Emilie Meyer
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a great way to make a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or a quick and easy meal. It's a simple process that results in juicy, tender meat with a crispy skin. The air fryer's ability to cook the meat in a fraction of the time it would take in an oven makes it a convenient option for those looking for a faster alternative to roasting a whole turkey. The cooking time will depend on the size and shape of the breast, the power of the air fryer, and personal preference for doneness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 38-60 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-390°F |
| Turkey breast weight | 3-5 pounds |
| Turkey breast type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Turkey breast shape | Thinner and flatter or thicker and rounder |
| Rest time | 10-15 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165°F |
| Brine | Optional |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, olive oil, butter |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right turkey breast
Bone-in or Boneless
You can choose either a bone-in or a boneless turkey breast for air frying. Bone-in turkey breasts tend to be juicier and more flavourful due to the bone, while boneless breasts are more convenient for cooking and carving. If you opt for a bone-in breast, remember that it will take about 10 minutes longer to cook than a boneless breast.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of the turkey breast are important considerations. Ensure that the breast fits comfortably in your air fryer with enough room for air to circulate. A 4 to 5-pound breast is typically a good size for a 5-quart or larger air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to adjust the size of the turkey breast accordingly.
Fresh or Frozen
It is recommended to use a defrosted or fresh turkey breast for air frying. This allows for proper seasoning and even cooking. If you start with a frozen breast, the outside may brown or cook too quickly while the inside is still undercooked.
Netting
Some turkey breasts come wrapped in netting. If the netting causes the breast to be too tall for your air fryer, you can carefully remove it to flatten the meat slightly. However, be cautious when removing the netting from a boneless breast, as some meat may stick to it.
Brining
Brining is an optional step that can add moisture and flavour to the turkey breast. If you choose to brine, you can use a dry brine or a wet brine. For a dry brine, coat the breast with a blend of spices and leave it to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours. For a wet brine, you can use a simple brine solution or even mayonnaise, which some people prefer for the golden colour it gives the meat.
Seasoning
Seasoning the turkey breast is essential for adding flavour. You can keep it simple with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, or get creative with fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley. Don't forget to pat the breast dry with paper towels before applying oil or seasoning to help them stick better.
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Preparing the turkey breast
After brining, preheat your air fryer to 350°F-390°F. Remove the turkey from the brine, discard the brine, and pat the turkey dry. Now, it's time to rub the turkey with oil or butter and season it. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with herbs and spices such as rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
Before placing the turkey in the air fryer, ensure that the skin side is down. You can then cook the turkey for 20 minutes before flipping it over and cooking for an additional 18-30 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the size and shape of your turkey breast, with thinner, flatter shapes cooking quicker than thicker, rounder breasts. A bone-in turkey breast will also take about 10 minutes longer to cook.
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Cooking the turkey breast
Before cooking, remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. If you have a frozen turkey breast, thaw it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. You can also brine the turkey breast if you wish. To do this, bring water to a boil and stir in kosher salt, brown sugar, and pepper. Let the brine cool completely, then place the turkey in a container and cover it with the brine. Leave the turkey to brine for 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Once the turkey has been prepared and the air fryer preheated, rub the turkey breast with olive oil or butter and season it with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley, or other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
Place the turkey, skin-side down, in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes. Then, flip the turkey breast over and cook for an additional 18–30 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cooking time will depend on the power and size of your air fryer, as well as the size and shape of the turkey breast. A thinner, flatter breast will cook quicker than a thicker, rounder one. To ensure the turkey is cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the temperature in the thickest part of the breast.
When the turkey is done, transfer it to a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Tent the turkey with aluminum foil to keep it warm and help the juices redistribute.
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Resting and slicing the turkey breast
Once the turkey breast is cooked, it's important to let it rest before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is juicy and tender. Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a carving or cutting board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes, but no longer than 15 minutes. Tent the turkey loosely with foil to help keep it warm.
While the turkey rests, you can prepare your knife and cutting board. For the best slicing experience, use a large, sharp knife. If you're using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion. If your turkey breast has skin, you may want to slice the skin separately and serve it in neat pieces, as it can be difficult to cut through.
To slice the turkey breast, start by running your knife alongside the breast bone using long, even strokes. Follow the bone all the way down to the bottom of the board. Bring your knife back up to the top and connect where you started carving. Cut down the ribs and follow the bone around to the bottom, connecting to the bottom of the first cut you made. Pull the meat away from the bone and slice it. Repeat this process on the other side.
Your juicy and flavorful air-fried turkey breast is now ready to be served!
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Serving suggestions
Turkey breast cooked in an air fryer can be served as a main course for a small gathering or used as a lean protein for meal prep or homemade deli meat. It can be served sliced with fresh herbs for garnish, along with cranberry sauce or gravy. It can also be served with side dishes like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, or mashed cauliflower.
If you're making this for Thanksgiving, you can serve it with classic holiday sides like potatoes, green beans, and other vegetables. For a filling meal, make a cheesy zucchini casserole or a gluten-free green bean casserole.
Leftovers can be used in various dishes such as turkey pot pie, sandwiches, or casseroles. They can also be frozen for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the turkey breast and the power of your air fryer. A 3-4 pound turkey breast will take 45-50 minutes, while a 5-pound breast will take about an hour.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit.
The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Before cooking, let the turkey breast sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pat the breast dry with paper towels, then rub with oil or butter and season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
