Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Make a juicy, flavorful turkey breast in the air fryer with this easy recipe! Using a simple herb butter, this turkey cooks up tender and golden-brown in less time than the oven. Perfect for holiday meals, small feasts, or a quick weeknight dinner.
Thanksgiving turkey can be a hot topic, especially when choosing the right cooking method. Between deciding on white or dark meat and figuring out the best way to cook it, it can get overwhelming fast!
Over the past year, I fell in love with my air fryer, so it was only natural to try it with turkey breast. Using the air fryer not only saves oven space and energy, but it also delivers juicy, tender meat in about an hour. This recipe focuses on a 4 to 5-pound turkey breast, perfect for small gatherings or weeknight dinners when you want all the flavor without the fuss. At my holiday table, the turkey breast is always the first to go!
And if you don’t have an air fryer you can make sous vide turkey breast or Dutch oven turkey breast for that same juicy, tender taste.
🦃Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious seasoned turkey breast, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients that pack in tons of flavor:
- Turkey Breast (4-5 pounds) – A bone-in or boneless turkey breast works here; just make sure it’s fresh or fully thawed. This size is ideal for small gatherings and cooks evenly in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil – Adds moisture and helps the seasonings stick to the turkey breast, creating a golden, crispy exterior.
- Herb Butter – A mix of softened butter with fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. This herb coating infuses the turkey with rich flavor and keeps it juicy.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic (or garlic powder for convenience) adds depth and a savory boost.
- Salt and Pepper – Essential for bringing out all the flavors and seasoning the turkey thoroughly.
For alternative seasoning options, try Italian herbs for a Mediterranean twist, garlic butter for a classic flavor, or even a Cajun spice rub if you like a bit of heat. These seasoning ideas add variety and make this recipe adaptable to different tastes and occasions.
📖 How To Cook Turkey Breast In An Air Fryer
1️⃣ Prep the Turkey Breast: About 15 to 20 minutes before cooking, take the defrosted turkey breast out of the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature to help it cook evenly in the air fryer. This is a key step for achieving a tender, juicy turkey.
2️⃣ Season the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from its packaging and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim any excess skin near the neck area if needed. Using your hands or a brush, apply the herb butter (recipe below) generously beneath the skin, over the skin, and across the entire surface for even seasoning.
3️⃣ Set Up the Air Fryer: Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket with the breast side facing down. Mold a piece of foil around the top of the turkey to protect it from burning and make sure it isn’t touching the heating element.
4️⃣ Cooking the Turkey Breast: Set the air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 30 minutes. After the initial cooking time, use tongs to carefully flip the turkey breast over. Re-cover the top with foil and continue cooking for another 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the skin reaches your desired level of browning.
5️⃣ Check for Doneness and Rest: Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer—it should read at least 165°F. Once done, remove the turkey breast from the air fryer, place it on a plate, and tent it with foil for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps retain juiciness for a perfectly tender turkey breast.
🧈 Herb Butter Recipe For Turkey Breast
This herb butter recipe packs serious flavor into a turkey breast and helps achieve a golden-brown skin and tender, juicy meat.
- 1️⃣ Let butter sit out at room temperature long enough for it to soften.
- 2️⃣ In a small bowl, add softened butter, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder and freshly chopped sage.
- 3️⃣ With a heavy spoon, mix well until fully combined.
👩🏻🍳Expert Tips
- Avoid Dry Turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the skin crisp up while keeping the meat juicy inside—essential for a delicious air fryer turkey breast.
- Use Herb Butter Under the Skin: For maximum flavor and moisture, rub herb butter beneath the skin as well as on top. This method bastes the turkey from the inside as it cooks, adding richness and preventing dryness.
- Choose the Right Cut: If you prefer leaner meat, go with a boneless turkey breast. For added flavor and juiciness, a bone-in turkey breast holds more moisture and can add depth to the dish.
- Cook Evenly by Flipping: Start by cooking the turkey breast side down, then flip halfway through. This allows even browning and helps prevent dry edges while keeping the meat juicy.
- Tent with Foil to Avoid Over-Browning: To prevent the top from getting too brown or burnt, tent the turkey with foil after the first 30 minutes. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to achieve that golden-brown finish.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: An essential tool for air fryer turkey breast, a meat thermometer lets you check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F. This ensures the center is cooked without overcooking the edges.
- Rest After Cooking: Once done, let the turkey rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping each bite tender and moist.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Air Fryer: If the turkey breast is large, make sure it fits comfortably in the air fryer basket without touching the heating element. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
- Cooking Tips: If you find the edges dry, try applying a little more oil or butter before cooking. For an undercooked center, add a few more minutes at a lower temperature (325°F) to finish cooking without over-browning.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
Serve with with creamy everything bagel mashed potatoes, crisp green beans, and a spoonful of cranberry sauce for a holiday-inspired plate. For a lighter option, pair it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to let the flavors of the turkey shine.
Storing Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Sliced turkey breast also freezes well; wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer: To reheat, place slices of the turkey breast in the air fryer at 325°F for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. This method keeps the meat juicy while maintaining that crispy outer layer.
Ideas for Leftovers: Leftover turkey breast is versatile and can be used in various dishes. Try adding it to salads, stuffing it into sandwiches with cranberry sauce, or chopping it for a quick turkey soup. It also makes a delicious filling for wraps or turkey quesadillas for an easy, flavorful lunch.
❔ FAQ
Absolutely. The cook time will be slightly less, so make sure you have a meat thermometer on hand to check for doneness.
You sure can. It’ll take less time to cook to temperature than breast. Check internal temp with a thermometer.
No, please don’t. It won’t cook evenly. Turkey breast should be defrosted overnight before cooking.
If you have a larger turkey breast that doesn’t fit in the air fryer basket, you might need a larger air fryer or you can make a u0022basketu0022 with foil or a heat-safe trivet to catch the juices and drippings.
More Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie
- Air Fryer Sausage Balls
- Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baked Brie
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer
- Tongs
- Aluminum Foil
- Small brush or spoon for applying herb butter
- Paper Towels
- Kitchen shears
Ingredients
- 1 5 lb Turkey Breast bone in skin on
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Fresh Sage chopped
- 1 tbsp Poultry Seasoning
- 2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Prep the Turkey Breast: About 15 to 20 minutes before cooking, take the defrosted turkey breast out of the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature to help it cook evenly in the air fryer. This is a key step for achieving a tender, juicy turkey.
- Season the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from its packaging and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim any excess skin near the neck area if needed. Using your hands or a brush, apply the herb butter (recipe below) generously beneath the skin, over the skin, and across the entire surface for even seasoning.
- Set Up the Air Fryer: Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket with the breast side facing down. Mold a piece of foil around the top of the turkey to protect it from burning and make sure it isn’t touching the heating element.
- Cooking the Turkey Breast: Set the air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 30 minutes. After the initial cooking time, use tongs to carefully flip the turkey breast over. Re-cover the top with foil and continue cooking for another 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the skin reaches your desired level of browning.
- Check for Doneness and Rest: Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer—it should read at least 165°F. Once done, remove the turkey breast from the air fryer, place it on a plate, and tent it with foil for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps retain juiciness for a perfectly tender turkey breast.
Herb Butter Recipe For Turkey Breast
- Let butter sit out at room temperature long enough for it to soften.
- In a small bowl, add softened butter, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder and freshly chopped sage.
- With a heavy spoon, mix well until fully combined.
Can this be done with olive oil instead of butter?
Sure can!