Marianne Martinez
Cooking a split turkey breast in an air fryer is a great option for a small celebration or a weeknight dinner. It's faster than roasting a whole turkey, and you can still get that classic juicy, flavorful, and tender roast with a beautiful golden-brown skin. The air fryer also frees up your oven for any side dishes, and it's very little work! You can use a boneless or bone-in breast, but make sure it's not too big for your air fryer, and be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it's cooked to perfection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350-360°F |
| Cooking time | 38-60 minutes |
| Turkey breast weight | 3-5 pounds |
| Turkey breast type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Turkey breast size | Should fit in the air fryer without touching the top element |
| Turkey breast temperature | 165°F |
| Resting time | 10-15 minutes |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, poultry seasoning, olive oil, butter, herbs |
| Sides | Baked sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, homemade stuffing |
Explore related products
$116.99 $179.99
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right turkey breast
Firstly, decide between a bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Bone-in turkey breasts are known to be more flavourful and juicy, and they tend to be larger, often consisting of both sides of the breast. Boneless turkey breasts, on the other hand, are generally a single breast and cook faster, making them a good option for convenience. However, you may need to adjust cooking times accordingly to prevent overcooking.
When selecting a bone-in turkey breast for your air fryer, opt for a half breast rather than a whole breast, as a whole breast may not fit in your air fryer. A half breast of up to 3 pounds should be suitable for most air fryers, but ensure that the height of the meat is below the top of the basket before starting.
If you're cooking for a smaller group, consider a boneless turkey breast, as it will yield less meat. As a rule of thumb, plan to purchase 1.5 pounds of turkey per person if you want leftovers, or 1 pound per person without leftovers.
Regardless of your choice, always check the internal temperature of your roast with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F, the minimum safe temperature for poultry.
Finally, don't forget to consider the shape and size of your air fryer when choosing a turkey breast. The cooking time will vary depending on these factors, so it's essential to select a turkey breast that fits well within your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Sticks: How Long?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the turkey breast
Once you have the right size, it is important to remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help the meat cook more evenly. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, as this will help the seasonings stick to the meat.
The next step is to season the turkey breast. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, and fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley. Be generous with your seasonings and make sure to coat the entire surface of the meat, including underneath the skin. You can also choose to brine the turkey breast before seasoning, although this is not necessary. If you do brine, you can dry brine it with spices or use a wet brine, and let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours.
After seasoning, you can coat the turkey breast with a thin layer of mayonnaise or olive oil, which will help with browning and ensure the seasonings stick. You can also use butter or a small amount of oil for this step. Now, your turkey breast is ready to be placed in the air fryer basket!
Air Fryer Shrimp: Cooking Panko Shrimp to Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking the turkey breast
First, ensure your turkey breast fits in the air fryer without touching the top element. If it is wrapped in netting, you can remove this to make it flatter. You should use a split turkey breast that is no larger than 3 pounds for a larger air fryer.
Next, remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. You can then choose to brine the turkey or season it with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. If you want to brine the turkey, dry brine it with spices and leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours. If you are seasoning the turkey, rub it with olive oil or butter to help the seasonings stick. You can also use a combination of rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip the turkey breast over and cook for an additional 18-30 minutes. The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Insert a thermometer near the bone to check the temperature.
Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Cover it with foil to retain the juices and keep it warm.
Air Fryer Meatloaf: The Perfect Timing for a Tasty Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting the turkey breast
While the turkey breast is resting, it will continue to cook and the internal temperature will continue to rise. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the turkey breast from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 158°F to 160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F as it rests. This can be measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone.
During the resting period, the turkey breast should be loosely tented with foil to retain heat and moisture. It is important to note that the resting time depends on the size of the turkey breast and the desired level of doneness. For a larger turkey breast, a longer resting time may be required, up to 15 minutes.
While the turkey breast is resting, it is a good opportunity to prepare any side dishes or gravy that will accompany the meal. It is also important to ensure that the carving board and knife are ready for slicing the turkey breast. A sharp, large knife is recommended for even slices.
The resting period is crucial in the cooking process, as it ensures that the turkey breast is juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. By allowing the meat to rest, the juices are reabsorbed, and the temperature continues to rise, resulting in a delicious and moist air-fried turkey breast.
Air Fryer Stuffing Balls: Cooking Time Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Carving the turkey breast
For the next step, you will need a large, sharp knife. Run the knife 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 board. Bring your knife back around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone.
Now, cut down the ribs and follow the bone around and down to the bottom, connecting to the bottom of the first breast bone cut. Pull the meat away from the bone and slice it. Repeat this process on the other side.
It is important to note that if you are using a boneless turkey breast, you should be careful when removing the netting, as some meat may stick to it.
Air Fryer Taylor Ham: Cooking Time Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size and shape of the turkey breast, and the brand and size of your air fryer. A thinner, flatter shape will cook through quicker, while a thicker, rounder turkey breast will need longer. A split turkey breast should take around 40 minutes to cook in an air fryer preheated to 350°F.
You should always use a meat thermometer to check that your turkey breast is cooked. The internal temperature should be 165°F.
You should always pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels before brushing it with oil and seasoning. You can also brine the turkey breast first, but this is not necessary.
