Emilie Meyer
Cooking a turkey crown in an air fryer is a great way to save space in the oven without compromising on taste. It's also a cheaper alternative to a whole turkey and can be ready in just under 50 minutes to one hour, freeing up your time on Christmas Day. The result is a turkey with irresistibly juicy, moist, and tender meat with a crispy, golden skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | Around one hour (depending on the size of the turkey crown) |
| Temperature | 180°C |
| Turkey weight | 1.5-2kg |
| Air fryer capacity | 4.7-5.7L |
| Preparation | Pat the turkey dry with kitchen roll to remove moisture from the skin |
| Mix oil with seasoning and brush over the turkey crown | |
| Place the turkey crown, skin side down, in the air fryer basket | |
| Halfway through the cooking time, turn the turkey crown over | |
| 10 minutes before the end, lay some bacon rashers over the top of the turkey crown | |
| Check the turkey is cooked all the way through. The juices should run clear, and the turkey should be piping hot | |
| Leave the turkey crown to stand for at least 20 minutes before carving |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey crown preparation
Firstly, ensure your turkey crown is fully defrosted before cooking. Take it out of the fridge at least an hour before you intend to start cooking to bring it to room temperature. This will shorten the cooking time.
Next, pat the turkey crown dry with kitchen paper or a towel to remove any moisture from the skin. This will help to make the skin crispy. If the rib cage or drumettes are still attached, you may need to cut or trim them down with a pair of sharp scissors.
Then, rub oil over the turkey crown. You can use vegetable, olive, or garlic butter. This will ensure your turkey stays moist and gives the skin a crispy, golden finish. You can also add salt and pepper at this stage for flavour.
After this, add your choice of seasoning. Fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano work well. You can also add garlic cloves, either crushed or peeled and slightly crushed, and a halved clementine to the cavity of the bird. Alternatively, you can stuff the crown with bashed garlic cloves, quartered onions, or lemon, or tuck them around the crown in the air fryer basket if there isn't enough space in the cavity.
Finally, place the turkey crown, skin-side down, in the air fryer basket. If the bones are sticking up beyond the top of the air fryer, you can push them down, breaking them slightly so that the crown lies flatter.
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Air fryer settings
Firstly, ensure your air fryer is large enough to accommodate the turkey crown. The crown should fit comfortably in the basket without touching the heating elements. If the crown is too close to the elements, it may cook unevenly or burn. If your crown is on the larger side, you might need to trim any protruding bones or rib cages to ensure a good fit.
Secondly, preheating the air fryer is recommended by some sources. While not all models require it, preheating can help ensure even cooking. Refer to your air fryer's instructions to determine if preheating is necessary and for how long. For example, the Cosori 4.7L model has a preheat setting of 4 minutes at 205°C.
Now, let's talk about temperature settings during cooking. The majority of sources recommend setting your air fryer to 180°C. However, one source suggests that if your air fryer tends to run hot, you should adjust the temperature accordingly to a lower setting. The cooking time at this temperature is typically around 30 minutes on each side, but this can vary depending on the size of the crown and your air fryer's performance.
To ensure even cooking and browning, it's important to flip the turkey crown halfway through the cooking process. Use sturdy kitchen tongs to turn the crown carefully, as it will be hot and juicy. After flipping, you can continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your crown.
To finish, some sources suggest an additional step of cooking the crown for a further 5 to 15 minutes at 180°C, but this time with the skin side up. This final step ensures that the skin is nicely browned and crispy.
Remember, the most important factor in determining doneness is not time, but the internal temperature of the turkey crown. The meat is ready when its internal temperature reaches 65°C to 75°C. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your turkey is cooked properly and safe to eat.
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Cooking times
Some recipes suggest cooking the turkey crown for 30 minutes, skin-side down, then turning it over and cooking for a further 20 to 30 minutes. This can be repeated in 15-minute intervals until the juices run clear, with a final 5-minute cook at 180°C/350°F.
It is important to ensure the turkey crown is fully defrosted before cooking and to bring it to room temperature by removing it from the fridge about an hour ahead of cooking. This will shorten the cooking time.
A meat thermometer can be used to check that the turkey crown is cooked. The internal temperature should read between 65°C and 75°C.
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Carving and serving
After the resting period, use a sharp knife to carve the turkey crown into slices. If you wish to serve the turkey with gravy, pour it into a jug and serve it alongside the turkey slices and trimmings.
Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, use a microwave with a little water or gravy to keep the meat moist, or use the air fryer by wrapping the turkey in foil with a drop of water to prevent it from drying out.
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Storing leftovers
Firstly, it's important to note that leftover turkey meat should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. If the room temperature is above 32°C, the window for safe storage decreases to just 1 hour. So, be sure to set a timer as soon as you take your turkey crown out of the air fryer to ensure timely storage.
When storing leftovers, always use airtight containers. Air fryers can leave some foods juicy, so it's a good idea to use containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent spills and keep the meat fresh. If you don't have suitable containers, a good alternative is to wrap the leftover turkey tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap, ensuring no parts are exposed to the air.
The refrigerator is the best option for short-term storage. Leftover turkey crown can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Be sure to place the containers at the back of the fridge, where the temperature is coldest, and avoid stacking them to promote even cooling. You can also freeze leftover turkey for longer-term storage. Wrap the meat tightly and store it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Label and date the package before placing it in the freezer, where it can be safely stored for up to 2 months.
Finally, some tips for reheating: it is safe to reheat leftover turkey crown only once, so make sure you only take out the amount you need. Reheat the leftovers in an oven, air fryer, or microwave to a temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check that the meat has reached this temperature, ensuring it is safe to consume.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around one hour to cook a turkey crown in an air fryer, but the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the turkey crown and the air fryer model.
First, ensure the turkey crown is fully defrosted and bring it to room temperature by removing it from the fridge about an hour before cooking. Pat the crown dry with kitchen paper to remove moisture from the skin. Then, rub oil all over the crown, season well, and scatter dried herbs over the skin.
Set the air fryer to 180°C. Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer for 2 minutes or 4 minutes at 205°C.
The juices should run clear, and the turkey should be piping hot. It’s useful to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Turkey should have an internal temperature of at least 65°C.
