Air Fryer Turkey Breast
This Air fryer Turkey Breast Recipe is juicy and moist every time. Made in less than an hour, roasted turkey made in the air fryer is perfect for a family dinner or even a holiday meal. Plus it frees up your oven space for your other big meal dishes.
Who said turkey should just be served for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas? It’s a delicious and healthy meat option that is available year round.
Typically served with all the fixings, the entire meal can be time consuming. Yet utilizing other small appliances in your home designed to cut down the work and effort, makes a huge difference.
The air fryer really speeds up the cooking process while also keeping all those juices in. The result is tender and juicy turkey breast that is also crispy on the outside.
When Should You Cook Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer?
This recipe is for Air Frying Boneless Turkey Breast, yet you can use bone-in turkey breast as well.
As you can see, there are so many reasons why you’d want to make turkey breast in an air fryer. For other times, you can make Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast, or Smoked Turkey.
This quick, easy, and delicious recipe will have you enjoying turkey breast even when it’s not a holiday such as Thanksgiving dinner.
When covered in our Homemade Turkey Gravy, it’s total comfort in every bite.
The best part is that you can use up turkey leftovers for other dishes, sandwiches, soups, or casseroles.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Total Time: 40 Minutes
- Serves: 2
Ingredients and Notes
The full recipe for easy air fryer turkey breast is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
How to Make Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
- Begin by preheating your air fryer to 375°F. Pat the turkey breasts dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl mix the melted butter, salt, black pepper, and chicken seasoning.
- Brush the butter mixture over the thawed turkey breasts.
- Remove the basket away from the appliance, and spray a light layer of oil spray at the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Place the turkey breast into the preheated air fryer basket. Allow to cook for approximately 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
- When cooked, remove from the air fryer and allow the turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes so the juices settle. Serve and sprinkle the chopped parsley over the turkey breasts.
Always use a instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, to ensure the internal temperature of turkey breast has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to Serve with Turkey Breasts
Turkey breast is the main dish that is served alongside so many sides. Think of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes and you have a complete meal.
Traditionally we love it with mashed potatoes, Slow Cooker Stuffing, Homemade Turkey Gravy, Baking Powder Biscuits, and Cranberry Jelly
You can also serve it with roasted vegetables such as Honey Glazed Carrots, Roasted Parmesan Green Beans, or Lemon Pepper Asparagus.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the preheating: Preheating the air fryer is essential to achieving that crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Give it a few minutes to heat up before adding the turkey breasts.
- Pat your turkey dry: When removing the excess water, it helps crisp the skin on the outside.
- Use different spice blends: While the recipe calls for salt, black pepper, and chicken seasoning, feel free to experiment with different spice blends or fresh herbs to suit your taste preferences. Cajun seasoning, Italian herbs, or smoky paprika will be a good choice.
- Allow space in the air fryer: For the best results, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Giving the turkey breasts enough space allows for even air circulation, ensuring consistent cooking.
- To ensure the turkey breasts are fully cooked: use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for poultry is 165°F.
- Flipping the turkey breasts halfway through the cooking time ensures even browning on both sides.
Recipe Variations
If you don’t have turkey breasts, you can use turkey tenderloins, turkey cutlets, or even bone-in turkey pieces. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the thickness of the meat.
If you don’t have chicken seasoning on hand, create your own blend using a combination of dried herbs and spices. A simple mix of dried thyme, rosemary, sage, and a pinch of garlic powder will work.
Storing and Freezing
To Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or cover well with aluminum foil in the refrigerator. Consume Within 3-4 Days.
To Freeze: Place cooked and cooled turkey in an airtight container or in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator when before enjoying.
To Reheat: The best way to reheat turkey is in the oven covered in foil so it doesn’t dry out. Make sure the pieces are even in size and you can add some stock with the turkey to give it more moisture as it heats. Bake at 300 degrees f for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Recipes for Leftover Turkey Breast
FAQ
Can I use frozen turkey breasts in the air fryer?
It’s best to thaw the turkey breasts before air frying to ensure even cooking. Thaw frozen turkey breasts in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost setting on your microwave.
Can I use bone-in turkey breasts for this recipe?
While this recipe calls for boneless breast, you can certainly use bone-in turkey breasts. However, bone-in cuts may require slightly longer cooking times. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F .
Can I double the recipe for a larger gathering?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe to accommodate a larger crowd. However, be mindful of not overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can affect the cooking process. Cook in batches if needed.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey In An Air Fryer?
For approximately 3 pounds of turkey breast (or 2 x ½ pound breasts), it will take about 40 minutes to cook. This may vary based on the weight of the breast. Always check the internal temperature to be safe.
More Thanksgiving Recipes to Try:
- Cheesy Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Green Bean Casserole
- Easy Moist Cornbread
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Turkey Breast is tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. This quick and convenient recipe is a hassle-free way to cook turkey for a holiday dinner or any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless turkey breast
- Oil spray
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chicken seasoning Fresh parsley to garnish
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your air fryer to 375°F. Pat the turkey breasts dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl mix the melted butter, salt, black pepper, and chicken seasoning.
- Brush the butter mixture over the thawed turkey breasts.
- Remove the basket away from the appliance, and spray a light layer of oil spray at the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Place the turkey breast into the preheated air fryer basket. Allow to cook for approximately 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
- When cooked, remove from the air fryer and allow the turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes so the juices settle. Serve and sprinkle the chopped parsley over the turkey breasts.
Notes
- For the best results, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Giving the turkey breasts enough space allows for even air circulation, ensuring consistent cooking.
- To ensure the turkey breasts are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for poultry is 165°F.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume Within 3-4 Days.
- You can also freeze the turkey for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 661mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 26g
Created by Tammi Roy
Tammi Roy is the founder of My Organized Chaos, a Canadian food and lifestyle blog. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is the mom of three beautiful teenage girls. Tammi’s passions are her family, creating and sharing delicious recipes, travelling and photography. Learn more about Tammi.