Juicy and amazing air fryer turkey is easier than you think! If you need more oven space for Thanksgiving or Holiday meals, try air frying a whole turkey. The results for this air fried whole turkey is fantastic and best of all, the gravy is made in the same glass vessel. It’s simple and the turkey is flavorful and juicy. Trust us on this one!
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!
Cooking turkey in an air fryer results in a bird that’s juicy tender and boasts crispy golden skin. It’s much quicker and easier than roasting in the oven. I was skeptical at first, but after trying it I’m sold on air fried turkey for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a perfect turkey in your air fryer Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Air Fryer for Turkey
The first step is making sure you have an air fryer large enough to accommodate a turkey A good rule of thumb is that your air fryer basket needs to be at least 2 inches wider and deeper than your turkey.
For a 12 to 14 pound turkey, look for an air fryer with a basket size of around 9 quarts or larger. Popular models like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Vortex can easily handle turkey of this size.
For bigger birds up to 20 pounds, you’ll want a very large air fryer or oven-style model. The Cosori CO130-AO 12.7 Quart Air Fryer Oven is a great choice.
No matter what model you choose, make sure to consult the instruction manual to verify the maximum turkey size for cooking.
Picking and Prepping the Turkey
Choosing the right turkey size and properly preparing it is key for even cooking. Stick to a turkey that’s 12 pounds or under for the best results. This ensures it will fit nicely in your air fryer basket and cook through in a reasonable amount of time.
Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before air frying. Leaving it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days usually does the trick. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, removing any excess moisture from the skin.
For seasoning, try a simple dry rub of salt, pepper and your choice of herbs. Rosemary, thyme and sage are perfect for turkey. You can also rub olive oil or butter under the skin to keep the meat extra moist as it cooks.
Cooking Times for Air Fryer Turkey
One of the best things about air frying turkey is how quickly it cooks compared to the oven. As a general rule of thumb, plan on cooking time of approximately 30 minutes per pound.
So for a 12 pound turkey, the total cooking time will be about 6 hours at 350°F. Make sure to check on it periodically and use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
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.
Step-by-Step Guide for Air Frying Turkey
Here is a simple step-by-step walkthrough for cooking turkey in an air fryer:
- Remove giblets from turkey cavities and discard. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
- Season all over with dry rub, getting under skin and in cavities. Rub oil or butter under skin.
- Place turkey breast-side down in air fryer basket. Fold wing tips under.
- Cook at 350°F for calculated time based on weight, around 30 minutes per pound.
- Check temperature periodically with a meat thermometer until 165°F is reached.
- Carefully flip turkey breast-side up during last 30 minutes if crisper skin is desired.
- When turkey is done, remove from air fryer. Let rest 20 minutes before carving.
It really is that easy! Just be sure to keep an eye on it and track cooking times for your specific model.
Air Fryer Turkey Tips and Tricks
Here are some handy tips and tricks I’ve learned while cooking turkey in the air fryer:
- Brining is not necessary as air frying keeps the turkey very moist and flavorful. A simple dry rub gives plenty of flavor.
- For optimal crispy skin, rub the skin with a thin coating of oil or butter before cooking.
- Cook turkey breast-side down initially so juices baste the breast meat and keep it extra juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to monitor internal temperature. Don’t rely solely on cooking times.
- Let turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving so juices can redistribute and meat relaxes.
- Add a foil tent if the skin gets too browned before the interior is done.
Benefits of Air Fried Turkey
Cooking turkey in the air fryer has lots of advantages over roasting in the oven:
- Takes half the time of oven roasting, freeing up your oven for other dishes
- Crispy, browned skin with little to no oil required
- Juicy, tender meat that stays moist
- Infuses Turkey with lots of flavor
- Doesn’t heat up kitchen like running the oven for hours
- Lets you easily cook a smaller turkey to feed just a few people
Frequently Asked Questions
What size turkey can I cook in an air fryer?
Stick to turkeys of 12 pounds or less for the air fryer. Verify your particular model’s maximum capacity.
How long does it take to cook a turkey in an air fryer?
Figure around 30 minutes per pound at 350°F. A 12 pound turkey will take about 6 hours.
Do I need to flip the turkey while air frying?
Yes, cook breast-side down for most of the time, then flip breast-side up near the end for crisper skin.
Can I stuff the turkey before air frying?
No, stuffing is not recommended as it may inhibit airflow. Cook stuffing separately.
Should I brine the turkey before air frying?
Brining is not necessary as the air fryer keeps the turkey very moist and flavorful.
What temperature should I cook the turkey at?
Cook at 350°F for most of the time, optionally increasing to 400°F at the end for crisper skin.
The Verdict on Air Fryer Turkey
Cooking turkey in the air fryer results in a tender, juicy bird with deliciously crispy skin. It’s much faster and easier than oven roasting. While it does take some preparation and monitoring, the rewards are a great turkey in half the time.
If you’ve got an air fryer large enough for a small turkey, I highly recommend giving it a try this holiday season. Your family will be amazed at how flavorful and perfectly cooked it turns out. Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas air fryer turkey to all!
What size whole turkey can you air fry?
With the halogen style air fryers that we talked about, you can air fry up to a 16 pound turkey. Anything larger than 16 pounds is too big for the glass bowl. If you want to cook a turkey larger than 16 pounds, it’s best to use the conventional oven method.
Why would you air fry a turkey vs oven bake?
- Don’t have a lot of oven space to cook multiple items? then the air fryer method is a great solution for small kitchens with minimal oven space.
- Air frying a turkey over oven baking is helpful if your traditional oven is used for cooking other dishes. Often times during holiday cooking the traditional oven is already being used for cooking other side dishes.
- If you want to cook a whole turkey in the air fryer, you can easily set up the air fryer on another table or even outside. This helps free up the oven for other uses, while the air fryer can just focus on cooking the whole turkey.