diff --git a/.circleci/config.yml b/.circleci/config.yml
index bc995158bbbbf4..29108d42bc34c1 100644
--- a/.circleci/config.yml
+++ b/.circleci/config.yml
@@ -679,6 +679,13 @@ jobs:
   # -------------------------
   test_ios_template:
     executor: reactnativeios
+    parameters:
+      flavor:
+        type: string
+        default: "Debug"
+      newarchitecture:
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
     environment:
       - PROJECT_NAME: "iOSTemplateProject"
       - HERMES_WS_DIR: *hermes_workspace_root
@@ -703,11 +710,30 @@ jobs:
             PACKAGE=$(cat build/react-native-package-version)
             PATH_TO_PACKAGE="$REPO_ROOT/build/$PACKAGE"
             node ./scripts/set-rn-template-version.js "file:$PATH_TO_PACKAGE"
-            node cli.js init $PROJECT_NAME --directory "/tmp/$PROJECT_NAME" --template $REPO_ROOT --verbose
+            node cli.js init $PROJECT_NAME --directory "/tmp/$PROJECT_NAME" --template $REPO_ROOT --verbose --skip-install
+      - run:
+          name: Install iOS dependencies - Configuration << parameters.flavor >>; New Architecture << parameters.newarchitecture >>
+          command: |
+            cd /tmp/$PROJECT_NAME
+            yarn install
+            cd ios
+
+            bundle install
+
+            if [[ << parameters.flavor >> == "Release" ]]; then
+              export PRODUCTION=1
+            fi
+
+            if [[ << parameters.newarchitecture >> ]]; then
+              export RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED=1
+            fi
+
+            bundle exec pod install
       - run:
           name: Build template project
           command: |
             xcodebuild build \
+              -configuration << parameters.flavor >> \
               -workspace /tmp/$PROJECT_NAME/ios/$PROJECT_NAME.xcworkspace \
               -scheme $PROJECT_NAME \
               -sdk iphonesimulator
@@ -1308,6 +1334,10 @@ workflows:
       - test_ios_template:
           requires:
             - build_npm_package
+          matrix:
+            parameters:
+              newarchitecture: [true, false]
+              flavor: ["Debug", "Release"]
       - test_ios_rntester:
           requires:
             - build_hermes_macos