Air-Fried Duck Breast: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Duck breast is a versatile dish that can be cooked in an air fryer to achieve a crispy skin and tender meat. The air fryer is a cost-effective and healthy option for cooking duck breast, and it can be paired with a variety of sauces and sides. The key to achieving crispy skin is to ensure that the skin is dry before cooking, as moisture prevents the skin from crisping up. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness, but it typically takes around 15-20 minutes in the air fryer for a perfect pink duck breast.

Scoring the skin

• Before scoring, it is crucial to pat the skin of the duck breast dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel. Removing excess moisture from the skin will help ensure that it becomes crispy when cooked.
• Once the skin is dry, use a sharp knife to carefully score the skin. Be sure to only cut the skin and not the meat underneath.
• You can create a criss-cross pattern or parallel lines with your scoring. The goal is to make as many cuts as possible without piercing the meat, as this will help expose the maximum amount of fat.
• For the criss-cross pattern, carefully slice the skin diagonally in one direction, creating a series of diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart. Then, slice diagonally in the opposite direction, creating a diamond pattern.
• If you prefer parallel lines, make close, straight cuts across the skin, keeping them evenly spaced and parallel to each other.
• Be sure to season the duck breast after scoring. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is often sufficient, but you can also experiment with other spices like Chinese five spice powder.

Marinating the duck

Firstly, it is essential to pat the duck breasts dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the skin is crucial, as it helps achieve a crispy texture during cooking. Scoring the skin in a diamond pattern or a criss-cross pattern is the next step. Be careful not to cut into the meat, as you only want to expose the fat. This scoring step helps create a flavourful, crispy texture when cooked.

Now, it's time to prepare the marinade. A simple yet effective marinade can be made with olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, honey, salt, and pepper. Place the duck breasts in a bowl or container with the marinade, ensuring that the skin isn't submerged. Cover the container with plastic wrap, poking a few holes to allow airflow. Leave the duck breasts to marinate in the fridge. The longer you leave it, the more intense the flavour will be. For a quick meal, 30 minutes will suffice, but for a more robust flavour, you can leave it overnight or even for up to 2 days.

When you're ready to cook, remove the duck breasts from the marinade and pat the skin dry one last time. This step is crucial to achieving the signature crispy skin. Now, your duck breasts are ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Cooking temperature and timings

The cooking temperature and timings for duck breast in an air fryer will depend on how well you want the duck cooked.

If you are using an air fryer, heat it to 180°C. Season the duck breast with salt and pepper and place it in the air fryer basket skin-side up. For a medium-rare duck breast, cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden, then flip the breast and cook for another 8-10 minutes. If you prefer your duck well done, add an extra 3 minutes to the initial cooking time.

If you are using a pan, heat it to a medium heat without oil and place the duck breast skin-side down. Cook for 5 minutes until the skin turns golden brown, then turn over and seal the meat for 1 minute.

For a perfect medium-rare duck breast, some sources suggest an internal temperature of 135°F, while others suggest 165°F. If you prefer your duck well done, wait until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

It is important to note that different air fryers may hold heat differently, so you may need to adjust the recipe by decreasing the cooking time or lowering the cooking temperature.

Resting the duck

During the resting process, it is important to keep the duck breasts warm. One way to do this is to cover them loosely with foil. This will help to retain the heat without making the meat sweaty. Another option is to place the duck on a warm plate or in a warm oven. Ideally, the duck should be rested in a warm place that is not too hot, as this could continue cooking the meat and affect its texture and taste.

While the duck is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces that you plan to serve with it. For example, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, caramelized onions, sweet potato mash, or rice are all great options to accompany your juicy duck breast. You can also make a sauce to drizzle over the duck, such as plum sauce, hoisin sauce, or a honey glaze.

Finally, before serving the duck, it is important to slice it correctly. For duck breasts, it is best to slice them against the grain to ensure tenderness. This means cutting across the meat fibres rather than parallel to them. This will help keep the meat juicy and tender, providing an enjoyable dining experience.

Serving suggestions

Duck breast is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salads and roasted vegetables: Duck goes well with fresh salads and roasted vegetables. Try serving it with a bed of leafy greens, or roasted root vegetables like sweet potatoes or cabbage.
• Rice and noodles: Duck breast is commonly served with rice, especially in Asian-inspired dishes. Try making a rice bowl with your favourite vegetables and a drizzle of sauce, or serve the duck with noodles for a hearty meal.
• Potatoes: Potatoes are a great side dish for duck breast. You can roast them, mash them, or even cook them in the duck fat for extra flavour.
• Fruit sauces: Plum sauce is a classic pairing with duck, and the sweet and sharp flavour of the fruit complements the rich meat. You can also try other fruit sauces like hoisin sauce, which is commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
• Spicy sides: If you like a little kick, duck pairs well with spicy sides. Try serving it with a spicy sauce, or incorporating spices into your side dishes.
• Vegetables: Duck goes well with a variety of vegetables, such as French beans, Savoy cabbage, or stir-fried vegetables.
• Pancakes: For a fun and unique presentation, serve your duck breast with pancakes. You can shred the duck meat and place it in the pancakes, or use smaller pancakes as a base for duck appetizers.
• Curries and stir-fries: Duck breast can be added to curries and stir-fries for a hearty and flavourful meal. Try a Thai curry or a hoisin stir-fry for a delicious twist.

Frequently asked questions