Air-Fried Turkey Breast: A Quick, Easy Holiday Treat

Turkey is a dish commonly associated with Thanksgiving, but it can be enjoyed all year round. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook a turkey breast, then an air fryer is a great option.

Air fryers are known for cutting down cooking time and freeing up oven space. They also provide even cooking and a crispy skin on the turkey.

This guide will take you through the process of cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking, and serving suggestions.

Choosing the right turkey breast

Bone-in or Boneless:

Start by deciding whether you want to cook a bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Both options are suitable for air frying, but they have slightly different cooking methods and cooking times. A bone-in turkey breast will need to be cooked a little longer than a boneless one, and it might be easier to fit in your air fryer if the ribs are removed. If you're using a bone-in breast, consider brining it first to keep the meat moist.

Size:

The size of the turkey breast you choose will depend on the size of your air fryer. Make sure you select a turkey breast that will fit comfortably in your air fryer basket. As a general rule, go for a bone-in breast that is 4 pounds or less, and a boneless breast that is 3 pounds. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the meat from drying out.

Defrosted or Frozen:

It is best to use a fully defrosted turkey breast for air frying. This will allow you to properly season the meat and ensure that the seasonings stick to it. Cooking a frozen turkey breast may result in uneven cooking, with the outside browning too quickly while the inside is still raw. So, make sure to thaw your turkey breast overnight in the refrigerator before air frying.

Seasoning:

When it comes to seasoning, you have a few options. You can simply rub the turkey breast with olive oil, butter, or mayonnaise and then season it with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. Or, you can try a dry brine, which involves coating the turkey with a mixture of salt, herbs, and spices and letting it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking.

Netting:

If you're using a boneless turkey breast, it's likely to have a net or string around it to hold the meat together. Leave this netting on during cooking, as it will help the meat cook more evenly and make it easier to slice after cooking. Just be careful when removing the netting, as some meat may stick to it.

By following these tips, you'll be sure to choose the right turkey breast for your air fryer, ensuring a delicious and juicy final dish.

Preparing the meat

Defrosting and Sizing:

First, ensure that your turkey breast is fully defrosted. If it is frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water. It is important to start with a defrosted turkey breast so that you can properly season it and allow the seasonings to stick effectively.

Additionally, check that your turkey breast will fit in your air fryer basket. Some bone-in breasts are quite large and may not fit in a standard-sized air fryer. Aim for a breast that is 4 pounds or less for a typical air fryer, and consider using an air fryer that is at at least 5 quarts in size.

Seasoning:

There are endless options for seasoning your turkey breast, ranging from simple to more complex blends. Here are some suggestions:

• Basic: Brush the turkey breast with olive oil or melted butter, and season with salt and pepper.
• Intermediate: Add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, poultry seasoning, or Italian seasoning. You can also use fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano, or their dried counterparts.
• Complex: Create a herb butter by mixing softened butter with mayonnaise, herbs, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breast.

Regardless of your chosen seasonings, be sure to pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels before applying any oils or seasonings. This helps the skin crisp up and ensures that the seasonings stick properly.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. For a boneless turkey breast, cook for about 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes. For a bone-in turkey breast, cook for 25 minutes, flip, and then cook for an additional 25-35 minutes.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size and shape of your turkey breast and the brand and size of your air fryer. A thinner, flatter shape will cook quicker, while a thicker, rounder breast will need more time. Always use a meat thermometer to check that your turkey breast is cooked to perfection. Aim for an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Resting:

Once your turkey breast reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that your meat stays juicy and tender. Loosely tent the turkey with foil during this resting period if desired.

Carving:

After the resting period, you are ready to carve your turkey breast. Here is a basic technique:

• Use a large, sharp knife to run along both sides of the breast bone, using long, even strokes.
• Follow the bone down to the bottom of the breast.
• Bring your knife around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top.
• Cut down the ribs and follow the bone around to connect to the bottom of the first cut.
• Pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat on the other side.

Your juicy and flavorful air-fried turkey breast is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Cooking the meat

The first step in cooking your turkey breast in an air fryer is to ensure that it is fully defrosted. If your turkey breast is frozen, it is recommended to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Beforesection placing the turkey breast in the air fryer, it is important to rub it with oil and season it generously. You can use olive oil or softened butter, and season with salt, pepper, and herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder to enhance the flavor. Some recipes suggest using mayonnaise instead of oil, as it gives the turkey breast a golden color and a tasty flavor.

When it comes to the type of turkey breast, you can use either a boneless or bone-in turkey breast. If you are using a boneless turkey breast, it usually comes wrapped in a mesh netting that you can choose to leave on or remove gently. Leaving the netting on can help the meat cook together and slice better afterward.

Now, it's time to cook the turkey breast! Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin side down. The cooking time will depend on the weight and type of turkey breast you are using. As a rule of thumb, cook boneless turkey breast for about 10-12 minutes per pound, and bone-in turkey breast for 11-13 minutes per pound. For a 5-pound turkey breast, the cooking time is approximately an hour. However, it is always best to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. You want the thickest part of the meat to reach 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the turkey breast is cooked to the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that your turkey breast is juicy and tender.

Carving the meat

Firstly, allow the cooked breast to rest on a carving board for at least 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes, under foil that is loosely tented. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure the meat stays juicy.

Now, it's time to get carving. Using a large, sharp knife, run the blade 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. Then, bring your knife back around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone.

Next, cut down the ribs. Follow the bone around and down to the bottom, connecting to the bottom of the first breast bone cut.

Now, pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat the process on the other side.

Your air fryer turkey breast is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Serving suggestions

Now that you've cooked your turkey breast in the air fryer, it's time to think about what to serve it with. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Gravy: This is a classic choice to go with your turkey. If you want to make it even more special, try making a giblet gravy.
• Mashed potatoes: Whether they're regular mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes, they'll be a perfect side dish for your juicy air-fried turkey breast.
• Sweet potato casserole: Sweet potatoes are always a great choice for a Thanksgiving or holiday meal, and they'll pair nicely with the savoury flavours of the turkey.
• Green bean casserole: Green beans are a classic side dish, and when you bake them into a casserole, they become even more delicious.
• Stuffing: Whether it's chestnut stuffing or cornbread stuffing, it'll be a great addition to your meal and will help soak up all those delicious juices from the turkey.
• Cranberry sauce: A good cranberry sauce can really complement the flavours of the turkey, and it adds a nice touch of colour to your plate.
• Salads: If you're looking for something a little lighter to go with your meal, a salad can be a great choice. Try a sweet kale salad or any other easy salad recipe that you enjoy.
• Roasted vegetables: Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or butternut squash can be a great way to round out your meal and add some extra nutrition to your plate.
• Casseroles: For a heartier meal, you can serve your turkey breast with a cheesy zucchini casserole or a gluten-free green bean casserole.
• Pasta: If you're looking for a more filling option, you can try serving your turkey with some garlic parmesan fries or mashed cauliflower.
• Desserts: Finish off your meal with a sweet treat like a crustless pumpkin pie or any other Thanksgiving or holiday dessert that you enjoy.

Frequently asked questions