Air Fryer Turkey Breast

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In recent years, air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen tools around the world!

Besides helping us make healthy dishes without oil, an air fryer can heat food evenly and in less time than we think. In addition, it can accomplish many tasks since we can cook all kinds of food there, including vegetables, cakes, meats, and more.

However, there’s a question many have in mind: can we make a juicy turkey breast in an air fryer?

The short answer is yes! We can make a moist and flavorful turkey breast using this innovative tool if we follow the right recipe.

Fortunately, that’s what you can find here! Whether you want to prepare a special Thanksgiving dinner or are just craving turkey sandwiches, this is the best air fryer turkey breast recipe you can try!

What You’ll Love About This Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

I love making turkey breast in the air fryer for many reasons, and I know you’ll love them, too! These include the following:

• We only need around 10-15 minutes of prep time, so it’s a quick and easy recipe to make.
• It’s perfect if we don’t have space in the oven to roast turkey the traditional way.
• We’ll have a tender, juicy turkey breast with golden and crispy skin.
• Cooking turkey breast in the air fryer takes only one hour.
• This method is ideal for making small dinners!
• Since the rapidly circulating air from this appliance cooks meat much faster, it doesn’t dry out and retains moisture.

Equipment for Making This Recipe

In addition to high-quality ingredients, we also need a few tools to make this tasty turkey breast, including the following:

• Meat thermometer: It helps us check the internal temperature of the chicken breast to know when it’s perfectly cooked.
• Probe thermometer: It’s a hand-off device that I love! If we want to check the temperature of the turkey breast, we only have to insert it in the thickest part after step six (see the instructions) and wait until it beeps to know it’s ready.
• Saucepan.
• Whisk.

Tips and Tricks to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Do you want to get the best results when preparing turkey breast in the air fryer? I can help you!

Besides a great and easy-to-make recipe, I also want to share some tips and tricks to make the juiciest and most delicious turkey breast using this amazing appliance. Check them out below!

Frozen Turkey Breast

You can use frozen turkey breasts, such as the ones that come in boxes and are usually available at the supermarket.

Ideally, we should thaw the turkey breast one day in the refrigerator for every 4 pounds.

Air Fryer

Since we can use the drippings from the turkey breast to make the gravy, we must make sure that the appliance’s bottom is clean.

If you have an oven-style air fryer, you can put a tray under the turkey breast to collect all the liquids.

Size

We can use a turkey breast of any size as long as we make sure it fits in the air fryer basket.

The meat should not be on the top of the basket before we start cooking it. Otherwise, it will not cook properly.

Brine

Some people apply dry brine to the turkey breast because it can draw moisture from the skin and soak into the meat’s fibers.

Personally, I’m not a fan of this method, but you can try it if you want a juicier turkey breast with crispier skin.

Substitutions and Additions

Do you want to prepare this recipe but did not find some ingredients? Don’t worry! Some substitutions work perfectly and can help us have a delicious and juicy turkey breast! Here are the ones I’ve used!

Turkey Breast

While this recipe works well to prepare chicken-based dishes, we’re craving turkey, right? I won’t recommend substituting this ingredient because it’s the main star.

However, there’s something to keep in mind: we can use any type of turkey breast we want.

I think the best option is the bone-in turkey breast with skin. The bone in turkey breast helps retain moisture for a juicier, moister result.

However, if you have boneless turkey breast, you can also make it! Both types are perfect for making this recipe!

The same is true for single and double turkey breasts. Both options are perfect for a delicious dinner or just to make some turkey sandwiches!

Olive Oil

If you don’t have olive oil, you can use butter. I prefer the unsalted variety, as it allows me to control the flavors better. However, both can work.

Seasoning and Herbs

I think this recipe is delicious if we only use thyme, rosemary, and pepper. However, we can use any other seasoning or fresh herbs we like if we want to add specific flavors.

Many people make a rub with onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. The result is amazing!

We can also use sage or even poultry seasoning when making a turkey breast in the air fryer. I’m pretty sure you’ll love the results!

How Long Does It Take to Cook Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer?

To answer this question, we need to consider a few things, including whether or not the turkey breast is boneless and its size.

Bone in turkey breast can alter cooking times, for example, but it’s not necessarily bad. Actually, it makes the meat juicier.

On average, we should only cook a 2-lb turkey breast in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes. However, we might need more time if the part we use is bigger.

A 5-lb boneless turkey breast might take just over an hour to cook perfectly in the air fryer, for example.

That’s why it is always important to use meat thermometers to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Storing Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Did you make this air fryer turkey breast recipe for large crowds and have some leftovers? You can store them in the refrigerator. Here’s how I usually do it.

If we store leftover turkey breast in an airtight container, it can last up to four days in the refrigerator.

We just have to let it cool down after cooking, put it in a container with a lid or ziplock bag, and take it to the refrigerator.

We can also freeze leftover air fryer turkey breast for longer storage. In that case, we only have to cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil once they cool down.

After that, we can place the leftover turkey in freezer bags. If we store them correctly, they can last up to four months!

Reheating Air Fryer Turkey Breast

If we want to reheat our air fryer turkey breast leftovers, we just have to take our container out of the refrigerator and microwave it for a few minutes.

Did you keep the leftovers in the freezer? Let them thaw overnight in the fridge and take them to the microwave.

I find air fryer turkey breast leftovers to be very versatile. When I have some in the fridge, I like to make side dishes, such as baked potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Sometimes, I only use them to make sandwiches and tacos or just to eat turkey alone with herb butter on top.

If you want to prepare a lighter and healthier dish, you can also make a turkey salad. It’s a great way to use up leftovers while enjoying some veggies.

A turkey pot pie or casserole are also great options if you want to surprise your family or friends with a comforting dish during the cold seasons!

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Make This Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

Have you ever wondered if you could air fry a whole turkey breast, keeping it juicy and delicious? Here’s the perfect proof that you can do it!

With this air fryer turkey breast recipe, you can use this innovative appliance to prepare the Thanksgiving or Christmas movies without having to wait hours.

Also, as mentioned, the air fryer has many benefits. It can help us prepare delicious dishes that are healthier at the same time.

In other words, if we use the air fryer, we can make the juiciest but healthiest turkey breast you’ll ever taste.

Also, this recipe is very versatile. You can use it to cook boneless turkey breast or a juicy piece with a bone! It’s definitely a lifesaver.

FAQs

Can I Cook an Air Fryer Turkey Breast Ahead?

Yes, of course! If you want to save time, you can air fry the whole turkey and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

However, you should be aware that turkey breast skin may be less crispy if we reheat it.

Should I Cook a Boneless Breast on High Heat If I Use the Air Fryer?

Whether you use a bone-in or boneless piece, turkey breast cooks at 350F if you use the air fryer.

This air-frying method allows us to have delicious juicy turkey breasts with crispy skin.

Can I Rub Turkey Breast Before Cooking It In the Air Fryer?

Of course! I’m pretty sure the air fryer works great for cooking any dish, including rubbed turkey breast.

You only have to follow the steps described in this recipe. However, instead of sprinkling salt and pepper over the turkey breast, you can make a rub with garlic powder, finely chopped fresh herbs, onion powder, and spices!

Do I Need a Special Air Fryer to Make This Recipe?

No, you don’t! If you want to make this air fryer turkey recipe, you only need the traditional appliance you can buy online or in a department store.

As long as the piece fits in the basket, you can cook turkey breast in any air fryer!