How Long to Fry a Turkey in an Oilless Fryer for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Frying a turkey in an oilless fryer is a great alternative to deep frying for a tasty, juicy bird without the mess and danger of dealing with gallons of hot oil. But knowing exactly how long to cook your turkey is crucial to ensuring it turns out moist tender and fully cooked.

The Benefits of Using an Oilless Fryer

An oilless turkey fryer uses radiant heat and a powerful fan to circulate hot air around the turkey, producing a crispy, golden brown exterior and a juicy interior. The benefits of using an oilless fryer include:

• Healthier than deep frying since no oil is used
• Much safer than deep frying with no risk of hot oil spills or splattering
• Produces moist, tender turkey similar to deep fried
• Crispy brown skin with an even golden color
• No oil cleanup required afterward
• Can be used indoors unlike propane deep fryers

Popular brands like the Char-Broil Big Easy and Masterbuilt XL Oil-Less Turkey Fryer make oilless frying easy and mess-free

Calculating Cook Times

To achieve perfect doneness, it’s important to calculate the right cook time based on your turkey’s weight. As a general guideline:

• Plan for 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey
• Add 15 minutes per pound if the turkey is stuffed
• Always verify doneness by taking the internal temperature

For example, a 16 lb unstuffed turkey would take approximately 4 hours to fry in an oilless fryer (16 lbs x 15 minutes per lb = 240 minutes or 4 hours).

If stuffed, it would need around 5 hours total (16 lbs x 15 minutes per lb + 240 minutes = 300 minutes or 5 hours).

These times are just estimates and can vary based on the specific fryer model, temperature, and other factors. Relying on a meat thermometer is key.

Setting the Right Temperature

Preheating your oilless turkey fryer properly ensures the heat penetrates the turkey cavity fully and cooks the meat evenly. Most fryers recommend setting the temperature to 350-375°F to cook a turkey.

Higher temperatures can overbrown the exterior before the inside is cooked through. Always preheat for at least 15-30 minutes as directed.

Monitoring Temperature

Using a good digital meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining when your fried turkey is properly cooked and safe to eat.

To determine doneness, insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the breast and thigh, avoiding bone. The minimum safe finishing temperature is 165°F.

Check the turkey’s temp periodically once the estimated cook time has elapsed. If not yet at 165°F, continue cooking and rechecking every 15 minutes or so until it reaches the proper internal temp.

Let the turkey rest about 15 minutes before carving for the juices to settle. Enjoy your perfectly fried bird!

Handy Time Chart

For quick reference, here are the estimated oilless fry times for common turkey sizes:

Oilless Turkey Frying Tips

Follow these tips for the best results when frying a turkey in an oilless fryer:

• Completely thaw turkey before frying
• Remove giblets and neck from cavities
• Dry turkey well with paper towels
• Apply a light coat of oil or rub for crispier skin
• Use a cooking rack if available for air circulation
• Tent foil over drumsticks/wings to prevent overbrowning
• Check temperature in breast and thigh areas
• Let turkey rest 15 minutes before carving
• Slice against the grain for tender meat

With the right cook time for the turkey’s size and the proper internal temperature, you’ll enjoy moist, delicious fried turkey from your oilless fryer. Avoid dry, overcooked meat by following these guidelines.

Get Creative with Flavor

While plain fried turkey is delicious, you can also ramp up the flavor with spices, marinades or injectable brines. Try these tasty variations:

• Herb butter under the skin or on top for roasted flavor
• Cajun seasoning or Creole rub for a kick
• Jerk marinade for Caribbean zing
• Garlic, onion or sage infused olive oil for Mediterranean flair
• Teriyaki, soy or ginger marinade for Asian zest
• Lemon pepper and herbs for a fresh taste

With your oilless turkey fryer, you can enjoy deep fried flavors without the oil. Just be sure to calculate the proper cook time for the size of your turkey. Monitor the temperature, allow ample resting time, and you’ll have a spectacular centerpiece to your holiday table.