Emilie Meyer
Air fryer duck is a tasty, juicy, and tender dish that is perfect for a special occasion or holiday meal. It is easy to prepare and cook, and the air fryer ensures a minimum of fuss and a maximum of flavour. The cooking time is also much shorter than for oven-roasted duck, which can take up to three hours. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook delicious, crispy, and juicy duck in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 45-55 minutes at 300°F |
| Temperature | Minimum internal temperature of 165°F-170°F |
| Rest time | 5-30 minutes |
| Crispy skin | Prick skin, pat dry, and score before cooking |
| Defrosting | Defrost in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours |
| Sides | Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes |
| Glaze | Honey, Hoisin sauce, Soy sauce |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, olive oil, five-spice powder |
| Portion size | 1-1.5 pounds of uncooked duck per person |
| Serving size | 3.5-4 ounces of cooked duck meat |
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What You'll Learn
Defrosting and preparing the duck
Once your duck is thawed, it's time to prepare it for cooking. Start by removing the neck and any giblets that might be inside. Then, rinse the duck and pat it dry with paper towels. This step is important because you want the duck's skin to be as dry as possible before it goes into the air fryer.
Now, you'll want to season your duck. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with your favorite seasonings. One suggestion is to brush the duck with olive oil and then coat it with your chosen seasonings. Another option is to marinate the duck overnight in the refrigerator, which will enhance its flavor. Just remember to wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and poke holes for airflow.
Finally, before placing the duck in the air fryer, you can score the skin with a sharp knife. Be careful not to cut into the meat, as this can cause it to dry out faster. Scoring the skin helps it crisp up and allows the fat to render out during cooking.
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Cooking temperature and timings
The cooking temperature and timings for air fryer duck depend on the size of the duck, the size of your air fryer, and your desired level of doneness. Ducks are fatty, so you may need to drain the fat from the air fryer basket a few times during cooking, especially if your air fryer starts to smoke.
If you are cooking a whole duck, it will take around 45-55 minutes to cook at 300°F (150°C). You should always check that the duck has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74-75°C) in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone. If you want your duck to be more well-done, you can cook it for an additional 5-10 minutes. After cooking, let the duck rest for at least 10 minutes before carving to ensure maximum juiciness.
If you are cooking duck breasts, you can cook them at 300°F for 15 minutes, and then add a honey mixture and cook for another 10 minutes at 400°F. If you prefer your duck more well-done, you can cook it for an additional 5-12 minutes.
If you are cooking a half duck, it will only take 12 minutes to cook in the air fryer.
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Marinades and sauces
For a Chinese BBQ Duck Breast, a marinade of five simple ingredients is recommended, and the duck should be left in the fridge for up to two days to maximize flavor.
For a whole duck, quartered orange and apple slices, whole garlic cloves, and a sweet and savory honey hoisin sauce are used. The duck is stuffed with the fruit and garlic, and then brushed with the sauce. This adds a fresh citrus flavor and natural sweetness to the bird.
When cooking, you may need to drain the fat from the air fryer basket a few times, especially if your air fryer starts to smoke. This will help to prevent the skin from burning.
For a honey glaze, brush the duck with a mixture of honey and soy sauce, or honey and warm water with five-spice powder, and cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is important to note that the duck should be fully defrosted before air frying to ensure even cooking and extra crispy skin.
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Carving and serving
Once your duck is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board. It's preferable to leave the duck uncovered, as the steam can soften the skin. Allow the duck to rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes before serving and carving to ensure the meat is juicy. If you want the skin to remain crispy, you should wait 30 minutes.
Use a sharp knife to remove the legs from the duck and cut the breast meat. Present the duck on a platter with your chosen side dishes. Some side dish ideas include Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, or Goose Fat Roast Potatoes (you can use duck fat for these).
When serving, the USDA recommends a serving size of 3.5-4 ounces of cooked duck meat per person. If you are cooking for a larger group, you may need to cook the duck in parts, as a 2kg duck will only feed four people.
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Crispy skin techniques
To achieve crispy skin on your air-fried duck, there are several techniques you can use. Firstly, ensure that the duck skin is dry before cooking. This is a crucial step, as moisture on the skin will prevent it from crisping up. If you are using a frozen duck, make sure to defrost it completely and pat it dry with paper towels. Leaving the duck uncovered in the fridge for a couple of days will help the skin dry out and result in a crispier texture when cooked. Scoring the duck skin with a sharp knife is another effective method. Carefully pierce the skin in a diagonal or diamond pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat underneath. This technique helps the fat render out and promotes even crisping.
Additionally, maintaining a high cooking temperature can help achieve crispy skin. Some recipes suggest cooking the duck at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for the final 5-10 minutes of cooking to give the skin an extra crispy finish. Others recommend an even higher temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the entire cooking process, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat. It is also important to drain the fat from the air fryer basket during cooking. Duck has a high-fat content, and removing the excess fat can help prevent smoking and ensure that the skin crisps up nicely.
Brushing the duck with a glaze or sauce can also enhance the crispness of the skin. A mixture of honey and hoisin sauce is a popular choice, providing a sweet and savory flavor. This glaze can be applied towards the end of the cooking process, and the duck can be cooked for an additional 5-10 minutes to achieve the desired crispness. Stuffing the duck with quartered orange and apple slices, as well as whole garlic cloves, can also add moisture and flavor to the meat while helping to crisp the skin.
Finally, allowing the cooked duck to rest before serving is essential. This resting period helps seal in the juices, making the meat juicier. For crispy skin, it is recommended to leave the duck uncovered as the steam can soften the texture. Depending on the size of the duck, let it rest for a minimum of 5-10 minutes before carving and serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking a whole duck in an air fryer takes about an hour. This is much faster than oven-roasted duck, which can take up to 3 hours.
The recommended safe cooking temperature for duck is a minimum of 165°F (74-75°C). Duck can be served medium-rare and still slightly pink, in which case you would cook it to an internal temperature of 170°F.
To get crispy duck skin, pat the skin dry before cooking and score the skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to pierce the meat. You can also poke the skin with toothpicks to help it crisp up.
