Air Fryer Turkey Breast
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My Air Fryer Turkey Breast is a true time saver! Made in half the time, with only 4 ingredients, you can say goodbye to holiday stress and hello to your new favorite cooking method!
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Do you want a crispy, juicy turkey cooked in half the time? Look no further! My air fryer turkey breast is moist and tender on the inside, with that extra crispy brown skin we all know and love on the outside. In HALF the time or less it takes to roast a turkey, you can have this air fryer wonder ready to serve!
For most of us, the turkey is the most important part of our holiday meal. We crave that tender meat, crisp skin, but the time and effort it takes to perfect is just too stressful! By using the air fryer, we can save time AND precious oven space. In just over an hour, we can have the perfect holiday main ready to be devoured. Air fryer turkey breast is where it’s at!
Why Roast A Turkey Breast In The Air Fryer
- Juicy Turkey
- Crispy Skin
- Half The Time
- Simple Ingredient List
- Easy, Straightforward Recipe
- Turkey – I used a 5 lb turkey breast, skin-on and bone-in. Keep in mind, cooking time will vary depending on the size of your bird. My turkey breast was on the bigger side so whatever you choose, make sure it will fit in your air fryer. You can also use a boneless turkey breast.
- Olive Oil – Substitute sunflower, safflower or avocado oil.
- Seasoning – We are using a simple combination of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt and pepper! Feel free to experiment with your own spice combination.
This air fryer turkey breast recipe is a fantastic way to save time and free up your oven! Once seasoned, it only takes the air fry 60 minutes to cook the turkey to juicy perfection!
Preheat The Air Fryer If Needed
To start, you need to preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). You want it to be ready to go once your turkey is seasoned. However, whether or not you need to preheat will depend on your particular air fryer. Some models require preheating and others don’t. So you’ll need to check your manual.
Prep The Turkey
Before you season the turkey you need to pat it dry with paper towels. Do not skip this step and do a thorough job. The less moist the skin is the crispier it will be. Then mix the olive oil, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Now, use a pastry brush to generously coat the turkey breast with the spice mixture. Make sure you brush it on well all over for the most flavor.
Air Fry The Turkey Breast
Finally, let’s get this turkey cooked! First, place the turkey skin side down in the air fryer basket. Next, put the basket into the air fryer and cook it for 30 minutes. Then once the turkey has cooked a bit, remove the air fryer basket and flip the breast over being super careful not to burn yourself. Now, put the turkey back into the air fryer and cook it for another 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). I always use my handy digit cooking thermometer to check the temperature.
Rest And Carve
Once the roasted turkey breast is done air frying you need to remove it from the basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. It’s important to wait the full 10 minutes so that the turkey remains as juicy as possible. Then carve the turkey breast and serve it with your favorite turkey gravy or side dishes like some creamy mashed potatoes and green beans.
Why The Air Fryer?
Air fryers use a circulation of hot air to cook food instead of submerging it in oil! By using the air fryer, we can achieve the same crispy results, without all the grease!
Is Air Frying Healthy?
Air frying is definitely a healthier alternative than frying in oil. It cuts calories by about 70-80% and has a lot less fat!
How Do I Know When My Turkey Is Done?
To truly test doneness of the meat, use an instant meat thermometer. Do not go by the color of the skin. The turkey is done when the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Make sure the thermometer is not touching the bone.
How To Serve
This bird is definitely a holiday staple! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, you’ll want this recipe. Serve alongside your favorite sides and you’ll have one table full of happy bellies. Now, I’m not saying you can’t enjoy this for a weeknight meal or special occasion, because you can! It’s fast enough that you could add it into your weekly dinner rotation.
Expert Tips
- Make sure the turkey breast fits in your air fryer. Air fryers come in different shapes and sizes. My turkey breast was a bit on the large side so I had to cut off the end of it so it would fit in my air fryer.
- Get an instant meat thermometer! Trust me, it will be a life saver! This is the best way to ensure your turkey is cooked properly. Luckily, since we’re using an air fryer, we can open the lid and check the temperature often and as soon as it reaches 165°F, you know the turkey is done!
- I kept the seasoning super simple and herbaceous, but feel free to play around with other spices/herbs to make this recipe your own!
- You can make a compound butter with herbs, garlic and smoked paprika, and spread it under the skin for extra flavor and yumminess.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, but still want to save time, check out my spatchcock turkey recipe!
Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers from this turkey, they can be used in a ton of dishes! Store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Use leftovers for turkey noodle soup, sandwiches, pasta or shepherd’s pie!
Freezing
Make sure to let your turkey cool completely before you freeze it! Place individual pieces into freezer bags or an airtight container. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible from the bag as you slide the zipper closed. Leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Great Recipes To Try
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 4-5 pound turkey breast (skin-on and bone-in)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to tase)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Prep The Turkey: Pat dry the turkey breast with paper towels. In a small bowl mix the olive oil with the herbs, paprika, salt and pepper. Using a brush, brush the olive oil mixture over both sides of the turkey breast, generously.
- Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the turkey skin side down and cook for 30 minutes, then turn the breast over with the skin side up, careful not to burn yourself, and cook for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Rest and Carve: Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Equipment
Notes
- Make sure the turkey breast fits in your air fryer. Air fryers come in different shapes and sizes. My turkey breast was a bit on the large side so I had to cut off the end of it so it would fit in my air fryer.
- Get an instant meat thermometer! Trust me, it will be a life saver! This is the best way to ensure your turkey is cooked properly. Luckily, since we’re using an air fryer, we can open the lid and check the temperature often and as soon as it reaches 165°F, you know the turkey is done!
- I kept the seasoning super simple and herbaceous, but feel free to play around with other spices/herbs to make this recipe your own!
- You can make a compound butter with herbs, garlic and smoked paprika, and spread it under the skin for extra flavor and yumminess.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, but still want to save time, check out my spatchcock turkey recipe!
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Make sure to let your turkey cool completely before you freeze it! Place individual pieces into freezer bags or an airtight container. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible from the bag as you slide the zipper closed. Leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Ohhhh what an awesome idea to free up oven space at Thanksgiving. We’re actually doing two turkey breasts and 3 casseroles so this will really be a time and space saver! Thanks, Jo – can’t wait to try it!
My pleasure, hope you like it!
Can’t believe how juicy and crispy the chicken came out in the air fryer. What a great meal, and I made your old fashioned green beans, and mashed potatoes to go with it. So, so good and easy to make.
Can a toaster oven with convection be used for this recipe?
It won’t be the same as the air fryer. You can test it out if you want!
Can’t wait to try it..BUT I have to use several large Chicken
breasts..Cannot get into the cities… Should be great Thank you.
It’ll still be just as great! Love that you’re making what you have work 🙂