This Air Fried Smokey Citrus Duck recipe is the perfect indulgence for a special occasion. The duck is seasoned with a flavorful citrus cure, then slow-cooked to tender perfection in the air fryer or oven, resulting in juicy, easily shredded meat with a smoky, tangy finish. Paired with celeriac mash and sautéed greens, this dish combines rich and earthy flavors that complement the succulent duck, making it a standout meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Duck:

• 2 duck legs

• 100ml chicken stock (fresh or from a stock pot)

For the Cure:

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1.5 tsp ground sea salt

• 1 tsp orange zest

For the Glaze:

• 20g brown sugar

• Juice of ½ an orange (about 50ml)

• ½ – 1 tsp chipotle paste or Chiu Chow chili oil (adjust to heat preference)

For the Sides:

• Half a celeriac (about 400g)

• 1 tbsp (15g) butter

• ¼ savoy cabbage (about 200g)

• Oil, salt, and pepper as needed

Directions

1. Marinate the Duck: In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt, and orange zest. Rub this mixture into the duck skin and meat. Place the duck legs in a snug dish, then pour the chicken stock around the duck, covering it halfway. Let it marinate in the fridge for 1-3 hours.

2. Cook the Duck (Air Fryer): Preheat the air fryer to 165°C (330°F). Place the duck in the fryer basket and cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, adding more water to the dish as needed to keep the stock level up.
   Cook the Duck (Oven): Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Place the duck in a roasting dish and cook for 1 hour and 25 minutes, adding water as needed to prevent drying out.

3. Prepare the Sides: Peel and chop the celeriac into 1-inch chunks. Boil in salted water until very soft, then blend with butter and season to taste.

4. Cook the Cabbage: Thinly slice the savoy cabbage and sauté in a little oil until bright green and tender. Season to taste.

5. Make the Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine orange juice, brown sugar, and chipotle paste. Microwave for 2 minutes, then stir to dissolve the sugar and reduce the liquid slightly.

6. Finish the Duck: Once the duck is tender, brush the glaze over the duck and return it to the air fryer or oven for 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining glaze for a second round of caramelization.

7. Prepare the Sauce: Pour the pan juices from the duck into a jug and skim off the excess fat. Use a stick blender to emulsify the sauce for a smooth finish.

8. Serve: Plate the celeriac mash, top with sautéed cabbage, and place the glazed duck on top. Spoon the sauce around the plate and serve.

Nutrients

The exact nutritional information is not provided, but here’s an estimated breakdown per serving (for 2 servings):

• Calories: 550-600 kcal

• Protein: 40g

• Fat: 40g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

  • Fiber: 5g

  • Sugar: 10g

• Sodium: 900mg

• Cholesterol: 120mg

• Potassium: 600mg

• Vitamin A: 25% DV

• Calcium: 6% DV

• Iron: 15% DV

This air-fried smokey citrus duck is an elegant yet easy dish, ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself to a special dinner.

The Duck: Tender, Flavorful, and Succulent

The duck legs are the centerpiece of this dish, providing rich, flavorful meat that’s perfect for slow cooking. Duck is known for its tender, juicy texture and deep, savory flavor, which pairs beautifully with the citrus and smoky elements in the recipe. The citrus cure is the first step in infusing the duck with flavor. The combination of sugar, sea salt, and orange zest creates a fragrant, flavorful base that enhances the natural richness of the duck.

Marinating the duck for 1 to 3 hours allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, making it more flavorful and ensuring that the skin crisps up beautifully during cooking. The chicken stock added around the duck during cooking helps to keep it moist, ensuring the meat remains tender and juicy even as it cooks for an extended period.

When it comes to cooking the duck, both the air fryer and oven options work well. The air fryer cooks the duck more quickly, making it an excellent option for those who want to achieve crispy duck without using a lot of oil. The oven method also delivers excellent results, allowing the duck to cook slowly and evenly, which helps the flavors develop and the skin become golden and crispy.

The Glaze: Smoky, Sweet, and Tangy

The glaze is what takes this dish to the next level, adding a rich, smoky, and sweet finish to the tender duck. Made with orange juice, brown sugar, and chipotle paste, this glaze strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and smokiness. The orange juice provides a zesty tang that pairs perfectly with the richness of the duck, while the brown sugar helps to caramelize the skin and create a glossy, sticky finish.

