Marianne Martinez
Cooking a turkey roll in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a juicy, tender, and flavourful meal. It's perfect for small holiday dinners when you don't want to roast a whole turkey. The air fryer cooks the turkey roll quickly, sealing in the juices and creating a crispy, golden exterior. This method also saves time, energy, and money compared to traditional oven roasting. With a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can create a delicious meal in less than an hour.
How to cook a turkey roll in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turkey roll weight | 3-5 pounds / 1.3-2+ kg |
| Turkey roll type | Skin-on, boneless turkey breasts |
| Filling | Spinach, feta, pistachio, cranberries, sausagemeat, parsley, pecans, chocolate chips, or any other nuts |
| Temperature | 350°F-400°F / 175°C-200°C |
| Cook time | 15-40 minutes |
| Rest time | 10-30 minutes |
| Tools | Air fryer, instant-read thermometer, carving set, baking/parchment paper, bowl, pan, mallet, twine, platter, aluminum foil, and a container for brining |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, mixed herbs, garlic powder, sweet paprika, rosemary, chives, and unsalted butter |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey roll prep: thawing, seasoning, and stuffing
Turkey roll prep is a simple process, but it does require some forward planning, especially when it comes to thawing and chilling. Here is a step-by-step guide to prepping your turkey roll:
Thawing
If your turkey roll is frozen, it will need to be thawed before cooking. Allow 24 hours of thaw time in a 40°F fridge for every five pounds of turkey. For example, to defrost a 3-pound turkey roll, you will need to leave it in the fridge for 14-15 hours.
Seasoning
There are many ways to season a turkey roll, but a common method is to use a herb butter. To make this, you will need fresh rosemary, fresh chives, fresh garlic, salt, ground black pepper, and unsalted butter. Chop the herbs and garlic, and mix with the butter and seasonings. You can then rub this mixture over the turkey breast, making sure to get under the skin.
Stuffing
There are various options for stuffing a turkey roll. You could try a spinach and feta cheese filling, or a mixture of pistachio, cranberries, sausagemeat, and parsley. To prepare the spinach and feta filling, wilt the spinach and squeeze out the excess moisture before mixing with the feta. To prevent the filling from leaking, leave a one-inch border around the edge of the turkey breast.
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Air fryer settings and cooking times
Before cooking your turkey roll, it is important to ensure that it fits in your air fryer. You should also take the turkey out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
The temperature and timing settings for your air fryer will depend on the size of your turkey roll and the model of your air fryer. As a general rule, you should preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F (175–200°C) for 3–5 minutes. Place the turkey roll in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 20 minutes.
Then, flip the turkey roll so that it is skin-side up and continue cooking for another 18–20 minutes. The turkey roll is ready when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the roll reaches a minimum of 150–165°F (66–74°C). If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can check if the turkey is ready by piercing it with a knife. If the juices run clear, the turkey is cooked.
Once cooked, let the turkey roll rest for 10–30 minutes before slicing and serving. Cover the roll with aluminium foil to keep it warm while it rests.
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Using an instant-read thermometer
An instant-read thermometer is a must-have when cooking poultry in an air fryer. It is the best way to ensure your turkey roll is cooked to perfection.
First, it is important to note that the temperature of your turkey will continue to rise as it rests. Therefore, it is recommended to check the temperature 10 minutes before the recommended cooking time has elapsed.
When using an instant-read thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the roll, avoiding any bone. The turkey roll is cooked when the thermometer reads a minimum of 150°F (66°C) to 165°F (74°C). If your thermometer shows a lower temperature, return the turkey to the air fryer and check again at 10-minute intervals.
Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the turkey from the air fryer and let it rest. The juices will be re-absorbed into the meat, making the meat tender and juicy. Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving and serving.
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Resting and serving the turkey roll
Once your turkey roll is cooked, it's important to let it rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your meat is tender and juicy. Cover the cooked turkey roll loosely with aluminium foil and let it rest for 10 to 30 minutes.
While the turkey roll is resting, you can prepare any sides or gravy. If you've cooked your turkey roll ahead of time and are serving it cold, a warm gravy is a great addition. You can also use this time to bake stuffing balls in the air fryer.
When you're ready to serve, transfer the turkey roll to a platter and remove the string. You can garnish the platter with rosemary sprigs or fresh herbs of your choice. Only slice as much of the meat as you need and keep the rest covered in the fridge for up to three days.
Leftover turkey can be used in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, casseroles, pasta, or soup.
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Storing leftovers
When storing leftovers, it is important to use shallow containers to allow the food to cool down quickly and evenly. This helps prevent bacteria from growing and ensures that the food will last as long as possible in the refrigerator. It is also important to label and date the containers so that you can keep track of how long the food has been stored.
In addition to using airtight containers, you can also wrap the leftovers tightly with heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap. This will help to keep the food moist and prevent it from drying out in the refrigerator. It is also a good idea to store the leftovers in the back of the refrigerator, where it is colder, rather than in the door.
It is important to note that cooked turkey should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If it has been left out for longer than that, it is not safe to eat and should be discarded. To extend the shelf life of cooked turkey rolls even further, you can freeze them. Frozen leftovers will last for 2-6 months in the freezer.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 40 minutes to cook a turkey roll in an air fryer at 360°F or 182°C, flipping the turkey breast halfway through cooking.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 200°C for 5 minutes. Then, place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket and reduce the temperature to 350°F or 180°C.
First, thaw a frozen turkey breast overnight in the refrigerator. Then, make the filling and butterfly the turkey breasts. Pound the breasts to flatten them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Spread the filling on the breasts, roll them up, and tie them with baker's twine. Finally, brush the rolled breasts with oil and sprinkle with poultry seasoning.
