can you cook a turkey in an air fryer

Yes You Can Cook a Delicious Turkey in an Air Fryer – Here’s How

The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s almost time to start planning that festive turkey dinner. But who wants to spend all day tending to a bird in the oven when you could be enjoying time with friends and family? This year, consider using an air fryer to cook your turkey – you’ll free up oven space, avoid heating up the kitchen, and enjoy juicy, flavorful results with little effort.

In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook a turkey in an air fryer including

• Air fryer turkey basics
• Selecting the right size turkey
• Prepping and seasoning your bird
• Step-by-step air frying instructions
• Doneness tips
• Resting, carving, and serving

Let’s get started! With the right techniques, you’ll see how easy and effective it is to cook turkey in an air fryer.

Air Fryer Turkey Basics

An air fryer uses super heated air circulated at high speed to cook food. This allows food to get crispy and browned without the oil of deep frying. Air fryers can fit a small to medium-sized turkey breast or whole bird easily.

Benefits of cooking turkey in an air fryer include:

• Faster cook time – Turkey cooks more quickly compared to roasting
• Crispy skin – The circulating air helps skin get browned and crispy
• Moist meat – Air frying keeps meat tender and juicy
• Versatility – Can cook a turkey breast, whole bird, pieces, or leftovers
• Ease – Simple to operate and doesn’t heat up kitchen as much as oven

While not traditional, air fried turkey can be quite tasty. Let’s look at how to choose the right size bird.

Choosing the Right Size Turkey for Your Air Fryer

When selecting a turkey to cook in your air fryer, smaller is better. You need enough room for air circulation to cook the bird evenly. Here are some size guidelines:

• Whole turkeys – 8 to 14 pounds
• Turkey breasts – 5 to 7 pounds

Consider how many people you are serving; err on the smaller side if unsure. You can always cook a second smaller turkey if needed. Also look at the capacity of your model – check your manual for size limits.

For very large gatherings, air fry multiple smaller turkeys rather than one giant bird. This allows you to get perfect doneness on each.

Preparing Your Turkey for Air Frying

Proper prep is key for achieving maximum flavor and a beautifully cooked bird. Follow these tips:

• Thaw completely if frozen – Give plenty of thaw time in fridge
• Pat dry – Removes moisture for crispy skin
• Trim excess fat – Reduces splatter; save for gravy
• Season generously – Inside cavity and under skin; use a dry rub
• Oil lightly – A high smoke point oil helps browning

Some people choose to brine or marinate their turkey for added moisture and flavor. Just account for any extra thaw time needed if starting from frozen.

How to Cook a Turkey in an Air Fryer – Step by Step

Once your turkey is prepped, it’s time to start air frying. Follow these foolproof steps:

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 360°F. This gets it nice and hot for crispy skin.

2. Place turkey breast-side up on a trivet or rack in the basket. This allows air circulation under and around.

3. Cook 20-25 minutes per pound, adjusting time as needed. Check temperature periodically with a meat thermometer.

4. Baste occasionally with pan juices if desired. Cautiously remove basket to spoon juices over turkey.

5. Cook until thermometer inserted at thickest part of breast and thigh reads 165°F. If browning too fast, tent with foil.

6. Once done, let rest 20+ minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute for added moisture.

It’s that simple! Just be sure to keep an eye on doneness and adjust cook time as needed based on size. Now let’s go over some ways to test for done-ness.

Testing Your Turkey for Doneness

With air frying, turkey cooks more rapidly than roasting so pay close attention to doneness. Here are 3 ways to test:

• Temperature – Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest area of breast and thigh to check for 165°F. This is the best indicator of doneness.

• Color – The skin will be golden brown and crispy when done. Meat will look white with no traces of pink.

• Juices – Use a knife to cut into the thickest part of the thigh. If the meat is done, juices will run clear with no traces of pink.

If the turkey is underdone, return it to the air fryer in 10 minute intervals until it passes these doneness tests. Letting the turkey rest properly once pulled from the fryer allows juices to reabsorb for maximum moisture and flavor.

Carving and Serving Your Air Fried Turkey

You did it – your turkey is perfectly cooked! Follow these last tips for carving and serving:

• Allow turkey to rest 20+ minutes before carving. This redistributes juices.

• Carve breast meat first by making thin vertical slices. Then remove leg quarters.

• Serve with classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

• Use pan juices to make a flavorful gravy to complement your meal.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and enjoy turkey sandwiches or casseroles later in the week.

Air frying makes getting a