quart air fryer is suitable for smaller dishes and meals. However, to cook a whole turkey, you will need a larger air fryer with a capacity of 16-18 quarts, which is large enough for a 14-16 lb turkey.
It is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Then, place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket and adjust the temperature to 350°F (180°C). Cook for 20 minutes at this temperature.
After 20 minutes, flip the turkey so that it is skin side up and continue cooking for another 20 minutes at the same temperature. The turkey is ready when the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 150°F (66°C) in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bones. The ideal temperature is 165°F/74°C. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this. The turkey should have a lovely crisp, golden skin, and the juices should run clear when pierced with a knife.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your turkey and the model of your air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
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Air fryer alternatives
Air fryers are a great way to cook a small turkey, but they are not the only option. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Oven-Baking
If you don't have an air fryer, you can always cook your turkey in a conventional oven. This method can deliver a juicy turkey as long as you don't overcook it. However, oven-baking may take longer than using an air fryer, and you'll need to consider whether you have enough oven space if you're preparing multiple dishes.
Oil-Less Turkey Fryers
There are several types of oil-less turkey fryers available that use convection technology. These appliances cook the turkey with circulating hot air from a halogen infrared light, similar to a small convection oven. This method cooks the turkey evenly and results in a juicy and healthy meal with very little oil.
Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
If you're looking for a 2-in-1 appliance, an air fryer toaster oven might be a good choice. These multitasking machines can handle a variety of tasks, from toasting and baking to air frying. Some popular options include the Ninja Foodi and the Breville Smart Oven, which offer impressive air fryer functions and versatile cooking capacities. However, these appliances can be more expensive, with prices upwards of $400.
Traditional Fryers
If you're open to using oil, traditional fryers are another alternative. While they may not offer the same health benefits as air fryers, they can still produce delicious, crispy results. Just be sure to monitor the temperature and cooking time carefully to avoid overcooking.
Other Air Fryer Models
If you're set on using an air fryer but don't have one, consider borrowing or purchasing a different model. There are various options available, such as the Ninja Max XL, Instant Vortex Plus Clear Cook, Cuisinart, and Breville air fryers, which have been praised for their performance and ease of use. These air fryers may offer different features and capacities that could better suit your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
A small turkey breast weighing 3-5 pounds can be cooked in an air fryer in about 40 minutes to 1 hour.
You can use a meat thermometer to check if your turkey is cooked. The temperature should be a minimum of 150°F (66°C) in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bone. You can also check by piercing the thickest parts of the turkey with a fork or thin knife. If the juices run clear and are no longer pink or reddish, then the turkey is cooked.
Cooking a small turkey in an air fryer is faster than cooking it in an oven, and it frees up oven space for cooking other dishes. It also results in juicy and flavorful turkey with crispy golden skin.
