Air fryer duck breast is perfectly cooked, with juicy meat and crispy skin, and it is ready fast! And it’s so easy even a beginner cook can make it. No fancy techniques or no special equipment are needed. Just season your duck, pop it in the air fryer, and let the magic happen.
Duck can seem intimidating as if it is fancy restaurant food. It’s something you order on a special occasion, not something you make at home on a random weeknight. But with an air fryer, you can have perfectly cooked, crispy-skinned duck breast on the table in under 30 minutes.
The high heat and circulating air create the perfect conditions for rendering out the fat and crisping up the skin, all while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside. This recipe is ideal for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.
It’s also an excellent option for entertaining guests, as it’s impressive and easy to prepare. With its rich flavor and tender texture, air-fried duck breast will surely be a hit.
So, if you’re ready to up your dinner game and impress the heck out of everyone you know, keep reading. In this post, we’ll walk through the simple steps for making the most delicious air fryer duck breast you’ve ever tasted.
Looking for more easy weeknight dinner ideas? Try air fryer lollipop drumsticks, air fryer stuffed peppers, or air fryer chimichangas.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Duck breast
- Thyme
- Salt
- Black pepper
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Duck
- Pat your duck dry with some paper towels. Use a sharp knife to score the skin of the duck breast in a diamond pattern. Try to slice only through the skin, not the meat.
- Season your duck generously on both sides with thyme, salt, and pepper (or whatever seasonings you’ve chosen).
- Place the duck in the air fryer basket, skin side up. This will help the skin get extra crispy.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
- To test for doneness, use a meat thermometer to verify the duck has reached 165 degrees F internally.
- Once your duck breast is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before carving. This will help the juices redistribute and make for a more tender and flavorful meat.
🍴Serving Ideas
Now you’ve got perfectly cooked air fryer duck! One of the great things about duck is that it’s versatile and pairs well with many flavors. Here are a few of my favorite serving ideas:
Serve it alongside some roasted potatoes and vegetables for a classic and comforting meal. I like to serve it with asparagus or Brussels sprouts.
Or slice it up and serve it over a bed of mixed greens for a delicious and healthy salad. Top it with some mandarin oranges and a tangy vinaigrette.
💭How to Store
Place leftover duck in an airtight container or tightly wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help prevent air from getting in and drying out the meat.
Store the duck in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer than that, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to wrap it extra tightly to prevent freezer burn.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Pat the duck breast dry before seasoning it. If there is excess moisture, the skin will not become crispy.
- Switch up the seasoning. While thyme, salt, and pepper are classics, you can also try garlic powder, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
- Don’t rely on cooking time alone. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Duck is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Let the duck rest before slicing. This will help the juices redistribute and make for a more tender and flavorful duck.
- There will probably be a lot of duck fat in the bottom of the air fryer. You can keep it and use it to saute vegetables or roast potatoes. Strain it into a jar and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
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Air Fryer Duck Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 duck breast
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Using paper towels, gently pat the duck breast to remove excess moisture.1 duck breast
- With a sharp knife, carefully score the skin of the duck breast, creating a diamond pattern. Try to cut only through the skin, not the meat.
- Generously season both sides of the duck with a blend of thyme, salt, and pepper.1 teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Place the seasoned duck breast in the air fryer basket, keeping the skin side facing up.
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the duck for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The duck is ready when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After cooking, allow the duck breast to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Pat the duck breast dry before seasoning it. If there is excess moisture, the skin will not become crispy.
- Switch up the seasoning. While thyme, salt, and pepper are classics, you can also try garlic powder, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
- Don’t rely on cooking time alone. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Duck is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- There will probably be a lot of duck fat in the bottom of the air fryer. You can keep it and use it to saute vegetables or roast potatoes. Strain it into a jar and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
