A turkey crown is an excellent option for those hosting a smaller Christmas feast, serving 4-6 people. It’s far more manageable than cooking a whole turkey, and with less bone and waste. It provides more edible meat, making it an ideal choice for a cozy holiday dinner. If you’re looking to streamline your Christmas cooking, cooking a turkey crown in the air-fryer is a game-changer, offering a quicker and more efficient method compared to the traditional oven. The air-fryer not only cuts down cooking time but also produces a turkey crown that’s perfectly juicy on the inside with a wonderfully crispy skin on the outside.
Using the air-fryer for a medium or small turkey crown is an excellent way to save both time and money during the festive season. It reduces the long hours typically spent in front of a hot oven, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your meal or to simply relax and enjoy the holiday. Additionally, the air fryer helps ensure the turkey cooks evenly, without drying out, and it retains more of its natural juices, resulting in a tender, tasty roast.
This air fryer turkey crown recipe is perfect for a stress-free holiday meal. The 1.5kg turkey crown fits comfortably into most air fryer baskets. The cooking process is easy and straightforward, with the option to stuff the turkey for even more flavour. You’ll enjoy a beautifully golden, crispy skin, and juicy meat that’s sure to impress your guests. With this air fryer hack, you’ll have a festive turkey dinner ready in a fraction of the time, leaving you with more time to enjoy the company of your loved ones.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 50-60 minutes
SERVES 4 to 6 people
KIT you will need an air fryer, silicone mould and kitchen roll
Ingredients for air fryer turkey crown
1.5kg turkey crown (making sure it will fit into your air fryer)
1 teaspoon of vegetable oil
A clementine, halved
1 small brown onion, peeled and halved
2 or 3 garlic cloves, peeled
Seasoning
Method
Start by setting your air-fryer to preheat at 180°C. While it’s heating, take your turkey crown out of the fridge and pat it dry thoroughly with kitchen roll. This helps the skin crisp up nicely during cooking. Take a peeled clementine, half an onion, and a few cloves of garlic and place them into the cavity of the turkey crown. These aromatics will infuse the meat with subtle flavour as it cooks. If the cavity is too small, simply use half the amount or tuck them around the sides in your tray.
Next, rub the turkey skin all over with a little vegetable oil. This will encourage a golden, crispy finish. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavours of the meat.
Place the turkey crown breast-side down into the air-fryer drawer. I recommend using a silicone mould or a disposable foil tray. This not only helps retain the delicious cooking juices for later but also makes cleaning up much easier. Cook the turkey for 30 minutes, then carefully turn it breast-side up.
Continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and the juices run clear. If you have a meat thermometer, check that the thickest part of the crown reaches an internal temperature of at least 65°C for safely cooked poultry.
Once cooked, remove the crown from the air-fryer and rest it for 5-10 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, making the meat tender and easier to carve. Serve with your favourite festive sides.
My favourite sides to serve with this are air fryer pigs in blankets my air fryer cauliflower cheese my air fryer Yorkshire pudding and of course no Christmas dinner would be complete without air fried roast potatoes and plenty of thick gravy.
Tips for Air Fryer Turkey Crown
1. Choose the right size turkey crown
Ensure your turkey crown fits comfortably in the air fryer basket. Turkey crowns are great for smaller gatherings and, if needed, can be cooked in batches.
2. Season generously
Rub the turkey crown with olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage. For extra flavour, you can rub some seasoning under the skin.
3. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3 minutes. This ensures even cooking right from the start.
4. Consider using a trivet
If your air fryer has a trivet or rack, place the turkey crown on it. This allows air to circulate and helps achieve crispy skin.
5. Oil the turkey crown
Brush the turkey crown with a thin layer of oil or melted butter. This will help crisp up the skin and lock in moisture.
6. Air fry at the right temperature
Cook the turkey crown at 180°C (350°F) for about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on its size. Always check for doneness.
7. Use a meat thermometer
Check that the turkey’s internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) at the thickest part to ensure it’s fully cooked.
8. Let it rest
Allow the turkey to rest for around 10 to 15 minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute for a more tender, juicy result.
9. Serve with sides
Pair the turkey crown with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or stuffing for a complete meal.
Similar recipes
If you love this easy turkey crown then you will like my delicious air fryer pork shoulder that I cooked o Channel 5 TV, my air fryer roast gammon joint or the air fryer roast pork recipe from my ONE BASKET MEALS cookbook.
Or if you are still looking for more air fryer inspiration, then visit my Amazon shop front to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.
Or check out my brand new Club App, with exclusive calorie-counted recipes added weekly, customisable meal plans, printable shopping lists and many many more useful features to make all your meal prepping so much easier!