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Home » Recipes » Main Dish

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2024 by Angela Latimer · 7 Comments

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

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Air fryer turkey breast pin with text header.

Air fryer turkey breast is an easy, meaty main dish that's equally suited for a fabulous family meal as it is a holiday gathering. Perfectly tender and superbly moist turkey is practically effortless whether you're using bone-in turkey breast or boneless turkey breast. This recipe is quick, delicious, and ridiculously simple!

Choose your favorite classic Thanksgiving side dishes to pair with it, like my brown sugar candied yams, bacon cream cheese mashed potatoes, or Campbell's green bean casserole.

Closeup on the air fryer turkey breast sliced and served on wooden cutting board.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Turkey In An Air Fryer
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🦃 More Turkey Side Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and that means turkey is on everyone’s minds. Turkey breast can be intimidating for even the most experienced cook, but especially for a beginner.

If it’s your turn to host the holiday meal this year, and you’re in charge of the main course, try this quick, easy, and delicious recipe.

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

Using an air fryer is great for meat. It speeds up the cooking process and keeps all the juices in, leaving it tender and moist on the inside with crispy skin on the outside. And as an added bonus, you can save oven space for the many other dishes you’ll be putting together for the big meal. 

My recipe uses a simple blend of salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to enhance the natural taste of the bird. With widely used flavors, this dish will pair well with almost anything! And it makes amazing sandwiches, soups, pasta dinners, and curries if you have any turkey leftovers.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

  • Minimal Prep Work. Getting this turkey ready to be cooked only takes 5 minutes.
  • Quick Cooking. Spending hours cooking a turkey doesn’t have to be part of the holiday tradition.
  • It's Delicious. Using the air fryer helps keep the juices in and gives you a perfectly roasted piece of meat every time.

🥘 Ingredients

With only 6 ingredients, this is a simple dish packed with all kinds of flavors. A boneless turkey breast is ideal for fitting into your air fryer and for hosting a small gathering!

  • Turkey Breast - 3 pounds of turkey breast. Boneless or bone-in will both work in this recipe as long as it’s thawed (and can fit into your air fryer).
  • Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon of olive oil. As always, a good extra virgin olive oil is a pantry essential!
  • Kosher Salt - 2 teaspoons of Kosher salt. Salt brings out the flavor of everything around it.
  • Ground Black Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Freshly ground black pepper adds some spice to this savory dish.
  • Garlic Powder - ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Garlic makes everything better!
  • Paprika - ¼ teaspoon of paprika (or use a paprika substitute). Paprika has a subtle flavor and adds beautiful color to a somewhat bland-looking dish.

Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!

🔪 How To Make Turkey In An Air Fryer

You’ll need your air fryer, paper towels, and a cutting board for this recipe. An electric knife can also be especially helpful for cutting slices when you’re ready to serve.

Depending on the exact weight of your turkey breast, you should have about 6 servings.

Process photo 1 seasoned turkey breast in air fryer basket.
1
Process photo 2 turkey breast at the halfway point in cooking time before flipping.
2
  1. Season. Use paper towels to pat dry a 3-pound (1.36 kilogram) turkey breast. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil over the bird and spread it over the entire surface. Season with 2 teaspoons (12 grams) of Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) of ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon (0.75 grams) of garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) of paprika. Use your hands to spread the spices evenly.
  2. Cook. Transfer the meat to the air fryer basket, keeping the skin side up. Cook at 375℉ (190℃) for 20 minutes. Flip it over (breast down) and cook for another 20 minutes or so until it’s done. Check for doneness by using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat. It should reach 165℉ (74℃) when it is done.
  3. Let it rest. Take the turkey out of the air fryer and move it to a cutting board or serving platter. Use aluminum foil to create a loose tent over the top. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes.
  4. Serve. Carve and serve.

Serve on a platter garnished with parsley and orange or lemon slices. Here are even more of my favorite side dishes to serve with turkey. Enjoy!

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • As always, avoid using aerosol sprays in your air fryer. Aerosol sprays damage the coating. Instead, try using a spritz bottle or a pastry brush to oil the basket.
  • Don’t skip patting your turkey dry. You will want to remove as much water as you can from the skin. Drying your turkey will help it cook faster and will help crisp up the skin on the outside. Don’t skip this step, and be sure to dry it thoroughly for best results.
  • The weight of your turkey will depend on the number of diners. As a general rule, count on ½ to ¾ pounds of boneless or 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast for each person who will be eating. If you want leftovers for sandwiches the next day, calculate that into your estimate. For reference, most bone-in turkey breasts are between 4 and 10 pounds. Boneless breasts tend to be 2¾ to 6 pounds.
  • Swap out the extra virgin olive oil with butter for a richer flavor. You can cover the turkey with the same amount of butter as you would olive oil, but you should be aware that butter will run the risk of burning. To prevent this, loosely cover the breast with aluminum foil during cooking.
  • Add fresh herbs for an extra delicious taste. Tear up fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Put them on top with the rest of the seasonings, or stuff them in the turkey cavity if using bone-in meat. Herbs are a wonderful way to bring the flavors of your garden to a meal, even late in the season.
Wide image of the sliced air fryer turkey breast.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

🥡 Storing & Reheating

If you have any leftovers, refrigerate them in shallow, tightly sealed containers that will allow them to cool quickly. They will be safe to eat for up to 3-4 days.