Chipotle paste or Chiu Chow chili oil adds a smoky heat, giving the glaze a complex depth of flavor that enhances the overall profile of the duck. Adjusting the amount of chipotle paste to your preferred spice level allows you to customize the glaze to suit your taste. The glaze is applied in two rounds, ensuring that the duck is fully coated in this delicious mixture and allowing it to caramelize in the air fryer or oven for a beautifully crispy and flavorful finish.

Celeriac Mash: A Creamy, Earthy Side

To complement the rich flavors of the duck, the celeriac mash adds a creamy, earthy element to the dish. Celeriac, also known as celery root, has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the richness of the duck. The celeriac is boiled until soft and then blended with butter to create a smooth, creamy mash. The texture of the celeriac mash is velvety, providing a perfect balance to the crispy duck and smoky glaze.

For added flavor, you can season the celeriac mash with salt and pepper, and adjust the consistency by adding more butter or a splash of cream if desired. The celeriac mash is an excellent alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, offering a unique twist that enhances the overall dish with its subtle, earthy flavor.

Sautéed Greens: Bright and Fresh

To complete the meal, sautéed savoy cabbage adds a bright, fresh element that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the duck and celeriac mash. Savoy cabbage is a more delicate variety of cabbage, with tender leaves and a mild flavor that complements the other components of the dish. By sautéing the cabbage with a little oil, it becomes tender and slightly caramelized, adding texture and a touch of sweetness to the plate.

Seasoning the cabbage with a pinch of salt and pepper brings out its natural flavors, making it a perfect side dish to balance the richness of the duck and the creamy celeriac mash. The sautéed cabbage also adds a beautiful pop of color to the plate, making the meal visually appealing as well as flavorful.

Cooking Methods: Air Fryer vs. Oven

The air fryer offers a quicker cooking method, allowing you to achieve crispy duck skin in less time. Preheating the air fryer to 165°C (330°F) and cooking the duck for 1 hour and 15 minutes ensures that the meat is tender and juicy, while the skin becomes golden and crispy. The air fryer method is perfect for those looking for a healthier, faster alternative to traditional deep frying, as it requires minimal oil but still achieves a crispy finish.

Alternatively, the oven method is slightly slower but also yields excellent results. Preheating the oven to 170°C (340°F) and cooking the duck for 1 hour and 25 minutes ensures even cooking, with the duck becoming tender and flavorful. This method allows the flavors to develop more fully, especially with the slow cooking time and the caramelization of the glaze.

Both methods are effective, and the choice between air frying or using the oven comes down to personal preference and time constraints. Either way, the result is a perfectly cooked duck with a smoky, citrusy glaze.

Health Considerations and Nutritional Information

The Air Fried Smokey Citrus Duck provides a rich source of protein, as the duck legs are a hearty, flavorful cut of meat. The combination of celeriac mash and sautéed cabbage provides a balance of fiber and essential vitamins, such as Vitamin A and Iron, contributing to a well-rounded meal.

While this dish is indulgent due to the use of duck, butter, and sugar in the glaze, it can be made healthier by opting for lighter cooking methods like air frying or reducing the amount of sugar in the glaze. Duck is a good source of healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, and the celeriac provides additional fiber and antioxidants. This dish is a great option for a special occasion or when you want to indulge in a rich, flavorful meal without sacrificing nutritional value.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Air Fried Smokey Citrus Duck with celeriac mash and sautéed greens is the ultimate indulgent dish for special occasions. The juicy, tender duck, infused with smoky and citrus flavors, pairs perfectly with the earthy celeriac mash and fresh sautéed cabbage, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. The flexibility of cooking methods, whether using the air fryer or oven, ensures that this dish can be made with ease, even for those who are new to cooking duck.

This meal is not only packed with flavor, but it’s also visually appealing and a surefire way to impress your guests or treat yourself to something truly special. The combination of tender duck, rich sides, and a sweet and smoky glaze makes Air Fried Smokey Citrus Duck a standout dish that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.