Air Fryer Turkey Breast: Cooking With The Corcinia

Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a great option for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering, or for a quick and easy meal at any time of the year. Air-fried turkey breast is tender, juicy, and flavourful, and can be cooked in under an hour with minimal prep and fuss. It's a convenient alternative to a traditional roast turkey, and the breast meat is always a favourite. The air fryer also frees up your oven, so you can prepare several dishes at once.

Turkey breast preparation

Turkey breast cooked in an air fryer is a great option for a smaller gathering, as it's quicker and easier than cooking a whole turkey. It's also a good choice for meal prep or homemade deli meat.

Preparation:

Firstly, choose a relatively small turkey breast (3-5 pounds/1.3-2+ kg) that fits easily into your air fryer basket. A frozen turkey crown is a good option as it's inexpensive and will feed up to six people.

Brining (optional):

If you want to brine your turkey, start by thawing frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Then, bring water to a boil and stir in kosher salt, brown sugar, and pepper. Remove the brine from the heat and let it cool completely, about 30 minutes. Remove the turkey breast from its wrapper, leaving the netting in place if possible. Place the turkey into a container and cover it with the cooled brine, adding more water if needed to completely cover the meat. Let the turkey brine for 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Seasoning:

For a simple herb seasoning, mix rosemary, chives, garlic, salt, ground black pepper, and unsalted butter. Pat the turkey breast dry and rub it with butter on both sides and under the skin. You can also use olive or vegetable oil instead of butter.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket. Cook for 17-20 minutes on one side, and then flip it over and cook for an additional 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your turkey breast, so it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Resting and Serving:

Once cooked, transfer the turkey to a platter and let it rest under an aluminum foil tent for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the temperature will continue to rise as the turkey rests.

Storage:

To store leftovers, cover the turkey breast slices with foil or plastic wrap before refrigerating. It will stay moist and juicy for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the slices in freezer bags for up to 6 months.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking turkey breast in an air fryer vary depending on the weight of the turkey, the power of the air fryer, and personal preference for the doneness of the meat.

As a general rule, the air fryer should be preheated to a temperature between 350 and 400°F (175 and 200°C). It is recommended to cook the turkey breast at 350°F (175 and 180°C) for 20 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This will result in a turkey with a golden, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.

For a boneless turkey breast, it is recommended to cook at 360°F (182°C) for 45 minutes to an hour, turning the breast every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid burning. If the outside of the turkey looks dry, it can be sprayed with cooking spray to keep it moist.

For a bone-in turkey breast, it is recommended to increase the cooking time by 3 minutes per pound. A 3-4 pound breast will take 45-50 minutes, while a 5-pound breast will take about an hour.

It is important to note that the size of the air fryer basket should also be considered, as the turkey breast should fit easily with room for air to circulate. A 4 to 5-pound breast should fit in a 5-quart or larger air fryer.

To ensure the turkey is cooked to your desired doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. The turkey is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). However, some people prefer to remove the turkey from the air fryer when the temperature reaches 160-162°F (71-72°C), as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.

Cooking techniques

Turkey breast cooked in an air fryer is a great option for a smaller Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering. It is also a good way to cook a lean protein for meal prep or homemade deli meat.

The cooking time for turkey breast in an air fryer varies depending on the weight of the meat, the power of the air fryer, and the desired level of doneness. A 3-5 pound turkey breast will take around 45 minutes to an hour to cook. A meat thermometer should be used to check that the turkey is cooked to a safe temperature. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Before cooking, the turkey breast should be brought to room temperature for around 20-30 minutes. The air fryer should be preheated to between 350-400°F. The turkey breast should be placed skin-side down in the air fryer basket and cooked for around 20 minutes. It should then be flipped and cooked for a further 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

The turkey should be seasoned before cooking. This can be done by rubbing the turkey with butter or oil and coating it with salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Some recipes suggest making an herb butter with fresh rosemary, chives, garlic, salt, pepper, and unsalted butter, and rubbing this under the skin of the turkey. The turkey can be sprayed with cooking spray during cooking to keep it moist and help the seasoning stick.

Carving and serving

Once your turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a carving board or platter. It is important to let the meat rest before carving to allow the juices to be re-absorbed and ensure the meat is tender. Most recipes recommend resting the meat for at least 15 minutes, but ideally 20-30 minutes. Tent the turkey with aluminium foil to keep it warm while it rests.

When you are ready to carve, use a large, sharp knife to separate the meat from the bone. Run your knife down both sides of the backbone, then slice from the top to the bottom of the breast, pulling the meat away from the bone. You can then slice the meat as thinly or thickly as you like.

If you have cooked a boneless turkey breast, simply slice the meat as desired. It is recommended to only slice as much as you need and keep the rest of the turkey breast covered in the fridge for up to three days.

To serve, place the sliced turkey breast on a heated platter or individual plates. You can garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!

Storing and reheating

Storing

Before storing, it is important to let your cooked turkey breast cool down. Wrap the turkey breast in aluminium foil or plastic wrap, ensuring it is completely covered. Then, place the wrapped turkey in a sealed container or a resealable bag. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, according to the USDA.

If you wish to freeze your leftover turkey, it is crucial to take extra care to prevent it from drying out. The cooked turkey should be frozen as soon as possible and used within one month. Frozen turkey can be stored for up to 3 to 4 months but may start to lose moisture and flavour beyond this timeframe.

Reheating

The air fryer is an excellent option for reheating your leftover turkey breast without drying it out. Here are the steps to reheat your turkey breast in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 300°F to 350°F.
• Prepare your turkey breast slices by wrapping them in aluminium foil or placing them in a baking dish that fits in your air fryer. You can also drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the slices to keep them moist.
• Place the wrapped turkey or baking dish into the air fryer.
• Reheat the turkey for approximately 6 to 10 minutes per pound of meat. The exact time will depend on the power of your air fryer and the amount of turkey.
• Check the internal temperature of the turkey breast using a meat thermometer. Ensure it reaches a minimum of 160°F to 165°F.
• Remove the turkey from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover turkey breast with the same juicy flavour and tenderness as when it was freshly cooked.

Frequently asked questions