Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, the turkey crown is a staple for all special events, and we are always looking for stress-free ways to cook it. Turns out, you can cook it in the air fryer for under an hour. Here is my take on how to get the perfectly cooked juicy and tender turkey crown in the air fryer, so dive right in.
Turkey Crown In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper or air fryer basket liner.
- Tin or aluminum foil
- Tongs
- Cooling wire rack
- Meat thermometer
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 kg turkey crown
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 clementine
- 2 garlic cloves
- sage and rosemary optional
Instructions
- Start by removing the turkey crown from the fridge one hour before cooking, so it comes to room temperature.
- Pat down the turkey crown dry with a kitchen towel roll to make sure it has no moisture left on the skin.
- Take a small bowl and add all the seasoning powders along with the oil. Mix everything well together to make a paste.
- Use a pastry brush to coat the turkey crown with the oil mixture. Flip the crown and season it with the paste. Make sure to rush the entire crown to get an even taste.
- Cut the clementine into two halves and add this to the cavity of the crown.
- Now, peel the garlic and crush them with the knife. Add them along with any fresh herbs you are using to the cavity of the bird.
- Once done, preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes to 180 degrees Celsius or 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that the air fryer is preheated, transfer the turkey crown upside down to the air fryer and cook it for 30 minutes.
- Stop the air fryer and use tongs or forks to flip the turkey crown the right way. Now, cook it for another 30 minutes.
- In between this time, check the turkey crown to see whether it has changed color to brown after 15-20 minutes. You can also add a layer of tin foil or aluminum foil to the top of the crown to stop it from over-browning for the next 15 minutes.
- It is equally important to keep the temperature consistent for the entire time. Hence, it is important to check the meat temperature using a meat thermometer. Check different parts of the crown to see whether it is cooked adequately.
- If it is not the right temperature, you might have to cook it for another five minutes. Once done, transfer the crown to a cooling wire rack and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
- Serve it with a seasoning and dip of your choice and enjoy.
Notes
- The cooking time for this recipe is based on a 2kg turkey crown. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time if the crown is slightly smaller. For instance, a 1.5kg crown will take around 50 minutes in the air fryer.
- Always use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is fully cooked from all sides and safe to eat. Just insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat and make sure that it does not touch the bone. The temperature should be around 75 degrees Celsius or 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you are on a budget, you may use dried herbs. Also, fresh herbs easily burn in the air fryer.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Turkey Crown
The turkey crown cooked in the air fryer is nothing but a rich source of protein, which is perfect for your nutrition. Given it is roasted and uses minimal oil, you do not have to worry about consuming the calories. For this recipe, a serving would approximately have 292 calories, 5g carbs, 31g proteins, 17g fat, and 323 mg Potassium.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
You can always store the leftover turkey crown in an airtight container in the fridge and it is safe to consume for the next 3 days. You can also choose to freeze it for the next two months. Whenever you want to use it, just defrost it and reheat it in an air fryer for 10 minutes for a crispy texture and enhanced flavor.
Try It Already!
In essence, making a turkey crown in the air fryer might not be as intimidating as it seems. It only takes an hour and all you need to do is season it and throw it in the air fryer. So, give this recipe a shot and you may like how easy it is.
