Air frying a turkey in an oven is definitely possible, but there are some important factors to consider to ensure it turns out juicy and delicious. Air frying uses super hot air and airflow to crisp up the turkey skin and cook it evenly throughout. While most tabletop air fryers are too small for a whole turkey, many new ovens now come with built-in air fry technology that makes air frying a turkey possible.
What is Air Frying?
Air frying is a cooking method that uses super heated air circulated at high speed to cook food. The rapid airflow and high heat help food to brown and crisp up quickly, while also cooking the inside. This allows food to get that delicious crispy texture without needing to be deep-fried in oil.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air up to 400°F around the food. The high heat and constant airflow quickly removes moisture from the exterior of foods, helping create that crispy outer layer. The food cooks quickly and evenly throughout.
Many new convection ovens and toaster ovens now come with built-in air fry modes or settings. These work by using a more powerful internal fan to circulate the hot air around food placed in the oven cavity. The high airflow mimics how a countertop air fryer works.
Benefits of Air Frying a Turkey
There are a few advantages to air frying a turkey compared to roasting it traditionally:
- Crispier skin – The high heat and constant airflow will help dry out the skin and crisp it up.
- Faster cooking time – Air frying can reduce the cooking time by up to 40%.
- More even cooking – The circulating hot air cooks the turkey all over more evenly.
- Easier cleanup – With less oil needed, there’s less mess and cleanup.
- Potentially juicier meat – With quicker cook times, the meat may end up moister.
For those short on time, air frying can be a great way to cook a turkey faster while still ending up with delicious results.
Challenges of Air Frying a Turkey
While air frying a turkey has some advantages, there are also some challenges to keep in mind:
- Smaller turkey size – A standard air fryer can only accommodate a smaller sized turkey, around 8 lbs.
- Drying out – The high heat can potentially dry out meat if not monitored.
- Cooking time variability – Times may vary depending on oven model and size of turkey.
- Flip and rotate – You may need to periodically flip and rotate the turkey for even cooking.
- Lower oven capacity – An air fried turkey takes up significant space, limiting other items.
Due to the smaller size capacity, air frying a turkey is best suited for smaller gatherings. And some monitoring is required to prevent overcooking or drying out. But with some care, an air fried turkey can turn out just as delicious as a roasted one.
Air Fryer Oven Temperature and Time
Here are some general air fry temperature and time guidelines if cooking a whole turkey in an air fryer oven:
| Turkey Weight | Air Fry Temp | Approximate Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 8 – 12 lbs | 350°F | 60 – 80 minutes |
| 12 – 16 lbs | 325°F | 80 – 110 minutes |
Keep in mind cook times can vary based on the specific oven. Monitor the internal temperature and visual cues like skin browning instead of going solely by the clock.
Key Tips for Air Frying a Turkey
Follow these tips when air frying a turkey for the best, juiciest results:
- Brine the turkey – Brining adds flavor and moisture.
- Pat turkey dry – Remove excess moisture for crisper skin.
- Use oil/butter – Coat the skin to help crisp it up.
- Flip halfway – Rotate the turkey halfway during cooking.
- Check often – Monitor to prevent overcooking.
- Let rest before carving – Allow juices to settle for juicier meat.
How to Air Fry a Turkey in an Oven
Follow these steps for successfully air frying a turkey in your oven:
- Take the turkey out of packaging and remove the giblets and neck from the cavities.
- Dry brine or wet brine the turkey for enhanced flavor and moisture. Let air dry after brining.
- Pat the turkey very dry all over with paper towels. Allowing the skin to air dry in the fridge overnight helps too.
- Apply oil, butter, or poultry seasoning all over the skin. This helps the skin get extra crispy.
- Place the turkey directly on the wire oven rack. Use a broiler pan lined with foil to catch drips.
- Select the air fry setting and preheat oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 350°F for turkey).
- Cook the turkey for half the estimated cook time before flipping and rotating.
- Once flipped, continue cooking at the same air fry temperature until the internal breast temp reaches 165°F.
- Let the cooked turkey rest 15-30 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
- Carve the turkey and enjoy your perfectly air fried holiday centerpiece!
Conclusion
Air frying a turkey in your oven is absolutely doable with the right technique. The key advantages are crispy skin, faster cook time, and even cooking with hot circulating air. Just be sure to monitor doneness closely and brine or season the turkey well. With some trial and error, you can master oven “air fried” turkey.
Let your oven work some air frying magic this holiday season! By following the tips above and adjusting the technique to your specific oven, you can enjoy delicious air fried turkey without needing to deep fry or settle for soggy skin.
So go ahead, crank up that heat, get the air flowing, and wow your guests with the best oven-fried turkey they’ve ever tasted!
FAQ
What temperature do you cook a turkey at in an air fryer oven?
