Air Fryer turkey breast recipe makes turkey with extra crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. It’s packed with flavor and very easy to make!
A turkey breast is a perfect way for a smaller crowd to enjoy a thanksgiving dinner but it’s also a great way to make turkey an everyday kind of meal!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey
Turkey Breast: This recipe uses a single boneless turkey breast, about 2 pounds. You’ll want to ensure it is small enough to fit in the air fryer without touching the top of it.
Seasonings: A little bit of olive oil (or melted butter) helps with browning and helps the seasonings stick. I keep it simple with some poultry seasoning and fresh herbs if you have them (and of course salt & pepper). You can add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder if you’d like.
I don’t usually brine a turkey breast but you certainly can! If you use turkey brine (you’ll just need a small amount so only make about ¼ of the recipe) use less salt when seasoning the turkey. Be sure to pat it dry with paper towels before brushing with oil.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Remove the turkey breast from the fridge (and remove the net if it is wrapped in a net).
- Season with olive oil per the recipe below.
- Cook skin side down for 20 minutes, flip the turkey breast over and continue cooking until it reaches 165°F.
How Long to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
Since you’ll be using a smaller breast to ensure it fits, this cooks fairly quickly (and needs less time than a whole chicken since it’s boneless).
Just like making oven-roasted turkey breast, you want the skin to crisp up while keeping the meat juicy.
- A 2 ½ -pound boneless turkey breast will need to air fry for about 45 minutes.
- A 4-pound bone-in turkey breast will need to air fry for about 55-65 minutes.
Cooking time can vary based on the shape of your turkey breast (or the brand and size of your air fryer). A thinner flatter shape will cook through quicker while a thicker rounder turkey breast will need longer. I tested this recipe with various turkey breasts in a 5.8qt Cosori air fryer.
Check It Early
The air fryer is great for lean meats like pork and turkey but ensure it doesn’t overcook. It’s easy to open the air fryer and check the temperature of the turkey breast a bit early.
It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer. A thermometer is a very inexpensive investment to ensure the meat is always cooked to juicy perfection without overcooking!
Tips for Juicy Turkey
- Do not overcook.
- Use a thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F. I remove the turkey breast from the oven when it reaches about 158°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
- Check the turkey breast early, air fryers can vary (and the shape of the turkey breast can also change cook time slightly).
- Rest 5-10 minutes before cutting. Be sure to remove it from the air fryer basket while resting. You can loosely tent the turkey with foil as it rests if you’d like.
Leftovers
Store leftover turkey in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days for freeze in a freezer bag for up to 4 months.
Favorite Side Dishes With Turkey
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast
A juicy turkey breast with crispy skin is easy to make in the air fryer.
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Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
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Rub turkey breast with olive oil and season with poultry seasoning, kosher salt & black pepper.
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Place turkey breast in the air fryer, skin side down.
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Cook for 20 minutes. Flip the turkey breast over, skin side up and cook an additional 25-30 minutes or until it reaches 160°F. The temperature will continue to rise to 165°F as it rests. (A bone-in turkey breast will need about 10 minutes longer to cook through).
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Remove from the basket and rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Do not overcook. Check the turkey breast early, air fryers can vary (and the shape of the turkey breast can also change cook time slightly).
Use a thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F. I remove the turkey breast from the air fryer when it reaches about 158°F-160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
Rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. Be sure to remove it from the air fryer basket while resting.
Calories: 243 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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