Tillie Doyle
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a great option for a smaller gathering or a weeknight meal. It's faster than roasting a whole turkey, and you can achieve a juicy, tender, and flavourful result with crispy skin. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures even cooking, and the dish is also relatively easy to prepare. You can use a boneless or bone-in turkey breast, and the cooking time will vary based on the power of your air fryer and the size of the breast. The key to success is allowing the turkey to reach room temperature before cooking, patting it dry, seasoning generously, and using oil or butter to achieve a crispy skin.
How to cook turkey breast in a power air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 40-70 minutes |
| Temperature | 350°F |
| Resting time | 10-15 minutes |
| Turkey breast weight | 1.05 kg - 3.79 lbs |
| Turkey breast type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Turkey breast preparation | Pat dry, season, rub with oil or butter |
| Turkey breast cooking position | Skin side down first |
| Turkey breast doneness | Internal temperature of 160-165°F |
| Turkey breast serving suggestions | Mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, wild rice soup, burrito bowl |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for turkey breast in a power air fryer will depend on the power of your air fryer, the weight of the turkey breast, and whether it is boneless or bone-in.
For a boneless turkey breast, preheat your air fryer to 350º F for 5 minutes. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, then turn the turkey breast over and continue cooking for 30 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165º F.
For a bone-in turkey breast, it is recommended to increase the cooking time by about 25 minutes on each side. This means cooking the turkey breast for 20 to 25 minutes on the first side, then turning it over and cooking for another 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165º F.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your turkey breast. A larger turkey breast may take longer to cook, while a smaller one may take less time. As a general guideline, plan for just over an hour of cooking time for a 10-pound turkey breast.
To ensure the turkey breast is cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165º F. It is important to measure the temperature in the thickest part of the breast, being careful not to touch the bone.
Additionally, it is suggested to let the turkey breast rest for 10 to 15 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and for the internal temperature to rise slightly. During this time, the internal temperature may increase by about 5º F, so it is important to remove the turkey breast from the air fryer when it reaches 160 to 162º F.
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Preparing the turkey breast
Next, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the spices stick to the meat and the skin to crisp. Then, season the turkey breast generously with salt and other seasonings of your choice. You can also add some oil to the turkey breast to ensure a complete coating, helping the meat crisp without drying out.
If your turkey breast has bones, you can choose to remove them to make it easier to fit the breast in your air fryer. If you decide to cook it with the bones, you may need to increase the cooking time and consider brining the turkey first to keep the meat moist. Boneless turkey breasts often come with a string netting around the meat, which can be removed before cooking, but it is recommended to leave it on to help hold the meat together and give it a nice shape.
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Cooking methods
Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare a delicious meal. It is perfect for a smaller holiday gathering or an easy weeknight dinner. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking a juicy and flavourful air fryer turkey breast with crispy skin:
Preparation:
First, remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. This step is not crucial but will help the meat cook more evenly and yield a juicier result. It should sit out for about 20 to 30 minutes. While you wait, you can preheat the air fryer to 350º F for at least 5 minutes.
Seasoning:
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This step is important to help the spices stick and the skin to crisp. Then, drizzle or rub olive oil all over the turkey breast. You only need a small amount of oil, about 3 tablespoons, to ensure the breast doesn't dry out. Next, season both sides of the turkey breast generously with salt and other seasonings of your choice. You can use Montreal seasoning, or try thyme, fresh rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
Cooking:
Place the turkey breast, skin side down, in the air fryer basket. If your turkey breast still has the ribs attached, see the notes for specific instructions. For a boneless turkey breast, cook skin side down for about 20 to 25 minutes. Then, carefully flip the turkey breast over and continue cooking for another 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the size of your turkey breast. If you are using a bone-in turkey breast, you may need to increase the cooking time by about 25 minutes on each side.
Checking for Doneness:
The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165º F. Use a meat thermometer to check, inserting it into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. When the turkey is ready, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Tenting it with foil will help keep it warm.
Serving:
Air fryer turkey breast goes well with classic side dishes such as potatoes and vegetables. Try creamy mashed potatoes, oven-roasted mini potatoes, honey-roasted carrots, or air fryer green beans. For an extra special touch, serve with a maple-orange cranberry sauce.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious and juicy air fryer turkey breast with crispy skin, perfect for any occasion!
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Resting and serving
While the turkey is resting, you can prepare any side dishes that you plan to serve with it. Potatoes are a classic side dish to serve with turkey, and options such as creamy mashed potatoes or oven-roasted mini potatoes would pair well. For a festive touch, you can also make a maple orange cranberry sauce to accompany the turkey. Vegetables such as honey-roasted carrots or air fryer green beans would also make delicious and healthy sides.
When it comes to serving the turkey breast, it is essential to ensure that it is thoroughly rested and has reached the desired internal temperature. Use a sharp knife to carve the turkey breast into slices, and arrange them neatly on a serving platter. If desired, garnish the platter with fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme for added flavour and presentation.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat any leftovers thoroughly before consuming, and ensure they are still tasty and safe to eat.
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Using a meat thermometer
You can start checking the temperature after about 30 minutes. First, flip the turkey breast, then put it back in the air fryer and cook for another 30 minutes. Then, measure the temperature and add more time as needed to reach 165°F.
It's important to note that the cooking time will depend on the power of your air fryer, so be sure to measure the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked perfectly.
When checking the temperature, make sure the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. This will give you an accurate reading of the internal temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 40 minutes to an hour to cook a turkey breast in a power air fryer. The cooking time depends on the power of the air fryer and the size of the turkey breast.
Preheat your power air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, cook the turkey breast skin-side down for 20-25 minutes. Flip the turkey breast and cook for another 30-50 minutes.
The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast.
