Ella Walter
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a moist and juicy roast with a deep golden brown skin. The cooking time will vary depending on the weight and shape of the meat, the type of air fryer, and whether the breast is boneless or bone-in. For a 5-pound turkey breast, cooking time can range from 40 minutes to an hour. It is recommended to cook the turkey breast skin-side down for the first 20 minutes, before flipping it over and cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 20 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 25-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155-165°F |
| Cooking temperature | 350-360°F |
| Resting time | 5-15 minutes |
| Cooking oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, fresh herbs |
| Brining | Not necessary, but can be done before cooking or as a dry brine with spices |
| Netting | Bone-in turkey breast with netting cooks faster than boneless turkey breast with netting |
| Weight | Cooking time is approximately 10-12 minutes per pound for boneless turkey breast or 11-13 minutes per pound for bone-in turkey breast |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times for boneless vs bone-in turkey breast
The cooking time for turkey breast in an air fryer varies depending on the weight of the meat, whether it is boneless or bone-in, and the type of air fryer being used.
A boneless turkey breast typically takes longer to cook than a bone-in turkey breast of the same weight. This is because boneless turkey breasts are usually wrapped in netting, which affects how heat is distributed throughout the meat. For example, a 3-pound boneless turkey breast will take 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook, while a 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast will take 40 to 50 minutes.
A 1- to 2-pound boneless turkey breast will take 20 to 25 minutes to cook, while a bone-in turkey breast of the same weight will take slightly less time. For larger turkey breasts, the cooking time can increase to 40 minutes or more. For example, a 4- to 5-pound bone-in turkey breast will take 55 to 75 minutes to cook, while a 3.79-pound boneless turkey breast will take 70 minutes.
It is important to note that the cooking time may also vary depending on the type of air fryer being used. For example, an oven-style air fryer can accommodate a larger turkey breast compared to a pull-out drawer version. Additionally, the power of the air fryer will affect cooking time, with more powerful air fryers cooking the turkey breast faster.
To ensure that the turkey breast is cooked perfectly, it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The target internal temperature for a fully cooked turkey breast is 155°F to 165°F.
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How to ensure the turkey breast is juicy
To ensure your turkey breast is juicy, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help the spices stick to the meat and ensure a crispy skin. Next, brush the turkey breast with oil or butter. This step will help with browning and ensure the seasonings stick. Season the turkey breast liberally—this is not the time to be stingy! Use salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, and feel free to add fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley, as well as garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
If you're using a bone-in turkey breast with the ribs still attached, it's a good idea to brine the turkey first to help the meat stay moist. You can use a dry brine or a wet brine—just be sure to use less salt when seasoning the turkey if you're brining it.
When it comes to cooking, place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip the breast over and cook for an additional 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the breast. The internal temperature should reach 155°F to 160°F in the thickest part of the meat, but be sure not to overcook it, as this will dry out the meat. Remove the turkey from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This resting period will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender turkey breast.
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How to ensure the turkey breast is crispy
To ensure your turkey breast is crispy, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure your turkey breast fits in the air fryer without touching the top element. If it is wrapped in netting and is too tall, you can remove the net to flatten it out.
Secondly, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This will help the spices stick to the skin and make it crisp.
Thirdly, brush the turkey breast with oil. You don't need a lot, just enough to coat the breast so that it crisps without drying out. You can use olive oil or melted butter, which will help with browning and make the seasonings stick.
Fourthly, season the turkey breast liberally. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or use salt and turkey seasoning. You can also add herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley, or spices like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
Finally, place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip it over and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F in the thickest part. The temperature will continue to rise to 165°F as it rests.
Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the shape and size of your turkey breast. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking the turkey breast, as this can dry it out.
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How to season the turkey breast
To season the turkey breast, you can use a variety of seasonings and spices. Firstly, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This will help the spices stick to the meat and ensure that the skin becomes crispy.
You can then rub oil all over the turkey breast. Olive oil or melted butter are good options as they help with browning and ensure the seasonings stick. You can also use mayonnaise as a coating, which will give the meat a golden colour and create a delicious crust.
For seasonings, you can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or use a specific turkey or poultry seasoning. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley, or spices like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder. If you want to brine the turkey, you can do so, but remember to use less salt when seasoning the meat.
Once you have seasoned the turkey breast, you can preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey for 20 minutes skin-side down, before turning it over and cooking for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
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How to store leftovers
Leftover turkey breast should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This will retain the juices and keep the meat moist for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the turkey breast slices in freezer bags for up to 3-6 months.
When you are ready to eat the frozen leftovers, grease the air fryer basket and heat the turkey until it reaches your desired temperature.
It is important to note that the FDA recommends a safe temperature of 165°F for cooked turkey. Therefore, you should ensure that your leftovers reach this temperature when reheating.
Additionally, you can use the drippings from the cooked turkey to make gravy. To do this, add a thick layer of tin foil to the base of the air fryer before cooking the turkey.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time varies based on the size and shape of the turkey breast, the brand and size of the air fryer, and whether the breast is boneless or bone-in. A thinner, flatter shape will cook through quicker, while a thicker, rounder breast will need more time. A 5-pound turkey breast will take about 55-60 minutes, or 10-12 minutes per pound for boneless or 11-13 minutes per pound for bone-in.
Preheat the air fryer to 350-360°F and cook skin-side down for 20 minutes, then flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Use a meat or instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat has reached 165°F. Remove the turkey from the air fryer at 155-160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.
