Recipe Notes

Tips for Turkey Breast Recipe

1. You can use bone in or boneless turkey breast for this recipe. The key is to check doneness at different times.
2. Likewise you can use a basket air fryer or oven style air fryer for this recipe.
3. Having a meat thermometer is non-negotiable. This is the real measure of success of your air fryer turkey breast.
4. To measure the temperature properly, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Before seasoning, pat dry the skin for better crisping.
8. Use any spice blend or seasoning you prefer, make sure to use olive oil or melted butter to bind it together.
9. Make sure to flip the turkey when te skin has browned and crisped up, which is about halfway.
10. We found that it doesn't matter much which side you start with. So you can start air frying skin side up or down.
11. Allow the turkey to rest as the juices will stay in this way and the temperature will rise to 165 degrees F.
12. 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.