Marianne Martinez
If you're looking for a juicy, tender, and flavourful roast duck with a crispy skin, then cooking it in a Big Boss air fryer is a great option. Air-fried duck is perfect for special occasions and holidays, and it's easier and quicker to make compared to oven-roasted duck. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cooking a delicious duck in your Big Boss air fryer, including preparation, cooking, and serving suggestions.
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What You'll Learn
Defrosting and seasoning
If you're using a frozen whole duck, it's important to defrost it completely before cooking. Place the duck in the fridge and allow it to thaw uncovered for a day or up to 48 hours, depending on its size. This will help the skin dry out, ensuring it crisps up nicely in the air fryer.
Once the duck is thawed, remove any giblets or neck pieces from inside the cavity. Rinse the duck and pat it dry with paper towels. You can then season the duck.
For seasoning, you can use a combination of salt and pepper, or salt and black pepper if you prefer a balanced flavour profile. Score the duck breast with a sharp knife, creating a diamond pattern. Be careful to only cut the skin and not the meat underneath. Prick the skin all over with a fork to allow the fat to render while cooking, resulting in crispier skin. You can also brush the duck with olive oil before applying the seasonings for extra moisture.
Alternatively, for a Chinese crispy duck flavour profile, you can marinate the duck legs in a mixture of Shaoxing Chinese cooking wine, dark soy sauce, Demerara sugar, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, spring onions, Chinese five-spice seasoning, salt, and ground cloves. Leave the duck to marinate for two hours or overnight in the fridge.
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Cooking temperature and timings
The cooking temperature and timings for duck in an air fryer will vary depending on the size and wattage of the air fryer, as well as the size of the duck. It is recommended to cook duck to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74-75°C). This can be measured by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.
For a whole duck, it is important to ensure that it fits in the air fryer. A large-capacity model should be able to accommodate a 2kg (4.4-pound) bird. If the duck is frozen, it should be defrosted completely in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours, depending on its size. Leaving the duck uncovered during defrosting can help dry out the skin, allowing it to crisp up better during cooking.
Once the duck is seasoned and prepared, it can be placed in the air fryer basket. Some recipes suggest placing the duck breast side down first, then flipping it halfway through the cooking process, while others recommend cooking the duck breast side up for the entire duration. Cooking times at this stage range from 25 minutes to 55 minutes, with temperatures between 300°F (150°C) and 375°F. It is important to drain the fat from the air fryer basket during the cooking process, especially if the duck is fatty or if the air fryer starts to smoke.
After the initial cooking, the duck can be glazed with a mixture of honey and soy sauce or honey and hoisin sauce. The cooking then continues for an additional 5-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C) to crisp up the skin. It is recommended to let the duck rest for a minimum of 5-30 minutes before serving to ensure maximum juiciness.
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Crisping the skin
To get the skin of your duck nice and crispy, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, ensure the duck is fully defrosted before air frying, as this will help the skin crisp up. If you have a whole duck, you can also try drying out the skin by leaving it uncovered in the fridge for a few days before cooking.
When it comes to cooking, you can try a few techniques to get the skin crispy. Firstly, score the skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to pierce the meat. This will help the skin crisp up and allow the fat to render. You can also try poking the skin with a toothpick. Secondly, ensure you are draining the fat from the air fryer basket during the cooking process. Finally, increase the temperature of the air fryer towards the end of the cooking time to help crisp up the skin. For example, one source recommends cooking a duck breast at 300°F (150°C) for 30 minutes, then increasing to 400°F (200°C) for the final 10 minutes of cooking.
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Carving the duck
Let it rest
Once your duck is cooked, place it breast-facing downwards on a large cutting board. Cover it with tin foil and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. This allows the juices to circulate, resulting in more tender cuts of meat.
Remove the legs
As the legs have a high fat and bone content, they will stay hot for longer. Start by removing the legs from the duck using a sharp knife. Cut between the leg and the breast, and use your fingers to snap the leg joint.
Remove the breast
Place the duck on its back, with the breast facing forward. Cut along one side of the breastbone from front to back, then alongside the wishbone, keeping as close to the carcass as possible. Repeat on the other side.
Cut the breast
Use your knife to cut the breast into halves or thirds. Arrange the breast pieces and legs on a serving platter.
Serve and enjoy
Your duck is now ready to be served!
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Serving suggestions
When serving air fryer duck, it is best to let the duck rest for at least 30 minutes to ensure maximum juiciness. You can leave it uncovered as covering it with foil can make the skin soggy.
Duck is often served with sides like roast potatoes, which you can cook in goose fat or duck fat. You can also serve it with air fryer asparagus or sweet potatoes.
If you have leftover duck, you can use it in stir-fries, duck tacos, fried rice, quesadillas, or sandwiches. For stir-fries, slice the duck meat into thin strips and stir-fry with vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Add some soy sauce and garlic for flavor. For duck tacos, shred the meat and serve with tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and other taco toppings. For fried rice, use leftover rice, peas, carrots, and other vegetables, along with shredded duck meat. You can also use shredded duck meat as a filling for quesadillas with cheese, peppers, and onions. Finally, you can use the shredded duck meat to make sandwiches with your favorite bread, cheese, and condiments.
If you have leftover duck that you want to reheat, you can do so in an air fryer, oven, or on the stovetop to restore its crispiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the duck and the wattage of the air fryer. A duck weighing just over three and a half pounds should be cooked at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-55 minutes.
The recommended safe cooking temperature for duck is a minimum of 165°F (74-75°C).
If your duck is frozen, let it defrost uncovered in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Remove the neck and giblets, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Score the skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to pierce the meat. Season the duck with salt and pepper, or try a marinade for extra flavour.
Some side dish ideas include air fryer potatoes, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer sweet potatoes.
