Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast is a quick recipe that uses a 3 to 4 pound (lb), bone-in or boneless breast. This air fried dish includes a tutorial for how to cook, how long to cook, and the perfect temperature. The turkey is so juicy it will fall off the bone like a tenderloin! Feel free to slice the breast up to make cutlets.
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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Are you looking for a recipe to make during the holidays, Thanksgiving, and year-round? This roasted turkey is great for any weeknight meal and isn’t limited to just the holidays.
If you can make Air Fryer Whole Chicken in the air fryer, then air fried turkey will be just as easy!
I love to make turkey breast using my Instant Pot or air fryer. Be sure to check out my Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe, too!
How to Cook Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer
- Rub both sides of the turkey breast with olive oil and sprinkle spices and seasonings throughout.
- Place the turkey on the air fryer basket, skin-side down.
- Air Fry.
- Flip the turkey and air fry until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees using a meat thermometer.
Air Fryer Temperature
Cook the turkey breast on 350 degrees.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
Ultimately, you will want to cook the turkey breast until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Cook the turkey skin-side down for 25 minutes. Flip it and then cook it for an additional 20-30 minutes. Mine was finished right at 45 minutes of total cook time.
How to Slice and Carve Turkey
These tips for slicing and carving up a turkey breast will work well for any poultry that needs slicing! So this isn’t a skill you only need around the holidays.
Always wait 10-15 minutes before slicing into the turkey. If you slice it up too soon you are going to waste all of the juices that have been running wild inside that turkey! This will really dry out your turkey.
You will make your first cut right at the breast bone of the turkey. Find the breast bone and run your knife alongside, so swipe the meat away from the bone. You will have to follow the knife along the top and bottom to fully release.
Pull the meat away from the carcass. Now, slice the turkey into smaller pieces. I always slice against the grain of the meat. You can find more Tips on How to Carve a Turkey Breast here.
How to Freeze
The turkey will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can leave it sliced, or shred or dice it and place in a tightly sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Leftover turkey is great to have on hand to toss on salads or to throw into soups!
Pair this with my Keto Low Carb Gravy.
More Holiday and Thanksgiving Recipes
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Air Fryer Cornbread
Air Fryer Garlic Cheese Bread
Air Fryer Green Beans
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Southern Cornbread
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes
Click here for a complete listing of Air Fryer Recipes.
Be sure to check out my post on 20 Quick and Easy Air Fryer Holiday Recipes.
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound bone-in turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rub the olive oil over both sides of the turkey breast. Sprinkle the seasonings onto both sides and rub them into the turkey.
- Place the turkey skin-side down in the air fryer. Air fry for 25 minutes on 350 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the turkey. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes. Test the thickest part of the turkey breast using a meat thermometer. Ensure the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Mine was finished right at 45 minutes of total cook time.
- Allow the turkey to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Barbara B
Wednesday 2nd of December 2020
Hi!!! I made your recipe for the air fryer turkey breast for my family on Thanksgiving and although I only eat seafood, I must tell you that I was tempted to try a piece bc it looked so delicious!! My family said it was delicious!! Thanks for all that you do!
staysnatched
Friday 4th of December 2020
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Felicia
Friday 27th of November 2020
You’ve outdone yourself with this one. I used that injector seasoning you posted and then followed your directions for air frying. It’s juicy, flavorful and the skin is crisp. Way better than roasting a turkey and much healthier than deep frying it. Now my non turkey eating family wants some but I don’t want to share. I lined up my menu with all of your leftover tips.
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
haha I'm with you! No sharing.
Shauna
Thursday 26th of November 2020
Brandi’s recipe made my first turkey breast cooking experience seamless and far less terrifying than I thought it would be. The best was juicy with a crispy skin and done in less than an hour! Highly recommend.
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
Yay! I'm so glad you and the family enjoyed it.
gloria randall
Wednesday 28th of October 2020
hello Brandi! i am a senior citizen and would like to purchase a bone-in half breast of turkey. do you know what stores on line sell for home delivery
staysnatched
Thursday 29th of October 2020
I would check Shipt and Instacart. They are grocery delivery services that work for local grocery stores.
Thomas
Sunday 12th of January 2020
Two years ago I bought an extra turkey (12lb) when they were on sale just before Thanksgiving, cut it into it's various parts and vacuum sealed them individually, throwing them in the freezer for later use..
For Christmas 2019 we went a little non-traditional and had beef short ribs as the main course (folks are a little burned out on turkey at Christmas). Not wanting to be completely without turkey I pulled a turkey breast out of the freezer to accompany the meal.
After thawing the vacuum bagged breast in room temp water for a few hours the breast was totally thawed. I cut a small slit in the bag and poured in a brine of 3 cups water, 4 Tbsp kosher salt and 1 Tbsp Creole seasoning (I didn't have any poultry seasoning). I placed this in the refrigerator overnight.
Just over an hour before sitting down for Christmas dinner I pulled the bag out of the refrigerator, patted the breast dry and followed your recipe (except again, I replaced the poultry seasoning with Creole seasoning because it's what I had on hand). The breast reached 160degrees in about 50 minutes.
Following a 15 minute rest I cut into the moistest turkey breast I've ever cooked. While the short ribs were appreciated, EVERYONE LOVED the turkey. Thank you!
staysnatched
Sunday 12th of January 2020
Wow! Sounds amazing! And thank you so much for sharing. I’m glad you enjoyed it.