This Air Fryer Turkey Breast is quick and easy to prep, comes out super juicy and flavorful and makes for the perfect holiday entrée if you’re having a smaller celebration!
Recipe details
- Prep5minutes mins
- Cook45minutes mins
- Total50minutes mins
- Servings12 servings
- DifficultyEasy
Ingredients: Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- ▢6 tablespoons butter
- ▢3 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs OR 1 teaspoon dried; see notes
- ▢0.75 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢0.38 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢0.38 teaspoon ground paprika
- ▢salt & ground black pepper to taste
- ▢3 (3-lb) turkey breast (half breast highly recommended, bone-in or boneless are both fine)
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Instructions: Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Prep: Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Make compound butter: Place butter, herbs and seasonings in a small bowl. Using a fork, mash together until aromatics are evenly distributed.
- Season turkey: Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Carefully loosen skin (make sure it stays intact, but make some room underneath). Spread half of butter mixture under skin. Spread remaining butter mixture all over surface of turkey, mainly on skin part.
- Air fry: Place in hot air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 30 minutes. Check temperature, then air fry at 350°F in 5-10 minute increments until internal temperature reaches 165°F (a 2.5-lb, bone-in half breast takes around 40-45 minutes in total).
- Rest: Remove basket from air fryer, allow turkey to rest for 10 minutes before carving (do not skip resting, resting helps to yield more tender meat).
Notes:
Ingredient notes
- Turkey: I got a split turkey from a family friend, so I chose to use a bone-in half breast here. You can use a boneless breast for easier carving, but I wouldn’t recommend a whole breast – it’s nearly impossible to fit into an air fryer. I recommend a half breast no larger than 3 pounds if you have a larger air fryer (mine is a Cosori with 5.8QT).
- Herbs: Use any garden herbs you enjoy, I recommend any mix of rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. If you’re using fresh, just make sure you’re chopping them very finely.
Recipe tips
- Do not overcook the turkey, or it will dry out (even in the air fryer…). I highly recommend checking it regularly after 30 minutes of cooking time. The shape of your turkey, exact size, bone-in or boneless AND your specific air fryer model all impact the exact cooking time. Just make sure you cook it to 165°F internal temperature.
Leftovers
If you have leftovers, remove them from the bone (if using a bone-in turkey breast). Place the meat in an airtight container, seal the lid tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition is an estimate.
More recipe information
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
