How to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer

Air Fryer Turkey Breast is incredibly moist, juicy and so easy to make! This Turkey dinner is perfect for both busy midweek meals and holiday celebrations.

You’ll also love Air Fryer Turkey Burgers and Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs.

Suitable for gluten free, low carb, keto and paleo diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure

Air fryer turkey breast is about to become your new favorite air fryer recipe. Just in time for the holidays, I have discovered that making turkey breast in air fryer is more affordable, quicker, and easier than using the traditional oven method.

*****Please click here to grab the Beginners easy air fryer recipes ebook!!!*****

Folks, just 4 simple ingredients are all that’s needed for making moist, juicy and tender,and totally delectable crispy skin air fryer turkey. And it’ll be done in far less time than roasting turkey in the oven. #airfryerforthewin.

And just as easy as this juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken or Air Fryer Cornish Hens or these easy peasy Air Fryer Turkey Legs.

So, if you’re in the mood for roasted turkey, with juicy meat but don’t want an all-day cooking affair, simply pop a turkey breast in the air fryer and you’ll be carving in no time. You can also make an Instant Pot Turkey Breast with gravy version.

Cooking for just 2 or 3 people? You will not only save time, but you can save energy by using the air fryer instead of firing up your oven.

Why Make This Recipe

• It’s Fast – it will be ready to serve in about an hour! Great cook time.
• Saves Space – when preparing Thanksgiving, Christmas etc meals, cooking a turkey in air fryer will free up that precious oven space for all your other dishes.
• Ideal for Meal Prep – make this as part of your weekly prep to use in sandwiches, wraps, salads, stews and soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes.

Ingredient Notes

• Turkey Breast – This recipe shows you how to air fry both boneless breast with the skin on and bone-in breast. Using bone in breast you would need to bear in mind that you would end up with less meat as some of the weight would be due to the bones. It starts with raw turkey.
• Oil – use your favorite olive oil or other oil as this helps crisp up the skin. Butter can work too.
• Seasoning – Use your favorite dry rub (which can be store bought or homemade as well as some salt and pepper). Keep an eye on the amount of salt you add if your dry rub contains salt.

So, are you ready to learn just how easy it is to air fry turkey breast? Then gather up your ingredients and I will show you…..

How To Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below. 

1. Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
2. Rub oil all over turkey breast, followed by the dry rub and kosher salt.
3. Place turkey skin side down inside the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.
4. Then turn over so skin side is facing up, cover with foil, and cook till it reaches an internal temperature of the turkey reads 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C (will take about 35-45 minutes, depending on thickness of turkey breast).
5. If preferred, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking to brown the exterior.
6. Remove and place your air fryer turkey breast on a cutting board and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food for doneness. 

Top Pick Accessory

How To Cook Bone In Turkey Breast In The Air Fryer

You can certainly make roasted turkey breast air fryer depending on the size of your Air Fryer basket. So make sure the meat will fit in before buying it. This version cooks with a 4lb bone in version

1. Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
2. Rub oil all over turkey breast, followed by the dry rub and kosher salt.
3. Place turkey skin side down inside the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.
4. Then turn over so skin side is facing up, cover with foil, and cook till it reaches an internal temperature of the turkey reads 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C (will take about 25-35 minutes, depending on thickness of turkey breast). If preferred, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking to brown the exterior. Remove and place your air fryer turkey breast on a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

How To Make Turkey Breast In The Oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, no problem! Just follow these easy steps for cooking a turkey breast in the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F / 175 degrees C.
2. Place turkey breast in a roasting pan and cover with oil, followed by the dry rub and salt.
3. Place roasting pan in oven on the bottom rack and cook for approximately 1 1/2 – 2 hrs, or until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
4. Remove your turkey breast from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Recipe Tips

• Remove the turkey skin before you air fry it to reduce calories.
• The size of the turkey breast you can cook depends on the size of your air fryer basket. Larger baskets will take more pounds of turkey breasts.
• If using frozen turkey breast, make sure it is completely defrosted (and totally dry) before cooking.
• Make sure the meat is completely dry before rubbing on the oil and seasoning.
• For maximum flavor make sure the entire turkey breast is coated in the dry rub.
• And when cooking meat, always check the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• You don’t need to cover with foil, but the turkey breast may turn out reaaallly crispy without it. So if you happen to prefer a crispy finish, go ahead and skip the foil.

Recipe Variations

This air fryer turkey in the air fryer recipe is delicious as is, but you can easily change up the flavors to suit your taste. The easiest way?

• Swap the dry rub – both homemade rubs or store-bought versions work, so have fun experimenting with different blends. Some awesome options include Tuscan Seasoning and Fajita Seasoning.
• Use mayonnaise – use mayonnaise instead of the oil
• Add heat –  with red pepper flakes, cayenne, chipotle, black pepper etc. Bear in mind that your dry rub might already have some heat.

Storage and Prep Ahead

This Air Fryer Turkey Recipe was practically made for meal prep and prepping ahead. 

