Craving delicious, hassle-free roasted turkey? With crispy skin, juicy meat, and flavorful herbs, my air fryer turkey breast is the best way to enjoy turkey any time of year!
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My Favorite Way to Make Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
Get ready to savor the delightful flavors of air fryer turkey breast! When I’m entertaining for the holidays or just cooking for my family, the combination of easy prep and amazing results makes this dish perfect for any occasion.
Air fryer boneless turkey breast is seasoned with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices for the perfect balance of flavor. Meanwhile, the air fryer works wonders when it comes to getting the skin perfectly crispy without drying out the turkey breast!
This even came in handy last year when my family stayed home with just the 4 of us for Thanksgiving. We usually head to my mom’s house, but we had it a little later than usual. I just popped the turkey breast in the air fryer, and it was the perfect amount for us
Ingredients for Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
- Turkey breast – I used a 3lb boneless turkey breast
- Olive oil – this helps the seasoning stick, and butter or another oil will work as well
- Brown sugar – to give the turkey a little bit of sweetness
- Herbs – my go-to in this recipe is thyme, rosemary, and oregano
- Spices – garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder help give it a savory flavor
- Salt and pepper – to pop the flavor of the rest of the ingredients
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Remove the turkey breast from the packaging, setting aside the gravy packet if included. Place the turkey on a large plate, pat it dry with paper towels, and adjust the netting on the outside to make removal easier after cooking. Do not remove the netting.
STEP TWO: Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes. For easy cleanup, line the basket with foil.
STEP THREE: In a small bowl, add olive oil, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, and salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine, then allow the oil to rest for a few minutes.
STEP FOUR: Rub the herb oil on all sides of the turkey breast.
STEP FIVE: Place the breast in the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.
STEP SIX: Carefully flip the turkey breast, then cook for an additional 20-35 minutes. Use an Instant Read Thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
STEP SEVEN: Allow the air fried turkey breast to rest for at least 10 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.
STEP EIGHT: Serve with the warmed gravy packet, if desired.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
- Cute Thanksgiving Turkey Treats
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Casserole
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
- Ritz Cracker Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pineapple
How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
To ensure my air fryer turkey breast is perfectly cooked, the meat needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. I always recommend using a meat thermometer for a dish like this one.
When I air fry a 3 lb Butterball turkey breast, it takes between 45 minutes and an hour to fully cook.
If a thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the turkey doesn’t quite read 165 degrees F yet, cook it for another 3-6 minutes and then check again.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey in the Air Fryer
- If you buy your turkey breast frozen, transfer it to the refrigerator 2-3 days in advance to allow it to thaw.
- Lightly line the air fryer basket with tin foil for easy cleanup.
- Let the oil and herb mixture rest for a few minutes so the flavors have a chance to come together.
- Thoroughly pat the turkey breast dry before applying the herb oil mixture. This is a secret of mine to help achieve the crispiest skin possible!
- Rub the herb oil mixture generously on all sides of the turkey breast to ensure maximum flavor infusion.
- Carefully flip the turkey breast halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.
- Allow the turkey breast to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and prevents the turkey from drying out.
More Delicious Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets
- Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings
More Air Fryer Main Course Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chuck Roast
- Air Fryer Cornish Hen
- Air Fryer Ham
- Air Fryer Pork Chops with Flour
- Air Fryer Pork Roast
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless turkey breast
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the turkey breast from the packaging, setting aside the gravy packet if included.
- Place the turkey on a large plate, pat it dry with paper towels, and adjust the netting on the outside to make removal easier after cooking.
- Do not remove the netting.
- Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F. For easy cleanup, line the basket with foil.
- In a small bowl, add olive oil, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk well to combine and allow the oil to rest.
- Rub the herb oil on all sides of the turkey breast.
- Place the breast in the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.
- Open the air fryer, carefully flip the turkey breast, and cook for an additional 20-35 minutes.
- Test the thickest part of the turkey with a meat thermometer, removing it when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Cook an additional 3-6 minutes if necessary to reach 165 degrees F.
- Allow the turkey to rest for at least 10 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.
- Serve with the warmed gravy packet, if desired.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Samantha
This was the best recipe. I used it for my 12# turkey today & it was fantastic. I cook my turkey in a cooking bag in the microwave & usually just brush the turkey with melted butter mixed with brown bouquet sauce. I’ve done it this way for years & we’ve always enjoyed it but today was 1000 times better. My turkey was done in 90 minutes & then rested for 20 minutes before carving, which gave me time to do my baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer. Everyone always thinks I’m crazy when I say I cook my turkey in the microwave. Happy Thanksgiving!