Emilie Meyer
Cooking a boneless skinless turkey breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a juicy, tender, and flavourful main dish. It is perfect for smaller holiday gatherings or a weeknight meal. The air fryer locks in moisture and flavour, creating a delicious crust while preserving the moisture inside the turkey. The cooking time will depend on the size of the turkey breast and the type and size of the air fryer. A simple herb seasoning or spice rub can be used to add flavour to the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Less than an hour |
| Oven comparison | Takes a fraction of the time it would in the oven |
| Taste | Juicy, tender, flavourful |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, paprika, rosemary, sage |
| Oil | Avocado oil, olive oil spray, cooking spray |
| Temperature | 350°F |
| Netting | Leave the netting on during cooking |
| Weight | 3-5 lb turkey breast |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the turkey breast
Next, prepare the seasoning for the turkey breast. In a small bowl, mix together your desired seasonings. A simple combination of salt and pepper can be used, or a more complex blend of herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic powder, and onion powder can be used for added flavour. Once the seasonings are mixed, rub or brush the turkey breast with oil, ensuring it is coated evenly. Then, generously apply the seasoning mix to the turkey breast, making sure to cover all sides.
Before placing the turkey breast in the air fryer, it is important to ensure it is completely thawed. This step helps the turkey breast cook evenly and prevents it from drying out during cooking. Choose a boneless turkey breast weighing around 3 pounds or a bone-in turkey breast weighing up to 4 pounds for the best results in an air fryer.
Additionally, it is recommended to use a larger air fryer, such as a 6 or 8-quart model, to ensure adequate circulation of hot air around the turkey breast. Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent the turkey from sticking.
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Air fryer temperature
The air fryer temperature you set will depend on the size of your turkey breast and the size of your air fryer. A larger turkey breast will take longer to cook, and a larger air fryer will be able to accommodate a bigger piece of meat.
A 3-5 lb turkey breast will require a temperature of 360° F for 10-12 minutes on each side, for a total cooking time of 20-25 minutes. If you are cooking a 2-3 lb turkey breast, you should increase the cooking time to 15 minutes on each side, for a total time of around 30 minutes.
Some recipes suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 350° F. However, the cooking time will be longer, and you should expect to cook the turkey breast for 50-60 minutes in total.
It is important to ensure your turkey breast is cooked thoroughly. You can check this with a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165° F. Some cooks suggest pulling the turkey out when the temperature reaches 162° F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for boneless skinless turkey breast in an air fryer depends on the size of the turkey breast and the power of the air fryer. A 3-4 pound boneless turkey breast will take around 45-50 minutes to cook in an air fryer, while a larger 5-pound breast can take an hour or more.
It is important to ensure that the turkey breast is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be measured using a meat thermometer. Some recipes recommend checking for an internal temperature of 162 degrees Fahrenheit, as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.
To ensure even cooking, the turkey breast should be rotated every 10-15 minutes. It is also important to let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
One user comment suggests cooking a 3.79-pound turkey roast for 70 minutes, turning it a quarter turn every 10 minutes and basting it with avocado oil. However, this may not be necessary for all air fryers, as another user suggests cooking a similar weight of turkey for just 20 minutes.
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Resting the cooked meat
- Remove the meat from the air fryer: Once your turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), carefully take it out of the air fryer. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the hot air and surfaces.
- Transfer to a cutting board: Place the cooked turkey breast on a clean cutting board or a serving platter. This will give you a stable surface to work with and allow the meat to rest properly.
- Tent with foil: Loosely cover the turkey breast with aluminum foil. Tenting it with foil helps to keep the meat warm during the resting process without trapping too much heat, which could continue cooking the meat.
- Let it rest: Allow the turkey breast to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. This duration may vary depending on the size of your meat, but generally, for a boneless turkey breast, 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient. During this time, the juices will redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy final product.
- Check the temperature: Before serving, it is always a good idea to check the final temperature of your meat, especially if you are cooking for a group with varied dietary needs or preferences. Use your meat thermometer to ensure the turkey breast has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Slice and serve: After resting, your boneless skinless turkey breast is ready to be sliced and served! Enjoy the juicy and tender meat as part of a delicious meal.
Remember, the resting process is crucial to ensuring your meat is cooked properly and safely. By allowing the meat to rest, you give the juices a chance to redistribute, preventing them from pooling on your cutting board when you slice into the meat. This results in a moist and flavourful bite every time.
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Carving and serving
Once the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165° F (162° F if you want to account for the temperature increase while resting), it is time to take it out of the air fryer. Place the cooked turkey breast on a cutting board and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. You can tent the turkey with aluminum foil to help keep it warm. This resting period is critical as it allows the juices to redistribute.
When you are ready to carve, use a large sharp knife and run it alongside the breast bone using long, even strokes. If you are using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion. Follow the bone all the way down to the bottom of the cutting board. Bring your knife back up 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 on the other side.
Your juicy and tender air-fried turkey breast is now ready to be served!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 20-30 minutes to cook a boneless skinless turkey breast in an air fryer. The cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey breast and the power of the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit.
The turkey breast is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check.
