Tillie Doyle
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare a smaller turkey for Thanksgiving or any night of the week. The air fryer can cook a sizeable turkey breast in less than an hour with minimal prep and fuss, and the result is a flavourful, juicy, and tender roast with a crispy skin. The air fryer is also a more cost-effective way to cook your turkey, as it is estimated to be 50% less expensive to run than the oven. This introduction will cover the entire process of cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer, from preparation to serving.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Turkey Breast in a Yedi Air Fryer:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | Less than an hour |
| Temperature | 350°F - 400°F |
| Turkey Breast Weight | 3-5 pounds |
| Cook Time per Pound | 7-10 minutes |
| Resting Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 150°F - 165°F |
| Oil/Butter | Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Butter |
| Seasonings | Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Italian Herbs, Thyme |
| Sides | Stuffing, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce |
| Benefits | Faster, Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat, Energy Savings |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right turkey breast
First, consider the size of your air fryer. A standard 5-quart air fryer can typically accommodate a 4 to 5-pound turkey breast, while a larger 6-quart or 8-quart model can fit a 5 to 6-pound breast. It's important to ensure that the height of the meat is below the top of the basket for even cooking.
Next, decide between a boneless or bone-in turkey breast. Boneless breasts are convenient and ideal for air frying, as they cook evenly and quickly. Bone-in breasts can also be used, but they may require a slightly longer cooking time, about 3 minutes per pound.
When selecting your turkey breast, opt for one with the skin intact. The skin helps retain moisture and can be discarded after cooking if desired. Look for a breast with a good amount of fat, as this will contribute to juiciness and flavour.
Fresh turkey breast is always preferable to frozen, as it tends to yield better results. If you must use frozen turkey, be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning.
Lastly, consider the weight of the turkey breast, as this will directly impact the cooking time. A good rule of thumb is to add 8-10 minutes of cooking time for every additional pound of turkey.
By following these guidelines, you'll be sure to choose the right turkey breast for your air fryer, ensuring a delicious and moist meal.
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Preparing the meat
Firstly, select a suitable size of turkey breast that will fit comfortably in your Yedi air fryer. A 3-5-pound turkey breast is a standard size that should fit in most air fryers. If you have an oven-style air fryer, it can typically accommodate up to a 6-pound turkey breast. It is important to ensure that the meat is not too large for your air fryer, as proper airflow is essential for even cooking.
Once you have the right size of turkey breast, take it out of the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. Allow it to rest at room temperature to remove the chill. This step helps the turkey cook more evenly. After it has reached room temperature, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
Next, it's time to season the turkey breast. In a small bowl, mix your chosen dry seasonings. You can use a simple herb blend or get creative with seasonings like salt, sweet paprika, garlic powder, Italian herbs, dried thyme, and black pepper. After mixing the seasonings, rub or brush the turkey breast with oil. This step ensures that the seasonings stick to the meat. Generously apply the seasoning blend all over the turkey breast, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
If you have the time and want to enhance the flavour even further, you can consider brining the turkey breast before seasoning. To do this, prepare a brine solution by boiling water and stirring in kosher salt, brown sugar, and pepper. Allow the brine to cool completely, then submerge the turkey breast in the brine and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove the turkey from the brine, pat it dry, and proceed with the seasoning step.
After seasoning, it's almost time to start cooking. Preheat your Yedi air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F (180°C to 200°C). Some recipes recommend preheating to 360°F or 390°F, so you can adjust the temperature according to your preference. Consult your Yedi air fryer manual for specific instructions and guidelines regarding temperature and cooking times.
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Cooking the turkey breast
First, you'll need to select a turkey breast that fits in your air fryer. A 3-5 pound turkey breast is a good size for most air fryers, but make sure to check the specific capacity of your model. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, it should be able to handle up to 6 pounds.
Before cooking, take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This will help the meat cook more evenly. You can also thaw a frozen turkey breast by leaving it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.
Next, prepare the turkey breast for cooking. Remove it from any packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. You can also brine the turkey breast for extra flavour and moisture. To brine, mix kosher salt, brown sugar, and pepper in boiling water, then let the mixture cool. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine and leave it in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
After brining or drying, it's time to season the turkey breast. You can use a variety of seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian herbs, thyme, paprika, or specialised turkey seasoning. Rub the seasonings onto the turkey breast, making sure to cover all sides. You can also add oil or butter to the turkey breast for extra moisture and flavour.
Now, it's time to cook the turkey breast in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (180-200°C). Place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 20-40 minutes, depending on the size of the breast. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast should reach a minimum of 150-165°F (66-74°C). The skin should be golden brown, and the juices should run clear when pierced with a knife.
Once the turkey breast is cooked, let it rest on a carving board for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax, ensuring a juicy and tender texture. You can loosely tent the turkey with foil to keep it warm while it rests.
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Resting and carving the meat
Once your turkey breast is cooked, it's important to let it rest before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your meat is moist and juicy. Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a carving board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes, but no longer than 15 minutes. Tent the turkey with aluminium foil to keep it warm.
When you're ready to carve, use a large, sharp knife. If you're using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion. Run 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 around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone. Cut down the ribs and follow it down to the bottom to connect to the bottom of the first breast bone cut. Pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat the same process on the other side.
Only slice as much meat as you need and be sure to cover the rest of the turkey. It can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Leftovers can be used in recipes like Easy Leftover Turkey Pie, Leftover Turkey Casserole, Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta, or Leftover Turkey Soup.
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Storing leftovers
Once your turkey breast is cooked, it is important to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. You can tent the turkey with aluminium foil to help it stay warm. After carving, cover the leftover turkey and store it in the fridge for up to three days. You can use the leftovers for dishes like leftover turkey pie, casserole, creamy leftover turkey pasta, or sandwiches.
When storing leftovers, it is important to keep food safety in mind. Make sure the leftover turkey is cooled down to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. Use airtight containers or wrap the leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or aluminium foil to ensure proper airflow and cooking.
If you don't plan to consume the leftovers within three days, you can freeze them. Wrap the leftovers tightly or place them in airtight containers before transferring them to the freezer. Label the containers with the date and consume within 2-3 months for best quality.
To reheat the leftovers, you can use the air fryer or oven. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and heat the leftovers for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through. If using an oven, preheat it to 350°F (180°C) and heat the leftovers for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
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Frequently asked questions
A turkey breast can be cooked in an air fryer in less than an hour. The cooking time depends on the size of the breast and the type of air fryer. A 3-5 pound turkey breast will take 45-60 minutes to cook in a 5-quart or larger air fryer. A 1-2 pound breast will take 20-25 minutes.
The best way to know when your turkey breast is done is to use a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, because the temperature will continue to rise by about 5°F (3°C) as the turkey rests, you can take the turkey out when it reaches 160°F (71°C).
Before cooking, take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, then rub or brush it with oil. Season the turkey breast on all sides with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
