Cooking a whole turkey can seem like an intimidating task. Many home cooks only roast a turkey once a year for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Understandably, no one wants to mess up the centerpiece of a holiday meal! The good news is that new countertop oil-less turkey fryers make it easy to cook a moist, flavorful turkey with crispy skin.
What is an Oil-Less Turkey Fryer?
An oil-less turkey fryer is a countertop electric appliance that cooks turkey using radiant heat It consists of an outer housing, a cooking pot, and a basket The housing contains electric heating elements that heat the air inside to temperatures up to 450°F. This circulating hot air cooks food very quickly and evenly.
Oil-less turkey fryers work on the same principle as traditional deep fryers but without all the oil. The turkey sits in the basket, which gets lowered into the hot cooking pot. The indirect heat from the super hot air crisps up the skin while keeping the meat very moist and juicy.
Popular brands of oil-less turkey fryers include the Char-Broil Big Easy and the Masterbuilt Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer.
Benefits of Using an Oil-Less Turkey Fryer
Cooking turkey in an oil-less fryer has many advantages over oven roasting:
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Juicy, tender meat – The indirect heat gently cooks the turkey from all sides, preventing it from drying out. The meat stays incredibly moist and tender.
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Crispy skin – The hot circulating air crisps up the skin beautifully. It gets crackling crisp without needing to deep fry in gallons of oil.
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Cooks quickly – Oil-less fryers can cook a turkey in about 8-10 minutes per pound, around half the time of oven roasting. A 14 lb turkey takes only 2 hours start to finish!
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Easy and safe – There’s no need to watch a pot of bubbling hot oil. The fryers have safety features and auto shut-off.
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Minimal cleanup – Without dealing with gallons of oil, cleanup is much easier. The cooking pot and basket just need a quick scrub.
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Smaller turkeys work – Oil-less fryers can easily accommodate turkeys up to 16 pounds. You don’t need an extra large bird.
Turkey Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for the best results when cooking turkey in an oil-less fryer:
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Choose the right size – Check your fryer’s manual, but turkeys up to 16 lbs usually work well. Larger birds may not fit or cook evenly.
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Thaw completely – Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking. Cold spots lead to uneven cooking.
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Dry the skin – Pat the turkey skin very dry inside and out with paper towels. Dry skin crisps up better.
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Season simply – Lightly coat the skin with oil or cooking spray. Season with just salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
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Use a thermometer – Cook until the thickest part of the breast and thigh reach 165°F.
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Let rest before carving – Rest turkey for 15-20 minutes once removed from the fryer for juicier meat.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for foolproof turkey cooked in an oil-less fryer:
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Thaw and Dry Turkey – Remove turkey from packaging and thaw completely in the refrigerator if frozen. Pat the skin and cavity very dry with paper towels.
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Season Turkey – Coat the skin lightly with oil or cooking spray. Season all over with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Tuck wing tips under.
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Preheat Fryer – Assemble fryer according to manual instructions. Attach propane tank if needed. Turn heat to high to preheat for at least 10 minutes.
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Add Turkey – Place seasoned turkey breast side up in fryer basket. Carefully lower basket into preheated cooking pot.
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Cook Turkey – Cook for 8-10 minutes per pound, until breast and thigh reach 165°F. If browning is needed, place mesh lid on for last 15 minutes.
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Check Temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature in breast and thigh. Cook until 165°F.
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Remove and Rest – Carefully remove basket and turkey from fryer. Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juiciest meat.
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Carve and Serve – Carve turkey and serve immediately with desired side dishes. Enjoy your juicy, crispy fried turkey!
Oil-Less Turkey Fryer Tips and Tricks
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Brining is not necessary since oil-less frying keeps turkey very moist. But you can brine up to 24 hours for extra flavor.
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For ideal crisp skin, air dry turkey uncovered in fridge overnight after brining/seasoning.
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Cook stuffing separately to avoid undercooked centers. Cook inside turkey delays cooking.
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Use cooking spray on basket so turkey doesn’t stick. Carefully remove basket when done.
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Add broth, white wine or apple juice to bottom of cooking pot for extra flavor and moisture.
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Cook aromatics like onion, garlic, lemon, herbs in pot to perfume turkey.
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Use stock made from turkey wings, neck and giblets to make rich gravy.
Common Oil-Less Turkey Fryer FAQs
What size turkey can I cook?
Most oil-less fryers can accommodate 12-16 pound turkeys. Some brands have extenders for larger birds up to 20 lbs.
How long does it take to cook a turkey?
Cook 8-10 minutes per pound. A 12 lb turkey takes about 1 hr 15 minutes. Increase time as needed if cooking in very cold weather.
Do I need to inject or brine the turkey?
Oil-less frying keeps turkey very moist. Brining is optional for more flavor. Injecting is not necessary.
Can I get crispy skin without deep frying?
Yes, the hot circulating air crisps up the skin perfectly! Make sure skin is dried out well before cooking.
Is it safe to cook turkey indoors?
Yes, oil-less fryers are designed for safe indoor use. There’s no dangerous hot oil.
What oil can I use to coat the turkey?
Any neutral tasting oil works well. Vegetable, canola or olive oil are all good options.
How do I prevent turkey from sticking to the basket?
Lightly coat basket with nonstick spray before adding turkey. Be very careful when removing basket after cooking.
Get Started with Oil-Less Turkey Frying
Cooking turkey in an oil-less fryer is a foolproof method for a picture-perfect holiday bird. The circulating hot air locks in moisture while crisping up the skin. Oil-less frying is much quicker and easier than oven roasting.
The countertop appliances take the guesswork and stress out of cooking turkey. In just 2 hours or less, you can serve up tender, juicy meat with crispy, crackling skin. Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for sandwich making.
This Thanksgiving and Christmas, skip the messy deep frying and give oil-less turkey frying a try! Your family will be amazed at the moist, delicious turkey you can turn out with minimal effort.