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Air Fryer Turkey Breast

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Air Fryer Turkey Breast comes out so moist and juicy and perfectly cooked with a beautiful deep golden brown skin. And bonus, it cooks in a fraction of the time it would in the oven!

Air Fryer Turkey Breast comes out so moist and juicy and perfectly cooked with a beautiful deep golden brown skin. And bonus, it cooks in a fraction of the time it would in the oven!
Air Fryer Turkey Breast

I typically make this Dry Brine Turkey when I host a large Thanksgiving, but when I want to make a smaller turkey breast for any night of the week, I love how easy this air fryer turkey breast recipe is. I’ve been making my turkey breast in the air fryer a few years, it’s the fastest and easiest way to make it! When I want a turkey breast with gravy, I also love making this easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy.  Serve this with homemade stuffing or Baked Sweet Potatoes and my go-to Cranberry Sauce for a complete turkey dinner!

Turkey Breast made in the air fryer.

I love my air fryer, and have been sharing tons of air fryer recipes with you for quite some time. You may even know I even came out with the Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook (affil link) this past May!

A friend recently asked if you can make turkey breast in the air fryer, so of course I ran out to the store, and looked for a small enough breast that would fit in the basket. It wasn’t hard to find, this was made with a 4 pound bone-in breast which was pretty average in size.

Tips:

  • Depending on the size of your air fryer, a 4 to 5 pound breast should fit fine in a 5 quart or larger air fryer. Just be sure the height of the meat is below the top of basket before you start.
  • Time will vary depending on the size of your breast, to be sure it’s cooked perfect I recommend using an Instant read thermometer to test the internal temperature.
  • If your breast is frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

How To Carve a Turkey Breast

  • Allow the cooked breast to rest on a carving board for at least 15 minutes under foil loosely tented to allow the juices to redistribute.
  • With a large sharp knife, run the knife along side of the breast bone using long even strokes.  If you are using a serrated knife use a sawing motion.
  • Follow the bone all the way toward the bottom of the board.
  • Bring your knife around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone.
  • Cut down the ribs. Follow it around and down to the bottom to connect to the bottom of the first breast bone cut.
  • Pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat the same on the other side.

How To Make a Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer

Roasting a turkey breast in the air fryer yields perfectly cooked, moist and juicy meat on the inside with a beautiful deep golden brown skin.

Air Fryer Turkey BreastAir Fryer Turkey BreastJuicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast

More Air Fryer Recipes

Skinnytaste High Protein cookbook protein

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

4.97 from 65 votes
6
Cals:226
Protein:32.5
Fat:10
Air Fryer Turkey Breast comes out so moist and juicy and perfectly cooked with a beautiful deep golden brown skin. And bonus, it cooks in a fraction of the time it would in the oven!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Yield: 10 servings
Serving Size: 4 ounces

Ingredients

  • 4 pound turkey breast, on the bone with skin (ribs removed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher
  • 1/2 tablespoon dry turkey or poultry seasoning, I used Bell’s which has not salt

Instructions

  • Rub 1/2 tablespoon of oil all over the turkey breast. Season both sides with salt and turkey seasoning then rub in the remaining half tablespoon of oil over the skin side.
  • Preheat the air fryer 350F and cook skin side down 20 minutes, turn over and cook until the internal temperature is 160F using an instant-read thermometer about 30 to 40 minutes more depending on the size of your breast. Let is rest 10 minutes before carving.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

Without the skin the smart points will be 0.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 ounces, Calories: 226 kcal, Protein: 32.5 g, Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 84 mg, Sodium: 296 mg

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202 comments on “Air Fryer Turkey Breast”

  1. This was amazing! I’ve been cooking for years and this was the first time a turkey breast came out perfectly. I’m at 8,000 altitude and the recipe worked great without any changes to cooking time or temp. So flavorful and tasty. This is my new go-to for holiday turkey breast.

  2. This was amazing! I cut a double breast down and made half this way as a trial run. We’re going to do the other half this same way and may make the switch from packaged deli meat to this for our normal work week lunches. Thank you!

  3. Spot on directions! Left the ribs on our bone-in breast; turned on its side & flipped over half way through. Results were perfect.

    1. open your air fryer to use your thermometer periodically to check the temperature.. you cannot use it IN your air fryer while cooking

    2. Avatar photo
      Jessica Licklider

      I use my Meater thermometer in the air fryer. I figured it wouldn’t be any different than using it in the oven or on the smoker. Just as long as you’re not using it in a deep fryer or submerging it in oil I don’t think you’d have any problems.

      1. Avatar photo
        Thomas Chartrand

        I’ve gone by these instructions a few times with my meter thermometer and absolutely love the results! I use avocado oil and a blend of seasonings, including oregano, garlic salt, pepper seasoning, a little bit of smoked paprika and Trader Joe’s green goddess seasoning and it really gives the outside nice flavor and cooks in beautifully. Thanks so much for this!

