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Air Fryer Duck can be a perfect holiday meal or special occasion dinner. This roasted duck is made with our favorite seasonings, and is just dripping in flavor.
I usually make roasted duck in the oven but of course had to try this in the air fryer. The duck was done in no time, and was so juicy and full of flavor.
I was excited to try an air-fried version of our favorite dishes. This duck recipe makes the ideal roast duck dinner, without having the gamey taste of traditional roasted duck.
Looking for air fryer Christmas recipes? Try air fryer reindeer chow, air fryer cranberry brie bites, or these air fryer Christmas brownie mix cookies.
If you are looking for other delicious recipes using poultry, you will love our Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
Find this recipe along with over 35 others for the ULTIMATE list of Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes and Christmas Recipes.
What you need to make this Duck
I made this duck in my Cosori Air Fryer, and it was just over three and a half pounds. Just be sure that the duck size you get can fit in your basket or air fryer. I also highly recommend you use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your duck.
Besides an air fryer, the ingredients you will need to make this duck are:
- Duck
- Olive oil
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh Rosemary
- Minced or pressed garlic
- Salt
- Black Pepper
How to make Duck in the Air Fryer
I started with a frozen duck, and let it defrost in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Once the duck is thawed, remove the neck and any giblets that may be inside the duck. Rinse, and pat dry with paper towels. Let the duck sit until the seasonings are ready.
In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the seasonings together. Next, lightly brush olive oil all over the duck and then coat with the seasonings.
Once the duck is seasoned, transfer it breast side up, to the air fryer basket and air fry for at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, 45-55 minutes. Do not tie the legs during the cooking process, as they need to move freely so the juices and fat can drain from the duck.
The duck should have an internal temperature of 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the duck breast. Once that temperature is reached, let the duck rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
FAQs
What does duck taste like?
Duck lovers in my family will say it tastes like a turkey, with more dark meat. Duck is just one of those delicious meats that is the perfect alternative to chicken, you have to try for yourself.
What sauces can I serve with duck?
If you love our Air Fryer Lamb Chops, you will be very happy with our choice of seasoning for this dish. If you want to try different flavors, you can use an orange sauce, plum sauce, or even your favorite wing sauce.
What goes well with duck?
A few delicious and easy side dish ideas would be to serve your duck with a bowl of Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus, or Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes.
How many pounds of duck do I need to feed 4 people?
The USDA suggests to figure about one to one and half pounds of uncooked duck per person. An actual serving size of cooked duck meat should be 3.5-4 ounces.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:
Air Fryer Duck
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 whole duck, 3-4 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
Instructions
- If starting with a frozen duck, let it defrost in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Once the duck is thawed, remove the neck and any giblets that may be inside the duck. Rinse, and pat dry with paper towels. Let the duck sit until the seasonings are ready.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the seasonings together. Lightly brush the olive oil all over the duck and then coat with the seasonings.
- Transfer the duck, breast side up, to the air fryer basket and air fry for at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, 45-55 minutes.
- Do not tie the legs during the cooking process, as they need to move freely so the juices and fat can drain from the duck.
- The duck should have an internal temperature of 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the duck breast.
- Once that temperature is reached, let the duck rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi I like your air fryer duck recipe! But my duck is too big, so I cut it down to the breast, thighs. I think I need to airfry these different parts separately? Please tell me how to adjust your recipe. Thank you so much!
Hi Minlin. I would think you could air fry them separately. If you have an instant read meat thermometer, just check the internal temp in the thickest part of the thigh/breast as you make them. And my last duck had a LOT of natural grease-as ducks usually do- so I drained it once or twice during air frying to help prevent the air fryer from smoking. Let me know how it goes!
Most duck recipes has you piercing the skin so the fat can render out. Do you recommend this?
I didn’t, and the fat didn’t seem to have any problems draining, but you absolutely can pierce it. Because duck has so much fat, I did drain it a couple of times during the air frying process to prevent it smoking.
I tried this out and even after 55 minutes several parts of the duck registered at only 130 degrees. And the duck was thawed all the way through. It might have happened because the cavity had liquid collect in it – maybe this would work better breast side down.