Air Fryer Turkey Breast is the solution to your turkey dinner cravings. It’s the perfect amount of juicy meat for a small family and it’s done in under an hour with deliciously crispy skin.
I love to create recipes to make a tender turkey breast. Two great recipes are my Turkey Breasts in the Crock Pot and my Citrus Turkey Brine.
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Why this Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and easy way to cook turkey in the air fryer. It’s super juicy and is perfect to try for Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Quick Cook Time: The air fryer cooks turkey faster than a traditional oven.
- Juicy Every Time: Herb butter keeps the turkey tender and flavorful.
- Perfect for Small Gatherings: Great option when you don’t need a whole turkey.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry spices and basic kitchen staples for this air fryer turkey breast.
How Long Does Turkey Breast Take in the Air Fryer?
A 2 pound turkey breast takes about 45 minutes in an air fryer. Always be sure to double check doneness with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Thanks a lot for this amazing and super easy to make turkey breast recipe! It’s really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!.”
~ Allyssa
Ingredient Notes for Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
Many of the required ingredients for the best air fryer turkey breast may already be in your kitchen or pantry.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Bone-In Turkey Breast: You will need 2 pounds of turkey breast for this recipe. You could use bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Just watch the internal temperature to make sure it’s done.
- Butter: Feel free to use either salted or unsalted butter to add flavor to the meat of the turkey. It help prevents dry turkey.
- Herbs & Spices: It’s best to use fresh garlic, thyme and black peppercorns for this dry brine turkey recipe.
Variations and Substitutions for Air Fried Turkey Breast
Air fry a turkey breast using different herbs and spices, oils or even adding lemons zest.
- Use Different Herbs: Try this recipe for turkey for Thanksgiving with rosemary or Italian seasoning.
- Add Citrus: Add lemon zest to the herb butter for a bright, smaller turkey breast.
- Use Olive Oil: Replace butter with olive oil for a lighter option.
- Add Spice: Sprinkle paprika or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Special Equipment Needed to Cook Turkey Breast
To make a turkey breast, you will need just a couple of things to make it perfect.
- Air Fryer: A larger air fryer works best for cooking turkey breast evenly, plus the air fryer makes turkey breast with crispy skin. Just make sure the size of your air fryer is sufficient for the size of your breast.
- Instant Read Thermometer: This is the best way to check the internal temperature and prevent overcooking. Bone-in breast takes longer than cooking a turkey breast boneless.
How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
This air fryer boneless turkey breast comes together in just 2 quick and easy steps. It’s so good, make this recipe to try for the holiday season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make Herb Butter: Melt the butter in a small bowl and mix with fresh garlic, thyme sprigs, and freshly ground salt and pepper. Use a basting brush to spread the butter all over the top and bottom of the turkey.
- Air Fry the Turkey: Place the buttered turkey into the air fryer basket and air fry at 275 for 45 minutes. Use tongs to flip the turkey halfway through cooking. When done, remove the turkey from the air fryer, cut and enjoy. Transfer the turkey breast to a plate and allow to rest before slicing the turkey.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Since this boneless turkey breast in air fryer recipe is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time when you make it for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Prepare Herb Butter Early: Mix the butter and herbs earlier in the day and store in the refrigerator.
- Season the Turkey Ahead: Rub the turkey with butter and seasoning up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Preheat the Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to make sure it’s ready to start cooking when you place the turkey breast in.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Juicy Turkey Breast
If you don’t happen to have an air fryer big enough, you can also make a turkey breast in the oven or crockpot.
- Oven Method: Roast the turkey breast in a 375°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Slow Cooker Method: Cook the turkey breast on low for 5-6 hours until fully cooked.
Store Air Fryer Recipe and Use Leftover Turkey
- Storing: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm slices gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of broth.
- Using Leftovers: Use leftover turkey for sandwiches, salads, casseroles, or turkey pot pie.
Questions About This Easy Air Fryer Turkey Recipe
Sure, but you will have to increase the air fry time. You can also use a meat thermometer to observe temperature.
It really depends on how big your air fryer is, but 2 pounds seems to fit in most sizes.
Yes, most air‑fryer turkey breast recipes recommend flipping halfway through cooking. This helps the meat cook evenly and brown on all sides, especially since boneless breasts don’t have bones to help distribute heat.
Expert Tips to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Dry the Turkey: Pat the turkey dry before seasoning so the butter sticks better.
- Check Temperature Early: Start checking the temperature of the thickest part of the breast from the air fryer about 10 minutes before the estimated cook time. Remember, cook time depends on the size of the turkey.
- Rest Before Cutting: Allow the roasted turkey to rest so it stays juicy.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve the best turkey as Cranberry Turkey Sliders, Leftover Turkey Pasta Casserole or a Turkey Panini (Thanksgiving Panini).
More Recipes You Might Like
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The Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds Turkey breast, w/ skin
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon Sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh peppercorn, grinded well
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic, minced
- 4 sprigs Thyme, remove from stem
Instructions
- Melt your butter in the microwave or in a double broiler on the stove.
- Once melted, add in the sea salt, peppercorn, garlic, and thyme. Mix.
- Using a basting brush, brush your butter mix on the top and bottom of the turkey breast.
- Place the turkey breast in your air fryer.
- Set your Air Fryer to 375℉ for 45 minutes.
- At the halfway mark of about 22/23 minutes, flip the breast with tongs. Continue to cook.
- Once the air fryer has finished cooking, cut and serve!
- Top with cranberry sauce, gravy, or eat as is! Enjoy!
Christina’s Notes
- Preheat: It is important to run your air fryer to preheat before cooking for best results.
- Add Fresh: You can use dried herbs and ground pepper but the fresh herbs really improves the flavor. Use your favorites onions or celery too add flavor too.
- Butter: Try different compound butters to really boost the flavor of your turkey. For example, fresh Sage, rosemary and a little fresh lemon zest really can elevate the flavor.
- Gravy: Here is a great recipe to make your own.
- Dietary consideration tip: If you are lactose intolerant, you can use any type of oil you desire for this recipe. Olive oil, avocado oil etc are all good.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.