Perfect Duck Breast in an Air Fryer

Cooking duck breast in an air fryer isn’t just easy—it might just be the best way to prepare this luxurious cut of meat. The air fryer offers a tender, juicy finish that’s hard to achieve in a regular oven, with minimal fuss involved.

Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven

This recipe specifically uses an air fryer, which you might already have on your kitchen counter. If you’re used to cooking with the convection mode on your built-in oven, I have a traditional duck breast recipe that uses that method, too.

Starting with a Skillet

A perfect air fryer duck breast begins in a skillet, which is essential for rendering the fat and crisping up the skin.

To start, score the duck breast skin every 1 inch (2 cm), taking care not to cut into the meat itself. Lay the duck breast skin-side down in a cold skillet, then crank up the heat to high.

Give it about 6 minutes in the skillet, then it’s ready to move to the air fryer. The magic of a perfect duck breast is all about the right cooking time and temperature.

Cooking Time and Temperature

It’s crucial to get both the skillet and air fryer temperatures just right. Start by placing the duck breast in a cold skillet. Once it sizzles on high heat, turn it down to medium or just a tad higher. Continue to cook skin-side down for 6 minutes, draining off the fat as it renders.

Flip it for a quick 30-second sear on the other side to develop a rich, flavorful crust.

Then, transfer the duck to a preheated air fryer set to 320°F (160°C) and cook for 10 minutes skin-side up for a perfectly medium-pink finish.

Adjust the timing slightly based on your air fryer model to get the doneness just right—less time if you prefer it rarer, a bit more if you like it well-done.

Prepare to impress with this restaurant-quality duck breast right from your air fryer—perfectly crispy skin, tender and juicy inside.

Roasting Duck Breast in an Air Fryer

Perfectly crisp air fryer duck breast with juicy interior.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 minute min

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

PRE-COOKING IN A PAN 6 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 duck breasts
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Begin by scoring the skin of the duck breast about 2 cm apart. Be careful not to cut into the flesh. Season the skin with salt and the meat side with both salt and pepper.
  
• Place the duck breast skin-side down in a cold pan. Turn the heat up high.
  
• Let the duck cook for 6 minutes. As soon as it starts to sizzle, lower the heat to medium or just above. Collect the rendered fat in a bowl every couple of minutes.
• Meanwhile, get your air fryer heating up.
  
• After 6 minutes on the skin side, flip the duck breast and sear the flesh side for just 30 seconds.
  
• Now move the duck breast, skin-side up, to your air fryer. Cook at 320°F (160 C) for 10 minutes.
  
• Once done, let the duck rest for 5 minutes before serving. Slice it up or present it whole.
  

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