This succulent and juicy air fryer turkey crown is incredibly easy to prepare and makes the perfect centerpiece for a smaller Christmas feast, serving 4 people with plenty of leftovers. Best of all, it's ready in just under 50 minutes!
Serve the air fryer turkey with easy air fryer roast potatoes, and air fryer stuffing balls (both of which can be cooked while the turkey is resting).
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A 1.5kg turkey crown is the ideal size to satisfy 4 people or up to 6 with lighter appetites. You can easily find smaller turkey crowns in all major supermarkets and most butchers—check the freezer section if you don’t spot a fresh one.
If a turkey crown isn't available, a bone-in turkey breast makes a great alternative.
Cooking the turkey crown in an air fryer saves you from spending hours in front of a hot oven on Christmas Day, leaving more time for unwrapping gifts, enjoying a festive drink at the pub, or taking a brisk winter walk.
The result is turkey meat that's irresistibly juicy, moist, and tender,
👩🍳 Love turkey at Christmas? Try my easy slow cooker turkey crown!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Easy air fryer turkey recipe for a 1.5kg turkey crown.
- Frees up space in the oven.
- Perfect for Christmas Day and other festive holiday meals.
- Feeds 4-6 people.
- Ready in under 50 minutes.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Turkey Crown - a 1.5kg turkey crown fits perfectly in my air fryer. Make sure your turkey crown can fit in your air fryer basket!
Oil - vegetable oil is rubbed onto the skin to allow it to crisp up and become golden brown.
Salt - to sprinkle over the turkey for flavour.
Orange - cut into quarters, or use a couple of clementines.
Rosemary - fresh rosemary sprigs, or substitute with thyme.
Garlic Cloves - 3 unpeeled garlic cloves that have been lightly bashed with a knife.
🔪 How to air fry a turkey crown
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel then rub the oil and salt onto the breast.
Two: Place the turkey breast side down into the preheated air fryer and put the orange quarters, rosemary, and garlic cloves either inside the turkey cavity or around the outside of the turkey. Air fry for 30 minutes.
Three: Flip the turkey over with two forks and continue to air fry for a further 20 minutes until the juices run clear from the thickest part of the turkey and the internal temperature has reached 75 °C (165 °F). Start checking after 15 minutes.
Four: Allow the turkey to rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
Top Tips
- This recipe is for a 1.5kg turkey crown. If you have a 1.7kg turkey crown you will need to air fry for 1 hour. A 2kg turkey crown (or bone in turkey breast) will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. The most important thing is that it has reached 75°C (165F) internal temperature.
- It's important to thoroughly dry the turkey by soaking up excess moisture from the turkey skin with paper towels. This will allow the skin to crisp up and become a lovely golden brown colour.
- Allow the bird to rest to ensure the moisture distributes evenly around the meat after air frying, which ensures tender juicy turkey meat.
- If your turkey crown is becoming too brown, lightly cover it with a layer of foil. Foil is safe to use in an air fryer.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food regularly.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve the air fryer turkey crown for Christmas dinner with polenta roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, apricot stuffing, slow cooker red cabbage, honey roast parsnips and carrots, cheesy Brussels sprouts gratin, air fryer pigs in blankets, bread sauce, turkey gravy, and devils on horseback!
Leftover turkey can be used to make turkey curry, turkey fricassee, or leftover turkey pasta bake.
Cooked and sliced turkey breast can also be used in sandwiches, air fryer turkey toasties, and salads.
📖 Variations
- Lay streaky bacon or pancetta slices over the turkey breast once it has been flipped the right way up and air fry it for the last 20 minutes of cooking. This makes the turkey even more flavourful.
- Use different herbs to flavour the turkey. Sage and thyme would both work well.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of garlic powder over the turkey breast before cooking. You could even use other dry rubs such as fajita or cajun.
- Swap the oil for full-fat mayo.
- Sprinkle the cooked turkey with chilli flakes for a bit of heat.
- Air fry a whole chicken instead.
🥡 Storage
Store - Cooked turkey meat can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Reheat - Microwave with a little water or gravy to keep the meat moist.
Freeze - Allow the turkey to cool, then slice and freeze the meat for up to 3 months.
❓ Frequently asked questions
You should rest a turkey crown for at least 20 minutes before carving it to allow the moisture to redistribute throughout the bird, making the meat juicy and tender.
Turkey crown is a cheaper alternative to a whole turkey. If space in your oven is looking a little tight, you can air fry a small turkey crown instead of oven cooking it.
It depends how crispy you like the skin. Foil is completely safe to use in an air fryer so it's down to personal preference. I like my skin crispy so I don't bother with foil.
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Crown
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Turkey Crown cooking times for other size turkey crowns are in the notes section below
- 2 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 Orange quartered
- 3 Garlic Cloves skin on and bashed with a knife
- 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel then rub the oil and salt onto the breast.1.5 kg Turkey Crown, 2 teaspoon Vegetable Oil, 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- Place the turkey breast side down into the preheated air fryer and put the orange quarters, rosemary, and garlic cloves either inside the turkey cavity, or around the outside of the turkey. Air fry for 30 minutes.1 Orange, 3 Garlic Cloves, 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
- Flip the turkey over with two forks and continue to air fry for a further 20 minutes until the juices run clear from the thickest part of the turkey and the internal temperature has reached 75°C (165F). Start checking after 15 minutes in case it is ready earlier.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
- This recipe is for a 1.5kg turkey crown. If you have a 1.7kg turkey crown you will need to air fry for 1 hour. A 2kg turkey crown (or bone in turkey breast) will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. The most important thing is that it has reached 75°C (165F) internal temperature.
- It's important to thoroughly dry the turkey by soaking up excess moisture from the turkey skin with paper towels. This will allow the skin to crisp up and become a lovely golden brown colour.
- Allow the bird to rest to ensure the moisture distributes evenly
- around the meat after air frying, which ensures tender juicy turkey meat.
- If your turkey crown is become too brown, lightly cover with a layer of foil. Foil is safe to use in an air fryer.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food regularly.
- Lay streaky bacon or pancetta slices over the turkey breast once it has been flipped the right way up and air fryer for the last 20 minutes of cooking. This makes the turkey even more flavourful!
- Use different herbs to flavour the turkey. Sage and thyme would both work well.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of garlic powder over the turkey breast before cooking. You could even use other dry rubs such as fajita or cajun!
- Swap the oil for full-fat mayo!
⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐
With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!
Nikki
This is a perfect Turkey for a small gathering or dinner for two.
Vicky
I have never cooked a turkey in the air fryer before, but I love the idea of the speed and crispness of the skin. All that and moist and juicy turkey. Yes, please!
Tayler
I've been looking for ways to save on oven space for Thanksgiving, and this recipe is my solution! Thanks so much for sharing!
Stephanie
This is the perfect Thanksgiving option for my small family. There are only 3 of us this year, and we are struggling to find dinner choices that aren't going to be too much!
Kristen
My family loved this recipe! Will definitely make it again!