Cooking a turkey breast in an air fryer sure is a great option for a smaller piece of turkey, but if you’re cooking for a bigger crowd, try a whole roasted turkey with herb butter, a crispy skin spatchcock turkey, or for an easier method turkey in a bag instead.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for turkey breast in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Turkey breast – The best air fryer turkey breast is made with bone-in whole turkey breast, which will be the most flavorful. But, boneless turkey breast (which usually has a net around it) will also work. If your turkey breast is frozen, thaw it in a bag submerged in a bowl of cold water or in the fridge overnight. Olive Oil – This adds flavor and helps the seasonings stick. You can also use avocado oil. Sea Salt & Black Pepper Fresh Herbs – I used fresh rosemary and thyme. Chopped sage leaves would also be delicious! If all you have is dried herbs, you can use those, but use 1 teaspoon of the dried seasonings for each tablespoon of fresh. Garlic – We’re using whole cloves, so use fresh garlic. I don’t recommend substituting garlic powder or jarred garlic here.
How To Air Fry Turkey Breast
This section shows how to cook turkey breast in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. Add a couple teaspoons of poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning instead of the fresh herbs.
How Long To Cook Turkey Breast In The Air Fryer?
As a rule of thumb, air fry turkey breast for about 10-12 minutes per pound for boneless or 11-13 minutes per pound for bone-in. For a 5-pound turkey breast, that is approximately an hour. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F. The best way to check that it’s done is by inserting a probe thermometer before you place the basket in the air fryer. Cooking time will vary depending on the weight and shape of the meat.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat: You can reheat turkey in the air fryer or the oven at 350 degrees F. To keep it juicy, add some broth to the bottom of the basket (or baking dish if using the oven). Freeze: You can freeze cooked turkey meat for up to 3 months. (Take the meat off the bone before freezing.)
What To Serve With Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Serve up your air fryer turkey breast with your favorite Thanksgiving sides — or other simple side dishes for an easy dinner anytime:
Potatoes – Mashed potatoes are a classic for holidays, or try mashed cauliflower. You can also try some garlic parmesan fries for a weeknight dinner. Green Beans – Green beans almondine is my go-to dish for a quick side that feels special, but you can’t go wrong with oven roasted green beans, either. Other Veggies – If you make this turkey as an everyday dinner, pair it with roasted asparagus or sauteed broccoli. If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving veggie side, you can’t go wrong with a stunning creamy spinach recipe. Casseroles – For a filling Thanksgiving meal, make a cheesy zucchini casserole or a gluten-free green bean casserole. Salad – My favorite salad to serve with turkey recipes is a sweet kale salad, but feel free to pair it with any of my easy salad recipes. Thanksgiving Desserts – This meal would be unforgettable with a crustless pumpkin pie!
More Easy Turkey Recipes
If you love this air fryer turkey breast recipe, you might also love some of my other easy turkey recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
