Air fryer Turkey breast – a great alternative to roasting an entire turkey in the oven! Try this super simple recipe for a tender flavorful turkey roast in a fraction of the time it usually takes!
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How to cook turkey breast in an air fryer
Turkey is such a great option for dinner – it so much more than a dish to be served just on holidays.
It is super healthy – low in fat, and a rich source of protein and vitamin B6, as well as the essential amino acid tryptophan.
But unless you have a very large family you won’t be roasting a whole bird on a regular occasion! Luckily turkey breast is easy to roast, and roasting it in the air fryer makes it even easier!
I usually use single split boneless turkey breast. I have a Philips XXL Airfryer and it is a great size for a small turkey breast.
If you have a big air fryer you could roast the whole bone-in breast, though expect it to take quite a bit longer than the times in the recipe below.
You can air fry skin-on or skinless turkey breast, though I usually roast it skin-on, as I think it helps to keep the meat moist.
Seasoning Turkey Breast
When it comes to seasoning turkey breast I usually keep things simple, and just traditional flavors of rosemary, thyme and garlic.
Some other flavors that also work really well with roast turkey are:
- Sage
- Onion
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Lemon or other citrus
You will need approximately 1tsp of seasoning per lb of turkey breast.
The best way I have found to season the turkey breast is to mix oil, herbs and salt together on a plate and press the turkey breast into to it, turning and pressing until it is well coated in the oil-herb mix.
How long to cook turkey in an air fryer
The exact length of time that you will need to cook turkey breast in the air fryer depends on a number of factors including how large and how thick the turkey breast is, and how powerful and efficient your air fryer model is.
The only way to be sure that your turkey breast is cooked is by using a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature had reached 165°F (75°C).
An instant read thermometer is a good option to do this. Another good option (and what I use) is a works leave in thermometer called the Meater* (who doesn’t love a good pun?).
This is a truly wireless meat thermometer. It is like a skewer that you stick in the meat and then uses Bluetooth to tell your phone when the meat is ready (you have to keep your phone nearby).
I use it way more than I expected, and it is just perfect to use with an air fryer as there are no wires.
FAQs & Tips
I would recommend cooking turkey portions in an air fryer (like turkey breast), as you would need a very large air fryer to cook a whole turkey (see below).
Really the biggest air fryer you can get! A 5.5 quart size air fryer* or larger would be a good option for cooking a small turkey. Butterball also make a dedicated turkey air fryer, which has a large enough capacity to cook a full size turkey.
Air frying turkey breast with the skin on will help to keep it moist, and also the action of flipping it halfway through the cooking time. Because air frying is a quick roasting method it tends to stay ore moist than if you had slow-baked it in a regular oven.
What to serve with roast turkey breast
- Air fryer roast potatoes – roast them for 15 minutes before cooking the turkey, then pop them back in the air fryer to finish them off for 10 minutes while the turkey is resting
- Microwave steamed vegetables – start them steaming while the turkey is resting
Scroll down for the recipe card for this air fryer turkey breast!
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
How to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 small turkey breast (approx. 3lb or 1.5kg),
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp rosemary & thyme
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Mix the oil, herbs and garlic on a plate. Place turkey breast in the herb mixture, and turn to coat the turkey breast well.
- Place turkey breast into the air fryer basket (skin side down). Air fry the turkey breast for 30 minutes.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer, turn the turkey breast over.
- Return turkey breast to the air fryer to cook for another 20-30 minutes until cooked through.
- The turkey is cooked if the juices run clear when you stick a knife in the thickest part. If you are unsure check with a meat thermometer - internal temperature should be 165°F (75°C). If the turkey needs more cooking time cook for additional 10 minute intervals until it is done.
- Rest covered for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to check that the turkey has reached the safe temperature of 165 °F (75 °C).
- Air fryer cooking times can vary between brands and depending on a whole bunch of factors like how well the air can circulate (depends on how the food is sitting in the basket), the starting temperature of the air fryer (some need to be preheated, some do not) and the starting temperature of the food.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 321mgProtein: 33g
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