Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

When it comes to preparing meals in an air fryer, we thought we’d seen just about everything. But then we learned it is possible to prepare an air-fryer turkey breast good enough to be the crown jewel of Thanksgiving dinner. We knew we had to share the recipe ASAP.

What we love most about using an air fryer to prepare a turkey is how it cuts down on the cooking time immensely. In just around an hour, you can have a tender, juicy turkey breast on your table, making a Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner accessible almost any night of the week.

Moreover, the air fryer offers several other benefits that may sway you to try this method for your next holiday feast. First, using an air fryer frees up precious oven space, leaving that real estate open for Thanksgiving side dishes. Second, because air fryers are essentially pint-sized convection ovens, they circulate air around the food, so all sides of the turkey cook evenly and have wonderfully crackly, crispy skin. Finally, if you’re cooking for a small crowd, turkey breast in the air fryer is a great option that lets you have a traditional Thanksgiving feast without all the fuss.

What’s the best turkey for air-fryer turkey breast?

Do I buy a turkey breast with or without skin? Is bone-in or boneless turkey the way to go? Good news: All variations are great options for the air fryer. Your choice will come down to personal preference. Just know that this air-fryer turkey recipe calls for a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast, so the preparation method and cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly if you choose another type of turkey breast.

For example, boneless turkey breasts often come wrapped in a mesh netting that you may either leave on or remove. If you leave the netting on the breast, you may need to increase the cooking time by 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and shape of your turkey breast.

How long do you cook a turkey breast in an air fryer?

The total cooking time to prepare a turkey breast in an air fryer will vary slightly depending on the size of your turkey breast, the temperature you choose to cook it at, and the make and model of your air fryer. That said, a 4- to 6-pound turkey breast can usually be fully cooked in around an hour at 350°F. For more information, don’t miss our complete guide on how long to cook a turkey.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise haters, never fear. The mayo in this recipe will not make your air-fryer turkey breast taste like mayonnaise. Rather, it works with the butter as a fatty barrier that protects your turkey breast from any direct heat and keeps it ultra-moist and juicy.
• Butter: Just like the mayo, the butter acts as a heat barrier for the turkey. Butter also helps the skin get perfectly crisp and deeply golden in the air fryer.
• Fresh herbs: A combination of fresh rosemary, sage, thyme and oregano packs tons of aromatic flavor into this easy, juicy turkey breast in the air fryer.
• Lemon zest: A touch of lemon zest gives the turkey breast a blast of bright citrus flavor and complements the zesty blend of herbs.
• Salt and pepper: While salt and pepper are both important for flavoring a turkey breast, salt is especially important for making the breast tender and juicy. Salt helps break down the proteins in the meat to make them less tough and also helps draw moisture into the meat through osmosis. This is also the science behind brining a turkey.
• Turkey breast: A bone-in turkey breast that’s roughly 4 pounds is the perfect size for most air fryers. If you have a larger air-fryer basket, you could likely scale up to a 6-pound turkey breast. No matter the size you choose, just make sure it is fully thawed before cooking. Here’s how to safely thaw a turkey.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the herb butter

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and softened butter. Then add the herbs, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Rub the turkey breast

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Using clean hands (or a brush), rub an even coating of the herb butter on all sides of the turkey breast.

Step 3: Cook the turkey breast

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Preheat the air fryer to 350°. Then, place the turkey breast in the air-fryer basket skin side down so it comfortably fits inside the basket.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Cook for 22 to 26 minutes. Then, flip and cook for an additional 25 to 35 minutes. Remove from the air fryer when the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165° and the skin is golden and crisp.

Step 4: Rest the turkey breast

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and cover with foil. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t skip this step. Carving the turkey too soon will cause all of those precious juices to leak out, leaving you with a dry, sad turkey breast. Be patient!

Step 5: Carve the turkey breast

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Remove the foil from the turkey, and carve it into slices using an electric knife. Serve warm.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

How to Carve Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

One benefit of preparing a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey is that the carving process is simplified. To carve a turkey breast:

1. Run the blade of your carving knife along both sides of the breastbone.
2. Continue to cut along the breastbone from the top of the breast to the bottom.
3. Next, using the groove you created with the first cut, carefully work your knife under one of the breasts using gentle strokes to separate the meat.
4. Continue this motion until the entire breast comes away completely from the bones. Repeat on the other side.
5. With the breasts removed from the carcass, cut the breasts into 1/2-inch-thick slices and arrange on a platter for serving.

Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Variations

• Make Cajun air-fryer turkey breast: Omit the rosemary and sage, then stir 1/2 tablespoon of your favorite Cajun seasoning blend into the mayonnaise and butter. Cook as directed.
• Add hot honey: Brush a little hot honey over the turkey breast before serving. Try a mixture of 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.

How to Store Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

Once cooked, an air-fryer turkey breast should be kept refrigerated in an airtight food storage container.

How long does turkey breast last?

Leftover air-fryer turkey breast will stay fresh for four to five days. Here are more tips about how to store Thanksgiving leftovers.

Can you freeze air-fryer turkey breast?

Air-fryer turkey breast may be frozen for a longer shelf life. Store it in a freezer-safe container, or wrap it tightly in foil and store it in a gallon-size resealable freezer bag. Freeze it for up to three months. Defrost the turkey completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do you reheat air-fryer turkey breast?

To reheat air-fryer turkey breast, either warm it in a 350° oven until heated through or microwave it in a covered microwave-safe container with a splash of turkey or chicken stock to preserve moisture. Here are more tips for reheating turkey to keep it moist.

Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Tips

What’s the best air fryer for cooking turkey breast?

You won’t be able to air-fry a whole turkey, of course. The baskets of even the largest air fryers, like the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL, are simply too small to accomplish this feat.

Ultimately, we recommend measuring the depth and size of your air fryer’s basket before heading to the store to select your turkey breast. Look for a breast that will comfortably fit in your fryer’s basket and has a flatter shape versus a domed one. In terms of size, a 3- to 5-pound turkey breast is likely the maximum weight most air fryers can hold.

For the recipe here, we used a PowerXL air fryer. These are the other air fryers our Test Kitchen recommends.

How do you know when an air-fryer turkey breast is done cooking?

The best way to judge the doneness of a turkey breast in the air fryer is with an instant-read thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast (take care to avoid the bone). When the internal temperature registers 165°, it is fully cooked.

What can you serve with an air-fryer turkey breast?

Now that you have learned how to cook a turkey in the air fryer, you’re probably wondering what to serve alongside it. Pair it with any classic Thanksgiving side dishes, or try this sweet potato casserole, a sausage stuffing or maple-glazed green beans. Have a double air-fryer basket? Serve one of these air-fryer Thanksgiving sides.

How else can you use air-fryer turkey breast?

Aside from eating it as the main course, you can also use an air-fryer turkey breast to prepare these tasty leftover turkey recipes. A turkey potpie or homemade turkey soup are filling meal options, or try Ross Geller’s “Moist Maker” sandwich from Friends for a lighter lunch choice.