If you're looking for an easy dinner that is juicy, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is the recipe to make. Turkey tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that cooks quickly in the air fryer while staying moist and tender. A simple blend of pantry spices creates a delicious crust on the outside without overpowering the natural flavor of the turkey.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even a smaller holiday dinner when you do not want to cook an entire turkey. Pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.
This recipe is sure to impress both your family and guests. So, grab your air fryer and get cooking! Don't forget to share your experiences and any creative twists you come up with in the comments below.
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Why Choose Turkey Breast Tenderloin?
- Ready in about 25 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfect for small families or weeknight dinners.
- Juicy and tender with a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Uses simple pantry ingredients.
- Great for meal prep and leftovers.
- No need to heat up the oven.
- Easy to customize with your favorite spices or marinades.
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Turkey Breast Tenderloin
- Turkey Tenderloin: Turkey tenderloin is a boneless, lean cut of turkey that cooks much faster than a whole turkey breast. Most packages contain one or two tenderloins.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings stick to the turkey while promoting a beautifully browned exterior.
- Garlic Powder: Adds savory flavor without the risk of burning fresh garlic during cooking.
- Onion Powder: Gives the seasoning blend extra depth and complements the turkey perfectly.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and helps create a rich golden color.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that pairs well with poultry.
How to make Air Fryer Turkey Breast Tenderloin
Step 1 Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes.
Step 2. Season the Turkey: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the turkey breast tenderloins.
Step 3 Cook the Turkey: Place the tenderloins in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Step 4 Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the turkey rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful.
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
Use a meat thermometer instead of relying only on cooking time. Turkey can dry out quickly if overcooked.
Allow the turkey to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking for more even results.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Proper air circulation helps the turkey brown evenly.
Try adding brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or fresh herbs to create different flavor variations.
Let the turkey rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
Storage
Store leftover turkey tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat slices in the air fryer at 325 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes or warm gently in the microwave until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This turkey tenderloin pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
- Mashed potatoes Mashed Potatoes with Greek Yogurt
- Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
- Roasted green beans
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
- Sweet potato casserole
- Weight Watchers Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Casserole
- Mac and cheese
- Ina Garten Cranberry Sauce
- Garden salad
- Dinner rolls
It is also delicious sliced thin for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or grain bowls the next day.
Air Fryering Tips
- Avoid Overcrowding: Make sure there's enough space around each tenderloin in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Check Temperature: Always verify the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked thoroughly.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding herbs like rosemary or spices like cayenne for a kick.
Recipe FAQS
Nutrition info is calculated with the zero point food included in the recipe I pay for the WW app monthly to figure out points and use myfitnesspal for nutrition.
The points for the recipe will always be listed in the Notes section of the recipe.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast Tenderloin
- Prep Time: 2 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 22 min
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Guys, I am never buying a whole turkey breast again when craving a turkey, these turkey tenderloins are so easy to cook in the air fryer they come out fresh in under 20 minutes and they aren’t dry! Perfect for 2 or 3 people living together!
Ingredients
2 turkey breast tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes.
- Season the Turkey: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the turkey breast tenderloins.
- Cook the Turkey: Place the tenderloins in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the turkey rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful.
Notes
Serve slices of turkey alongside roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: .02g
- Protein: 50g
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