Air frying is more popular than ever, and you may be wondering if you can use this method to roast your holiday turkey in your Samsung oven. The answer is yes! With an oven or range that has Air Fry mode, youll be able to crisp up your turkey in just a few hours on Thanksgiving morning. Air Fry mode will also save you tons of time, giving you a chance to work on all your other delicious side dishes, such as green beans, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
Air frying a turkey has become an increasingly popular way to cook the bird. It offers a healthier and faster alternative to deep frying or roasting. But when using an air fryer for a 20lb turkey, it’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure your turkey turns out moist, juicy and perfectly cooked.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to air fry a delicious 20lb turkey
Overview of Air Frying a Large Turkey
Air frying is a method that circulates hot air around the turkey to cook it evenly while producing beautifully browned crispy skin. The air frying process requires little to no oil resulting in a turkey with significantly fewer calories than deep frying.
Additionally, an air fryer can cook a turkey much faster than a traditional oven. While a 20lb turkey may take 5+ hours to roast, it can be air fried in only 3-4 hours.
To cook a whole 20lb bird, you need an air fryer large enough to fit it comfortably. Look for an air fryer with at least a 17 quart capacity and temperature settings up to 400°F. Many new models are designed to cook turkeys up to 20lbs.
How Long Does a 20lb Turkey Take in an Air Fryer?
When air frying turkey, the general recommended cooking time is 10-15 minutes per pound at 350°F.
For a 20lb turkey, this equals:
- 10 min/lb = 200 minutes (3 hrs 20 min)
- 15 min/lb = 300 minutes (5 hours)
So you can expect a total cook time between 3-5 hours for a 20lb bird. Always rely on a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying a 20lb Turkey
Follow these steps for best results when air frying a large 20lb turkey:
1. Thaw the Turkey Completely
- Remove frozen turkey from packaging and thaw in the refrigerator 1-2 days for every 5lbs.
- Thawing at room temp can cause bacterial growth.
2. Remove the Giblets
- Check both neck and body cavities for the bag of giblets/neck.
- Remove and use for gravy or discard.
3. Pat the Turkey Dry
- Blot turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Excess moisture leads to steaming vs. crispy skin.
4. Tuck the Wings Under
- Fold wing tips under body to prevent burning.
5. Truss the Turkey
- Use kitchen string or silicone bands to secure legs together.
- Trussing compacts the bird for even cooking.
6. Rub Oil and Seasonings Under and Over Skin
- Coat in olive oil or melted butter first.
- Generously season under skin and in cavities with salt, pepper and herbs.
7. Insert the Stand into Cavity
- Use the provided stand to hold turkey upright in basket.
8. Preheat and Cook Turkey
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Cook 10-15 minutes per lb, until 165°F internal temp.
9. Check Internal Temp
- In thickest part of breast and thigh with meat thermometer.
10. Let Turkey Rest
- Allow to rest 15 minutes before carving for juiciest meat.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Turkey
- Brining is unnecessary and may cause over-salting.
- Do not stuff turkey, cook stuffing separately.
- Baste with broth during cooking for extra moisture.
- Tent with foil if skin browns too fast.
- Add drip pan to catch juices for gravy.
- Cook frozen turkey parts like breast, legs separately.
- Ensure air fryer is fully preheated before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put stuffing in an air fried turkey?
No, stuffing requires much longer cook time. Cook it separately for best results.
Should you brine a turkey before air frying?
Brining is not needed since air frying keeps turkey moist. It can also cause over-salting.
How long does a 20lb turkey take in an air fryer?
About 10-15 minutes per pound, so 200-300 minutes (3-5 hours) at 350°F for a 20lb turkey.
What temperature do you cook turkey in an air fryer?
350°F is the best temperature to air fry turkey. It allows gradual cooking while crisping the skin.
Should you flip a turkey in an air fryer?
Flipping is unnecessary since the circulating air cooks it evenly on all sides.
Can you cook a whole 20lb turkey in an air fryer?
Yes, provided the turkey fits comfortably in the specific model you have. Look for ≥17 quart capacity.
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey Every Time
By following these simple air fryer guidelines for time, temperature, prep, and technique, you’ll achieve tender, juicy turkey with crispy browned skin every time.
The keys are allowing ample time for the large bird to cook through fully while monitoring the temperature in multiple spots. Let your seasoned 20lb turkey air fry at 350°F approximately 3-4 hours until the thickest section of breast hits 165°F internally.
Then let the turkey rest before slicing into it for the most flavorful and moist meat possible. Air frying makes cooking an impressively large turkey simpler and faster than ever.
Cook your turkey with Air Fry mode
Note: Preheating your oven is not necessary when using Air Fry mode. To check if your oven has this feature, please consult your user manual.
To begin cooking your turkey, you’ll need an Air Fry tray. Some models come with one included, however some models include the Air Fry feature but sell the tray separately. Youll also need a baking sheet, which will catch any drippings from your turkey.
You should also calculate how long it will take to cook your turkey using this method: the estimated cook time is around 8-10 minutes per pound. So, a 20-pound turkey will take around 3 hours to cook using Air Fry mode.
- Place your turkey directly on the Air Fry tray, using rack position 3 (the third rack position from the bottom of the oven). If your turkey is very large, you can use a lower rack position. Note: For models with twin cooking, single oven mode is required for Air Fry mode.
- Place your baking sheet on the rack just below the Air Fry tray to catch the drippings. Feel free to use these to baste your bird while air frying. You can also save some drippings to make the perfect gravy for some mashed potatoes!
- Use the dial knob to select Air Fry mode, and then set the temperature. Air Fry mode supports temperatures between 350-500°F.
- If desired, set the oven to Cook Time so it stops at a specific time. Or, tap START and push the knob to begin cooking.
- Keep an eye on your turkey as it cooks. When cooking is complete, tap OFF. Carefully remove your turkey using oven mitts.
- When you’re finished enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, make sure to clean your Air Fry tray so it’s ready for more holiday cooking.
Prepare your turkey and oven
Preparing your turkey for air frying is a little different from using other cooking methods, such as oven roasting. Read below for our air frying tips:
- For an extra flavorful turkey, brine it in advance. There are wet or dry brining methods, so browse some recipes and decide which works best for you.
- If you want to bake the stuffing inside the turkey, dont put the stuffing in the cavity until right before the bird goes in the oven. This will help avoid bacteria growth.
- Check if your oven is large enough to accommodate your turkey. You can test this out by placing the turkey in your oven before cooking, or by checking the ovens dimensions and cubic feet in your user manual. You can also find your ovens cubic feet using the our website.
- Do you have a turkey injector? Use it! If you dont, regular basting will help keep the turkey nice and juicy too. Be sure to save some of the drippings that collect in the pan to make a delicious gravy.