Is There an Air Fryer Big Enough for a Turkey?

With the rise in popularity of air fryers for quick and convenient cooking, many wonder if you can actually cook a whole turkey in one of these appliances. While most standard size air fryers don’t have the capacity for an entire bird some large and specialty models on the market are designed just for this purpose.

In this article, we’ll look at whether there are air fryer options big enough to cook a turkey and how to shop for one that will meet your needs. We’ll also cover guidelines for cooking a turkey in an air fryer along with some recipe ideas.

Air Fryer Sizes and Capacity

Standard air fryers designed for home use typically range from 3-5 quarts in capacity These are great for cooking food for 1-4 people, but a whole turkey is obviously much too large. Even most family size air fryers top out at around 8 quarts capacity, which may fit a turkey breast but not an entire bird.

For a 10-16 pound whole turkey you’d need an air fryer with at least a 12-16 quart capacity. Minimum size dimensions to fit a turkey would need to be about 11 inches in height, 9 inches in width and 13 inches in depth.

Very few air fryer models meet these size requirements to cook a whole turkey. However, there are some extra large and specialty models designed with the turkey in mind.

Extra Large Air Fryer Models for Turkey

Here are some of the largest air fryer options with the capacity to cook a whole turkey:

• Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven – 12 quart capacity, fits turkeys up to 14 pounds. Features multiple cooking modes.

• Cosori Smart 12-in-1 XL Air Fryer Oven – 26 quart capacity, fits up to a 20 pound turkey. Includes rotisserie function.

• Chefman TurboFry 3.6 Quart Air Fryer Oven – Features a double layer rack to fit two trays of food, good for a turkey and sides.

• GoWISE USA GW44800-O Deluxe 12.7 Quart Air Fryer Oven – Large square design fits up to a 16 pound turkey. Features 15 cooking presets.

• Kalorik 26 QT Digital Maxx Air Fryer Oven – 26 quart capacity for turkeys up to 20 pounds. Rotisserie spit and double rack included.

• Ultrean Air Fryer Oven – Features a mesh basket big enough for a 4 pound turkey or chicken. Main compartment fits up to a 16 pound turkey.

Tips for Cooking Turkey in an Air Fryer

Cooking a turkey in an air fryer takes some strategic prep to ensure even cooking and crisp skin:

• Brine the turkey before air frying to keep it juicy and well seasoned.

• Pat the skin dry before cooking for crispier results. Rub it with oil or butter and seasonings.

• Cook turkey pieces like breast, thighs, wings, and drumsticks rather than the whole bird. They’ll cook more evenly.

• Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature and avoid overcooking. Cook to 165°F.

• Air fry turkeys at around 325-350°F, adjusting time for size. Whole birds take 45 min per pound.

• Let the turkey rest about 10 minutes before serving for juicy meat.

Delicious Air Fryer Turkey Recipes

An air fryer big enough to cook a turkey opens up all kinds of possibilities for quick and easy meals:

Air Fryer Roast Turkey – Brine a 10-14 lb turkey, pat dry, coat with oil and seasonings. Roast at 325°F for 45-60 minutes per pound until 165°F.

Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Wings – Toss turkey wings in oil and seasoning. Air fry at 400°F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F.

Air Fryer Stuffed Turkey Breast – Pound turkey breast to flatten, spread with herb stuffing, roll and tie. Air fry at 350°F for 50-60 minutes until 165°F.

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs – Mix 1 lb ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Form into balls and air fry at 400°F 15 minutes until 165°F.

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers – Make patties using ground turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, and spices. Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping once.

Air Fryer Turkey Fajitas – Air fry sliced turkey breast, peppers, and onion in batches at 400°F 5-8 minutes. Wrap in tortillas with toppings.

Convenient and Healthy Cooking

While most standard air fryers won’t accommodate a turkey, some extra large models provide a convenient way to enjoy juicy, crisp turkey without firing up the oven. With the right size air fryer and some recipe tips in mind, you can easily make moist turkey and sides for holiday meals and anytime. Air fried turkey cooked without oil is a healthier option that’s sure to become a new favorite.