• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Nothings logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot Meals
      • Quick Meals
      • Instant Pot
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Small Meals
  • Dinner Ideas
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Easter
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • About
  • Subscribe
×

Home / Holiday Recipes / Thanksgiving / Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

50 mins
| Leave a Comment |
5 from 2 votes
Jump to Recipe 11/25/21 | Updated: 11/25/21 | by Nora
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe Image Pin

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!

overhead view of turkey breast in air fryer basket

I love my air fryer for pretty much anything these days, but did you know it makes the best turkey breast, too? It turns out so juicy and flavorful, with crispy skin.

This is the perfect recipe for a smaller celebration – you are limited in size by the air fryer, so you can’t cook the biggest turkey breast inside. But it keeps the oven free for side dishes and is very little work!

frontal view of air fryer turkey breast on garnished plate

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

ingredients for air fryer turkey breast with text labels
Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Breast: Turkey breast (I used a bone-in half breast), butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground paprika and herbs (fresh OR dried).

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: You can use fresh or dried. If using dried, use just 1 teaspoon. Feel free to 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.
  • Garlic powder: I prefer using powder over fresh garlic here, because fresh garlic burns a little more easily when used on a large piece of meat in the air fryer.

How to air fry a turkey breast

Before you start, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (just let it run at 350°F for 5 minutes, if yours doesn’t come with a preheat option).

1. Mash the softened butter, herbs and seasoning together in a small bowl.

2. Loosen the turkey skin (make sure it stays intact!) and spread half of the butter below the skin. Spread the remaining butter all over the turkey, mostly on top but also a little on the bottom.

  • female hand using fork to mash garlic herb butter
    make garlic herb butter
  • raw turkey breast on white plate, smothered in garlic herb butter
    spread all over turkey breast

3. Place the turkey breast, skin side UP, in the hot air fryer basket. Air fry for 30 minutes. Check on the internal temperature, then keep air frying at 350°F in 5-10 minute increments, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  • seasoned turkey breast in air fryer basket
    place in air fryer basket
  • overhead view of turkey breast in air fryer basket
    air fry until 165°F inside

4. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer, allow the turkey breast to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

  • overhead view of air fryer turkey breast on garnished plate
  • overhead view of carved air fryer turkey breast on garnished plate

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to season the turkey breast all over and underneath the skin for best results.
  • 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.
  • Do not skip the 10 minutes of resting time. It help to retain the juices while slicing, and yields a more tender turkey.

Serving ideas

With such an easy main dish, I highly recommend going all out with the presentation! I love placing the turkey breast on a plate with fresh herbs, some sliced orange and either fresh cranberries or pomegranate. I know cranberries are the most traditional, but since they’re not really tasty to eat raw… I do love the pomegranate.

For side dishes, try some of my family’s favorite classics:

  • Homemade Dinner Rolls (the BEST!)
  • Green Bean Casserole from Scratch (or sautéed green beans for the purists)
  • Baked Sweet Potato Slices OR Twice Baked Sweet Potato Skins OR Sweet Potato Casserole OR Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Crockpot Honey Glazed Carrots
  • Perfect Mashed Potatoes (OR Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes)
close up photo of sliced turkey breast

Tips for 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.

You can use leftover, shredded turkey breast in many recipes, like Leftover Turkey Pot Pie, Turkey Tetrazzini, Turkey Noodle Casserole or Leftover Turkey Soup!

More smaller Thanksgiving mains

  • Crock Pot Cranberry Turkey Breast
  • Crockpot Honey Glazed Ham
  • Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
  • The Best Crockpot Pot Roast

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!

Printable Recipe Card
overhead view of turkey breast in air fryer basket
Save Recipe Saved!

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

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 by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
5 from 2 votes
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 mins
Cook 45 mins
Total 50 mins
Servings 4 servings
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs OR 1 teaspoon dried; see notes
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
  • salt & ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 (3-lb) turkey breast (half breast highly recommended, bone-in or boneless are both fine)

Instructions
 

  • 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).
Want to save this recipe?Create an account for free to start your personal recipe box. Save any recipe by tapping the heart in the bottom right corner.
Join Now

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

More air fryer recipes

  • Air Fryer Steak
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

Reader Interactions

overhead view oh white bowl filled with leftover turkey soup

< Previous Post

Next Post >

Add a Review or Ask a Question Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this recipe? Rate it:




Primary Sidebar

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

More about me →

Cookie Recipes

  • The Perfect Soft Gingerbread Cookies
  • Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
  • The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies

see all >

Popular

  • Garlic Parmesan Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • Oven Baked Chicken Breast
  • Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • TikTok Baked Oats: 6 Ways!
  • One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese
  • Southwestern Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • Homemade Shepherd’s Pie
  • Whole Wheat Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread

Trending on Pinterest

  • Balsamic Chicken Marinade
  • Swedish Meatballs
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast
  • Homemade Salisbury Steak
  • About
  • Contact

Footer

Footer

Follow Along













Recipes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sides
Dessert
Appetizers

Instant Pot
Slow Cooker
One Pot
Casseroles
Ground Beef
Chicken

Featured On

different logos of publications Savory Nothings' content has been featured on

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Work with Us

Copyright Savory Nothings © 2023

Made with lots of love and spices ♥︎
PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT |
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Mix