Air Fryer Turkey Breast is your solution to a quick and easy Thanksgiving that is thrown together in no time! Perfect juicy tender meat on the inside with a crispy outside skin. Save space in your oven this year by cooking a turkey breast in the air fryer. You can use it for cooking sides.
For larger turkey breasts that are 7 to 9 pounds I choose to use a larger air fryer like my Ninja Foodi Grill. I keep it outside on the deck during the warmer months!
There are MANY methods for cooking a turkey breast on the Internet, but using my air fryer is by far my favorite method! When it comes to cooking a turkey breast my other favorite method is to use a smoker and follow my recipe for Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast.
The air fryer is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. Check out some of these recipes! Air Fryer Omelette, Air Fryer Poutine, or Air Fryer Turkey Breast!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
The turkey breast comes comes out perfect every time in the air fryer and the skin gets super crispy. If you don’t have a smoker use this air fryer method for cooking a turkey breast.
This is much healthier and safer than deep-frying a turkey on Thanksgiving Day!
You can use the leftover turkey breast to make sandwiches, salads, or casseroles. Try my recipe for Leftover Turkey and Avocado quesadillas.
How to Make Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Step 1 Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 Rub the oil all over the turkey breast. Season both sides of the turkey breast with salt and seasoning salt.
Step 3 Cook the bird skin side down first for 20 minutes. Continue cooking the turkey breast for up to 40 to 45 minutes.
Best Air Fryer Tips
The air fryer is so great for cooking simple basic food like air fryer bacon wrapped chicken breast, air fryer steak, and. Cook up some air fryer chicken breasts for the week and use the chicke air fryer hard-boiled eggsn for quesadillas, crispy cobb salad, or DIY chipotle burrito bowls to use for lunch or dinner.
Some air fryers require preheating and some do not. Be sure to check your air fryer manual. If the food ever burns or doesn’t cook properly this could be why the recipe didn’t work for you.
Overcrowding: Do not overcrowd the basket. Place items in a single layer in the air fryer basket or some food will not cook properly or all the way through.
What air fryer do I use? Cosori 4 Qt Air Fryer- This air fryer doesn't require any preheating and has several different functions for cooking chicken, meat, frozen foods, etc. There are 5 different functions.
Turkey Thaw Times Cheat Sheet
Turkey Thaw Times Cheat Sheet
20 to 24 pounds - Put in the fridge the Friday before Thanksgiving
16 to 19 pounds - Put in the fridge the Saturday before Thanksgiving
12 to 15 pounds - Put in the fridge the Sunday before Thanksgiving
4 to 11 pounds - Put in the fridge the Monday before Thanksgiving
What to serve with Air Fryer Turkey Breast?
Looking for some tasty side dishes to serve with this Turkey Breast? Try these out.
Pasta Salads: Italian Pasta Salad, Mexican Macaroni Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Shrimp and Pea Orzo Salad
Crock Pot Sides: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, Slow Cooker Calico Beans
Cold Salads: Berry Cheesecake Salad and Aunt Carol’s Potato Salad
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just use the same temp and time to cook the bird. Wrap it up as tight as you can and make sure none of the stuffing is sticking out. The bread might burn if any of it is sticking out.
If you have a bird that weighs more than 3 pounds keep on doubling the time. Some air fryers only go up to 60 minutes. Just reset it for another 60 minutes after the 60 minutes are done frying.
3 pounds - 60 minutes
6 pounds - 2 hours
8 pounds - 4 hours
Yes you can, just be aware of the size of the turkey breast. Some larger ones will not fit into the air fryer you have. Cook the turkey breast per pound until it is properly cooked to the right temperature.
Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer or fridge.
Other Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you tried this Air Fryer Turkey Breast or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Turkey Breast (7 pounds)
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 8
- Category: Air Fryer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Description
Air Fryer Turkey Breast is your solution to a quick and easy Thanksgiving that is thrown together in no time!
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pound turkey breast, bone in skin on (thawed)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Rub the oil all over the turkey breast. Season both sides with salt and seasoning salt.
- Cook the bird skin side down first for 20 minutes. Continue cooking the turkey breast for up to 30 to 40 minutes.
- The turkey breast is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Notes
Blue Points: 0; Green Points: 4; Purple Points: 0
The nutrition info below is for 4 oz of turkey breast. Use a nutrition calculator online to help you figure out Nutrition info for more turkey breast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 oz
- Calories: 97
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 382mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 17g
Jenna says
I'm not familiar with that air fryer but I'm sure you can!
Kathy Derrick says
Can you cook a turkey in a breville smart oven that air frys too?
Karen says
Great recipe! I will make it again.
Jenna says
Please use a defrosted turkey breast.
Marsha says
Is everyone using a unfrozen breast? I am very new to air frying and have no idea if you can us frozen or thawed ideas.
Jenna says
I would take it off. The air fryer might burn the netting.
Linda Z. says
Hi! I also have a 3# boneless butterball turkey breast. Do I take the netting off or is it ok to leave it on while air frying? I’m so excited to have found your recipe. It looks wonderful! Thx so much...Linda Z.
Dorita Kesley says
Has anyone tried a 3 lb boneless turkey in an AirFryer rotisserie? I imagine roasting it this way should self baste if using the correct spices/oils? But don't know what that would be. I am guessing 350 degrees till it reaches 165 degrees and is nicely browned? I am new to air fryers and have one big enough but I am unsure about spices and temps to use, I want mine tasty but require lower sodium. Also could use suggestions how to place it in the rotisserie since it is boneless? Does that prohibit me using rotisserie/ (borne in would be too large i assume). And question is for everyday cooking as i prefer turkey over chicken most times!
Jenna says
I wouldn't cook a turkey any other way!
Diane G. says
Sorry I'm so late posting this, BUT I did a 6 lb bone-in turkey breast for Thanksgiving...
IT was Amazing! The skin was super crisp the way I like it, the meat was so very moist and juicy...
I'm glad I found this site bc it talked me into giving it a try and it was well worth it.
(20 min each, top and bottom, then I did the sides for 10 min each.. perfect!)
I kept checking it with a digital thermometer when I would turn it 🙂
Thank you!!