Air Fryer Turkey Crown

We're thrilled to share our Air Fryer Turkey Crown recipe with you. A simple yet delicious way to cook a turkey that's perfect for any occasion, especially Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner.

In this post, we'll walk you through each step of cooking a turkey in the air fryer, providing clear instructions and handy tips.

We understand that not everyone has access to the same ingredients or equipment, so we've included suitable substitutes where possible.

Jump to:

• How to Cook a Turkey Crown in the Air Fryer
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Turkey Crown
• Everyday Side Dishes
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• Cooking Times
• Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Turkey
• Air Fried Turkey Storage
• Reheating
• More Poultry Air Fryer Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

This recipe is about keeping things simple without sacrificing taste, giving you a perfectly cooked turkey crown cooked in the air fryer whilst keeping the oven space free for all your side dishes.

Just to mention, as well as this air fryer turkey recipe, we have a fantastic slow cooker turkey crown recipe or our slow cooker turkey drumsticks. If your crown is too big for the air fryer, check out our oven roast turkey crown.

Have you got a whole turkey? Check out our guide for how to cook a small whole turkey in the oven.

How to Cook a Turkey Crown in the Air Fryer

To make things even easier, we've incorporated visuals to guide you through cooking a turkey with juicy meat and crispy skin.

So, whether you're a seasoned home chef or a novice in the kitchen, this air fryer turkey crown recipe will indeed become a favourite. Let's get air frying!

Skip ahead to the recipe card and get started right away.

Or, continue reading the entire post for more seasoning ideas and cooking tips.

Ingredients

Let's dive into the ingredients for this Air Fryer Turkey Crown recipe.

Turkey Crown

This is the star of the show. A turkey crown is the whole turkey breast on the bone (bone-in turkey breast) with the legs and wings removed.

Sometimes, the rib cage and drumettes (the part the wing attaches to) are left intact, as seen in our pictures on this blog. If you can, it is best not to have these, as during cooking, they tend to stick up and touch the top of the air fryer heating elements.

For us, it was a small enough joint to leave them on. If you run into problems with the size, you can cut the drumettes and rib cage off before or during cooking and lay them under the crown.

What size turkey will fit in the air fryer?

The turkey size will depend on whether the ribcage and drumettes are attached and your air fryer basket size.

We have used a mini 1.4kg turkey crown from Tesco, which fits perfectly in the Ninja dual air fryer basket. You could always air fry two minis, one in each basket, perfect to feed the whole family on Christmas Day!

You can get a larger bone-in turkey breast joint if you have a bigger air fryer. Adjust the turkey crown cook time if you buy a larger joint.

Olive Oil

You'll need olive oil to ensure your turkey doesn't dry in the air fryer. This will help keep the meat moist and tender while giving the skin a beautiful golden colour. Any olive oil or vegetable oil will do the trick.

Salt and Pepper

Simple seasoning is often the best. Good quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper will enhance the natural flavours of the turkey without overpowering it.

Seasoning Ideas

Olive oil with salt and pepper is all that's needed for this air fryer roast turkey. Try out some of our optional extra seasoning ideas to give your turkey crown an extra boost of flavour, especially at Christmas time!

Butter

A bit of butter under the turkey skin adds richness and flavour to the turkey meat and helps keep the meat juicy. Add some mixed herbs, crushed garlic cloves, or garlic powder in the butter (only for use under the skin to prevent burning).

Fresh Herbs

Do not use fresh herbs while cooking turkey in the air fryer as they will char. Just sprinkle on top after serving. Thyme or rosemary both pair well with turkey.

Cranberry Glaze

Cranberry Sauce makes the perfect glaze for your Christmas Turkey Crown; it's so easy to add a layer of cranberry sauce over the cooked turkey skin for the last 5 minutes of cooking in the air fryer.

Bacon

Another way to add some extra flavour is to add bacon or pancetta slices over it. These can be added towards the end of cooking for the last 15-20 minutes.

Remember, cooking should be fun and flexible, so feel free to tweak these ingredients to suit your personal taste or dietary needs. Happy cooking!

Equipment

With the right tools in your kitchen, you can easily create a mouthwatering turkey crown. Here's what you'll need.

Air Fryer

We used the Ninja Dual Air Fryer for this recipe, one of our favourite kitchen gadgets! If you don't own a Ninja Air Fryer, don't worry! You can use any air fryer. It may affect cooking times.

Forks

Turning it halfway through is essential to ensure your turkey crown cooks evenly. Use two forks for this task - they offer a firm grip, simplify the turning process, and help avoid accidental burns.

Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer will give peace of mind that the air fryer turkey breast is cooked through. It provides an accurate temperature reading, ensuring the turkey has been cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Instructions

If you're eager to start, jump to our step-by-step printable instructions for a quick and easy guide to creating a delightful turkey crown.

But if you prefer a more leisurely approach, stick around as we walk you through the process of cooking a turkey in the air fryer in a friendly and approachable manner. Either way, deliciousness awaits!