• Prep Ahead – The turkey can be cooked several days in advance and used when needed. 
• Store – Store your air fryer boneless turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. 
• Freeze – You can freeze cooked turkey. Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this. Transfer cooked turkey breast into convenient Ziploc freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags. Label the bags and then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To make defrosting and reheating easier, freeze in the right portion sizes that you need for the future.

FAQs

How Much Boneless Turkey Breast Per Person?

When cooking an air fryer boneless turkey breast, plan for 1/2 to 3/4 pound of turkey breast per person. Buying a bone-in turkey breast instead? Then allow for 1 1/4 pound turkey breast per person.

How Long To Cook Turkey Breast In Air Fryer?

The length of time needed to cook a turkey in air fryer depends on the thickness of the turkey breast. This recipe calls for 25 mins with the skin side down, and about 45 mins skin side up and tented with foil.

If you are cooking a thinner turkey breast, it will take less time. And if they turkey breast is thicker or squashed up will take a little longer. I’ve found that the key to making sure you get perfectly-cooked, juicy turkey is not so much the time, but rather the temperature of the meat.

It is super important to check the interior of the turkey breast using an instant read digital thermometer. When the turkey reaches 160 degrees F / 74C, it is considered done and safe to eat.

How Much Turkey Breast Do You Need Per Person?

This depends on the type of breast you get and what other things you are serving with the meat. And how generous you want to be with seconds especially when celebrating festive occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

if it is bone-in turkey breast I would aim for about 1 pound meat per person

(uncooked), and if or boneless breast I would aim for about half a pound of meat per person (uncooked).

Plus if you like your leftover thanksgiving sandwiches and soups then bump it up to 1 1/2 pounds uncooked meat per person.

How To Slice Carve Your Turkey

After all that Air Frying then comes the carving before you tuck right in. And the great thing is that learning how to crave a turkey breast is a skill that can be used on any poultry for Thanksgiving, Christmas or your weeknight dinners and Sunday lunches.

Firstly, let the cooked meat rest on a carving board or serving platter, breast side up for at least 15 minutes before slicing, loosely tented under foil so as to allow all those juices to redistribute and keep your meat juicy.

Make sure to select a very sharp chefs knife or serrated knife. If using the chef knife cut with good even strokes and if using a serrated knife then do so in a sawing motion.

Run knife alongside the breast bone, slice (or saw) downward and as close to the breast bone as possible to try and get as much meat of the bone as possible.

Then move the knife around to the front of the bird to the ribs connecting to where you started your carving at right at the top of the breast bone and cut down alongs the ribs. Pull away as much meat as you can (in a chunk if possible) and repeat on the other side.

Then cut the turkey breast meat into slices before serving. Feed free to use a craving fork or some tongs to hold it in place whilst carving.

Serving Suggestions

• These crisp Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts work will with the meat.
• Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Smashed Potatoes. A great holiday combination.
• Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes. Combination loved by the whole family.
• Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage my favorite side to serve with this.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
• Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops.
• Easy Air Fryer Salmon.
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Biscuits.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints Points in one serving of Air Fryer Turkey Breast with the skin on. But if you remove the skin, there is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in a serving.

Tools Needed

• Your Air Fryer.
• Handy mixing bowls.
• Measuring spoons and cups.
• A handy meat thermometer.
• Accessories.
• Best ever sea salt flakes.

Thank you for reading my air fried turkey breast recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Originally published Nov 2019.

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Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Cooking turkey breast in air fryer is affordble, quick and so easy!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Western

Servings: 8

Calories: 410kcal

• ▢ 1 tablespoon oil
• ▢ 4.4 pounds (2kg) boneless or bone in turkey breast
• ▢ 2 tablespoons dry rub I use my favoriate Steak Seasoning rub
• ▢ salt to taste

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

• Preheat the air fryer to 350F / 180C.

• Rub oil all over turkey breast, followed by the dry rub and salt.

• Place turkey skin side down inside the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.

• Then turn over so skin side is facing up, cover with foil, and cook till the internal temperature of the turkey reads 165F / 74C (will take about 35-45 minutes, depending on thickness of turkey breast).

• If preferred, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking to brown the exterior.

• Remove your air fryer turkey breast and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Turkey Breast In The Oven

• Preheat oven to 325F / 175C.

• Place turkey breast in a roasting pan and cover with oil, followed by the dry rub and salt.

• Place roasting pan in oven on the bottom rack and cook for approximately 1 1/2 – 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165F / 74C.

• Remove your turkey breast from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Get the easy Air Fryer Recipe Binder which includes 40 quick and easy recipes all under 30 minutes cook time.

Recipe Tips

• Remove the skin to reduce calories.
• If using frozen turkey breast, make sure it is completely defrosted (and totally dry) before cooking.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food for doneness. 
• And when cooking meat, always check the internal temperature using a digital meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature.
• You don’t need to cover with foil, but the turkey breast may turn out reaaallly crispy without it. So if you happen to prefer a crispy finish, go ahead and skip the foil.

Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints Points in one serving of Air Fryer Turkey Breast with the skin on. But if you remove the skin, there is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in a serving.

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 693mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg

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