Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer turkey breast is a quick and easy alternative to roasting a whole bird, making it perfect for smaller Thanksgiving gatherings or even just a regular weeknight dinner. It's also a healthier option than deep-frying your turkey, as it uses less fat and oil.

This guide will show you how to cook a juicy, flavourful boneless turkey breast in your air fryer in just a few simple steps.

Choosing the right turkey breast

Type of Turkey Breast:

• Boneless or bone-in: You can choose between a boneless or bone-in turkey breast. Boneless turkey breasts are more convenient for slicing and serving, while bone-in options may have more flavour.
• Size: Select a turkey breast that fits your air fryer. A good rule of thumb is to choose a 4- to 6-pound bone-in breast or a 3-pound boneless breast for a standard 5-quart air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can accommodate a bigger turkey breast.
• Fresh or frozen: It is best to use a fully defrosted turkey breast for air frying. If your turkey breast is frozen, be sure to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

Quality and Preparation:

• Look for a good quality turkey breast from a reputable source.
• Check the ingredients and choose a product with minimal processing and no added preservatives or artificial ingredients.
• Some turkey breasts come with a string netting or plastic wrap. If using a boneless breast, remove the outer plastic wrap but leave the oven-safe netting on during cooking, as it helps hold the meat together and ensures even cooking.

Personal Preferences:

• Consider your taste preferences and those of your guests. You can choose between white and dark meat, or a combination of both.
• Decide on the level of seasoning you prefer. Some turkey breasts come pre-seasoned, while others allow you to add your own rub or marinade.

Remember, the key to a successful air fryer turkey breast is choosing a good quality, fresh or fully defrosted turkey breast that fits your air fryer, and tailoring your choice to your personal taste preferences and those of your guests.

Preparing the turkey breast

Before cooking, it is recommended to let the turkey breast sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to remove the chill. This will ensure more even cooking. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, as this will help the spices stick better and the skin to crisp up nicely.

Next, you will want to rub or brush the turkey breast with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or even butter. This adds flavour and helps to crisp up the skin. After this, it's time to season the turkey breast generously with your chosen spices and herbs. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or try a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, sage, and lemon zest. Be sure to season the turkey breast on all sides.

Once the turkey breast is prepared, it's time to preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer basket, making sure it fits comfortably. The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey breast and the wattage of your air fryer, but for a 3-pound boneless breast, cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning the breast every 15-20 minutes to avoid burning.

The turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast. Remove the turkey breast from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period is important as it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey breast.

Air-frying the turkey breast

Air-frying a turkey breast is a quick and easy way to cook a delicious, juicy, and tender bird. It's perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering or an easy weeknight dinner. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Turkey Breast

Select a boneless or bone-in turkey breast, weighing between 3 to 5 pounds. Ensure that it fits comfortably in your air fryer's basket, with a flatter shape being ideal. You can choose between a skin-on or skinless breast, but keep in mind that skinless breasts may require brushing or spraying with oil during cooking to prevent drying out.

Step 2: Preparing the Turkey Breast

Before cooking, remove any outer plastic netting or wrapping from the turkey breast. However, if it has an inner string netting, it's recommended to leave it on during cooking as it helps hold the roast together. Let the turkey breast sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to remove the chill. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, as this will help the spices stick better.

Step 3: Seasoning the Turkey Breast

In a small bowl, mix your choice of dry seasonings or create a herb butter by combining softened butter, mayonnaise, herbs, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil as a base for your seasonings. Rub the turkey breast generously with the seasoning blend, making sure to coat all sides evenly.

Step 4: Air-frying the Turkey Breast

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F. Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, ensuring it fits comfortably. For a boneless breast, cook for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning the meat every 15-20 minutes to avoid burning. For a bone-in breast, cook for 20 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 30-50 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your air fryer and the size of the turkey breast.

Step 5: Checking for Doneness

To ensure your turkey breast is cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Remove the turkey from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F. The temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests, so it's important not to overcook it.

Step 6: Resting and Carving the Turkey Breast

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the turkey from the air fryer and cover it with foil. Let the breast rest for at least 10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax. This step is crucial for a juicy and tender turkey. After resting, carefully remove the netting, if any, and carve the turkey breast by running your knife along both sides of the breast bone and following the bone down to the bottom. Slice the meat into your desired thickness and serve warm.

Carving the turkey breast

First, let the cooked turkey breast rest. Place the turkey breast on a carving board or serving platter and loosely tent it with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures the meat will be juicy and tender. You should let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes, but preferably 15 minutes.

Next, get your knife ready. You can use either a sharp chef's knife or a serrated knife for carving. If you are using a chef's knife, ensure it is very sharp and use long, even strokes to cut the meat. If you are using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion.

Now, you are ready to start carving. With your chosen knife, run the blade along one side of the breast bone, following the curvature of the bone and cutting downward. Keep your knife as close to the bone as possible.

Then, move your knife to the front of the ribs and cut along them, following the same principle as before. Keep cutting down and around the bottom of the breast until you connect with your first cut.

At this point, you should be able to pull the meat away from the bone. Cut through any remaining bits of meat still connected to the bone. Now, you have one side of the breast carved!

Finally, repeat the process on the other side of the breast.

And that's it! You now have a beautifully carved turkey breast ready to be enjoyed.

Serving the turkey breast

Once your turkey breast is cooked, it's important to let it rest before serving. This will allow the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, making it more tender and flavourful. Set the cooked breast on a carving board and cover it loosely with foil. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes, and up to 15 minutes.

While the turkey is resting, you can make a gravy if you haven't already. You can also use this time to finish preparing any side dishes. Some classic sides to serve with turkey include mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.

To carve the turkey breast, use a large, sharp knife to run along both sides of the breast bone, using long, even strokes. Follow the bone all the way down to the bottom of the board. Bring your knife around 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 cut. Pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat on the other side.

You can serve the carved turkey breast warm or at room temperature. It's also a good idea to garnish the dish with fresh herbs.

Frequently asked questions