# Duck breast cooking times

How long to cook duck breast: **12–15 min pan-fried, 8–10 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan) and 12–15 min in an air fryer at 180°C**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/duck-breast-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook duck breast

Times are for breasts of about 200 g each.

Duck breast: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 12–15 min | starting in a cold pan over a medium heat | About 8–10 minutes skin side down, pouring off the fat, then 3–4 minutes on the other side, for pink. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Pan, then oven) | 8–10 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | After crisping the skin in the pan for 6–8 minutes, finish in the oven skin side up, for pink. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 12–15 min | 180°C (350°F) | Skin side down for 5 minutes, then skin side up; for pink. |

## Before you start

Score the skin in a criss-cross without cutting into the meat, and season well. Pat dry.

## How to tell it’s done

Pink: 57°C (135°F) in the middle. Rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

**Tip:** Start it skin side down in a cold pan: the fat melts out slowly and the skin crisps.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry duck breast?

12–15 min starting in a cold pan over a medium heat. About 8–10 minutes skin side down, pouring off the fat, then 3–4 minutes on the other side, for pink.

### How long to cook duck breast in the oven?

Pan, then oven: 8–10 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. After crisping the skin in the pan for 6–8 minutes, finish in the oven skin side up, for pink.

### How long to cook duck breast in an air fryer?

12–15 min at 180°C (350°F). Skin side down for 5 minutes, then skin side up; for pink.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/