Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner (hooray!) And that means it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to make for your holiday feast. If you’re looking for a show-stopping main dish that is sure to impress your guests, look no further than this air fryer turkey breast.

This recipe is so simple, yet so full of flavour. And cooking the turkey breast in the air fryer frees up your oven for all of those delicious side dishes. Plus, it cooks in a fraction of the time as traditional methods, so you can spend more time with your family and friends instead of cooking away in the kitchen!

Why cook turkey breast in the air fryer?

There are so many reasons to love cooking turkey breast in the air fryer. For starters, it’s a super simple and hands-off method. You don’t have to worry about basting or checking on the turkey every few minutes. Just set it and forget it!

Air fryer turkey breast is also incredibly juicy and tender. The high heat of the air fryer helps to lock in all of the natural juices, resulting in a moist and flavourful bird. And because the skin gets nice and crispy in the air fryer, you don’t even have to worry about making gravy (although, I’ll never say no to gravy!).

Finally, cooking turkey breast in the air fryer frees up your oven for all of those delicious side dishes. No more juggling multiple pots and pans!

Ingredients

1. 1 (1-pound) turkey breast, bone-in or boneless (or 3 mini turkey breast fillets)
2. 1 tablespoon avocado oil
3. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
4. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
5. ½ teaspoon garlic powder
6. ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
7. ½ teaspoon dried sage

Instructions:

How to cook turkey breast in the air fryer

The first step is to prep your turkey. If you’re using a frozen turkey breast, make sure it is completely thawed.

Once your turkey is thawed, pat it dry with paper towels. This step is important because it helps the skin get nice and crispy in the air fryer.

Next, mix together all of the spices in a small bowl. Then, rub the spice blend all over the turkey breast, making sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies.

If you’re using a bone-in turkey breast, tie the drumsticks together with kitchen twine. This helps the turkey cook evenly.

Place the prepared turkey breast in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees F for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. It should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. If it is not quite there yet, cook for 5-10 minutes longer.

Once the turkey is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. This gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat so they don’t all pour out when you start carving.

Ingredient alternatives and substitutions

The great thing about this recipe is that it is very versatile. Feel free to mix up the spices to suit your taste. Some other great options include:

• Cajun seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Jerk seasoning
• Poultry seasoning

If you don’t have avocado oil, you can also use olive oil, coconut oil, or melted butter.

And finally, if you’re not a fan of sage, you can leave it out or substitute it with another herb like thyme or oregano.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the best air fryer turkey breast:

1. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before cooking. Cooking a frozen turkey breast in the air fryer is not recommended as it will not cook evenly.

2. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps the surface get nice and crispy.

3. Cook the turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in multiple places to make sure it is cooked through.

4. Let the turkey rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat so they don’t all pour out when you start carving.

5. If you want extra crispy skin, you can brush the skin with extra melted butter or oil before cooking.

6. If you’re using a bone-in turkey breast, tie the drumsticks together with kitchen twine. This helps the turkey cook evenly.

7. If you are doing this in the oven, to keep the turkey breast from drying out, you can tent it with foil after cooking. Simply place a piece of foil over the top of the turkey and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving.

FAQs

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer?

It takes about 30 minutes to cook a 4-pound turkey breast in the air fryer. However, it is important to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast to make sure it is cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.

Can I cook a frozen turkey breast in the air fryer?

No, you should not cook a frozen turkey breast in the air fryer. The turkey will not cook evenly and there is a risk of foodborne illness. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before cooking.

What size turkey breast can I cook in the air fryer?

The size of the turkey breast will depend on the size of your air fryer. A 4-pound turkey breast should fit in most air fryers. If you have a larger air fryer, you can cook a larger turkey breast.

How do I keep my turkey breast from drying out?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your turkey breast from drying out:

1. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before cooking.

2. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps the skin get nice and crispy.

3. Cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in multiple places to make sure it is cooked through.

4. Let the turkey rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat so they don’t all pour out when you start carving.

5. If you want extra crispy skin, you can brush the skin with melted butter or oil before cooking.

6. To keep the turkey breast from drying out, you can tent it with foil after cooking. Simply place a piece of foil over the top of the turkey and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving.

Can I cook a stuffing in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a stuffing in the air fryer! Check out our recipe for Air Fryer Stuffing.

Can I cook a gravy in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a gravy in the air fryer! Check out our recipe for Air Fryer Gravy.

What can I serve with my air fryer turkey breast?

Here are a few ideas of what to serve with your air fryer turkey breast:

Can I turn these into air fryer turkey nuggets?

Yes! Cut the turkey breast into 1-inch cubes and cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

How can I do a dutch oven turkey breast?

This is simple you just need to put the turkey in a dutch oven with some spices and butter and then bake it in the oven. The cook time will vary depending on the size of your turkey, but you should plan on cooking it for about 2 hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. After the turkey is cooked through, you can remove it from the pot and carve it as desired!

Can I do this using a regular aldi turkey breast?

Yes, you can use a regular Aldi turkey breast for this recipe.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover turkey can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, and easy Thanksgiving dinner, look no further than this air fryer turkey breast! This recipe is perfect for small gatherings or if you just want to make a turkey breast without all the hassle of cooking a whole turkey. Plus, it only takes about 30 minutes to cook! So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Check out these other favorites: