Boneless Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
6 -8 servings (about 2 slices)
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Calories
315 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Boneless Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Description
The Boneless Turkey Breast in Air Fryer recipe uses a blend of butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, paprika, sage, black pepper, and optional nutmeg to create a flavorful rub. Applying this under the skin and over helps the seasoning penetrate and crisps the skin during cooking. For boneless breasts, the netting is left on and the butter mix tucked underneath to keep the shape intact and seasoning well-distributed.
The turkey is prepped by bringing it to room temperature, drying thoroughly, and preheating the air fryer to 360°F. The breast is cooked skin side up, flipped halfway through if bone-in, until an instant-read thermometer shows 165°F internally ensuring safe, juicy meat. A resting period tented with foil allows the heat to distribute evenly and the juices to settle.
This method offers a practical way to cook turkey breasts without roasting a whole bird, with flexibility to use bone-in or boneless. The seasonings add herbal and savory notes without overpowering, and the air fryer promotes an evenly cooked, browned exterior. Ideal for holiday meals or whenever turkey is desired in smaller portions.
The notes emphasize using a meat thermometer for best doneness results and recommend storage and reheating techniques to preserve moisture and flavor. Substitution tips include using fresh herbs or different seasonings and advice on thawing frozen turkey breasts safely.
Ingredients
Boneless or Bone-In Turkey Breast
- 3 pound turkey breast thawed or 3-4 pound Bone-in Turkey Breast thawed, boneless
- 5 tablespoons butter softened, real butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary dried or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika regular or smoked
- 1/4 teaspoon sage ground
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg optional, but so good!
Instructions
- Bring turkey breast out and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes before starting the process. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Remove turkey breast from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix spices in a small bowl, then add softened butter, mixing well. Rub the mixture as much under the skin as you are able. Leave a little bit to rub over the top of the skin as well. On boneless turkey breasts, don't remove the netting, instead try and tuck the butter rub under skin where you can and lift and stretch netting to get as much under as possible.
Bone-In Turkey Breast
- For bone-in turkey breast, place skin side up in air fryer basket and air fry for 20-25 minutes, then turn and flip and air fry an additional 20 minutes or so* until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 165 degrees F.
- *Cooking times will vary based on the size of your turkey breast; make sure to use an instant-read thermometer reads 165° F. If turkey is not at 160° F, continue cooking in air fryer at 10-minute intervals and take temperature, cover with aluminum if the skin browns too much. Larger turkey breasts will take longer.
Boneless Turkey Breast
- Place coated boneless turkey breast in the air fryer for an hour, rotating and turning about every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Tent with foil if browning too much before it reaches the correct internal temperature. If needed, keep cooking in air fryer at 10 minute intervals, taking the temperature until it reaches 160-165° F. Larger turkey breasts will take longer.
Resting and Carving Instructions for Both Bone-In or Boneless Turkey Breast
- Once your turkey breast reaches 160-165° F, remove either boneless or bone-in turkey breast and set on a cutting board, tenting with foil and allowing to rest 10-15 minutes before carving.
- *Cooking times will vary based on the size of your turkey breast, just make sure to use a solid instant read thermometer making sure it reaches 165° F.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 160° F before resting; it will rise to 165° F during resting for safe doneness.
- Let the rested turkey sit tented in foil for 10-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and improve tenderness.
- Store any cooled turkey breast in an airtight container; freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat sliced turkey in the air fryer at 325° F for 6-10 minutes inside a foil packet, turning halfway for even warming.
- Dry the turkey well before applying the butter-seasoning rub to ensure it adheres properly.
- If using bone-in breasts, adjust cooking time based on size and air fryer type; larger pieces may require longer cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6-8 servings (about 2 slices)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 315 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving (2 slices) | |
| Calories | 315kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 0.4g | 0% |
| Protein | 49g | 98% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 148mg | 49% |
| Sodium | 930mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 561mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 428IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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