Whip up the perfect turkey dinner with this juicy, tender air fryer turkey breast. Roasted turkey in a fraction of the time it usually takes, with none of the hassle of oven roasting.
Roasted turkey breast is a great option for small families or anyone who likes turkey, but couldn’t eat a whole one. You can cook just what you need, without huge quantities of leftovers to get through. It’s also perfect for meal prepping, or making sliced turkey for lunches, sandwiches, salads etc.
It’s quick to cook in the air fryer, and this recipe has simple prep, so you cam make it with the minimum effort.
Scroll down for the printable recipe card, or read on for all the details!
What do you need?
Turkey breast
The recipe below uses a split boneless turkey breast (boneless turkey crown), but you can use a single boneless turkey breast. Skin-on is best, as it helps to keep the meat moist (and the crispy skin is delicious).
Note: this recipe is for cooking fresh (thawed) turkey breast. If you have frozen turkey breast, ensure you thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator before air frying.
Seasoning
When it comes to seasoning, I usually keep things simple with traditional rosemary, thyme, garlic and salt.
Use fresh herbs and garlic if you have them, though you can substitute dried herbs and garlic powder if you prefer (see the recipe card below for details of substitutions).
Try adding some dried sage, onion powder, or lemon zest, or use any other poultry seasoning or rub that you like.
Oil
The recipe below uses light olive oil, which is a good choice for air frying. However, you can substitute another cooking oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable oil, avocado oil, and corn oil are all good options.
Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking.
How to roast turkey breast in the air fryer
Season turkey breast.
Mix the oil, herbs, and salt together on a plate. Pat the turkey breast dry with a paper towel, then press it into the herb-oil mix, turning and pressing again until it is well coated in the oil-herb mix.
Pop it in the air fryer.
Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin side down. If using a split/ spatchcock turkey breast, make sure it is spread open so that it will cook quickly and evenly.
Air fry turkey breast.
Air fry the turkey breast at 350°F/ 176°C for around 15-20 minutes per lb/ 450g until it is cooked through. Flip the turkey breast over halfway through cooking (this helps to keep it moist and ensures it cooks evenly). See section below for more details on cooking times.
Rest.
Remove the turkey breast from the air fryer, cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving. It is important to rest meat following cooking so the juices can reabsorb into the meat so it stays succulent and juicy.
How long to air fry turkey breast
Turkey is cooked when it has reached at least 165°F/ 74°C. The exact cooking time for this recipe will depend on how large your turkey breast is (in particular, how thick), and how powerful your air fryer is.
My rule of thumb is to cook the turkey breast for 15-20 minutes per pound/ 450g, depending on the thickness:
- A thick turkey breast or rolled boneless breast roast will need 20 minutes, or possibly more, per pound.
- A thinner turkey breast or a butterflied/ spatchcocked breast will need closer to 15 minutes per pound.
It is a good idea to start monitoring the internal temperature towards the end of the cooking time so you don’t end up over-cooking it.
Check the temperature in the center of the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer, and cook for additional 5-10 minute intervals until it has reached 165°F/ 74°C all the way through.
Serving ideas
Roasted turkey breast makes a quick and easy main dish for holidays or special occasions. Serve it carved and plated like traditional roast turkey, with classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted vegetables, gravy. Try:
- 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.
- Air fryer stuffing balls – you can add these around the turkey breast in the air fryer for the last ten minutes of cooking and then let them finish air frying while the turkey breast is resting.
- No turkey roast would be complete without gravy! Try this quick and easy recipe for turkey gravy made without drippings.
Storing and reheating
Store any leftover turkey in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and use within 3 days.
You can reheat the turkey breast in the air fryer – cook for 3-4 minute intervals until it has reached 165°F/ 74°C in the center of the thickest part. The exact reheating time will depend on how much turkey breast you have left and whether it is slices or a single piece, so adjust times if needed.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 1 turkey breast (boneless (approx 3lb))
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (Note 1)
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary (Note 2)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (Note 2)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Directions
- Pat turkey breast dry, then drizzle with oil and sprinkle with the herbs and salt. Rub the oil and seasoning into the turkey breast, and under the skin, so it is well coated.
- Place the turkey breast into the air fryer basket, skin side down.
- Air fry at 360°F / 180°C for 45 minutes [Note 3], flipping it over half-way through the cooking time.
- Check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it is 165°F/ 74°C or higher all the way through. If required, air fry for additional 5 minute intervals until it reaches this temperature.
- Remove turkey breast from the air fryer, cover with foil, and rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Approx 6 cloves minced. If you have no fresh garlic you can substitute 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- If using fresh herbs, double the amount and chop the leaves finely before use.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes per lb/ 450g. Cooking times are an estimate only. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey is cooked to at least 165°F/ 74°C all the way through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Recommended equipment
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 more moist than if you had slow-baked it in a regular oven.
