Airfryer Crispy Duck with Pancakes
Love crispy duck but don’t want the hassle of deep frying?
This air fryer crispy duck recipe gives you that same golden, crunchy skin and tender meat without the extra oil or effort.
It’s an easy, healthier way to enjoy your favourite Chinese restaurant dish at home!
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About this recipe
What is Crispy Duck?
Crispy duck is a staple of Chinese cuisine, best known for its perfectly golden, crunchy skin and tender, flavourful meat.
Traditionally, it’s deep-fried or roasted for hours to achieve that signature crispiness.
But with this air fryer version, you can recreate the same delicious results in a fraction of the time - without all the extra oil!
A Brief History of Crispy Duck
Crispy aromatic duck, as it’s often called in the UK, is a popular Cantonese dish inspired by the famous Peking Duck from Beijing.
While Peking Duck is traditionally roasted in a wood-fired oven and served with ultra-thin pancakes, crispy duck is often deep-fried and shredded at the table.
This air fryer method brings the best of both worlds - crispy skin, juicy meat, and a quicker cooking process.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier than Deep Frying: Less oil, but just as crispy!
- Quick & Easy: The air fryer cuts down on cooking time compared to traditional roasting.
- Perfect for Sharing: Serve it with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and fresh veggies for a fun, interactive meal.
- Fakeaway Favourite: Get the taste of your favourite takeaway at home, saving money without sacrificing flavour.
Ingredients
For the Duck:
- 2 duck legs
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Pancakes (if making from scratch):
- 200g plain flour
- 100ml water
- Pinch of salt
For Serving:
- Hoisin sauce (to taste)
- Thinly sliced cucumbers (matchstick-sized)
- Thinly sliced spring onions
- Chilli oil (optional)
Pair it with
Instructions
1. Prepare the Duck
Start by patting the duck legs dry with a paper towel. This helps achieve that crispy skin! Use a fork to pierce the skin in several places, which will assist in rendering the fat as it cooks.
Generously rub the duck legs with Chinese five spice powder and salt, ensuring they are well coated.
2. Cook the Duck
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place the seasoned duck legs in the air fryer basket skin-side up. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily prepare this in the oven. Simply place the duck legs on a baking tray, skin-side up, and roast in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes until tender.
3. Make the Pancakes (Optional)
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make homemade pancakes, start by mixing 200g of plain flour, a pinch of salt, and 100ml of water until a rough dough forms.
Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes until it's smooth, then cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes.
4. Roll Out the Pancakes
After resting, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece out as thinly as possible into roughly palm-sized pancakes.
Stack the rolled-out pancakes, brushing a little oil between each to prevent them from sticking together.
5. Steam the Pancakes
Place the stacked pancakes on a sheet of baking parchment and steam them over medium heat for 5 minutes until they are soft and fluffy.
6. Shred the Duck
Once the duck is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Use a knife and fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
7. Assemble and Serve
To serve, place the shredded duck on the steamed pancakes. Spread a generous amount of hoisin sauce on each pancake, and add thinly sliced cucumber and spring onions.
For an extra kick, drizzle some chilli oil on top if desired. Enjoy your delicious crispy duck pancakes!
FAQs
1. Can I use duck breast instead of duck legs?
Yes! Duck legs are ideal for their rich flavour and crispy skin, but duck breast works too - just adjust the cooking time as it may cook faster.
2. How do I make sure the skin gets extra crispy?
Pat the duck dry before seasoning, and air fry it skin-side up. You can also cook at a slightly higher temperature for the last 5 minutes for extra crunch.
3. Do I need to flip the duck while cooking?
No, since the fat renders from the skin, it naturally crisps up without flipping. However, if your air fryer has uneven heat, you may want to turn it once.
4. Can I prepare the duck in advance?
Absolutely! You can season and refrigerate the duck overnight for even better flavour. Then just pop it in the air fryer when you’re ready to cook.
5. What’s the best way to serve crispy duck?
Shred the duck and serve it with Chinese pancakes, hoisin sauce, julienned cucumber, and spring onions. If you can’t find Chinese pancakes, soft tortillas work as a great alternative!
Video demonstration
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