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I loving making this air fryer turkey beast! It is the easiest way to make a small turkey! It comes out juicy, moist, and golden brown, making it a perfect meal for holidays or a delicious family dinner.
“I’m always impressed by how quick and easy the air fryer makes this turkey breast!”
-Becky
Making turkey breast in the air fryer is a great way to get tender, flavorful meat in less time than oven roasting. It frees up precious oven space, making it perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a simple weeknight meal.
If are looking for more simple holiday meals, try Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Air Fryer Steak, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Cornish Hens, or Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops. Or skip the air fryer, and roast this whole juicy Christmas Chicken.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- Bone-in or boneless turkey breast: Make sure it fits in your air fryer; I used a nearly 5-pound breast.
- Olive oil or melted butter: Helps achieve a crispy, flavorful skin.
- Kosher salt: Enhances flavor.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild spice.
- Garlic powder or minced fresh garlic: Provides a rich, savory taste.
- Onion powder: Balances the seasoning.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a subtle smoky depth.
- Optional: Substitute 2 tablespoons of poultry seasoning for a quicker prep.
OPTIONAL: If you don’t have some of these seasonings, or just want to save a little time, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of poultry seasoning, like this McCormick’s seasoning. Serve this turkey along side this simple Cranberry Orange Sauce for a complete meal!
Variations
- Make it with fresh herbs: Use rosemary, thyme, or sage for a more seasonal flavor.
- Add Sauce or Brine Overnight: Brush the turkey breast with a maple glaze or BBQ sauce in the last few minutes for a different twist.
How to Brine Turkey Breast Overnight
If you want to brine your turkey breast, place it in a large pot of cold water. Add 4–6 cups cold water (enough to fully cover the turkey breast). Add seasonings like sliced garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, sage), and lemon or orange slices. Cover and refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Then remove from the water, discard the brine, and air fry the turkey.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C). Remove the turkey breast from its packaging, pat it dry with a paper towel, and trim any excess fat. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Coat the turkey breast with olive oil or melted butter, then rub the seasoning mix evenly over the surface.
- Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Cook at 360 degrees F (182 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 20-25 minutes.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
How to Carve Turkey Breast
Once the turkey is done cooking, you want to carve it to serve. Carving it properly will give you clean slices of meat, and will help you get the most amount of meat from the breast.
To carve the turkey, you will need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a serving platter or large plate for serving turkey slices.
Before you start to cut, first, secure your cutting board by placing a damp kitchen towel underneath the board. This will help prevent the board from sliding or moving as you cut.
When you slice the turkey breast, start your first cut parallel to the center of the breast, along the breast bone on each side. Slice in a straight line downwards, cutting across the grain of the meat for the best cut.
As you continue slicing, make angled slices across the breast, until you get to the bottom. Transfer the slices to your serving platter or large plate. Garnish with lemon slices, small potatoes, fresh rosemary or thyme herbs.
Looking for air fryer Christmas recipes? Try air fryer reindeer chow, air fryer cranberry brie bites, or these air fryer Christmas brownie mix cookies.
Expert Tips
- Always use a meat thermometer – Internal temp should be 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
- Let it rest before slicing – Resting helps keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
- Don’t skip the oil or butter – It helps with browning and flavor.
- Work in batches for larger portions – If your turkey is large, consider halving it or air frying in two rounds.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast FAQ’s
Refrigerate leftover turkey breast in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Or you can freeze for up to 3-4 months in a freezer-safe bag. Just be sure to remove as much air as possible so the meat doesn’t dry out.
When you are ready to reheat, air fry at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 3-5 minutes. You can warm it in the microwave too, but that can make it a little rubbery or taste dry.
figure about 1 1/2 pounds of turkey breast per person. If the turkey breast is boneless then figure 1/2 pound per person. As an idea for size, I have a 5.8 quart basket, and can easily fit a 5 pound turkey, with ribs removed.
You can cut it into smaller pieces or choose a turkey breast that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. I used kitchen scissors to cut and remove the ribs from my turkey breast. This helped it open up an lay flat, to fit in the basket.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinners
We love this air fryer turkey breast for dinner! It’s so easy to make and is perfect for the holidays or just a great weeknight meal!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 turkey breast, bone-in or boneless, 3-5 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or melted butter
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 fresh garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- While the air fryer is preheating, remove the turkey breast from the packaging. Gently pat breast dry with a paper towel, then remove any unwanted fat or small trimmings on the turkey breast.
- In a small bowl, add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, then stir them together.
- Use your hands or a pastry brush and coat the entire turkey breast with olive oil or melted butter. Then rub the seasonings all over the breast, pressing it into the breast firmly.
- Place the seasoned turkey breast in air fryer, breast side down. Cook turkey breast at 360 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Then, turn the turkey over, and continue air frying for an additional 20-25 minutes. Use an instant read meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to check doneness.
- Let the turkey rest for 5–10 minutes before carving for juicier slices.
- If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil, tucking it in to prevent it from flying in the air fryer.
- If using butter, lower the temp to 350°F to avoid smoking—this may add 10–15 minutes to the cook time.
- Cooking time will depend on the air fryer wattage, and weight of the turkey. Here’s a suggested guide:
- 2–2.5 pounds: 30-40 minutes
- 3–4 pounds: 40-50 minutes
- 4.5–5 pounds: 50-60 minutes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If using a rotisserie basket, should the time be cut back or is an hour about right?
Hi Anthony. I have not made this turkey breast using a rotisserie, but it looks like the time would be similar, depending on the weight and thickness. I would check the internal temperature about five minutes earlier. Thanks!