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This air fryer turkey breast is extra juicy and tender and takes a fraction of the time if baked in the oven!
Want more easy air fryer recipes? Try air fryer chicken breast, air fryer pork tenderloin, air fryer steak, and air fryer pork belly.
Have you tried cooking lean cuts of meat in the air fryer? When done correctly, it tastes absolutely amazing and cooks fast. Turkey breast cooked in the air fryer is no different, and it’s been such a game-changer!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Extra juicy and tender. Using an air fryer ensures the turkey is cooked perfectly every single time- no over-cooked bits!
- Healthy. Turkey is one of the leanest meats out there. Because we use the air fryer instead of the oven, we skip adding butter or oil during the cooking process.
- Festive. Cut the stress from Thanksgiving and Christmas by cooking this holiday staple in this magical kitchen gadget.
- So easy! It is a much easier and more convenient option than a traditional roast turkey! Besides, the breast meat is always the best part.
Ingredients needed
If you are familiar with roasting poultry, then you’ll notice the ingredient list is almost identical. Here is what you’ll need:
- Turkey breast. Choose a boneless turkey breast with its skin intact. The skin will retain the juices, and you can discard it once the turkey is cooked. While boneless turkey is preferred, bone-in turkey breast, tenderloin, or even drumsticks will work.
- Garlic. Chopped finely.
- Salt and black pepper. To season.
- Poultry seasoning. The secret ingredient that takes this meat to another level.
- Fresh rosemary. Just a sprig of rosemary for a touch of flavor.
- Butter. Melted. You can also use olive oil if you prefer.
How to air fry turkey breast
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the herb butter. Melt your butter and add it to a mixing bowl with garlic and rosemary. Whisk it up well till everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 2- Season the turkey. Take the remaining half of the butter mix prepared earlier and put on the turkey breast until it is covered. Season with salt and pepper before drizzling the remaining butter on top. Rub on the poultry seasoning so it sticks.
Step 3- Air fry the turkey breast. Lay the turkey breast skin side down into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 180C/350F for 20-25 minutes. Once it reaches an internal temperature of 160F, it is cooked and ready to eat.
Step 4- Rest and serve. Once out of the air fryer, lay it on a serving plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before you begin carving.
Air fryer turkey cooking time
urkey breasts come in different weights, so we’ve tested out the best cooking times depending on the size of the bird.
- 1 pound breast meat: 17-20 minutes
- 2 pounds of breast meat: 30 minutes
- 3 pounds of breast meat: 45-50 minutes
For every extra pound of turkey, add 8-10 minutes of extra time.
Of course, an instant-read thermometer should also be used to check the doneness.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use fresh Turkey. Like anything, fresh turkey breast will turn out way better than a frozen one. If you only have a frozen turkey on hand, just be sure to thaw it completely, then pat it dry with a paper towel before seasoning it.
- Let the mixture sit. If you let the melted butter and herb mixture sit for a while, the flavor of the herb really comes out. For this, 10 minutes should do the trick, but I sometimes keep it overnight, and let’s me just say, the flavor is incredible!
- Use hands. Sure, it is a little bit messier, but trust me on this. Using your hands to rub the butter and seasonings on the turkey instead of utensils makes all the difference.
Serving suggestions
Besides the classic stuffing or holiday side dishes, you can pair this turkey with almost anything. Here are some favorites:
- Sauteed vegetables. Keep it simple with some sauteed asparagus, sauteed broccolini, or sauteed eggplant.
- All the potatoes. I like to whip up some air fryer French fries, air fryer baked potato, or even an air fryer baked sweet potato at the same time as the turkey (it works!)l.
- Hearty salads. Use the turkey as the main protein source and pair it with a rice salad, orzo salad, or green goddess salad.
- Grains and starches. Cook your favorite pasta or steam some rice.
Storage instructions
To store. Place leftovers in an airtight container before refrigerating it. It retains the juices and keeps them moist for 3-4 days.
To freeze. Put the turkey breast slices in freezer bags, and after getting out all the air, you can freeze them for up to 6 months.
To reheat. When ready to consume again, just grease up the air fryer basket and put the turkey in till heated to desire.
Frequently asked questions
If you’d like to use the drippings to make gravy, add a thick layer of tin foil to the base of the air fryer.
Yes, bone-in turkey breast will work, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time by 3 minutes per pound.
More air fryer recipes to try
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F.
- Whisk the melted butter with the garlic and rosemary until combined.
- Rub half the butter mix all over the turkey, then season With salt and pepper. Drizzle with the remaining butter then rub the poultry seasoning all over.
- Place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the turkey for 17-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F.
- Let your turkey rest for 5 minutes, before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published December 2022, updated and republished March 2024
How would you cook this in a conventional oven?