Air frying has taken the cooking world by storm. Air frying your turkey has become one of the most popular methods to create that juicy, crispy turkey. We all love fewer calories and oil with more efficiency and health benefits.
Cooking turkey in an air fryer is faster than roasting a turkey in the oven due to its small size; it can regulate heat and temperature more efficiently.
It generally takes 30-45 minutes to cook a turkey in an air fryer. The turkey’s size and the air fryer’s power may determine the cooking time. To be safe, use a meat thermometer to check that the turkey’s internal temperature has reached 165°F.
Cooking an air fryer turkey is a healthier and cleaner alternative. It allows you to avoid all the mess created while cooking a turkey using the traditional method while maintaining that juicy, delectable taste.
Recipe for Cooking Air Fryer Turkey
Air-frying turkey is one of the easiest and safest ways to cook your turkey. Creating that crispy and juicy turkey is easy, especially with our lovely recipe to help you to achieve that mouth-watering flavor.
Ingredients
- Turkey with removed neck and giblets
- Softened butter
- Freshly chopped sage
- Freshly chopped rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Paprika powder
- Chilli powder
- Onion powder
Before preparing your air fryer turkey, there are a few precautions to note:
- If you use a propane air fryer, cooking the turkey outdoors, away from the house and other buildings, is best. This should be done with utmost care and supervision to avoid any accidents involving children.
- Please make sure the air fryer has cooled down before you move it.
- Also, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safety purposes.
Cooking Procedure
- The first thing you would want to do is let your turkey thaw. The best way to do this is by letting it thaw in the refrigerator, allowing it to defrost at a consistent temperature. This takes a few days, depending on how much your turkey weighs. This is one of the most important steps, as a frozen turkey in the air fryer makes for a dry turkey that isn’t worth the wait.
- Dry the turkey with a paper towel to ensure a crispier texture and a better flavor.
- Mix the paprika, chili, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt to create a dry rub. Mix it with olive oil, or the dry rub will become runny. Apply the dry rub to the outside of the turkey.
- Mix the rosemary and sage with the butter and apply it under the turkey’s skin. This helps the turkey skin to become crispy and golden while air frying. Be careful not to rip the skin as it would cause the turkey to lose moisture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° F for 10 minutes.
- Place the turkey stand into the cavity and set it on the fryer basket. Make sure to apply oil to the turkey stand to avoid it sticking. Put the turkey into the basket with the breast side up and the wings and drumsticks tucked in. Insert the mesh cover, turn the air fryer, and cook the turkey.
- The standard time to air fry your turkey for 12 to 15 minutes per pound at a temperature of 360° F, but sometimes, the weather or the settings of the air fryer can cause the cooking time to vary. To best confirm the readiness of the turkey, insert a thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh. If the temperature is 165° F, the turkey is ready to be removed from the air fryer.
- Let the turkey sit for about 15 minutes to allow the turkey to absorb the juices to give us that beloved succulent turkey taste we all love.
- Now, the turkey is ready for carving and serving.
The air fryer cooking method takes less prepping and cooking time than the roasting oven, creating a more convenient alternative.
How Long Should I Cook Turkey in an Air Fryer?
The cook time for a turkey in an air fryer depends on the size and weight of the turkey. Generally, a 4-5 pound turkey will take around 30 minutes to cook, a 6-8 pound turkey will take about 45 minutes to an hour, and a 9-12 pound turkey will take around 75 minutes to 90 minutes. Ensure the turkey is cooked to 165° F (74° C) and the juices clear.
The temperature settings and model of the air fryer can also affect the turkey’s cooking time. The weather can also affect the cooking time of a turkey in an air fryer because the outside temperature can impact the temperature of the air in the air fryer. The air fryer air will be cooler in cold weather, resulting in a longer cooking time. The air fryer air will be warmer in hot weather, resulting in a shorter cooking time.
The fat content of the turkey and the amount of stuffing in it can also play a role in how the cooking time of the turkey can be affected.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Cooking Turkey in an Air Fryer?
Ideally, the temperature recommended for cooking a turkey in an air fryer is 350° F. The temperature ensures the turkey is cooked through without burning. This temperature allows the juices in the turkey to cook and evenly distribute throughout the bird and the outer skin to crisp up.
The temperature can vary from 350-400° F, but it can ruin the turkey if it is too low or too high.
What Is The Doneness Level for a Turkey in an Air Fryer?
You can achieve medium-rare, medium, and well-done doneness levels for turkey cooked in an air fryer. Each doneness level has a different temperature that you should aim for, which is 145° F (medium-rare), 160° F (medium), and 165° F (well-done).
How long does cooking a turkey in an oilless air fryer take?
It usually takes 45 minutes to cook a turkey in an oil-less air fryer. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 165° F.
Can I stuff a turkey for air frying?
Yes, you can stuff a turkey for air frying. You will need to make sure that the stuffing is cooked through before you put it in the turkey and that the turkey is cooked to the appropriate temperature before serving.
Is it better to bake or air fry your turkey?
It depends on what you prefer. Air frying can produce crisp skin while baking in the oven will produce a moister and juicier turkey. Both methods can produce a delicious turkey.
Can you cook a frozen turkey in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey in an air fryer. However, you need to ensure that the turkey is thawed first. Additionally, you must season the turkey and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Recipe for Cooking Air Fryer Turkey
Ingredients
- Turkey with removed neck and giblets
- Softened butter
- Freshly chopped sage
- Freshly chopped rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Paprika powder
- Chilli powder
- Onion powder
Instructions
- The first thing you would want to do is let your turkey thaw. The best way to do this is by letting it thaw in the refrigerator, allowing it to defrost at a consistent temperature. This takes a few days, depending on how much your turkey weighs. This is one of the most important steps, as a frozen turkey in the air fryer makes for a dry turkey that isn’t worth the wait.
- Dry the turkey with a paper towel to ensure a crispier texture and a better flavor.
- Mix the paprika, chili, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt to create a dry rub. Mix it with olive oil, or the dry rub will become runny. Apply the dry rub to the outside of the turkey.
- Mix the rosemary and sage with the butter and apply it under the turkey’s skin. This helps the turkey skin to become crispy and golden while air frying. Be careful not to rip the skin as it would cause the turkey to lose moisture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° F for 10 minutes.
- Place the turkey stand into the cavity and set it on the fryer basket. Make sure to apply oil to the turkey stand to avoid it sticking. Put the turkey into the basket with the breast side up and the wings and drumsticks tucked in. Insert the mesh cover, turn the air fryer, and cook the turkey.
- The standard time to air fry your turkey for 12 to 15 minutes per pound at a temperature of 360° F, but sometimes, the weather or the settings of the air fryer can cause the cooking time to vary. To best confirm the readiness of the turkey, insert a thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh. If the temperature is 165° F, the turkey is ready to be removed from the air fryer.
- Let the turkey sit for about 15 minutes to allow the turkey to absorb the juices to give us that beloved succulent turkey taste we all love.
- Now, the turkey is ready for carving and serving.
Notes
- If you use a propane air fryer, cooking the turkey outdoors, away from the house and other buildings, is best. This should be done with utmost care and supervision to avoid any accidents involving children.
- Please make sure the air fryer has cooled down before you move it.
- Also, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safety purposes.
Conclusion
The turkey cooked with an air fryer is crispy, juicy, and delightful. Leaving hardly any mess in your kitchen and taking less time than oven roasting is very suitable for those days you don’t have a helping hand in the kitchen. The air fryer turkey might have started as a trend, but it seems it is here to stay.
