Cody Casey
Cooking a turkey without oil is a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried turkey and can be done in an air fryer. A 15-pound turkey will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to cook in an air fryer, or 10 minutes per pound. It is recommended that the turkey is cooked outside, and the outside temperature will affect the cooking time. The turkey should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165-170°F.
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What You'll Learn
Cook time: 10 minutes per pound
To cook a 15-pound turkey in an oiless fryer, it is recommended to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound. This means that a 15-pound turkey will take approximately 150 minutes or 2 hours and 30 minutes to cook.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on various factors such as outdoor temperature, wind speed, and the model of the oiless fryer being used. Therefore, it is always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your oiless fryer.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that for turkeys larger than 14 pounds, it is recommended to separate the legs and thighs from the breast and fry them separately. This ensures even cooking and prevents the outside from burning or drying out while the inside continues to cook.
To achieve the crispiest skin, it is suggested to cover the turkey with a wire mesh lid during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This helps to reflect heat back towards the turkey, resulting in a crispy exterior. For added crispness, you can also occasionally spray the turkey with oil during the cooking process.
Lastly, once the turkey has finished cooking, it is important to let it rest for about 15 to 20 minutes before removing it from the basket, carving, and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender final product.
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Temperature: 150ºF-155ºF
It is important to ensure that your turkey is fully thawed before frying. If you buy it frozen, this will take a few days in the fridge, about a day per 4-5 pounds.
When frying a turkey, the temperature should be set to 350ºF. The temperature will dip as soon as you drop in the bird, but it should rise back up soon. Keep an eye on the bird for the duration of the frying time, and make sure the temperature is at 350ºF during cooking.
If you are cooking a 15-pound turkey in an oilless fryer, it will take approximately 150-225 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) to cook at 150ºF-155ºF. This is based on the general guideline of cooking a turkey in an oilless fryer for about 10-15 minutes per pound.
It is recommended that you use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the turkey. About 15 minutes before the estimated finish time, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. For a whole turkey, aim for the innermost part of the thigh and wing. The internal temperature should reach 165ºF-170ºF.
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Resting: 15-20 minutes
Resting the turkey is an essential step in the cooking process. Once the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165-170°F, it is time to remove the bird from the oil and let it rest. Place the turkey on a platter or baking sheet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that the meat stays moist and tender.
During the resting period, the turkey will continue to cook a little, as the heat from the oil will continue to penetrate the meat. This is known as carry-over cooking. It is important to factor this additional cooking time into your total cooking time, to ensure that you do not overcook the turkey.
The resting period is also a great opportunity to make the gravy. The drippings from the rested turkey can be used to make a delicious, flavourful gravy. Simply collect the juices that accumulate during the resting period and follow your favourite gravy recipe.
For an oiless fryer, it is important to note that the resting time may vary depending on the size of the turkey. A larger turkey, for example, one weighing 20 pounds or more, may require a longer resting time, up to 30 minutes. This is because larger turkeys will continue to cook for longer after being removed from the fryer due to their greater mass.
Additionally, the ambient temperature can impact the resting time. If it is particularly cold outside, the turkey will cool down faster, which can affect the final cooking temperature. In this case, you may need to adjust the resting time accordingly, possibly reducing it to 15 minutes to account for the faster cooling rate.
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Skin: Cover with a wire mesh lid
A wire mesh lid is an essential accessory to have when cooking a turkey in an oiless fryer. Not only does it protect your food from unwanted pests, but it also ensures that your food stays warm.
When cooking a 15-pound turkey in an oiless fryer, it is recommended to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound, which amounts to approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. To achieve the crispiest skin, cover the turkey with a wire mesh lid during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This is because the wire mesh lid reflects heat back towards the turkey, resulting in a crispy and browned skin.
It is important to note that the wire mesh lid should not be used for the entire cooking time as the concentrated heat can burn the food before it is fully cooked. The recommended internal temperature for a fully cooked turkey is 165°-170°F.
Wire mesh lids are typically made of metal and feature a dome design with wire mesh sides. They are often used for outdoor cooking to protect food from bugs and other pests while still allowing airflow to prevent the food from becoming stuffy. These lids are also collapsible and can be easily stored when not in use.
To modify a wire mesh lid, one can cut out a part of the mesh and attach a door using hinges. This allows for easier access to the food without having to remove the entire lid.
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Flavour: Inject the turkey
When cooking a 15-pound turkey in an oiless fryer, it is recommended to cook it for about 10 minutes per pound, which means cooking a 15-pound turkey will take around 150 minutes or 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Injecting flavour into your turkey is a great way to ensure your bird is moist and full of flavour. This technique is perfect for turkeys cooked in an oiless fryer as it ensures the flavour is sealed inside the meat.
Firstly, you will need to purchase an injector, which is a large syringe with a thick needle. You can then choose a marinade to inject into the meat. A simple mixture of butter, white wine, honey, cinnamon, salt and white pepper is a popular option, but you can also add olive oil, lemon, onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, Tabasco, cayenne, or creole seasoning for a spicier bird.
Once you have chosen your marinade, inject small doses of it deep into the meat. You can then refrigerate the turkey for 4 hours or, preferably, overnight. This will allow the flavours to develop and ensure the meat is extra juicy.
After injecting your turkey, place it in the basket of your oiless fryer, legs side down, and insert a meat thermometer into the breast, ensuring the tip doesn't touch the bone. Turn the cooker to medium-high and cook for about 10 minutes per pound. For the crispiest skin, occasionally spray the turkey with oil and cover the fryer with a wire mesh lid for the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Once the turkey is cooked, remove the basket from the cooker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 150 minutes or 2 hours and 30 minutes to cook a 15-pound turkey in an oiless fryer. It is recommended to cook the turkey for about 10 minutes per pound.
Place the turkey legs side down in the basket and insert a meat thermometer into the breast. Turn on the cooker to medium-high heat and cook for about 10 minutes per pound. Cover the fryer with a wire mesh lid during the last 15 minutes of cooking to brown the skin. Once the turkey is cooked, let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before removing it from the basket and carving.
The temperature of the deepest part of the breast should register between 150°F and 155°F.
Cooking a turkey in an oiless fryer results in tender and juicy meat with a crispy skin. It is also a healthier alternative to deep-fried turkey and eliminates the mess and cleanup associated with traditional deep frying.
