Chef Stephen Coe’s Air Fryer Turkey Recipe and All the Fixings

Thanksgiving and turkey go hand in hand, especially if you’re looking for a flavor-packed, lighter feast. And one of the most underrated ways to prepare your bird is with an air fryer. Not sure if you’re up to the challenge? Rest easy, Stephen Coe, owner of The Restaurant for early risers in Kingston, Massachusetts, four-time Chopped champion and winner of Best Food Truck in New England is here to show us how it’s done!

When we asked the celebrity chef, known for beating Bobby Flay in a cooking match (and who has a TV show), Dangerous eating, airing in 2024), if cooking a turkey in an air fryer was considered Thanksgiving-worthy, he left us in no doubt that it was possible: Absolutely! “Cooking a whole turkey in an air fryer can be a convenient and delicious way to prepare this classic dish.” Even better? Coe says you don’t have to be a culinary expert, or even a cooking expert, to have a successful Thanksgiving this year.

Plus, isn’t the goal of a Thanksgiving turkey to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside? Using an air fryer rather than a conventional oven makes it easier to achieve this texture profile.

With that, Chef Coe shares his epic protein-packed air fryer turkey recipe with clean gravy and of course, cranberry sauce!

Air Fryer Basics

How to choose your air fryer

There are many sturdy tabletop air fryers, from Ninja, Emeril, fryer, And Bréville versions. When you want to cook a large turkey, he recommends using Master Build or one Grill over charcoal. “They have the same appeal as if you were frying a whole turkey in oil and are a safe, cleaner outlet while retaining moisture.”

However, if you don’t want to upgrade your air fryer, but still want to enjoy air fried turkey, Chef Coe has you covered.

For those who may not want to purchase a larger air fryer to cook a large turkey, Chef Coe has a delicious stuffed turkey breast recipe that will keep vacationers coming back for me!

Air Fryer Cooking and Cleaning Tip:

If you are hosting this year, it may be a good idea to do a “test run” before Thanksgiving Day. This will allow you to become familiar with this cooking process and make any necessary adjustments. Watching videos on this topic is another option to familiarize yourself with this cooking method.

Keep your air fryer in good condition by cleaning it directly after use.

Now go enjoy your delicious air fried turkey!

Whole Air Fryer Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (10-12 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 tablespoon of dry sage
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, fresh herbs can also be used.

Optional: herbs, citrus slices (like lemon or orange) for flavoring

Instructions:

1. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity).
2. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey, making sure to coat it evenly.
3. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture all over the turkey, making sure it is evenly distributed.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) to preheat for a few minutes.
5. Carefully place the turkey in the air fryer basket, breast side down.
6. Cook turkey at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30 minutes per pound. For example, if you have a 10-pound turkey, cook it for about 5 hours.
7. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (80°C) in the thigh.
8. Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey from the fryer and let it rest for about 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
9. Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Good to know: Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer. It is therefore important to monitor the turkey’s progress and consult the manual for any further questions.

Stuffed Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless turkey breast (about 2 pounds)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the stuffing of your choice. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan, chopped herbs and melted butter. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Butterflied the turkey breast by laying it flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut horizontally down the middle of the turkey breast, but not all the way through, creating a pocket for the stuffing. Make sure you don’t cut all the way to the edges.
4. Season the inside of the turkey breast with salt and pepper. Next, carefully stuff the pocket with the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure it is evenly distributed.
5. Roll and tie the turkey starting at one end, rolling up the turkey breast keeping the stuffing inside. Use kitchen twine to tie it securely at even intervals, approximately every inch or so.
6. Place the turkey breast in the preheated air fryer and roast for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove the turkey from the fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.
8. Cut the stuffed turkey breast into rounds and serve with your favorite side dishes.

You can use this recipe with adjusted quantities if you want to stuff a whole turkey.

Enjoy your delicious stuffed turkey breast!

And now for the sauce: don’t worry, it’s clean! (And delicious)

Clean sauce (gluten-free)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 beef stock cube, or 1 teaspoon better than stock
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Add chicken broth, beef broth, beef stock, onion and garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
2. Mix cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl.
3. Bring the sauce to a boil. Stir in cornstarch mixture. Decrease to medium-low. Continue whisking to make sure the mixture comes together well.
4. Allow to simmer gently until desired thickness is achieved. The longer it cooks, the more concentrated the flavor will be.
5. Remove from fire. Stir in a tablespoon of cold butter just before serving. This adds a silky, velvety finish.

Last but not least; Cranberry sauce

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water
• ½ cup fresh orange juice, from two oranges
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries (do not use dried)
• Zest of one orange, about 2 teaspoons
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring water, orange juice and sugar to a boil.
2. Add the cranberries, orange zest and salt and return to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until most of the cranberries have burst.
4. Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.