Emilie Meyer
Air-fried duck is a tasty, juicy, and tender alternative to chicken or beef for dinner. It is also a great dish to serve for the holidays or special occasions. Cooking a whole duck in the air fryer is a great way to ensure crisp skin and moist, tender meat. The cooking time depends on the duck's size and the air fryer model, but it generally takes around 45-55 minutes to cook a whole duck in an air fryer at 300°F. If you want to cook the duck to a safe internal temperature, it should be 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended safe cooking temperature | 165°F (74-75°C) |
| Duck internal temperature | 170°F |
| Resting time after cooking | 30 minutes |
| Resting time before serving | 5-10 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature | 300°F |
| Cooking time | 45-55 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature (skin crisping) | 400°F |
| Cooking time (skin crisping) | 10 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature (reheating) | 200°C/400°F |
| Reheating time | 5-10 minutes |
| Defrosting time | 24-48 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Defrosting and preparing a whole duck
Defrosting a whole duck is a straightforward process, but it does require some forward planning. The best way to defrost a duck is to place it in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw for 24 to 48 hours, depending on its size. For example, a 4-6 lb duck will take about 48 hours to defrost in the fridge, whereas a 5.37 lb duck should be left for around 24 hours.
If you are short on time, you can also defrost a duck in cold water. To do this, immerse the duck in its original packaging or in a watertight bag, and place it in a bowl of cold water, ensuring that the water covers the duck completely. Change the water every 5 minutes or so, and every 30 minutes at the very least. A 4-6 lb duck will take about 2 hours to defrost in cold water. It's important to note that you should not thaw a duck on your kitchen counter or at room temperature.
Once your duck is defrosted, remove it from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. You should then remove the neck and any giblets from the duck's cavity. At this point, you can also season the duck with salt and pepper, or a spice rub, and stuff the cavity with ingredients such as garlic, lemon, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes, if desired.
Before cooking, you should score the duck breast with a sharp knife, making diagonal cuts that pierce the skin but do not cut into the breast meat. This will allow the fat to render while cooking and help to create crispy skin. You can also prick the skin all over with a fork to aid this process.
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Air fryer temperature and cooking time
The cooking time and temperature for a whole duck in an air fryer will depend on the size of the duck and the wattage of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook a whole duck in an air fryer for around 45–60 minutes at 300°F (150°C). However, some sources suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 400°F (200°C) for the last 10 minutes to crisp up the skin.
One source recommends cooking a 3-pound duck at 275°F for an hour and then increasing the temperature to crisp up the skin. Another source suggests cooking duck legs at 400°F for 8–10 minutes or until the skin is crispy.
It is important to note that the USDA recommends a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for duck. This can be measured using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone. The duck should be allowed to rest for at least 30 minutes after cooking to ensure maximum juiciness and to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
If you are using a frozen duck, it is important to defrost it completely before cooking. This can be done by placing the duck in the fridge and allowing it to thaw for 24 to 48 hours, depending on its size.
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Internal temperature and resting time
The USDA recommends a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C to 75°C) for duck. To check the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone. The duck should be cooked until the desired internal temperature is reached, and then allowed to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before carving.
Some recipes recommend a higher internal temperature of 170°F. This should be measured in the thickest part of the duck breast. Once this temperature is reached, the duck should be allowed to rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
Resting the duck allows the juices to be redistributed, resulting in a more tender and flavorful eating experience. It is recommended to leave the duck uncovered as the steam can soften the skin. A minimum resting time of 30 minutes is suggested to ensure maximum juiciness.
The cooking time and internal temperature will vary depending on the size of the duck and the wattage of the air fryer. It is important to ensure that the duck is cooked thoroughly before serving.
If you are cooking duck legs, they can be cooked in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 200°C/400°F, or until the skin is crisp and burnished.
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Carving and serving
Once your duck is cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket and place it on a platter or cutting board. It's best to leave the duck uncovered, as this helps the skin stay crispy.
Let the duck rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, making the meat more tender and flavorful. If you've cooked your duck with the glaze, it's also a good idea to let it rest uncovered to allow the glaze to set.
When you're ready to carve, use a sharp knife. Start by removing the legs, then cut the breast meat. You can present the carved duck on a platter with your chosen sides. Some side suggestions include air fryer potatoes, asparagus, or sweet potatoes. If you've cooked a Chinese-style crispy duck, you can serve it with steamed or microwaved pancakes, cucumber and spring onion strips, and hoisin sauce.
If you have leftovers, they will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator. To reheat, put them in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 200°C/400°F.
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Side dishes and leftovers
There are many side dishes that pair well with air-fried duck. For a simple option, serve a bowl of air fryer potatoes, asparagus, or sweet potatoes. If you want to get a bit more creative, try goose fat roast potatoes (you can use duck fat!) or garlic smashed potatoes. Other options include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, quinoa, or a fresh salad. If you're looking for something a bit more indulgent, try air fryer cranberry brie bites.
If you have any leftover duck, it can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to two months. To reheat, place the duck in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 200°C/400°F, or in the microwave for 30 to 90 seconds. You can also get creative with your leftovers and use the duck meat in a stir-fry, fried rice, or duck tacos.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about an hour to cook a whole duck in an air fryer.
The recommended temperature is 300°F (150°C) for 30 minutes, then 300°F (150°C) for another 30 minutes, and finally 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes to crisp up the skin.
If your duck is frozen, let it defrost in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Remove the neck and giblets, then rinse and pat dry. Score the skin with a sharp knife, then season with salt and pepper.
The USDA recommends a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
