How to air fry a whole turkey. The most tender, moist and juicy turkey recipe with crispy golden skin. Cooking a turkey in an air fryer.
Now I have always wanted to fry a turkey but honestly it seemed like a lot of work and kind of dangerous. Air frying a turkey is a much safer and healthier alternative.
While I am very excited about my new air fryer I wanted to give it a try before Thanksgiving to test it out. I bought a 15lb Butterball turkey and decided since my Dad is from Nova Scotia why not celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving this year.
Not only is cooking a turkey in an air fryer delicious it cooks in a fraction of the time and saves you oven space. This is the perfect method for cooking your turkey for Thanksgiving.
Trying to save oven space? You can also cook a turkey in a roaster. Here’s how to cook a turkey in a roaster oven. Want to cook a smaller turkey? Try this crockpot turkey breast. Want to try another unique way to cook a turkey? Try this garbage can turkey.
Air frying has become an extremely popular way of cooking in recent years. The air fryer allows you to make crispy delicious “fried” foods using little to no oil. As Thanksgiving approaches a common question is whether you can cook a whole turkey in an air fryer.
The short answer is yes, you can cook a whole turkey in an air fryer, but you need a very large capacity one designed specifically for turkeys. Most standard sized air fryers only hold 3-8 quarts and can only fit a small turkey or turkey breast. However, there are some extra-large specialty air fryers made with Thanksgiving in mind that can accommodate a 10-16 lb whole turkey.
What Size Air Fryer Do You Need for a Whole Turkey?
To cook a 10-16 lb turkey, look for an air fryer with at least a 12-16 quart capacity The interior dimensions needed to fit a turkey are approximately
- Height: 11 inches
- Width: 9 inches
- Depth: 13 inches
Standard air fryers typically range from 3-8 quarts, which can only fit smaller birds or turkey pieces. Even most family-sized models max out at 8 quarts – enough for a turkey breast but not an entire bird.
There are only a handful of air fryer models on the market that can actually fit and cook a whole turkey. These are specialty extra-large capacity air fryers specifically designed with holidays in mind.
Extra-Large Air Fryer Models for Cooking Turkey
Here are some of the biggest air fryer oven models that can accommodate a whole turkey:
- Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven – 12-quart capacity, fits turkeys up to 14 lbs.
- Cosori Smart Air Fryer Oven – 26-quart capacity, fits turkeys up to 20 lbs.
- Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer Oven – Features double layer racks for turkey and sides.
- GoWise USA Deluxe Air Fryer Oven – 16-quart capacity for up to a 16 lb turkey.
- Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven – 26-quart capacity for turkeys up to 20 lbs.
- Ultrean Air Fryer Oven – Main compartment fits up to a 16 lb turkey.
When shopping for an air fryer for turkey, be sure to check the maximum turkey weight and dimensions that can fit inside the fryer.
Tips for Cooking a Turkey in an Air Fryer
Here are some tips for successfully cooking a juicy, delicious turkey in an air fryer:
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Completely thaw the turkey – Do not try to cook a frozen turkey in an air fryer. Thaw it in the fridge for several days first.
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Do not stuff the turkey – Stuffing cooked inside the turkey often does not get hot enough to kill bacteria. Cook stuffing separately.
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Brine is optional – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine adds moisture and flavor. But air frying alone will make the turkey juicy.
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Rub butter under the skin – Slathering butter under the skin ensures a moist, flavorful turkey.
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Use a cooking stand – Special turkey stands allow air to properly circulate for even cooking.
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Cook at 350°F – This temperature ensures the turkey gets browned and cooked through.
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Cook 10 minutes per pound – So a 15 lb turkey takes about 2.5 hours in an air fryer.
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Check temperature – Turkey is safe to eat once the thighs reach 165°F.
Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
Here are some delicious recipe ideas for air frying a juicy Thanksgiving turkey:
Simple Herb Butter Turkey
- 15 lb turkey, thawed
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 tbsp each thyme, sage, rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Loosen skin and rub butter under skin and on outside along with herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Secure turkey to stand and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound, until 165°F.
Citrus Garlic Turkey
- 15 lb turkey, thawed
- 1 orange, juiced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- Mix orange juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Loosen turkey skin and rub half the mixture under the skin.
- Rub the remaining mixture over outside of turkey.
- Secure turkey to stand and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound, until 165°F.
Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey
- 15 lb turkey, thawed
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- Mix brown sugar, melted butter, and rosemary in a bowl.
- Loosen skin and rub 2 tbsp glaze under skin.
- Brush remaining glaze all over turkey.
- Secure turkey to stand and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound, until 165°F.
The Benefits of Cooking Turkey in an Air Fryer
There are several benefits to cooking your holiday turkey in a large capacity air fryer:
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Saves oven space – The air fryer frees up your oven for baking side dishes.
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Cooks faster – Air frying turkey takes only 8-10 minutes per pound versus over 15 minutes per pound for roasting.
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Makes a juicy bird – Circulating hot air cooks turkey evenly for moisture throughout.
