This air fryer duck is tender and flavorful with crispy skin. A whole duck is stuffed with quartered orange and apple slices and whole garlic cloves then brushed with a sweet and savory honey hoisin sauce. Cooked until perfection this roasted duck main dish is incredibly tender and juicy. This recipe is super easy to make and looks wonderful on any dinner table!

Whole roasted duck is a wonderful main dish to serve for holiday dinners or special occasions, and it's even easier to make in the air fryer. Also try my other popular duck recipes:

• Air fryer duck breast
• Air fryer duck legs

This air-fried version is simple to make and doesn't require a whole of time or effort to prepare. Taking just about an hour to cook, this air fryer whole duck is easier and faster to make compared to oven-roasted duck which can take up to 3 hours.

Duck is a tasty game bird full of flavor and is a great alternative to roast chicken or beef for dinner! It has only dark meat with a high-fat content so it's always tender and juicy. Made with 8 easy ingredients you can have a delicious air fryer whole duck dinner on the table in just under an hour!

Recipe ingredients

Whole duck. Defrost in the fridge uncovered for several days so the skin can dry out and crisp up better in the air fryer.

Orange and apple. Quartered and stuffed inside the duck cavity. Adds a fresh citrus flavor and natural sweetness to the bird.

Garlic cloves. Whole cloves are stuffed inside the bird to give a savory garlicky flavor to the meat.

Honey. Mixed with hoisin sauce and brushed onto the duck towards the end of the cooking process. Helps the skin achieve a nice golden brown color and deliciously sweet flavor.

Hoisin sauce. A thick, fragrant, and intensely flavored sauce used for roasting meats.

Salt and black pepper. For seasoning and to balance out the sweet flavors.

How to make air fryer duck

If the whole duck is frozen, let it thaw in the fridge for couple days, uncovered to dry the skin. Score a diamond pattern on the duck breast. Try only to cut the skin, without touching the meat. Use a very sharp knife. Stuff the cavity with quartered orange, garlic and apple.

Season duck with salt and pepper all over. Secure legs with foil. Place duck in the air fryer basket, breast side up. Fold the wings under the duck. Cook for 25 minutes at 300 degrees. Drain the fat from the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Poke the skin with toothpicks. Mix honey with Hoisin sauce. Brush the duck and cook for another 20 minutes. Drain fat again. Change the temperature to 375 degrees and cook for another 5-10 minutes to crisp the skin even more. Open the basket couple times to make sure the duck is not burning.

Pro tips

Defrost. Make sure the duck is fully defrosted before air frying. This is to ensure even cooking and extra crispy skin.

Score the skin. Making slits in the skin helps it to crisp up better and allows the fat to render out. Be careful not to pierce the meat because it can dry out faster.

Drain the fat during the cooking process. Depending on how fatty your duck is you may need to drain the fat from the air fryer basket a couple of times. Especially if your air fryer starts to smoke during the cooking process.

Check for doneness using a meat thermometer for best results. USDA recommends a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast avoiding the bone.

Allow the meat to rest before cutting. Waiting 5 - 10 minutes before serving and carving seals in the juices leading to juicer duck meat.

Substitutions

Duck. Instead of whole duck roast a couple of duck breasts instead. Or use other game birds such as quail, cornish hens, or pheasants.

Hoisin sauce. Soy sauce, bean paste, or barbecue sauce can be used instead. If using soy sauce, you might need to slightly reduce the amount of salt used in this recipe.

Variations

Try this recipe with turkey. Turkey legs or breasts are a great option if you can't get your hands on a whole duck.

If you prefer a more savory roasted duck recipe, skip the honey and hoisin sauce. Instead use fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, ground paprika, Chinese five-spice, or a pinch of allspice.

Frequently asked questions

Side dishes

1. Roasted vegetables: Brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes, or a medley of your favorite vegetables, seasoned and roasted until tender.
2. Garlic mashed potatoes: Creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic and topped with a hint of fresh herbs.
3. Steamed asparagus: Simple steamed asparagus seasoned with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
4. Sauteed mushrooms with onions: A delicious and quick side dish of sautéed mushrooms and onions with garlic and fresh herbs.
5. White or brown rice. No effort side dish that goes well with almost anything. Rice will soak cooked duck juices beautifully and will be delicious.
6. Cauliflower rice: A low-carb alternative to traditional rice, made by grating or processing cauliflower into rice-like granules and sautéing them with your choice of seasoning.
7. Simple green salad: A mixed green salad with your choice of vegetables and a light dressing, offering a fresh and healthy option.

Air Fryer duck leftovers

You can use duck meat from this air fryer duck recipe in many different ways. Basically any chicken recipe will work too, just switch the meat.

1. Stir-fry: Slice the duck meat into thin strips and stir-fry with vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Add some soy sauce and garlic for flavor.
2. Duck tacos: Shred the duck meat and serve with tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and other taco toppings.
3. Fried rice: Use leftover rice, peas, carrots, and other vegetables, along with the shredded duck meat to make a delicious fried rice dish.
4. Quesadillas: You can use the shredded duck meat as a filling for quesadillas with cheese, peppers, and onions.
5. Sandwiches: Use the shredded duck meat to make sandwiches with your favorite bread, cheese, and condiments.

Storage instructions

1. Allow the air fried duck to cool to room temperature within 2 hours. This prevents condensation, which can make the duck soggy or encourage bacterial growth.
2. Cut the duck into smaller pieces or shred the meat, which helps with even cooling and easier storage.
3. Use airtight glass or plastic containers or resealable plastic bag to prevent the duck from drying out or absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator or freezer.
4. Refrigerate or freeze: Store the air-fried duck in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality.
5. Reheat: When ready to eat, reheat the duck in an air fryer, oven, or on the stovetop to restore its crispiness. Thaw frozen duck in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.

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Hope you will like this air fryer duck recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.