Cody Casey
Cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer is a convenient way to enjoy a smaller portion of turkey without the hours-long cooking time of a full roast turkey. It's perfect for a couple or a small family, and it's a great option for a quick weeknight meal. While some recipes recommend thawing a frozen turkey breast before cooking, others suggest wrapping the frozen breast in foil and placing it in the air fryer, resulting in a tender and juicy roast.
Cooking Frozen Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Time | 1 hour |
| Temperature | 350 F |
| Resting Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Turkey Weight | 2-5 pounds |
| Turkey Type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil |
| Internal Temperature | 155-165 F |
| Foil | Yes |
| Netting | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-cooking prep
Cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer is a convenient option for a smaller piece of turkey. It is important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the weight and shape of the meat. For a juicy and tender turkey breast with crispy skin, here is a step-by-step pre-cooking prep guide:
Defrosting:
If your turkey breast is frozen, it is recommended to defrost it before cooking. Place the frozen turkey breast on a rimmed baking sheet and leave it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days to completely thaw. Alternatively, you can submerge the frozen turkey in a bag of cold water to speed up the defrosting process.
Preparation:
Once the turkey breast is thawed, remove it from its packaging, including any netting or cooking bags. Pat the skin dry with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as it helps the spices stick to the meat and ensures a crispy skin.
Seasoning:
Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the turkey breast and use your hands to coat it evenly. You can also use mayonnaise instead of oil if you prefer its taste and the golden color it gives to the meat. Next, generously sprinkle your favorite seasonings over the roast, ensuring that all sides are well-coated. Recommended seasonings include sea salt, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and poultry seasoning. For extra flavor, you can place garlic cloves under the skin.
Air Fryer Preparation:
Preheat your air fryer to 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with a propellant-free nonstick cooking spray, such as avocado oil spray, to prevent the turkey from sticking.
Cooking Time:
Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. The cooking time will depend on the weight of your turkey breast and whether it is boneless or bone-in. For a boneless turkey breast, cook for about 10-12 minutes per pound, and for a bone-in turkey breast, cook for 11-13 minutes per pound. A typical 3-pound boneless turkey breast will take around 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook.
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Cooking temperature and duration
The cooking temperature and duration for an air fryer turkey breast vary depending on the weight and shape of the meat, whether it is boneless or bone-in, and the wattage of your air fryer.
For a 3-pound boneless turkey breast, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. For a 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast, cook at the same temperature for 40 to 50 minutes. A 5-pound turkey breast will take approximately 1 hour to cook, and its internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are using a frozen turkey breast, it is recommended to completely thaw it before cooking. To thaw a 3- to 4-pound turkey breast, place it on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate it for 1 to 2 days. You can also thaw it in a bag submerged in a bowl of cold water or in the fridge overnight.
When cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer, wrap the turkey roast in aluminum foil and place it in the preheated air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, with the breast down. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and flip the turkey over, cooking for another 15 minutes. Then, cook for another 30 to 45 minutes (or more, depending on the wattage of your air fryer), or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer.
Let the turkey rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. During this time, the internal temperature will continue to rise, reaching 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Cooking techniques
Cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer is a convenient option for a smaller piece of turkey. It is also a good choice if you're short on time as it cooks faster than classic roast turkey.
If you're using a frozen turkey breast, it is recommended to completely thaw it before cooking. To do this, place the turkey breast on a rimmed baking sheet and leave it in the refrigerator for one to two days. You can also submerge it in a bag of cold water. This will take at least overnight.
Once your turkey breast is thawed, remove it from its packaging and pat the skin dry with paper towels. This will help the spices stick and the skin to crisp. You can then season the turkey breast. A simple seasoning mix includes olive oil, salt, black pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic, and mustard. You can also use mayonnaise instead of oil, as it gives the turkey breast a golden colour. Make sure to rub the seasoning all over the turkey breast.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit for at least five minutes. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. If your turkey breast is frozen, wrap it in aluminium foil before placing it in the air fryer. Cook for 15 minutes, then carefully flip the turkey breast over. Reduce the temperature to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and continue cooking for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this with a meat thermometer.
Once the turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed, resulting in tender pieces of turkey.
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Post-cooking techniques
Once you've cooked your frozen turkey breast in the air fryer, there are a few key steps to ensure it's juicy and tender. Firstly, let the turkey breast rest. Cover it with foil and leave it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavourful meat. The turkey will continue to cook while resting, reaching the desired USDA turkey breast cooking temperature of 170 °F.
The resting time also gives you the opportunity to prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your meal. Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for turkey, but you could also try mashed cauliflower for a healthier option. If you're serving gravy with your turkey, you can make a low-carb version by drizzling it over the meat.
When it comes to slicing the turkey breast, use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts. For the juiciest results, slice the turkey breast thinly. This is especially important if you're using the meat for sandwiches, wraps, or lunch meat.
Leftover turkey breast can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply pop it back into the air fryer or oven at 350 °F, adding some broth to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can freeze cooked turkey meat for up to 3 months, but remember to remove the meat from the bone first.
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Serving suggestions
Once your turkey breast is cooked, it's time to serve it up! A typical serving size of turkey breast per person is 4 ounces, but if you want to be sure there are leftovers, it's recommended to count on 6 ounces per person. A 3-pound turkey breast roast should be enough to feed 8 to 10 people, depending on appetites and what else is being served.
If you're serving your turkey breast for a holiday meal, it goes well with classic Thanksgiving sides like potatoes (mashed potatoes or garlic parmesan fries), green beans (green beans almondine or oven-roasted green beans), and other veggies (roasted asparagus or sauteed broccoli). For a filling Thanksgiving meal, you can also make a cheesy zucchini casserole or a gluten-free green bean casserole.
If you're serving your air-fried turkey breast for a weeknight dinner, it pairs well with roasted asparagus, sauteed broccoli, or a hearty salad like a rice or green goddess salad. You can also cook your favourite pasta or steam some rice to go with it.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive meal, you can make a whole roasted turkey with herb butter or a crispy skin spatchcock turkey. Or, for an easier method, try turkey in a bag.
And don't forget the gravy! A low-carb gravy can be a great addition to your air-fried turkey breast.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer. However, some sources suggest that you should thaw the turkey breast before cooking.
Cooking time depends on the weight and shape of the meat. A 3-pound boneless turkey breast cooks in 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, while a 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast cooks in 40 to 50 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit.
The internal temperature of the turkey breast should reach 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Remove the turkey breast from its packaging and wrap it in foil. Some recipes suggest seasoning the turkey breast with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
