If you’ve ever dreamed of frying a whole turkey but didn’t want to mess with gallons of oil or risk turning your backyard into a fire zone, air frying is your answer. With the right air fryer and a few simple steps, you can have a golden, crispy-skinned turkey that’s incredibly juicy and tender—all with minimal effort and no oven required. It’s a game-changer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whenever you’re craving a beautifully roasted bird.
Why Air Fry Your Turkey?
Air frying a turkey isn’t just safer than traditional deep frying—it’s faster, more efficient, and takes the stress off your oven space during big holiday meals. Plus, it locks in moisture and gives you that perfect crispy skin every time.
Can You Really Cook a Whole Turkey in an Air Fryer?
Yes, absolutely! You just need the right kind of air fryer. While most tabletop models can only handle a turkey breast, a large-capacity outdoor air fryer (like a 20-quart model) can roast up to a 20-pound whole turkey. And honestly? It might just be easier than roasting in the oven—no basting, no flipping, no fussing.
What You’ll Need
- 1 whole turkey (up to 20 pounds, depending on your air fryer’s capacity), fully thawed
- 1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
- Fresh poultry herbs – finely chopped rosemary, thyme, and sage
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Prepping Your Turkey for the Air Fryer
1. Thaw the bird completely
Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before you begin. Depending on its size, this can take 2–4 days in the fridge.
2. Clean it up
Remove the neck and giblets. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
3. Make an herb butter
Mix the softened butter with chopped rosemary, thyme, and sage. Season with salt and pepper. This will be your flavor base.
4. Butter under the skin
Gently loosen the turkey skin over the breast and legs using your hand—be patient, you don’t want to tear it. Spread about one stick of the herb butter under the skin. This step guarantees juicy meat and locks in flavor.
5. Butter the outside
Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey. Sprinkle generously with more salt and pepper.
Setting Up the Turkey in the Air Fryer
If your fryer comes with a turkey stand and basket, insert the stand into the cavity of the bird so that the legs are upright. This helps balance the turkey and ensures even cooking. Once positioned, place the turkey into the basket and get ready to air fry.
Cooking Temperature and Time
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Give it about 10–15 minutes to heat up, especially if you’re cooking outside in colder weather.
- Cook the turkey for 8–10 minutes per pound.
For example, a 15-pound turkey takes just over 2 hours on a mild day (65–70°F outside). If it’s cold, it might take a bit longer. - Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
A Few Things Not to Do
- Don’t use a frozen turkey. It’ll cook unevenly and dry out.
- Don’t brine the turkey. Air frying concentrates flavors, and a brined turkey will often turn out too salty.
- Don’t skip the butter. It’s your best friend for moisture and flavor—no need for basting or extra oil.
Is an Air Fryer Turkey Actually Juicy?
Yes—shockingly so. The hot circulating air locks in moisture while crisping up the skin beautifully. You get that deep golden brown exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth interior. This method rivals any oven-roasted or roaster-cooked turkey, hands down.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your air fryer turkey with:
- Mashed potatoes or garlic mashed cauliflower
- Apple sausage stuffing
- Roasted carrots or green beans
- Cranberry sauce
- Gravy made from turkey drippings (yes, you can collect some from the air fryer basket!)
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze carved turkey meat for up to 2 months.
- Make a batch of turkey bone broth with the leftover bones to stretch your turkey even further.
Final Thoughts
Air frying a whole turkey is no longer just a fun idea—it’s one of the smartest ways to cook your bird. You save time, oven space, and hassle, all while ending up with a turkey that’s flavorful, moist, and holiday-worthy. Whether it’s your first time hosting or you’re just looking to simplify your Thanksgiving routine, this method is definitely worth trying. Once you taste it, there’s no going back.
Air Fryer Turkey
If you’ve ever dreamed of frying a whole turkey but didn’t want to mess with gallons of oil or risk turning your backyard into a fire zone, air frying is your answer.
Ingredients
- 15–20 lb turkey
- 3/4 cup softened butter (1.5 sticks)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Thaw the turkey completely following the instructions on the packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from inside.
- In a bowl, mix the softened butter with the thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Use your hands to gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast and legs. Be careful not to tear it—this step is important for locking in moisture.
- You’re making space to rub the butter under the skin. Use about one stick of butter under the skin and spread the rest over the outside. Season the outside of the turkey with extra salt and pepper.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Insert the stand into the turkey’s cavity and place the turkey on the frying basket. Carefully lower it into the air fryer.
- Cook the turkey for 8 to 10 minutes per pound.
- Once the internal temperature hits 165°F, take the turkey out of the fryer using oven mitts and the hook tool that comes with your air fryer.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
- Carve and enjoy!
Notes
- A good rule of thumb when air frying a turkey is to allow about 8 to 10 minutes per pound.
- If you're cooking outdoors in colder weather, expect it to take a little longer. For example, a 15 lb turkey cooked on a mild 65–70°F day took just over 2 hours.
- Don’t put a frozen turkey straight into the air fryer.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 108692Total Fat 4257gSaturated Fat 1245gTrans Fat 58gUnsaturated Fat 2742gCholesterol 62656mgSodium 59295mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 16404g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
