The Perfect Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe for Dinner

Succulent air fryer turkey breast revolutionizes ordinary weeknight dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Home cooks seeking a healthier, faster alternative to traditional roasting will love this method.

The tender, juicy meat promises a delightful meal with minimal effort and cleanup.

Crispy skin and perfectly seasoned edges elevate this protein to restaurant-quality standards.

Lean and packed with nutrition, this recipe offers a foolproof way to enjoy a classic protein without complicated techniques.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation make this dish accessible for novice and experienced cooks alike.

Get ready to impress your family with a mouthwatering main course that comes together in less than an hour.

Why Air Fryer Turkey Breast Is Worth Making

• Rapid Roasting Revolution: Transform your turkey breast into a perfectly juicy, golden-brown masterpiece using the air fryer, cutting down cooking time and delivering restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.
• Herb-Infused Flavor Explosion: The blend of rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic creates a mouthwatering seasoning mix that penetrates deep into the meat, ensuring every bite bursts with aromatic, savory goodness.
• Foolproof Cooking Technique: No more guesswork with this simple, step-by-step method that guarantees a tender, moist turkey breast with minimal effort, making it ideal for home cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients for Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast

• Turkey Breast: Lean and tender meat perfect for air frying, best when fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior and allows herbs to adhere to the turkey.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor to enhance the meat's natural taste.
• Salt: Essential for bringing out the turkey's natural flavors and seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and warm complexity to the seasoning.
• Rosemary, Sage, Thyme: Classic herb combination that complements poultry with earthy and fragrant notes.
• Mustard: Adds a tangy depth and helps the seasoning mixture stick to the turkey.

• Paper Towels: Used for drying the turkey to ensure better seasoning adherence and crispy skin.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: Critical for checking internal temperature to ensure safe and perfectly cooked turkey.
• Aluminum Foil: Used for covering the turkey during resting to retain moisture and heat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Step 1: Prepare the Turkey

Remove turkey from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Gently pat the turkey dry using paper towels to ensure a crispy exterior.

Step 2: Create Flavor Blend

• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Dried rosemary
• Dried sage
• Dried thyme
• Ground black pepper
• Dijon mustard

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all seasoning ingredients until well combined.

Step 3: Season the Turkey

Massage the herb mixture thoroughly over entire turkey breast, ensuring complete and even coverage. Press the seasonings gently into the meat to maximize flavor absorption.

Step 4: Warm Up the Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for at least 5 minutes. This ensures consistent cooking temperature.

Step 5: Position and Initial Cooking

Place turkey breast in air fryer basket, positioning skin-side down. Cook for 20 minutes, allowing initial searing and flavor development.

Step 6: Flip and Complete Cooking

Carefully turn turkey breast over using tongs. Continue cooking for 30-50 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature- aim for 155 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest section.

Step 7: Rest and Relax

Transfer cooked turkey to a cutting board. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

Step 8: Carve with Precision

Slice along breastbone to remove large meat sections. Cut crosswise into beautiful, uniform slices.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the turkey slices hot or at room temperature. Optional: Serve with mushroom gravy.

Tips for Crispy Skin and Moist Turkey

• Ensure Even Seasoning: Massage the herb mixture thoroughly into every nook and cranny of the turkey breast for maximum flavor infusion.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a reliable instant-read thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked meat without overcooking or undercooking.
• Allow Proper Resting Time: Letting the turkey rest helps redistribute juices, resulting in a more tender and moist final dish.
• Optimize Air Fryer Space: Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking throughout the turkey breast.
• Protect the Skin: If the skin starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning while maintaining juiciness.

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Turkey Breast

• Refrigerate: Wrap cooled turkey breast tightly in aluminum foil or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Slice turkey and place in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm turkey gently in air fryer at 325°F for 3-5 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture if needed.

Sides to Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Breast

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chardonnay or sauvignon blanc complements the herb-infused turkey, cutting through its richness with bright, refreshing notes.
• Serve with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables: Garlic-roasted Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots create a perfect balance of flavors and textures alongside the succulent turkey.
• Match with Herbal Cranberry Sauce: A homemade cranberry sauce with fresh thyme and orange zest adds a tangy, sweet counterpoint to the savory, aromatic turkey breast.
• Complete with Buttery Dinner Rolls: Warm, soft rolls help soak up the delicious herb-infused juices and provide a comforting side to the main dish.

Air Fryer Turkey Breast Variations You Can Try

• Herb Garden Fusion: Swap rosemary, sage, and thyme with fresh Italian herb blend, incorporating basil and oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Replace traditional herbs with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne for a bold, zesty southwestern kick.
• Citrus Infusion: Add lemon zest and orange juice to the seasoning mixture, creating a bright, tangy marinade that lightens the turkey's rich flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Version: Mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar into the seasoning blend for an umami-packed alternative with subtle Asian undertones.

Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent air fryer turkey breast delivers holiday-worthy flavor without traditional oven hassle. Juicy, herb-seasoned meat emerges perfectly crisp, promising a quick and delicious centerpiece for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 (4-6 lb / 1.8-2.7 kg) bone-in, skin-on turkey breast, ribs removed
• 1 (3 lb / 1.4 kg) boneless turkey roast

Fresh Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Cooking Oil:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Optional Serving:

• Mushroom gravy

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Instructions

1. Extract the turkey breast from cold storage and allow it to gradually warm to ambient temperature for half an hour, ensuring optimal moisture retention by gently blotting with absorbent paper.
2. Activate the air fryer and calibrate the temperature to 350°F, permitting the appliance to equilibrate for a minimum of five minutes.
3. Craft a fragrant seasoning blend by amalgamating olive oil with minced garlic, aromatic herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, ground black pepper, and a touch of tangy mustard.
4. Meticulously massage the herbaceous mixture across the entire turkey surface, guaranteeing comprehensive and uniform coverage.
5. Position the turkey breast within the air fryer compartment, initially placing it skin-side downward to promote even caramelization.
6. Initiate the first cooking phase for approximately 20 minutes, then carefully invert the turkey to ensure balanced roasting.
7. Continue cooking for an additional 30-50 minutes, monitoring internal temperature with a precision thermometer until it reaches 155°F at the meat’s thickest region.
8. Transition the roasted turkey to a wooden cutting surface and envelop with aluminum foil, allowing essential juices to redistribute for 15 minutes.
9. Execute precise carving by navigating along the breastbone, extracting substantial meat portions and subsequently slicing into elegant servings.
10. Present the succulent turkey either steaming hot or at comfortable room temperature, optionally accompanying with an elegant mushroom gravy.

Notes

• Achieve perfect turkey breast by letting it sit at room temperature, which ensures even cooking and helps the meat absorb seasonings more effectively.
• Create a flavorful herb blend with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme to infuse the turkey with aromatic and savory notes.
• Carefully monitor internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer, aiming for 155°F before removing from air fryer, as the meat will continue cooking during resting.
• Allow the turkey to rest for at least 15 minutes after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and prevents dry meat when carving.
• Consider using bone-in turkey breast for more flavor and moisture, understanding that cooking times may vary depending on whether the turkey has netting or ribs attached.
• Slice the turkey along the breastbone for beautiful, large pieces that showcase the tender, juicy meat and make for an impressive presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg