Air fryer turkey breast is an easy hack solution for golden, crisp skin and juicy meat in far less time than a whole roast. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, small holiday tables, or anytime you want turkey without the fuss. If you are skeptical, we have all the answers, step by step guide and video below. This recipe is a guaranteed so give it a try!
We have really got our turkey checklist here with all sorts of recipes, ALL seriously great ones! Starting with Spatchcock Turkey, Turkey Tenderloin Recipe, Dry Brine Turkey Breast, and even Turkey Breast Recipe On the Stove!
SO you’re guaranteed to find the perfect turkey recipe to make! Also for leftovers, we make our crowd pleasing Turkey Sliders or Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich.
For today’s Air Fryer Turkey Breast, we found a kew KEY takeaways which we will discuss in details. Starting with the brine, yes it’s optional. We have tried the Dry Brine Turkey Breast and wet brine with the Turkey Tenderloin Recipe.
Next is the air fryer temperatures and times, preheated or not. And next is using bone in or bone-less breast, we have tried both. Then the thermometer reading, and using the thermometer to test for doneness. All this and more is discussed below.
What is an Air Fryer Turkey Breast?
By definition, an air fryer turkey breast is a way to cook boneless or bone in turkey breast in an air fryer (basket or oven style).
What that means is choosing to cook the turkey breast using circulating hot air from the air fryer. The fan or convection air flow the air fryer really crisps the skin, especially that it’s in a small contained space. This small space also helps speed up the cooking time compared to the oven.
And the best thing is, you can adapt any brine, marinade or seasoning to the the air fryer turkey. So fee free to use your favorite techniques and flavors when cooking the turkey in the air fryer.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Juicy results. YES you really do get a succulent and juicy turkey breast! Once you use the thermometer and know when to remove the turkey from the air fryer, you got yourself the best results.
- The skin is super crisp and the outer part is golden and perfect. The heat from the air fryer is so intense and well circulated, so the even browning is guaranteed.
- Fastest ever! This recipe is truly the quickest way to cook turkey, which makes it great not just for thanksgiving. It’s perfect for when you want a fancy weeknight dinner, or a small gathering.
- You can adapt all your favorite turkey tricks here–brining, seasonings, marinades and more! This recipe is mainly to show you a guide to the cooking technique we love.
- As always, leftover are welcome and make great sandwiches, lunches, pastas and salads!
- You can easily scale this recipe especially if you have a large capacity air fryer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Turkey Breasts. Two turkey breasts, bone in or bone less can be used. Just make sure they fit into the size of your air fryer. Also keep the skin on as it will crisp up.
- Seasoning. A blend of salt and black pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and oregano or Italian blend.
- Citrus. Orange zest and lemon zest make the perfect aromatics here.
- Fresh Herbs. Fresh rosemary sprigs and fresh thyme. Also use fresh parsley and oregano if you’d like.
- Butter. We use melted unsalted butter to bind the whole seasoning mixture. You can likewise use olive oil.
- Brine (optional). Use the dry brine we used here Dry Brine Turkey Breast or the wet brine here : Turkey Tenderloin Recipe. Today however we used none and it worked SO WELL!
How To Air Fry Turkey Breast
Prep The Turkey Breast
- The first step is to prep the seasoning for the air fryer turkey breast recipe.
- You need your favorite spice blends, here we have garlic and onion powders, Italian blend, paprika and plenty of citrus zests. Also add in fresh herbs for brightness and flavor.
- This blend is going into a small bowl with melted butter until it forms a paste. You can alternatively use olive oil instead of the butter too.
- Once the blend is ready, its time to season the turkey breasts.
- Slather the mixture on all sides of the turkey breasts making sure to go under the skin too.
- And in between any meats and any groove.
- You can let it sit for 30 minutes or proceed to air fry right away.
Air Fry The Turkey Breast
- To air fry, place the turkey breast skin side up in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 18-20 minutes at 375 degrees F.
- Remove the basket and when the skin is golden and crisp, flip the turkey.
- Continue air frying for another 18-20 minutes until the other side is also golden.
- Use a meat thermometer to TEST and this is KEY! The most important step here.
- The thermometer just register 160 degrees F maximum.
- If using bone in, you may need 20-25 minutes per side. Always check the temperature as the type of air fryer makes a difference too!
- At that point, remove the turkey breast from the air fryer and on top a plate.
- Drizzle with extra melted butter if you’d like and it’s ready to slice.
- Slice and enjoy! Super juicy!
Tips for Turkey Breast Recipe
- You can use bone in or boneless turkey breast for this recipe. The key is to check doneness at different times.
- Likewise you can use a basket air fryer or oven style air fryer for this recipe.
- Having a meat thermometer is non-negotiable. This is the real measure of success of your air fryer turkey breast.
- To measure the temperature properly, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone.
- Always remove the turkey at 160 degrees F at least, and as it cools down, the temperature will reach 165 degrees F–which is recommended by USDA.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket because air needs to circulate for crisping. Depending on your air fryer basket size , you can cook one breast at a time if needed.
- Before seasoning, pat dry the skin for better crisping.
- Use any spice blend or seasoning you prefer, make sure to use olive oil or melted butter to bind it together.
- Make sure to flip the turkey when te skin has browned and crisped up, which is about halfway.
- We found that it doesn’t matter much which side you start with. So you can start air frying skin side up or down.
- Allow the turkey to rest as the juices will stay in this way and the temperature will rise to 165 degrees F.
- When done, you can drizzle with extra melted butter.
Brining Options: Why and How
Brining is a classic, tried and true technique to infuse the turkey (and any bird) with more liquid. This liquid in turns translates into a juicier meat. We have covered them in details in our previous turkey recipes, and here’s a brief recap.
- Wet Brine. It’s showcased in this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe. A wet brine increases moisture as the salty water will travel into the meat of the turkey (osmosis process) and hence offer a juicier turkey. A wet brine is usually a blend of water, salt, sugar and whole spices, hers and any aromatics whole.
- Dry Brine. We shared about this in this Dry Brine Turkey Breast. Dry brine is best to concentrate the flavors, crisp the skin will improving juiciness. The salt draws moisture out of the meat (osmosis) which is then reabsorbed with all the seasoning. A dry rub made of salt and seasoning is rubbed on the turkey and then allowed to dry overnight.
- You can opt not to brine as we did for this recipe. In some cases we keep an eye out on the temperature closely, using proper circulated heat and enclosed space, we skip brining. This is the air fryer case. It’s easy to monitor, easy to control the heat, and you just remove the turkey at the perfect time. If you brine, that would be an EXTRA juicy bonus to the turkey breast!
How to Serve Turkey Breast
- Potatoes : Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Crispy Potatoes or Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
- Sauces: Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce, Satay Sauce, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Garlic Sauce.
- Veggies: Honey Glazed Carrots, Sautéed Green Beans, Broccoli Rabe
- Salads: Broccoli Salad, Cauliflower Salad, Creamy Cucumber Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Leftovers: Turkey Sliders, Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich, tacos, soups like Chicken Tortilla Soup.
What Temperature do you Cook Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer?
We have tested a few temperatures, and we found 360 degrees F to be best, especially because our air fryer runs exact temperatures. If you feel your air fryer runs slightly low or high , adjust the temperatures. On average the BEST temperatures are between 350 degrees -375 degrees F.
How long does it take to Air Fry a Turkey Breast?
It depends on the size of the turkey and if it’s bone in or boneless. On average a boneless turkey breast is cooked between 30-45 minutes. However a bone in turkey breast takes between 40-55 minutes.
Should I brine the turkey breast before air frying?
Brining helps keep turkey absorb more water and becoming extra moist. You can read more about the wet brining in this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe. And read more about the Dry Brine Turkey Breast here. Now you don’t have to brine, especially if you’re rushed on time. We shared the recipe above wtihout brining, and it was great.
Do you flip a turkey breast in the air fryer?
YES. You need to cook the turkey breast well on one side before flipping to the other. This ensures even browning and even cooking.
Is air fryer turkey breast safe to eat at 160°F?
The USDA recommends 165°F for poultry. In order to avoid overcooking the turkey, we remove it from the air fryer at 160 degrees F. The resting time allows the juices to distribute and also allows the carryover heat to reach 165 degrees F safely.
How do I prevent dried-out turkey breast?
Simply avoid overcooking the turkey as a the most crucial step. Having a meat thermometer is KEY to this recipe. Remove the turkey at 160 ndegrees F and let it rest to reach the correct temperature. Consider a salt brine or wet brine if you’d like an ultra juicy turkey.
Can I cook a bone-in turkey breast in an air fryer?
Yes! The key to cooking the turkey (or anything )in the air fryer is ensuring this enough space. Avoid overlapping or overcrowding the air fryer as this makes the hot air not circulate well. So use a large capacity air fryer for this. Also keep in mind that bone in will take longer, so keep your meat thermometer close by.
How long can I store leftover air fried turkey breast?
Refrigerate the cooked and cooled down turkey breast within 2 hours and store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. You can likewise freeze the meat sealed in a ziploc bag up to 3 months for best quality. Reheat gently with a splash of stock on the stove to retain moisture, or covered in foil with the stock in a 350 degrees F oven/air fryer for 5 minutes.
Turkey Recipes
Turkey Sliders
Spatchcock Turkey
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Stovetop Turkey Breast
Dry Brine Turkey Breast
Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Turkey Breast
- 2 turkey breasts skin on and boneless or bone-in
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano or Italian spice blend
- 2 Tablespoons herbs minced, a blend of rosemary and thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes optional
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 orange zest
- 1/3 cup melted butter
Instructions
-
In a bowl add the seasonings and citrus zests, along with fresh herbs.
-
Add to that melted butter until it forms a paste. You can alternatively use olive oil instead of the butter too.
-
Slather the mixture on all sides of the turkey breasts making sure to go under the skin too.
-
And in between any meats and any groove.
-
You can let it sit for 30 minutes or proceed to air fry right away.
-
To air fry, place the turkey breast skin side up in the air fryer basket.
-
Air fry for 18-20 minutes at 375 degrees F.
-
Remove the basket and when the skin is golden and crisp, flip the turkey.
-
Continue air frying for another 18-20 minutes until the other side is also golden.
-
Use a meat thermometer to TEST and this is KEY! The most important step here.
-
The thermometer just register 160 degrees F maximum.
-
If using bone in, you may need 20-25 minutes per side. Always check the temperature as the type of air fryer makes a difference too!
-
At that point, remove the turkey breast from the air fryer and on top a plate.
-
Drizzle with extra melted butter if you'd like and it's ready to slice.
-
Slice and enjoy! Super juicy!
Recipe Notes
Tips for Turkey Breast Recipe
- You can use bone in or boneless turkey breast for this recipe. The key is to check doneness at different times.
- Likewise you can use a basket air fryer or oven style air fryer for this recipe.
- Having a meat thermometer is non-negotiable. This is the real measure of success of your air fryer turkey breast.
- To measure the temperature properly, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone.
- Always remove the turkey at 160 degrees F at least, and as it cools down, the temperature will reach 165 degrees F--which is recommended by USDA.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket because air needs to circulate for crisping. Depending on your air fryer basket size , you can cook one breast at a time if needed.
- Before seasoning, pat dry the skin for better crisping.
- Use any spice blend or seasoning you prefer, make sure to use olive oil or melted butter to bind it together.
- Make sure to flip the turkey when te skin has browned and crisped up, which is about halfway.
- We found that it doesn't matter much which side you start with. So you can start air frying skin side up or down.
