Tillie Doyle
Cooking a turkey in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make tender and juicy turkey with crispy skin. It is a great option for a small Thanksgiving dinner or a weeknight meal. The cooking time will vary based on the model of your air fryer, whether you are using bone-in or boneless turkey breast, and the size of your breast. A 3-pound boneless turkey breast, like the Butterball turkey breast, cooks in the air fryer in 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. It is recommended to cook the turkey breast with the oven-safe netting on and then trim it away after cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Time | 45-60 minutes, about 7-10 minutes per pound |
| Temperature | 350-400° F |
| Netting | Leave the netting on while cooking to keep the meat together |
| Thawing | Thaw completely before cooking |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, black pepper, mustard, paprika, poultry seasoning |
| Internal Temperature | 155-165° F |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for a turkey in a Butterball air fryer will depend on the weight of the turkey, whether it is boneless or bone-in, and the size of your air fryer.
For a boneless turkey breast, preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and loosen the string netting. Drizzle olive oil over the turkey breast and rub it all over, coating the entire roast. Then, place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, then carefully flip the turkey over and cook for another 30 to 50 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 155°F.
If you are using a bone-in turkey breast, it is recommended to remove the ribs to make it easier to fit in the air fryer. Brining the turkey first will also help keep the meat moist. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the thickest part of the meat reaches 155°F.
For a whole turkey, set the air fryer temperature to 400°F. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes, or about 7 to 10 minutes per pound, until a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F. Let the turkey stand for 10 minutes before carving.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so it is always a good idea to check the turkey a few minutes early to prevent overcooking.
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Preparing the turkey
Next, remove the outer netting and wrapper, but it is advised to keep the oven-safe netting tied around the meat to help it cook more evenly and keep the breast intact. Then, pat the turkey dry with paper towels. If you want to add flavour, you can inject your turkey with a marinade or rub it with seasonings. For a simple seasoning, use dried herbs such as onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, paprika, dried crushed rosemary, salt, and pepper. You can also create a paste with mayo, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and rub it on the turkey.
After seasoning, spray the turkey generously with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil, ensuring it is well-coated. Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350-400° F, depending on the weight and type of turkey you are cooking. Place the turkey in the air fryer basket, with the skin side up for bone-in turkey and skin side down for boneless.
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Cooking methods
Firstly, it is important to prepare the turkey before cooking. For frozen turkey, it is recommended to thaw it completely before cooking. This can be done by leaving it in the refrigerator for up to four days or using the cold water method. After thawing, remove the outer netting and wrapper but keep the oven-safe netting that is tied around the meat to help it cook more evenly. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
For seasoning, dried herbs such as onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, paprika, dried crushed rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper can be used. A seasoning paste can also be made by mixing 1/2 cup of mayo, 4 teaspoons of poultry seasoning, 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. This seasoning paste can be rubbed all over the turkey generously.
For cooking, preheat the air fryer to between 350-390 degrees F. Place the turkey in the air fryer basket, preferably skin-side up. The cooking time will vary depending on the weight of the turkey, but it is generally between 45-60 minutes for a boneless turkey breast and 40-50 minutes for a bone-in turkey breast. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the thickest portion of the turkey reaches 165 degrees F for food safety.
After cooking, let the turkey rest for about 10 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.
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Carving the turkey
Cooking a turkey in a Butterball air fryer is a great way to ensure a juicy and tender roast. Now that your turkey is cooked, it's time to carve it. Here is a detailed and direct guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare your workstation:
You will need a sharp knife, a large cutting board, a serving platter, and some paper towels. Place a mildly damp towel under the cutting board to stabilize it and prevent it from moving while you slice the turkey. You may also want to use tongs to handle the turkey.
Step 2: Let the turkey rest:
Before you begin carving, let the turkey rest for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows the juices to settle and be reabsorbed by the meat, making it extra juicy. Resting also lets the turkey cool down slightly, making it easier to handle.
Step 3: Position the turkey:
Place the cooked turkey on the cutting board with the cavity facing towards you. If there is any butcher's twine trussing the legs, remove it. If your turkey has an inner string netting, now is the time to cut and remove it.
Step 4: Carve the turkey:
There are different techniques you can use to carve the turkey. One method is to work on one side of the turkey at a time. First, remove the leg and thigh by pulling them away from the body and cutting through the joint that connects them. Separate the thigh from the drumstick by wiggling your knife into the joint. Remove the bone from the thigh and cut the meat into slices. Place the drumsticks and sliced thigh meat on the platter.
Next, remove the breast by cutting crosswise at a slight angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices. You can also separate the wing from the breast and cut it in half. Place the white meat on the serving platter. Repeat these steps on the other side of the turkey.
Step 5: Serve:
Carving will cool down the meat significantly, so it's best to serve the turkey immediately after carving. If you need to stash it away, cover it and keep it in a warm oven until serving.
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Storing leftovers
Firstly, it is important to refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours of cooking. Turkey is a perishable food, and leaving it at room temperature for too long can lead to bacterial growth. Place the leftover turkey in an airtight container or a zippered plastic storage bag. Make sure the container is not too crowded to allow proper cooling.
Leftover turkey can be safely stored in the refrigerator (40°F or below) for up to 3 to 4 days. This applies to both boneless and bone-in turkey breasts. Label and date your containers to keep track of how long the leftovers have been stored.
If you don't plan to consume the leftovers within this timeframe, you can extend their shelf life by freezing them. Slicing the leftover turkey into portions before freezing is a good idea. Wrap the portions tightly in plastic wrap or place them in freezer bags. Frozen cooked turkey can be safely stored for 2 to 3 months.
When reheating leftover turkey, ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria that may have grown during storage. You can use your air fryer or any other cooking method to reheat, but always ensure it is thoroughly heated before consuming.
Lastly, be mindful of food safety practices when handling and storing leftovers. Wash your hands before handling food, use clean utensils and containers, and avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw and cooked foods separate. Thawing and preparation are also important steps to consider when preparing your turkey.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey and whether it is boneless or bone-in. A 3-pound boneless turkey breast cooks in an air fryer in about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. A 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast cooks in the air fryer in 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees F.
The temperature depends on the model of your air fryer and the size of your turkey breast. It is recommended to cook at temperatures between 350 degrees F and 400 degrees F.
First, completely thaw your whole turkey breast. Using kitchen shears, remove the rib cage. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Prepare the breast with seasonings and a generous amount of cooking spray. Place the breast in the air fryer basket, skin side up.
The turkey is done when the thickest part of the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when measured with a meat thermometer.
