Marianne Martinez
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a great way to make a smaller turkey dinner in a fraction of the time it would take to cook in an oven. It's also a convenient option for meal prep or homemade deli meat. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air cooks the meat faster than traditional roasting without drying it out, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey breast with a crispy skin.
How to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 350-360°F |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley |
| Cooking time | 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning the breast every 5-10 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 160-165°F |
| Resting time | 5-15 minutes |
| Netting | Leave netting on during cooking |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 4 months |
| Reheating | Grease the air fryer basket and heat until desired temperature |
| Air fryer size | 5-8 quarts |
| Weight | 1-5 pounds |
| Shape | Thinner and flatter shapes cook quicker than thicker, rounder shapes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right turkey breast
Bone-in or Boneless:
Start by deciding between a bone-in or a boneless turkey breast. A bone-in turkey breast will add flavour to the meat and create a more juicy and tender dish. However, it will require a longer cooking time. If you opt for a boneless turkey breast, you can expect a quicker cooking time and easier slicing when it's done.
Size and Weight:
Turkey breasts come in various sizes and weights, so choose one that fits your air fryer with some space to spare. A standard 4-5 pound bone-in turkey breast should fit well in a 5-quart or larger air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might need to adjust and choose a smaller turkey breast.
Fresh or Frozen:
Always opt for a fresh turkey breast if possible, as it will yield better results than frozen. However, if you only have access to frozen turkey, ensure that you thaw it completely, then pat it dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking.
Skin Intact:
Choose a turkey breast with the skin intact. The skin helps retain moisture during cooking, resulting in juicier meat. You can discard the skin before serving if preferred.
Injecting or Brining:
Consider injecting your turkey breast with a marinade or brine to add extra moisture and flavour. You can inject it right before air frying or up to 8 hours in advance for more intense flavour. Just remember to keep it chilled during the marinating process.
Netting:
If your turkey breast comes with netting, leave it on during the cooking process. The netting helps hold the meat together and ensures even cooking.
By considering these factors when choosing your turkey breast, you'll be well on your way to a delicious air-fried turkey meal.
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Preparing the meat
Firstly, ensure that your turkey breast fits in the air fryer without touching the top element. If it is wrapped in netting and seems too tall, carefully remove the netting to flatten it out slightly. This will ensure even cooking and allow room for air circulation. The size of the turkey breast will impact the cooking time, with larger breasts taking longer to cook. A bone-in turkey breast will also require a slightly longer cooking time, about 10 minutes more.
Before seasoning, remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for around 20 minutes to remove the chill. Pat the breast dry with paper towels, as this will help the seasonings stick better.
Now, it's time to season the turkey breast. Brush or rub the turkey breast with oil, ensuring it is coated all over. You can use olive oil or melted butter for this step. Next, season the turkey breast generously. You can use a simple combination of salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. If you want to add some extra flavour, include fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley. You can also use garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder to enhance the taste. Don't forget to season both sides of the turkey breast!
If you prefer to brine your turkey breast, you can do so before seasoning. Just remember to use less salt in your seasoning blend. Brining can add moisture and flavour to the meat.
Once the turkey breast is seasoned, it's almost ready for the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey breast, skin side down, into the air fryer basket. Set a timer for 17-20 minutes for the initial cooking time.
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Cooking the breast
First, take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. This should take about 20-30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. If you have fresh herbs, chop them up and place them in the air fryer basket along with sliced vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion. Place the turkey breast in the middle of the basket, skin side down. Brush the turkey breast with oil or butter and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. You can also use a rotisserie seasoning or a dry herb seasoning blend.
Next, air fry the turkey breast for 15-20 minutes at 350°F. Then, flip the turkey breast over and cook it for another 25-45 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F in the thickest part of the breast. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
Once the turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Tent it with foil to keep it warm and help redistribute the juices. Finally, use a large sharp knife to slice the turkey breast, following the bone and pulling the meat away from it.
A few other tips to keep in mind:
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size and shape of the turkey breast, as well as the brand and size of your air fryer. A thinner, flatter shape will cook quicker than a thicker, rounder breast.
- For a bone-in turkey breast, increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
- If the outside of the turkey looks dry during cooking, spray it with cooking spray to keep it moist.
- If you want to use the drippings for gravy, add a layer of tin foil to the base of the air fryer to collect the juices.
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Resting and slicing the meat
Resting the meat is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the turkey is moist and juicy. Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a carving or cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 15 minutes. Tent it with aluminium foil to keep it warm.
When it comes to slicing the meat, use a large, sharp knife. Run the knife alongside the breast bone using long, even strokes. If you're using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion. Follow the bone all the way down to the bottom of the board. Bring your knife around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone. Cut down the ribs and follow it around and 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.
It's important to note that the resting time can also impact the internal temperature of the turkey breast. The temperature will continue to rise by about 5°F as the turkey rests. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the turkey from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, as it will continue to cook and reach the recommended internal temperature of 165°F while resting.
An instant-read thermometer or a meat thermometer is a useful tool to ensure the turkey is cooked perfectly. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to get an accurate reading.
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Storing leftovers
One way to store leftovers is to place the turkey in an airtight container and freeze it for up to six months. This method ensures that you can enjoy your air-fried turkey breast at a later date without compromising its taste or texture.
If you plan on eating the leftovers within a few days, you can store them in the refrigerator. It is recommended to remove the stuffing from the turkey and place the meat in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap before storing it in the fridge. Consume the refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days to ensure food safety.
When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat the turkey in the oven, on the stovetop, or even in the air fryer. If using the oven, preheat it to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the carved turkey in a baking dish. Add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the dish and cover it with foil before placing it in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
For stovetop reheating, place the carved turkey in a skillet or shallow pan. Pour broth or water over the meat, ensuring it is covered by about 1/2 inch of liquid. Cover the pan and heat on medium to high heat until the turkey is warmed through.
You can also reheat the turkey in the air fryer, depending on the model and size of your appliance. Simply place the carved turkey in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is not overfilled, and heat until warmed through.
No matter which reheating method you choose, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure food safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the turkey breast and the type of air fryer. A 4-5 pound turkey breast should take 45-60 minutes, while a smaller 3-4 pound breast will take 45-50 minutes. A 1-2 pound turkey breast will take about 20-25 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F.
The turkey breast is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Before cooking, rub the turkey breast with olive oil or butter and season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley. Allow the turkey breast to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
Place leftover turkey in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To freeze, put the turkey breast slices in freezer bags and freeze for up to 4-6 months.