When cooking a whole turkey in an air fryer oven, it’s best to use a temperature between 325°F and 350°F. Higher temperatures can help the skin get crispy and browned, but too high can dry out the meat. Aim for 325°F for larger turkeys and up to 350°F for smaller birds around 8-12 lbs.
How long does it take to cook a turkey in an air fryer oven?
Cook times can vary greatly based on the size of the turkey, but estimate around 60-80 minutes for a 10 lb turkey and up to 2 hours for a 16 lb bird. Check internal temp with a meat thermometer for doneness instead of relying solely on cook times.
How do you keep a turkey moist in an air fryer oven?
To keep an air fried turkey nice and moist, it helps to brine the turkey beforehand, pat the skin extremely dry, oil or butter the skin, cook at a lower temp (325°F), flip/rotate halfway through, and let rest before slicing. Monitoring temperature closely is also key.
Should you spatchcock a turkey before air frying?
Spatchcocking or butterflying a turkey can help it cook more evenly when air frying. Flattening out the bird allows the hot air to circulate completely around all sides. But leaving it whole works as well with periodic flipping. Go with your preferred technique.
What oven setting is best for air frying a turkey?
If your oven has a specific “air fry” setting, that is the best option for air frying a turkey. Otherwise go with conventional bake or convection bake at around 350°F. The convection fan will help circulate air similar to an air fryer.
Should you flip a turkey when air frying?
It’s a good idea to flip and rotate a turkey halfway through the air fry time to ensure it cooks evenly. The hot air will crisp and brown one side more, so rotating helps all sides get evenly crisped and cooked through.
Is air fried turkey healthy?
Air fried turkey can be a healthier option compared to deep fried turkey as it uses little to no oil. Skinless breast meat is healthiest. To make your air fried turkey even healthier, consider brining it in low sodium broth and coating the skin with avocado oil spray instead of oils high in saturated fat.
What oil is best for air frying turkey?
Good oils for air frying turkey include avocado, grapeseed, canola, peanut, sunflower, olive oil, or melted butter. Avoid oils that can easily burn at high heat like flaxseed. Coat the turkey skin lightly but evenly to get it nice and crispy.
How do you keep an air fryer turkey from drying out?
To prevent an air fried turkey from drying out, brine or inject it beforehand, cook at 325°F or lower, coat the skin with oil, baste periodically, flip/rotate halfway, use a leave-in thermometer, avoid overcooking, tent with foil if needed, and let rest before slicing. Going by temp rather than time can help avoid overdrying.
What seasoning is best for air fryer turkey?
The best seasonings for air fried turkey include poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, italian seasoning, rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and celery salt. Avoid sweeter spices like cinnamon which can burn. Rub the seasoning right onto the skin before air frying.
Should you put stuffing in an air fried turkey?
It’s best not to stuff an air fried turkey as the stuffing can take longer to cook through and harbor bacteria if undercooked. Cook stuffing in a baking dish separately. However you can place some stuffing in the cavity the last 15 minutes if you want flavor and appearance.
Can you put a whole turkey in an air fryer oven?
Most standard size ovens equipped with air fry technology can accommodate a small to medium whole turkey, around 12-16 lbs. Be sure to measure your oven cavity space. Removing racks as needed can provide more room. Larger turkeys may need to be spatchcocked to fit.
How do you use an air fryer oven?
Using an air fryer oven is simple:
- Preheat your oven to the air fry setting, usually around 375°F.
- Brush or spray a light coating of oil on food for crispiness.
- Place food directly on the wire racks, spaced apart for airflow.
- Set the timer for the minimum recommended time.
- Check periodically and rotate or shake smaller foods as needed.
- Cook until desired doneness, adding a few more minutes if needed.
The super hot dry air will circulate around food, cooking it fast and crisp!
Can you use air fryer oven as a regular oven?
Yes, an air fryer oven functions as a full regular oven when not using the specific air fry setting. It can bake, broil, roast, toast, and dehydrate just like a conventional oven. The included air fry technology just gives it that extra crisp cooking ability.
Do you need special pans for an air fryer oven?
You do not need any special pans to use an air fryer oven. The wire racks that come with it are ideal. Any regular metal baking pans also work fine. Non-stick, stainless steel, aluminum foil pans, muffin tins, pizza pans, etc. can all be used.
How do you clean an air fryer oven?
To clean an air fryer oven:
- Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth to remove any oil splatters after each use.
- Remove racks and wash with warm soapy water.
- Clean the glass door as needed with glass cleaner.
- Use the self-clean cycle periodically to deep clean the full interior.
- Replace the interior light bulb as needed.
- Wipe down the external housing and control panel with a soft cloth.
Avoid harsh abrasives. And always unplug before cleaning.