- Allow the turkey to rest as the juices will stay in this way and the temperature will rise to 165 degrees F.
- When done, you can drizzle with extra melted butter.
Brining Options: Why and How
Brining is a classic, tried and true technique to infuse the turkey (and any bird) with more liquid. This liquid in turns translates into a juicier meat. We have covered them in details in our previous turkey recipes, and here's a brief recap.
- Wet Brine. It's showcased in this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe. A wet brine increases moisture as the salty water will travel into the meat of the turkey (osmosis process) and hence offer a juicier turkey. A wet brine is usually a blend of water, salt, sugar and whole spices, hers and any aromatics whole.
- Dry Brine. We shared about this in this Dry Brine Turkey Breast. Dry brine is best to concentrate the flavors, crisp the skin will improving juiciness. The salt draws moisture out of the meat (osmosis) which is then reabsorbed with all the seasoning. A dry rub made of salt and seasoning is rubbed on the turkey and then allowed to dry overnight.
- You can opt not to brine as we did for this recipe. In some cases we keep an eye out on the temperature closely, using proper circulated heat and enclosed space, we skip brining. This is the air fryer case. It's easy to monitor, easy to control the heat, and you just remove the turkey at the perfect time. If you brine, that would be an EXTRA juicy bonus to the turkey breast!
How to Serve Turkey Breast
- Potatoes : Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Crispy Potatoes or Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
- Sauces: Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce, Satay Sauce, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Garlic Sauce.
- Veggies: Honey Glazed Carrots, Sautéed Green Beans, Broccoli Rabe
- Salads: Broccoli Salad, Cauliflower Salad, Creamy Cucumber Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Leftovers: Turkey Sliders, Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich, tacos, soups like Chicken Tortilla Soup.
What Temperature do you Cook Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer?
We have tested a few temperatures, and we found 360 degrees F to be best, especially because our air fryer runs exact temperatures. If you feel your air fryer runs slightly low or high , adjust the temperatures. On average the BEST temperatures are between 350 degrees -375 degrees F.
How long does it take to Air Fry a Turkey Breast?
It depends on the size of the turkey and if it's bone in or boneless. On average a boneless turkey breast is cooked between 30-45 minutes. However a bone in turkey breast takes between 40-55 minutes.
Should I brine the turkey breast before air frying?
Brining helps keep turkey absorb more water and becoming extra moist. You can read more about the wet brining in this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe. And read more about the Dry Brine Turkey Breast here. Now you don't have to brine, especially if you're rushed on time. We shared the recipe above wtihout brining, and it was great.
Do you flip a turkey breast in the air fryer?
YES. You need to cook the turkey breast well on one side before flipping to the other. This ensures even browning and even cooking.
Is air fryer turkey breast safe to eat at 160°F?
The USDA recommends 165°F for poultry. In order to avoid overcooking the turkey, we remove it from the air fryer at 160 degrees F. The resting time allows the juices to distribute and also allows the carryover heat to reach 165 degrees F safely.
How do I prevent dried-out turkey breast?
Simply avoid overcooking the turkey as a the most crucial step. Having a meat thermometer is KEY to this recipe. Remove the turkey at 160 ndegrees F and let it rest to reach the correct temperature. Consider a salt brine or wet brine if you'd like an ultra juicy turkey.
Can I cook a bone-in turkey breast in an air fryer?
Yes! The key to cooking the turkey (or anything )in the air fryer is ensuring this enough space. Avoid overlapping or overcrowding the air fryer as this makes the hot air not circulate well. So use a large capacity air fryer for this. Also keep in mind that bone in will take longer, so keep your meat thermometer close by.
How long can I store leftover air fried turkey breast?
Refrigerate the cooked and cooled down turkey breast within 2 hours and store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. You can likewise freeze the meat sealed in a ziploc bag up to 3 months for best quality. Reheat gently with a splash of stock on the stove to retain moisture, or covered in foil with the stock in a 350 degrees F oven/air fryer for 5 minutes.
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