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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Crown

    Published: Nov 18, 2022 · Modified: Mar 11, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Air fryer turkey crown pin image.

    This moist and juicy air fryer turkey crown is super easy to make and serves 4 people (with leftovers!), making it a delicious centre-piece for a smaller Christmas lunch. Best of all, it's ready in 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 whilst the turkey is resting!).

    Air fryer turkey crown on a platter with roast potatoes and parnsips.

    A 1.5kg turkey crown is the perfect size for feeding 4 hungry people, or 6 with smaller appetites! All major supermarkets and most butchers now stock small turkey crowns - you might need to look in the freezer section if you can't see a fresh one.

    If you can't find a turkey crown, have a look for a bone-in turkey breast instead.

    Air frying the turkey crown means there is no slaving over a hot oven for hours on Christmas Day, so there is plenty of time for opening presents, popping to the pub for a Christmas drink, or going on a cold winter walk!

    The turkey meat is juicy, moist, and meltingly tender!

    Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!

    👩‍🍳 Love turkey at Christmas? Try my easy slow cooker turkey crown!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • What is an air fryer?
    • 🔪 How to air fry a turkey crown
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ 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

    Ingredients for air fryer turkey crown.

    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.

    🥄 Equipment

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!

    What is an air fryer?

    Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.

    The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven (saving energy), and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.

    🔪 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 74C (165F). Start checking after 15 minutes!

    Four: Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes before carving.

    Step by step photo instructions for air frying a turkey crown.

    💭 Expert 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 74C (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 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, air fryeor leftover turkey pasta bake!

    Cooked and sliced turkey breast can also be used in sandwiches, air fryer turkey toasties, and salads.

    Air fryer turkey crown with Brussels sprouts and roast potatoes.

    📖 Variations

    • 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!
    • Remove the turkey skin before air frying to reduce the calories.
    • 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.

    Juicy air fryer turkey crown with roast potatoes and pigs in blankets.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    How long should I rest a turkey crown before carving?

    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.

    Is turkey crown a good idea?

    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.

    Do I need to cover the turkey crown in foil when air frying 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.

    😋 More air fryer recipes

    • Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones Recipe
    • Best Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Apple Crumble Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Flapjacks Recipe
    Air fryer turkey crown on a white platter with all the trimmings.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer turkey crown with roast potatoes and parsnips.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Crown

    This moist and juicy air fryer turkey crown is super easy to make, and serves up to 4 people (with leftovers!), making it a delicious centre-piece for a smaller Christmas lunch. Best of all, it's ready in under 50 minutes!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fryer turkey crown, turkey crown in air fryer
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 394kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 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 (350F).
    • 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 74C (165F). Start checking after 15 minutes in case it is ready earlier.
    • Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes before carving.

    Notes

    Expert 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 74C (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. 
     
    Variations:
    • 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!
     
    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.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Air Fryer Turkey Crown
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    394
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    192
    mg
    64
    %
    Sodium
     
    880
    mg
    38
    %
    Potassium
     
    665
    mg
    19
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    58
    g
    116
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    223
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    18
    mg
    22
    %
    Calcium
     
    47
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nikki

      November 18, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is a perfect Turkey for a small gathering or dinner for two.

      Reply
    2. Vicky

      November 18, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    3. Tayler

      November 18, 2022 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      I've been looking for ways to save on oven space for Thanksgiving, and this recipe is my solution! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie

      November 18, 2022 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    5. Kristen

      November 18, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this recipe! Will definitely make it again!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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