Preparation

Begin by preparing your main ingredient - the 1.4 kg turkey crown. Remove the turkey crown from its packaging, discard any juices and packaging materials, place the turkey on a plate and cover it with cling film. Allow it to come to room temperature an hour before cooking.

Pat dry using kitchen paper towels. This allows the oil and seasonings to adhere better, ensuring maximum flavour.

Seasoning

Once your turkey crown is prepared, it's time for seasoning. Drizzle it with olive oil - you can spray it or rub it in your hands.

After the turkey is coated in oil, season it with salt and pepper on all sides. Remember, the seasoning should cover all areas for an even flavour.

If you're feeling adventurous, check out some other seasoning ideas we suggested earlier.

Air Fryer Temperature

Next, prepare your air fryer. Make sure to lightly spray or rub the bottom of your basket with olive oil or line it with an air fryer liner to prevent the turkey from sticking.

Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F). There is no need to preheat the air fryer. Place your seasoned turkey crown in the greased air fryer basket, breast side down.

Air Fryer Turkey Crown Cooking Time

Times written here are for a 1.4kg turkey crown; adjust cooking time accordingly depending on the size of your turkey and air fryer.

Cook the turkey breast side down at 200°C (400°F) for 25 minutes.

After this cooking period, use two forks to carefully flip the turkey so it's now breast-side up.

Continue to cook the turkey breast skin side up at the same temperature for an additional 25 minutes.

Check out that crispy skin on the juicy turkey!

Cooked Turkey Temperature

After cooking the turkey, check its internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the breast. It should read at least 75℃/167℉. Ensure the probe is inserted into the turkey breast meat, avoiding contact with the bone.

While a thermometer is the most accurate method, there are alternative ways to check if your turkey crown is done without one.

One common method is the fork test. Pierce the turkey with a fork or knife in the thickest part of the breast. Your turkey is likely ready if the juices run clear and the meat is not pink.

You can also press on the thickest part of the meat and judge its firmness. Fully cooked poultry should feel firm to the touch.

Note: These methods aren't as accurate as using a thermometer. Cooking times can vary due to factors like the size of the turkey crown and your air fryer temperatures accuracy. Always cook your turkey thoroughly to prevent illnesses.

Rest

Finally, let your cooked turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving and serving. This is a crucial step as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, resulting in a more tender and juicy meal.

Use this time to gather your guests, set the table, or prepare any last-minute sides. Once the resting period is over, garnish your turkey crown with fresh herbs, and it's ready to serve!

Enjoy this delicious, air-fried turkey crown that's perfectly crispy on the outside with succulent, juicy meat on the inside. Happy eating!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Turkey Crown

Our delightful Air Fryer Turkey Crown takes centre stage at Christmas as a sensational main course. It can also be part of a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We have delightful suggestions to complete your meal.

Christmas Side Dishes

Feast your eyes on this delectable plate of goodness, featuring succulent goose fat roast potatoes (or try our air fryer roast potatoes), fluffy Yorkshire puddings, sweet carrots, honey-roasted parsnips, delectable stuffing balls, and a tangy cranberry sauce. That will surely tantalize your taste buds! 🍽️🤤

Here are some more of our top recommendations:

Everyday Side Dishes

If you're serving the turkey crown for a regular family meal, keep things simple yet satisfying with these everyday side dishes.

Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a classic side that pairs well with turkey. For a twist, try our cheesy mashed potato pie.

Sweet, juicy air fryer corn on the cob adds colour to your plate and contrasts the savoury turkey.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

Have some leftover turkey? No worries! We have some fantastic suggestions that transform your leftover turkey into new and exciting meals.

Use the cooked turkey to make our delicious Turkey Curry recipe, or use leftover Christmas turkey and ham together to make our fantastic turkey and ham pie.

Give your leftovers an Asian twist with our Singapore Noodles recipe. Traditionally made with cooked chicken, these noodles are just as delicious when made with leftover turkey.

Remember, all these recipes come with easy-to-follow instructions and handy visuals, making it easy to whip up these dishes.

Air Fried Turkey Storage

Storing leftover poultry properly is crucial to maintain its freshness and prevent foodborne illnesses. Here's how you can do it.

Cool Down

Allow the cooked turkey crown to cool down at room temperature. However, be sure not to leave it out for more than 2 hours as this can promote bacteria growth.

Refrigerate or Freeze

Once cooled, carve off any remaining meat from the turkey crown.

Place turkey in airtight containers or wrap it tightly with aluminium foil or plastic wrap before storing. Refrigeration is sufficient if you use the leftovers within a few days.

If you need to store it longer, freezing is the best option, always defrost before reheating.

Reheating

When you're ready to eat the leftovers, reheat the turkey until it's hot throughout.

Want to make your own Christmas Pudding this year? We have the perfect recipe, and the beauty is that it can be made six weeks ahead or just a few days before. We have recipes showing you how to cook Christmas Pudding in a steamer or a slow cooker Christmas Pudding.

More Poultry Air Fryer Recipes

Discover our other delightful air fryer poultry dishes, designed with easy-to-follow instructions, helpful visuals, and the flexibility of ingredient substitutes to make your cooking experience as simple and enjoyable as possible.