Air frying is more popular than ever, and you may be wondering if you can use this method to roast your holiday turkey in your Samsung oven. The answer is yes! With an oven or range that has Air Fry mode, youll be able to crisp up your turkey in just a few hours on Thanksgiving morning. Air Fry mode will also save you tons of time, giving you a chance to work on all your other delicious side dishes, such as green beans, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
Air frying a turkey has become an increasingly popular way to cook the bird offering a healthier and faster alternative to deep frying or roasting. When using an air fryer it’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure your 20lb turkey turns out moist, juicy and perfectly cooked.
Overview of Air Frying a Turkey
Air frying circulates hot air around the turkey to cook it evenly while producing a beautifully browned, crispy skin. The method requires little to no oil, resulting in fewer calories than deep frying. Air frying also cooks the turkey faster than a traditional oven.
An air fryer allows you to cook a whole 20lb turkey but it is essential to choose the right appliance. Look for an air fryer big enough to fit the bird with a minimum capacity of around 17 quarts. You’ll also want one with temperature settings up to 400°F.
When air frying a turkey figure around 10-15 minutes per pound at 350°F. A 20lb turkey will take 3-4 hours to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let’s look closer at the complete process.
Step-by-Step Guide for Air Frying a 20lb Turkey
Follow these steps for perfect air fried turkey results:
1. Thaw the Turkey
Remove your frozen turkey from the packaging and thaw it completely in the refrigerator. This may take several days depending on the size. Do not thaw the turkey at room temperature, as this can cause bacterial growth.
2. Remove the Giblets
Check inside both turkey cavities for the bag of giblets and neck. Remove them and use for gravy or discard.
3. Pat the Turkey Dry
Pat the thawed turkey dry inside and out with paper towels. Any moisture on the skin will cause it to steam rather than crisp up.
4. Tuck the Wings
Tuck the tip of each wing under the turkey body so they don’t burn in the air fryer.
5. Truss the Turkey
Trussing brings the legs together and compacts the bird for even cooking. Use kitchen string or silicone bands to truss.
6. Season the Turkey
Rub the turkey all over with olive oil or melted butter first. Then generously season the outside and cavity with salt, pepper and your choice of herbs/spices.
7. Insert the Stand
Place the turkey upright onto the air fryer stand so air circulates all around. Insert the stand into the cavity.
8. Preheat and Cook
Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Carefully place turkey in basket and cook 10-15 minutes per pound, until 165°F.
9. Check Temperature
Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature in thickest part of breast and thigh. Juices should run clear with no pink.
10. Remove and Rest
Carefully remove turkey and let rest 15 minutes before carving. The resting time allows juices to redistribute.
Tips for Air Frying a Juicy 20lb Turkey
Here are some extra tips to ensure your air fried turkey turns out incredibly moist and delicious:
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Brining is not necessary and may cause over-salting. Simply rub with oil/butter and season.
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Do not stuff the turkey, as stuffing requires longer cook time. Cook it separately.
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Baste occasionally with turkey broth for extra moisture and flavor.
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Tent turkey with foil if skin browns too quickly.
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Add a drip pan below to catch juices for making gravy.
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Cook any frozen turkey breast, legs or wings separately.
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Let air fryer fully preheat before adding turkey for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about air frying whole turkeys:
Can you put stuffing in an air fried turkey?
It’s not recommended. Stuffing requires much longer cook time which would lead to an overcooked turkey. Cook stuffing separately.
Should you brine a turkey before air frying?
Brining is unnecessary since air frying already produces a moist turkey, and may make it over-salted. Simple seasoning is best.
How long does a 20lb turkey take in an air fryer?
Figure around 10-15 minutes per pound, so a 20lb turkey will take 200-300 minutes (3-4 hours) at 350°F. Check it reaches 165°F.
What temperature do you cook a turkey in an air fryer?
350°F is ideal for air frying turkey. This allows the turkey to cook through gradually while crisping the skin.
Should you flip a turkey in the air fryer?
Flipping is not necessary. The hot air circulates all around the turkey as it cooks, delivering even browning.
Can you put a whole turkey in an air fryer?
Yes, as long as the turkey fits comfortably in your particular model. Look for a 17+ quart air fryer.
Conclusion
Following these air fryer guidelines will help you achieve the ideal finished turkey with tender, juicy meat and beautifully crisped, golden brown skin. Air frying makes cooking turkey simpler and faster.
The key is allowing ample time for a large bird to cook through while monitoring temperature. Let your trimmed, seasoned 20lb turkey air fry at 350°F for around 3-4 hours, until the thick breast area hits 165°F.
Rest the turkey before slicing for the juiciest results at your holiday table. Air fried turkey offers a fresh new way to enjoy this classic main dish.
Prepare your turkey and oven
Preparing your turkey for air frying is a little different from using other cooking methods, such as oven roasting. Read below for our air frying tips:
- For an extra flavorful turkey, brine it in advance. There are wet or dry brining methods, so browse some recipes and decide which works best for you.
- If you want to bake the stuffing inside the turkey, dont put the stuffing in the cavity until right before the bird goes in the oven. This will help avoid bacteria growth.
- Check if your oven is large enough to accommodate your turkey. You can test this out by placing the turkey in your oven before cooking, or by checking the ovens dimensions and cubic feet in your user manual. You can also find your ovens cubic feet using the our website.
- Do you have a turkey injector? Use it! If you dont, regular basting will help keep the turkey nice and juicy too. Be sure to save some of the drippings that collect in the pan to make a delicious gravy.
Cook your turkey with Air Fry mode
Note: Preheating your oven is not necessary when using Air Fry mode. To check if your oven has this feature, please consult your user manual.
To begin cooking your turkey, you’ll need an Air Fry tray. Some models come with one included, however some models include the Air Fry feature but sell the tray separately. Youll also need a baking sheet, which will catch any drippings from your turkey.
You should also calculate how long it will take to cook your turkey using this method: the estimated cook time is around 8-10 minutes per pound. So, a 20-pound turkey will take around 3 hours to cook using Air Fry mode.
- Place your turkey directly on the Air Fry tray, using rack position 3 (the third rack position from the bottom of the oven). If your turkey is very large, you can use a lower rack position. Note: For models with twin cooking, single oven mode is required for Air Fry mode.
- Place your baking sheet on the rack just below the Air Fry tray to catch the drippings. Feel free to use these to baste your bird while air frying. You can also save some drippings to make the perfect gravy for some mashed potatoes!
- Use the dial knob to select Air Fry mode, and then set the temperature. Air Fry mode supports temperatures between 350-500°F.
- If desired, set the oven to Cook Time so it stops at a specific time. Or, tap START and push the knob to begin cooking.
- Keep an eye on your turkey as it cooks. When cooking is complete, tap OFF. Carefully remove your turkey using oven mitts.
- When you’re finished enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, make sure to clean your Air Fry tray so it’s ready for more holiday cooking.