For long-term storage, place turkey slices in a single layer in freezer bags or in airtight containers. You can enjoy leftovers for up to 6 months; however, leftover turkey is best thawed and eaten within 1-2 months.

Be sure to check out all of my tasty leftover turkey recipes, too!

Reheating

The best way to reheat cooked turkey is in the oven. Thaw any frozen pieces in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, leave leftovers at room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes. This will help it reheat evenly.

Next, put similarly-sized pieces in a baking dish covered in tin foil with a bit of stock and melted butter poured over the top to add moisture. Cook at 300℉ (149℃) for 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed to your satisfaction.

❓ Recipe FAQs

Why Do You Let The Turkey Breast Rest?

Cutting any type of meat immediately after cooking will cause it to lose many of its juices. This can lead to a dry, less flavorful meal. Letting it sit for a few minutes before cutting into it allows juices to be reabsorbed and more evenly distributed throughout the entire piece.

Do I Have To Thaw My Turkey Breast To Cook It In The Air Fryer?

No, you can cook from frozen with some additional cook time! Wrap the prepared turkey in foil and cook it at 350℉ (177℃) for 1 hour. Start with the skin side down, then at 45 minutes of cooking time, remove the foil.
Flip the breast so that it is skin-side up and air fry for another 15 minutes. Check the internal temperature before serving.
*This last step is especially important when cooking from a frozen state.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey In An Air Fryer?

For a 3-pound turkey breast, it will take about 40 minutes to cook. This may vary based on the weight of the breast.

Tall image of the air fryer turkey breast on wooden cutting board.

🦃 More Turkey Side Dishes

  • Mashed Potatoes (no milk needed)
  • Candied Yams
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Turkey Gravy
  • Green Bean Casserole (no canned soup)
  • Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Closeup on the air fryer turkey breast sliced and served on wooden cutting board.
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5 from 66 reviews

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Air fryer turkey breast is an easy, meaty main dish that's equally suited for a fabulous family meal as it is a holiday gathering. Perfectly tender and superbly moist turkey is practically effortless whether you're using bone-in turkey breast or boneless turkey breast. This recipe is quick, delicious, and ridiculously simple!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 251kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 40 minutes minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 55 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 3 lbs turkey breast (boneless or bone-in)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Pat turkey breast dry using paper towels, then coat with olive oil and seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika).
  • Place into your air fryer basket with the skin side up and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, then flip and continue air frying for an additional 20 minutes or until the turkey breast is done. Turkey should have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as read by a digital meat thermometer (inserted into the thickest portion of the meat).
  • Remove from your air fryer, place on a cutting board or serving platter, and loosely tent with a square of aluminum foil. Allow the cooked turkey breast to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Plan on ½-3/4 pound of boneless turkey breast per person for each serving, or 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast for each serving per person.
  • The average bone-in turkey breast is between 4-10 pounds, and boneless turkey breasts range between 2 ¾-6 pounds.
  • Melted butter can also be used, but is more likely to burn. Use in a 1:1 ratio with olive oil for best results, or cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
  • Fresh herbs can be added to the seasoning, or inside the turkey cavity (if preparing a bone-in turkey breast). Parsley, rosemary, and thyme are all excellent choices.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 49g (98%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg (41%) | Sodium: 1243mg (54%) | Potassium: 554mg (16%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 87IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 33mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Air Fryer, Dinner Recipes, Main Dish, Thanksgiving Turkey
Cuisine American
« Lil Smokies Pigs In A Blanket
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    5 from 66 votes (64 ratings without comment)

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  1. Old Phil says

    August 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this several times and it always comes out great, brine or no brine. I usually cook a boneless half breast around three lbs so the cook time is a bit shorter. For a two person household this is good for two meals plus.

    Reply
  2. Linda says

    November 09, 2023 at 4:59 pm

    Perfect recipe except I took off the white tie wrapping and can’t flip it🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

    Reply
    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      November 09, 2023 at 7:46 pm

      I'm not a fan of the netting, if you remove it you can always re-tie the turkey breast in key places to make it cook up nicely shaped and easy to turn. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Cassie says

    December 25, 2022 at 9:59 pm

    5 stars
    I got an air fryer for Christmas today and used this for Christmas dinner to go with our ham. It was a home run, perfect. Moist, crispy, delicious.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    November 24, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    I’m going to use this recipe today, thank you🦃

    Reply
  5. Carolina Pilqvist says

    July 14, 2022 at 6:17 am

    Adorei a explicacao e vou testar ja! tenho uma air fry q nunca uso, estou animada p comecar a utilizar e vou dar uma olhadinha nas suas receitas. Muito bacana os comentarios e explicacoes adcionais. Obrigada

    "I loved the explanation and I'm going to try it now! I have an air fry that I never use, I'm excited to start using it and I'll check out your recipes. Very nice comments and additional explanations. Thanks"

    Reply
    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      July 14, 2022 at 9:58 am

      Fico feliz em ajudar! Boa sorte com sua fritura ao ar!

      I'm happy to be of help! Good luck with your air frying!"

      Reply

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Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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