Air-Fried Turkey: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryer turkey breast is a juicy, tender, and flavourful alternative to roasting a whole bird. It is a faster and more convenient option that yields identical results. The cooking time is under an hour, and the meat is always moist. The breast can be cooked with or without bones, and the skin can be removed after cooking. The air fryer setting should be at 350 degrees F, and the meat should be cooked for 10 minutes per pound. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165 degrees F when fully cooked.

Turkey breast cooking times and temperatures

Boneless Turkey Breast

A 3-pound boneless turkey breast cooks in the air fryer in 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Bone-In Turkey Breast

A 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast cooks in the air fryer in 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Bone-In Turkey Breast in Smaller Air Fryers

If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook your turkey breast on its side. In this case, a 4-pound bone-in turkey breast will take 50 minutes in total, cooked in 25-minute increments on each side.

Bone-In Turkey Breast with Netting

If your boneless turkey breast has netting, it may take a little longer to cook than a bone-in breast. It is recommended to cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, turning the breast every 15 minutes.

1-Pound Turkey Breasts

A 1-pound turkey breast should be cooked at 350 degrees F for 17-20 minutes.

2-Pound Turkey Breasts

A 2-pound turkey breast should be cooked at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

3-Pound Turkey Breasts

A 3-pound turkey breast should be cooked at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

An instant-read thermometer should be used to check for doneness. The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. However, it is recommended to remove the turkey from the air fryer when it reaches 155 degrees F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.

Turkey breast seasoning

If you want to make a dry rub, simply mix the ingredients in a bowl and rub it all over the turkey breast, making sure to get into all the corners and crevices. You can also try a wet rub by mixing the seasoning with melted butter or oil and rubbing it onto the breast. This can add crispiness to the skin and give it a nice golden colour.

If you're using an air fryer, it's important to note that you should fully defrost the turkey breast before adding any seasoning to ensure that the seasonings stick to the meat. You can then rub mayonnaise and seasonings all over the breast, including under the skin.

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container until you're ready to use it. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled if you need more seasoning or want to use it on a larger turkey breast.

Turkey breast prep

Defrosting and Brining

Before you begin prepping your turkey breast for the air fryer, you must first ensure that it is fully defrosted. If your turkey breast is frozen, it is recommended that you thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Some recipes also suggest brining the turkey breast before cooking. To brine your turkey, 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, for about 30 minutes. Then, place the turkey in a container and cover it with the cooled brine, adding more water if necessary. Leave the turkey to brine for 8 hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.

Seasoning

Once your turkey breast is defrosted and brined (if desired), it's time to season it. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, rosemary, sage, thyme, and Dijon mustard. You can also use an herb butter made with rosemary, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper.

If using an herb butter, cut the butter into thin slices and place them on top of the herbs and seasonings. Mash everything together until well blended. Then, rub the herb butter all over the turkey breast, making sure to get under the skin.

Alternatively, you can rub mayonnaise and seasonings all over the turkey breast, including under the skin.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, then carefully flip the turkey over. Continue cooking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat (without touching the bone) registers an internal temperature of 155-165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the turkey from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• It is important to pat the turkey breast dry before seasoning and air frying, as this will help the spices stick and the skin to crisp.
• Be generous with your seasonings—you are roasting a few pounds of meat, so you need more than a pinch of salt.
• Use some oil or butter to help the skin crisp and prevent the meat from drying out.
• If using a boneless turkey breast with netting, do not remove the netting before cooking, as it will help the meat cook and slice better.
• If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, you may need to cover the turkey with tinfoil to prevent burning.
• For best results, use fresh turkey breast instead of frozen.
• If using an herb butter, let the mixture sit for a while to allow the flavors to meld.
• Use your hands to rub the seasonings onto the turkey, as this will give you better coverage than using utensils.
• If you want to make gravy, add a thick layer of tin foil to the base of the air fryer to catch the drippings.

Turkey breast side dishes

Turkey breast cooked in an air fryer is a quick and easy meal, perfect for a smaller gathering. It is also a healthy option, being a lean cut of meat.

Now, let's talk about side dishes. The classics are always a good option: mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts. Here are some more ideas for side dishes to serve with your air fryer turkey breast:

• Gravy or giblet gravy
• Creamy instant pot mashed potatoes
• Instant Pot Southern-style collard greens
• Mac and cheese
• Sauteed butternut squash with honey, garlic, nuts, and goat cheese
• Garlic green beans
• Cauliflower stuffing
• Roasted mini peppers
• Cornbread
• Green bean casserole
• Healthy mac and cheese
• Glazed carrots
• Baked mac and cheese
• Creamed corn
• Broccoli cheese casserole
• Green beans almondine
• Melting potatoes
• Cornbread dressing
• Glazed Brussels sprouts
• Slow cooker collard greens
• Roasted fall vegetables
• Spinach and cheese-stuffed Portobello mushrooms
• Bacon-wrapped asparagus
• Sourdough bread
• Sourdough honey corn muffins
• Salad with brie, apple, and shallot vinaigrette
• Pumpkin and pecan salad

Turkey breast storage

Turkey breast is a lean cut of meat, making it a healthy option for a roast. It can be cooked in an air fryer, in the oven, or in a slow cooker. But how should you store it?

Storing Raw Turkey Breast

If you're storing raw turkey breast, it's important to keep it refrigerated at all times. The ideal temperature range for storing raw turkey is between 35°F and 40°F. If you're unsure about the temperature of your refrigerator, it's best to cook or freeze the breast within four days of purchase.

Storing Cooked Turkey Breast

When storing leftover cooked turkey breast, it's important to carve the meat into pieces before placing it in the refrigerator. This helps to speed up the cooling process. Make sure to refrigerate carved leftovers within an hour of eating, and aim to consume them within three days.

If you want to freeze cooked turkey breast, place the meat in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator.

Storing OVEN READY™ Turkey Breast

OVEN READY™ Boneless Turkey Breast is a pre-seasoned and salted option that can be purchased in the freezer section of grocery stores. To store this product, simply keep it in your freezer until you're ready to cook it. There's no need to thaw it beforehand.

Frequently asked questions