Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Do you want a crispy, juicy turkey cooked in half the time? Look no further! My air fryer turkey breast is moist and tender on the inside, with that extra crispy brown skin we all know and love on the outside. In HALF the time or less it takes to roast a turkey, you can have this air fryer wonder ready to serve! For most of us, the turkey is the most important part of our holiday meal. We crave that tender meat, crisp skin, but the time and effort it takes to perfect is just too stressful! By using the air fryer, we can save time AND precious oven space. In just over an hour, we can have the perfect holiday main ready to be devoured. Air fryer turkey breast is where it’s at!
Turkey – I used a 5 lb turkey breast, skin-on and bone-in. Keep in mind, cooking time will vary depending on the size of your bird. My turkey breast was on the bigger side so whatever you choose, make sure it will fit in your air fryer. You can also use a boneless turkey breast. Olive Oil – Substitute sunflower, safflower or avocado oil. Seasoning – We are using a simple combination of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt and pepper! Feel free to experiment with your own spice combination.
This air fryer turkey breast recipe is a fantastic way to save time and free up your oven! Once seasoned, it only takes the air fry 60 minutes to cook the turkey to juicy perfection!
Preheat The Air Fryer If Needed
To start, you need to preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). You want it to be ready to go once your turkey is seasoned. However, whether or not you need to preheat will depend on your particular air fryer. Some models require preheating and others don’t. So you’ll need to check your manual.
Prep The Turkey
Before you season the turkey you need to pat it dry with paper towels. Do not skip this step and do a thorough job. The less moist the skin is the crispier it will be. Then mix the olive oil, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Now, use a pastry brush to generously coat the turkey breast with the spice mixture. Make sure you brush it on well all over for the most flavor.
Air Fry The Turkey Breast
Finally, let’s get this turkey cooked! First, place the turkey skin side down in the air fryer basket. Next, put the basket into the air fryer and cook it for 30 minutes. Then once the turkey has cooked a bit, remove the air fryer basket and flip the breast over being super careful not to burn yourself. Now, put the turkey back into the air fryer and cook it for another 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). I always use my handy digit cooking thermometer to check the temperature.
Rest And Carve
Once the roasted turkey breast is done air frying you need to remove it from the basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. It’s important to wait the full 10 minutes so that the turkey remains as juicy as possible. Then carve the turkey breast and serve it with your favorite turkey gravy or side dishes like some creamy mashed potatoes and green beans.
Why The Air Fryer?
Air fryers use a circulation of hot air to cook food instead of submerging it in oil! By using the air fryer, we can achieve the same crispy results, without all the grease!
Is Air Frying Healthy?
Air frying is definitely a healthier alternative than frying in oil. It cuts calories by about 70-80% and has a lot less fat!
How Do I Know When My Turkey Is Done?
To truly test doneness of the meat, use an instant meat thermometer. Do not go by the color of the skin. The turkey is done when the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Make sure the thermometer is not touching the bone.
How To Serve
This bird is definitely a holiday staple! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, you’ll want this recipe. Serve alongside your favorite sides and you’ll have one table full of happy bellies. Now, I’m not saying you can’t enjoy this for a weeknight meal or special occasion, because you can! It’s fast enough that you could add it into your weekly dinner rotation.
Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers from this turkey, they can be used in a ton of dishes! Store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Use leftovers for turkey noodle soup, sandwiches, pasta or shepherd’s pie!
Freezing
Make sure to let your turkey cool completely before you freeze it! Place individual pieces into freezer bags or an airtight container. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible from the bag as you slide the zipper closed. Leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Great Recipes To Try
Turkey PaniniAir Fryer Chicken TendersTurkey MeatballsAir Fryer Chicken WingsLemon PepperLeftover Turkey Noodle SoupSlow Cooker Turkey BreastAir Fryer Turkey WingsBacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast
