The main reason why air fryers are hotter is that they are healthier, which is why no family can cook without them. However, there are more categories of air fryers on the market, and many people are at a loss as to what kind of air fryer to choose, so in this review, we find you the air fryer that best meets your cooking needs.
Why Choose an Air Fryer for Cooking Turkey?
Cooking a turkey in an air fryer is a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify their holiday meal prep while still delivering a juicy, crispy-skinned bird. Air fryers use rapid hot air circulation to mimic deep frying without the mess or health concerns of excessive oil, making them ideal for smaller gatherings or those avoiding traditional frying methods. They’re also faster than conventional ovens, often cutting cooking time by up to 30%, and their compact size fits perfectly on countertops without overwhelming your kitchen. For 2025, air fryers have evolved with larger capacities and versatile functions, allowing you to roast a whole turkey or prepare turkey parts like drumsticks and wings with ease. Whether you’re hosting a cozy Thanksgiving or craving turkey year-round, the right air fryer can elevate your culinary game.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying an Air Fryer for Turkey
Before diving into our top picks, let’s break down what makes an air fryer suitable for cooking turkey. These factors will guide you to the perfect model for your needs:
- Capacity: Turkeys, even small ones, require significant space. Look for air fryers with at least 6 quarts of capacity for turkey breasts or parts, or 10+ quarts for whole birds up to 12-16 pounds. Larger models, like air fryer toaster ovens, can handle bigger turkeys but take up more counter space.
- Power and Temperature Range: A powerful air fryer (1500-1800 watts) ensures even cooking and crispy skin. Models with a temperature range up to 400°F or higher are ideal for achieving that golden-brown exterior.
- Versatility: Many air fryers offer functions like roasting, baking, dehydrating, and broiling. For turkey, presets for roasting or air frying are handy, and dual-basket models let you cook sides simultaneously.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe components save time, especially after handling greasy turkey drippings. Avoid models with hard-to-clean crevices.
- Safety Features: Look for auto-shutoff, cool-touch handles, and stable designs to prevent accidents when handling heavy turkeys.
- Price vs. Value: Air fryers range from $70 to $ models work for occasional use, but premium options offer durability and advanced features for frequent cooks.
With these considerations in mind, we’ve tested and researched the best air fryers for turkey in 2025, focusing on performance, user feedback, and suitability for holiday feasts. Here are our top six recommendations.
Best Air Fryers for Cooking Turkey in 2025
Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Convection Toaster Oven
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro is a powerhouse for turkey lovers, boasting a massive 26-quart capacity that can handle a 12-pound turkey with room for sides. Its 10-in-1 functionality includes air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen. During testing, it delivered a perfectly crispy-skinned turkey breast in just 75 minutes, thanks to its 1800-watt power and precise temperature control. The large window and interior light let you monitor progress without opening the door, preserving heat. Cleanup is a breeze with dishwasher-safe racks and a removable crumb tray.
Pros: Huge capacity, fast cooking, intuitive controls, excellent for large families.
Cons: Takes up significant counter space, pricey for casual users.
User Review: “I cooked a 10-pound turkey for Thanksgiving, and it was the juiciest I’ve ever made! The skin was crispy, and I didn’t have to babysit it like with my oven.” – Amazon Customer
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus is our top pick for smaller households or those cooking turkey parts like drumsticks or wings. Its 6-quart square basket fits a 4-pound turkey breast comfortably, and the 1700-watt motor ensures even crisping. We loved the clear cooking window, which lets you check on your turkey without losing heat. The intuitive digital controls offer six presets, including air fry and roast, and the nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe. In tests, it cooked turkey wings to golden perfection in 25 minutes.
Pros: Compact, user-friendly, fast cooking, great value.
Cons: Too small for whole turkeys, limited capacity for sides.
User Review: “This air fryer is a lifesaver for weeknight meals. I made turkey drumsticks, and they came out crispy and juicy with zero hassle.” – Amazon Customer
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
For those who want a premium air fryer with oven-like capabilities, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is unbeatable. With a interior, it can roast a 14-pound turkey, making it ideal for holiday feasts. Its 13 preset functions include air frying, roasting, and proofing dough, and the dual-level racks allow for cooking multiple dishes at once. The stainless steel construction feels durable, and the bright LCD display is easy to navigate. Our test turkey came out with a beautifully bronzed skin and tender meat after 90 minutes at 375°F.
Pros: Large capacity, versatile, high-quality build, even cooking.
Cons: Expensive, requires ample counter space.
User Review: “This is my go-to for everything from turkey to cookies. It’s like having a second oven, and the air fry function is phenomenal.” – Amazon Customer
Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a fantastic mid-range option for turkey enthusiasts. Its capacity handles up to a 10-pound turkey or multiple turkey cutlets. With 1800 watts and seven functions (air fry, grill, bake, etc.), it’s versatile enough for daily use. We found it excelled at cooking turkey thighs, delivering crispy skin and moist meat in under 40 minutes. The manual controls are straightforward, and the stainless steel interior wipes clean easily.
Pros: Affordable for its size, reliable performance, easy to use.
Cons: No digital display, smaller than some competitors.
User Review: “I used this to make a turkey breast for Christmas, and it was so easy! The air fryer function works better than I expected.” – Amazon Customer
Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi DualZone is perfect for multitasking, with two 4-quart baskets that let you cook a turkey breast in one and sides like roasted vegetables in the other. Its 8-quart total capacity and 1690-watt power handle up to a 6-pound turkey breast. The “Smart Finish” feature syncs cooking times so everything’s ready simultaneously. In our tests, a 5-pound turkey breast cooked in 60 minutes with crisp skin and juicy meat. The baskets are nonstick and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Pros: Dual baskets, sync cooking, great for sides, compact design.
