How to Cook Air Fryer Turkey Crown

Cooking a turkey crown in an air fryer is the ultimate Christmas dinner hack. It frees up valuable oven space when you need it most. Plus, your air fryer can cook a turkey crown in a fraction of the time it takes to cook a turkey in the oven. Whether you're planning a small holiday gathering or just craving turkey any time of year, the air fryer makes it simple and stress-free.

Why Cook a Turkey Crown in the Air Fryer?

The air fryer is your best friend when it comes to cooking a turkey crown. It circulates hot air evenly around the turkey, creating a crispy, golden-brown skin while locking in the juices. Plus, it’s way faster than oven roasting, making it a great option if you’re short on time or don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen. And the best part? It’s easy – no basting, no turning, just flavourful, tender turkey every time.

If you're looking for other types of meat to cook in your air fryer, why not give this pork steak recipe a go?

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking a Turkey Crown in an Air Fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you start, take the turkey out of the fridge and bring it up to room temperature. This will help it cook evenly. Then, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for around 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crisp skin.

Step 2: Prepare the Turkey Crown

Pat the turkey crown dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps create that beautiful crispy skin. Rub the turkey with a little olive oil or melted butter to enhance the flavour and help with browning. Then, season generously with salt, pepper, and your favourite herbs—rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder are all great options.

Step 3: Place the Turkey Crown in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the seasoned turkey crown into the air fryer basket, skin-side up. Make sure there’s a little space around the turkey so the hot air can circulate properly.

Step 4: Cook the Turkey Crown

Air fry the turkey crown at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes, depending on the size. Most turkey crowns will take around 12-15 minutes per pound to cook through. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer around the 45-minute mark—you're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once your turkey crown has reached 165°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays tender and juicy.

Carve your turkey crown and serve with all your favourite sides, like these crispy air fryer roast potatoes!

Top Tips for Perfect Results:

• Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to guarantee a perfectly cooked turkey is by using a meat thermometer. This ensures your turkey is juicy but safely cooked.
• Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes keeps the juices in the meat, making it moist and flavourful.
• Get Creative with Seasoning: Turkey is a blank canvas so try adding  your favourite rubs or seasonings — lemon zest, smoked paprika, or sage can take it to the next level.
• Crispy Skin Tip: For extra-crispy skin, brush the turkey with a little more oil or butter halfway through cooking.

Looking for an air fryer alternative for Christmas dinner? Why not try air fryer roast beef?

Air Fryer Turkey Crown

Discover the easy way to cook turkey in an air fryer with succulent results that make the perfect centerpiece for a special meal.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Resting Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Makes: 6

Calories: 415kcal

Ingredients

• 2 kg Turkey crown (bone in turkey breast)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 - 2 teaspoon of dried herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme are all good options)

Instructions

• Before you start, take the turkey out of the fridge and bring it up to room temperature. This will help it cook evenly. Then, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for around 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crisp skin.
• Pat the turkey crown dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps create that beautiful crispy skin. Rub the turkey with a little olive oil or melted butter to enhance the flavour and help with browning. Then, season generously with salt, pepper, and your favourite herbs—rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder are all great options.
• Carefully place the seasoned turkey crown into the air fryer basket, skin-side up. Make sure there’s a little space around the turkey so the hot air can circulate properly.
• Air fry the turkey crown at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes, depending on the size. Most turkey crowns will take around 12-15 minutes per pound to cook through. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer around the 45-minute mark—you're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
• Once your turkey crown has reached 165°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays tender and juicy.

Notes

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and for guidance only.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.1g | Protein: 75g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 781mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg

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