Delicious Air Fryer Turkey Necks: A Simple Guide for Perfect Results

Turkey necks are an underrated and affordable cut of meat that offers robust flavor and plenty of nutritional value. While these meaty morsels are delicious when slow-cooked in soups and stews, the air fryer offers a quick and easy way to enjoy juicy, tender turkey necks with crispy, golden brown skin.

As an air fryer enthusiast, I was eager to try cooking turkey necks in my handy kitchen gadget. Through trial and error, I’ve discovered the perfect method for air frying turkey necks so they turn out moist and tender on the inside with an irresistibly crispy exterior every time.

In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through the foolproof process I use to make succulent air fryer turkey necks, as well as share helpful tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Follow these steps, and you’ll be sinking your teeth into perfectly cooked turkey necks in no time!

Step 1: Choose Your Turkey Necks

When selecting turkey necks for air frying, aim for necks that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Thicker necks may require a few extra minutes of cook time. Clean the necks well and pat them dry before cooking.

Step 2: Season Generously

One of the keys to amazing air fryer turkey necks is getting that seasoning just right. For the best flavor, rub a generous mixture of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme all over the turkey necks. Feel free to experiment with your own blend of herbs and spices too.

Step 3: Arrange in the Basket

Place the seasoned turkey necks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Overlapping turkey necks won’t cook as evenly. For a group of similarly sized necks, I find that 6-7 necks can fit comfortably in my medium-sized air fryer.

Step 4: Cook at 400°F for 20-30 Minutes

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F Cook the turkey necks for 15 minutes at first After 15 minutes, shake the basket or flip the necks with tongs to ensure even browning. Cook for an additional 5-15 minutes until the necks are completely cooked through and the skin is crispy. The total cook time will vary based on the thickness of the necks.

Step 5: Flip and Finish with a Brush of Oil or Sauce

For ultimate crispiness, I like to brush the turkey necks with a small amount of olive oil or bbq sauce during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. This helps the skin get perfectly browned and blistered. Just keep an eye on them in the home stretch to avoid burning.

Step 6: Allow to Rest Before Serving

As soon as they’re finished cooking, remove the hot turkey necks from the air fryer basket and let them rest for 5 minutes before digging in This short resting period allows the juices to reabsorb for moist, succulent meat

And that’s all it takes for tender, juicy air fryer turkey necks with crispy skin that will have you licking your fingers. I like to serve them as an appetizer with ranch dressing for dipping, but air fried turkey necks also make fantastic additions to soups, salads and rice bowls. Get creative with your favorite seasonings and sauces too!

Helpful Tips and Tricks

• Brining the turkey necks for 1-2 hours before cooking enhances moisture and flavor.

• For extra crispy skin, rub the necks with a thin coating of oil before seasoning.

• Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness; turkey necks should reach 165°F internally.

• Add roasted veggies to the air fryer basket for a simple one-pan meal.

• Leftover cooked turkey necks make amazing sandwich fillings after shredding.

• Consider glazing the turkey necks with sweet and savory sauces as they finish cooking.

• Coat turkey necks with dry rubs or marinades for more flavor variety.