Cons: Not ideal for whole turkeys, baskets are narrow.
User Review: “I love cooking turkey wings in one basket and fries in the other. Everything comes out perfect, and it saves so much time!” – Amazon Customer
Brown for Target 8 Qt. Digital Air Fryer
If you’re after a budget-friendly option with enough room for a small turkey, the Tabitha Brown for Target 8 Qt. Air Fryer delivers. Its 7-quart usable capacity fits a 6-pound turkey breast or multiple drumsticks, and the 1700-watt motor crisps food evenly. The viewing window and digital controls make it user-friendly, while settings for dehydrating and keeping food warm add versatility. We cooked turkey cutlets in 30 minutes, achieving a crunchy exterior without drying out the meat.
Pros: Affordable, decent capacity, easy to clean, stylish design.
Cons: Slightly noisy, not suited for large turkeys.
User Review: “This air fryer is so cute and works great! I made turkey thighs, and they were crispy and delicious.” – Target Customer
How did we test air fryers?
In order to find the best air fryer, our team of 8 people conducted real tests on different price points, sizes, brands, performance, intelligence and practicality. We bought air fryers from all major platforms, including the official ones, and tested them in our lab for 3 weeks, while our team also tested and evaluated them in our own homes.
We cooked different ingredients to evaluate the crispiness, cooking uniformity and overall texture. We also evaluated how much food each air fryer can handle to see if it is suitable for a large family. In addition to our own evaluation of these air fryers, we also referred to third-party authoritative platforms, the data of their tests, and made comparisons against the data of our tests, and finally selected the above high-quality air fryers.
You can also use the selection tool we built to help you recommend the air fryer that’s right for you:
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Air Fryer for Turkey
Selecting the right air fryer for turkey involves balancing your cooking needs with practical features. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision:
Size and Capacity
Air fryer capacity is measured in quarts or cubic feet. For turkey, consider:
- Small Households (1-3 people): A 4-6 quart air fryer, like the Instant Vortex Plus, is perfect for turkey breasts or parts.
- Medium Families (4-6 people): An 8-10 quart model, such as the Ninja Foodi DualZone, handles larger cuts or small whole turkeys.
- Large Gatherings (6+ people): Opt for a toaster oven-style air fryer with cubic feet, like the Breville Smart Oven, for whole turkeys up to 14 pounds.
Check the internal dimensions, as some “large” air fryers have narrow baskets that limit turkey size. For whole birds, ensure the fryer can accommodate a roasting pan or rack.
Cooking Performance
A high-wattage air fryer (1500+ watts) ensures consistent heat for crispy skin. Look for models with strong airflow and a wide temperature range (up to 400°F or more). Presets for roasting or air frying simplify turkey prep, while dual-zone models let you cook sides simultaneously. For even cooking, choose air fryers with square or wide baskets to prevent overcrowding.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Digital controls with clear displays, like those on the Ninja Foodi XL Pro, make programming easy. Viewing windows and interior lights are handy for monitoring turkey without opening the fryer. Nonstick surfaces and dishwasher-safe parts reduce cleanup time, which is crucial after handling turkey grease. Avoid models with flimsy trays that fall out when emptying.
Safety and Durability
Cooking a heavy turkey requires a sturdy air fryer. Look for models with cool-touch handles, nonslip feet, and auto-shutoff features. Stainless steel or ceramic-coated interiors, like those in the Ninja Pro 4-in-1, are durable and safer for health-conscious cooks. Check warranty details—most top models offer at least a one-year guarantee.
Budget Considerations
Air fryers for turkey range from $70 (Tabitha Brown model) to $300 (Breville Smart Oven). Budget models are great for occasional use, but investing in a mid-range or premium option ensures longevity and better performance. Look for sales on sites like Amazon or Target to snag deals on top brands like Ninja or Instant.
Additional Features
Some air fryers offer extras that enhance turkey cooking:
- Dual Baskets: Cook turkey and sides separately, as with the Ninja Foodi DualZone.
- Rotisserie Function: Rotates the turkey for even cooking, found in some toaster oven models.
- Smart Features: Wi-Fi-enabled air fryers let you control settings via an app, though these are pricier.
Consider whether these features align with your cooking style or if a simpler model suffices.
Tips for Cooking Turkey in an Air Fryer
To get the most out of your air fryer, follow these expert tips for perfect turkey:
- Prep the Turkey: Pat the turkey dry and season generously with oil, salt, and herbs for crispy skin. Truss whole birds to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Leave space around the turkey for air circulation. Cook in batches if preparing multiple parts.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure the turkey reaches 165°F internally, as recommended by the USDA.
- Flip or Rotate: For even browning, flip turkey parts halfway through or rotate whole birds if your fryer lacks a rotisserie.
- Rest Before Carving: Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes to lock in juices.
Experiment with recipes like herb-rubbed turkey breast or spicy turkey wings to make the most of your air fryer’s versatility.
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Summarize:
Choosing the right air fryer for your family is important, you need to know your kitchen space, budget, family size, and whether the smart features work well. The air fryers we have reviewed above have been evaluated by our team after 3 weeks of real-life use for different family sizes, features, and types, and you can be assured of their performance and quality. If you have any questions, you can contact us in the comment section.
