Can You Cook Turkey in an Airfryer? Everything You Need to Know

Airfryers have become an immensely popular kitchen appliance in recent years. Their ability to make crispy fried foods with little to no oil has made them a hit for health-conscious home cooks. But can you use an airfryer for more than just fries and nuggets? Specifically, is it possible to cook a whole turkey in an airfryer?

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can cook turkey in an airfryer! While airfryers are compact appliances best suited for individual portions, many models are large enough to accommodate a small turkey or turkey breast. With the right techniques, an airfryer can produce a juicy, tender, and crispy skinned turkey worthy of any holiday table.

Here’s everything you need to know about cooking turkey in an airfryer

Choosing the Right Size Turkey

The first step is selecting a turkey that will actually fit in your airfryer. Most standard airfryers range from 3-7 quarts in capacity. That’s enough room for turkeys around 10-14 pounds. Make sure to measure the dimensions of your airfryer basket before purchasing a bird.

Opt for a boneless turkey breast over a whole turkey if limited on space. You can also cook turkey pieces like drumsticks and thighs rather than the entire bird.

Seasoning is Key

One of the best parts of airfryer turkey is that the skin gets ultra crispy, so you want lots of flavor underneath. Generously season the turkey with salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and any other favorite herbs and spices.

You can also brine or marinate the turkey before cooking to infuse it with more moisture and taste. Stuffing a small amount of herb butter under the skin boosts flavor too.

Cook Breast-Side Down

Place the seasoned turkey in the airfryer basket breast-side down. This protects the delicate breast meat from drying out. Letting the juices run downward creates a self-basting effect. Tuck the wings underneath and tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string to keep everything neat and compact.

Airfry at 350°F

Preheat the airfryer to 350°F, which creates the ideal environment for crispy turkey skin. Cook following the guideline of 15 minutes per pound, checking the temperature periodically with a meat thermometer until it reaches 165°F at the thickest part.

For a 5 pound turkey breast, that equals around 75 minutes of airfryer time. Let the turkey rest about 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.

Finish Skin-Side Up

During the last 15 minutes of cook time, carefully flip the turkey over so the breast side faces up. Airfrying skin-side up at the end browns and crisps up the skin for picture-perfect results. Baste the turkey with a little olive oil or melted butter first if it looks dry.

Benefits of Airfried Turkey

Cooking turkey in an airfryer has many advantages:

• Uses little to no oil for a healthier version of fried turkey
• Cooks faster than a traditional oven
• Frees up oven space for other dishes
• Produces tender, juicy meat and ultra-crispy skin
• Easy to clean – airfryer basket goes right in the dishwasher

While airfryers can’t accommodate a 20 pound Thanksgiving turkey, they are the perfect appliance for making smaller weeknight turkeys. With less time commitment and effort than roasting, airfryer turkey is easy to add to your dinner rotation. Crispy, juicy turkey on the table in under an hour? Yes please!

So go ahead, think beyond french fries and experiment with cooking turkey and other meats in your airfryer. You may just find that this multifunctional appliance becomes your new secret weapon for serving up quick, delicious family meals.

Frequency of Entities:
airfryer: 27
turkey: 24
cook: 10
breast: 6
skin: 6
crispy: 5
juicy: 4
oven: 3
season: 3
tender: 3
fry: 3
oil: 3
pound: 3
basket: 2
meal: 2
drumstick: 1
thigh: 1
brine: 1
marinate: 1
stuff: 1
bake: 0
roast: 0
grill: 0