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Crispy skin – Air frying gives turkey skin a deliciously crispy texture.
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Added convenience – Air fryers require no basting or temperature monitoring like oven roasting.
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Easy cleanup – Air fryer turkey creates less splatter than oven roasting or deep frying.
For the juiciest, crunchiest turkey with the least effort, an air fryer is a great alternative to the traditional oven. Just make sure to find an extra-large size air fryer designed to fit a 10-16 lb turkey. With the right model, you can enjoy perfect holiday turkey cooked to crispy, golden brown perfection.
Can you cook a whole turkey in an air fryer?
Yes! You can cook a whole turkey in the air fryer. Check the capacity of the air fryer. Some indoor table top ones can just cook a turkey breast. But since this is a large capacity outdoor air fryer it can cook up to a 20 lb. turkey. Cooking a turkey in an air fryer sounds intimidating but it was actually easier than cooking it in the oven. No basting or checking on the turkey.
The first thing you will need to do to prep the turkey is make sure that it is thawed. This can take a few days. Once the turkey is thawed remove the neck and giblets.
Put butter under the turkey skin
Adding butter under the skin insures you will have a moist and juicy turkey. It also helps flavor the turkey. In order to do this you need to carefully and gently loosen the skin away from the turkey breast and legs using your hand. Make sure not to rip the skin this is important for keeping the moisture in. You are creating pockets so you can spread the butter all over your turkey. I promise you this is the most difficult part of the recipe but take your time with it.
I use this same method even when I am baking a turkey in the oven. I like to make an herb butter. In order to do this I grab a fresh pack of poultry seasoning in the produce aisle. It contains thyme, rosemary and sage. Chop those up finely and mix into 1.5 sticks of softened butter with salt and pepper.
I use just about one stick for under the turkey skin and the remainder on the outside of the turkey. I also add salt and pepper to the outside of the turkey.
Now the Masterbuilt 20 Quart 7-in-1 Outdoor Air Fryer came with a turkey stand and an air fryer basket. Connect the turkey stand into the clips on the basket. Insert turkey stand into the turkey cavity. You will want to make sure the drumsticks are upright and holding the weight of the turkey. This will help level off the basket when you pick it up to bring outside.
can I cook a WHOLE TURKEY in an AIRFRYER | COSORI 12 Litre 1800w Dual HEATING Oven AIRFRYER
FAQ
Is an air fryer big enough for a turkey?
Kind of. Countertop air fryers aren’t big enough to fit an entire turkey, and you’ll need at least a 5-quart air fryer to fit a large turkey breast. But they can fit turkey parts like drumsticks, wings, or tenderloin.
Will a 20lb turkey fit in a 30 quart turkey fryer?
For outdoor use only, this 30 quart Turkey Cooker can cook up to a 20-pound turkey. Contains a CSA approved hose and regulator and a timer with a built-in flame safety shut-off. This aluminum pot can fry, boil & steam.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb turkey in an air fryer?
Set air-fryer temperature to 400° F. Cook 45-60 minutes, about 7-10 minutes per pound, until a food thermometer inserted registers 165° F.
What size fryer for 15 lb turkey?
A 30- to 34-quart deep-fry pot is perfectly sized for a 12- to 15-pound turkey.
What is the largest Turkey you can cook in an air fryer?
The largest turkey you can cook in an air fryer weighs 16 pounds. That’s enough to feed 8-10 people. The standard turkey size ranges from 8-24 pounds. If you have a small kitchen, you can cook a whole turkey in an air fryer, freeing up space in your conventional oven.
Can an air fryer Cook a full Turkey?
Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. Their ability to make crispy fried foods with little to no oil has made them a hit for health-conscious cooks. But can you take it up a notch and use an air fryer to cook a full turkey? The short answer is yes, absolutely!
Are air fryers good for Turkey?
“While most air fryers won’t be large enough to accommodate a standard size turkey, turkey crowns will fit perfectly in some of those fryers with a large drawer,” says Jenny Tschiesche, author of Sunday Times Bestseller, Air Fryer Cookbook.
How to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer?
Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the rack in the bottom of the air fryer and spray with oil. Place the turkey breast side down in the air fryer. To cook slowly, cook at 325°F for 3-4 hours. To cook faster, raise the temperature to 350°F for 2½ to 3 hours
What temperature do you cook a Turkey in an air fryer?
The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If the skin isn’t as browned or crispy as you’d like towards the end, you can bump up the air fryer temperature to 400°F for the last 30 minutes or so. Here is a simple step-by-step walkthrough for cooking turkey in an air fryer: Remove giblets from turkey cavities and discard.
How many BTU does a turkey fryer produce?
Single powerful jet burner produces up to 100,000 BTU which heats up quickly for a large amount of seafood boiling. ►Electronic ignition system allows for quick spark by the simple push of one-button ignitor. ►30 Qt. Turkey Fryer: use the basket to deep-fry turkey or steam seafood, remove the basket as a boiler. 10 Qt.