      1. Use a sharp knife to slide under the rib bones and gently cut them away from the turkey breast in one piece.

  4. I have a question….I looked through all of the previous comments/questions and didn’t see a reply to this. Can I use a boneless turkey breast to make this recipe? If so, what, if any alterations should I make to the recipe? Thanks in advance! Love your recipes! They have helped me lose weight!

  5. Absolutely delicious! I have cooked this recipe a couple of times,comes out perfectly. I had to cook it on its side because it was too tall for my ninja. Still came out perfectly. I did 25 minutes each side

  6. Never cared really for Thanksgiving dinner because of the turkey. This was hands down thee best turkey dinner I’ve ever had. After brining I cooked the breast exactly as stated and it was perfect. No one touched the gravy I made in anticipation of a dry turkey. Thank you!

  7. Avatar photo
    Lanace Metzner

    Can you please tell me how to remove the ribs from the turkey breast? I love all your recipes and want to make this for Thanksgiving.

    Thank you for your help!

    1. About 15 min per pound, and just keep checking. 20 min per pound at 325, but it can get drier, or at least i have thought so. Great thing about air fryer is the crispy skin and juicy meat!

  8. Avatar photo
    Rob Etheridge

    A wonderful delicious, easy recipe! The turkey was to flavourful & juicy!
    Great for busy families, or anyone wanting a Top-tier meal in minutes!
    Thank you so much!

  9. I loved turkey breast in air fryer. I came out perfect moist and delicious. Thanks for the recipe

  10. I used this recipe for Thanksgiving! I needed extra meat to accompany the turkey. This turkey breast turned out better than the oven turkey! I did brine it for 24 hours prior to cooking- but the cooking directions worked perfectly! Thanks!!

  11. Comment #2: Gina comment about 350 vs 380 degrees:
    Mar 1, 2020 at 5:16 pm
    “The recipe, sounds like the video girl made a mistake”
    That’s our answer, Janet!

  12. What temperature do you use to air fry the turkey breast?
    The directions say 350°. However, the video shows 380°.

    1. Video shows 380 temperature so I cooked it at that but now it’s dry so I checked website and it says 350 temperature. Did I missed something, bummer.

  13. Avatar photo
    Kevin Minnich

    I usually make at least one or two Turkey breasts per week for our two little dogs, FROSTY & CHANCE ! They weigh about 16# total, but love their shredded Turkey!

  14. This is the first time I have air fried a turkey breast and it turned out great. Very crispy crust with the most tender white meat that I have ever tasted. We were able to cut the meat with a fork and it was cooked perfectly. Thanks for the recipe. I will always use this when cooking a turkey breast.

  15. Avatar photo
    Richard Pierce

    I am fairly new to air frying so I try different recipes. This is by far the best Turkey Breast I have cooked in my fryer. Moist, tender, and delicious. I added some cayenne pepper just because I like a little heat, but otherwise it is perfect.

  16. This was excellent and so juicy. I added fresh rosemary,thyme and minced garlic to rub all over the breast. I the timing was perfect too. Thank you for this recipe. Definitely a keeper

  17. This is the first thing ,I made in my air fryer. It was absolutely delicious, most tender . this is the way to do turkey breast!

  18. Hi Gina, I’ve done a few bone in turkey breast with great results! This year at my local grocery store besides whole frozen turkey, all I could find was fresh split breast for my air fryer! Should I follow same recipe? Or, since it’s split breast, is there anything different you would do? Thanks in advance, Edward

    1. Less time for sure but I don’t want to guess, check with your thermometer every now and then to be sure

  19. Hello, the smallest turkey breast I could find was eight pounds. Is it feasible for me to use this recipe and just increase the cooking time? Thank you.

      1. Mine barely squeezes in to the air fryer. Does that matter? As long as I can get it to close? I just don’t know if it would be an issue to have it close to the top…

    1. I make one that big every year. What I do is cut the ribs off with kitchen shears and then take that piece and twist it and twist it until you can cut it with your kitchen shears and remove it. Then do the other side cutting off the ribs with the kitchen shears the same way. This will make the turkey breast a little flatter so it will fit into your air fryer. You can use both pieces that you cut off to bowl and make chicken stock.

  20. I really would love to see you do a skinny taste for the holidays cookbook! It’s especially hard this time of year to stay on
    track when all the cooing magazines are releasing pretty much 2 months of indulgences at a time where it isalityle harder to get out and be active. 

  21. Also try making a simple marinade of about 1/2 C mayonnaise (for the oil) with 1/4 C Indian Madras Curry Powder Mix (it is extremely mild but full of flavor). Just coat all turkey roast surfaces with the mayonnaise spice mixture and air fry as usual. Incredibly good. Similar to the absolutely yummy roasted whole chickens you can get on the streets of Switzerland in the winter.

  22. Avatar photo
    Summer Brockus

    Fan Favorite Recipe in my home! The kids all love this so much that we have it at least once a month!! Ten Gold Stars ⭐️ 

  23. This was sooo easy and unbelievably good!  I’m so excited to have another WW friendly dinner in my arsenal.  

  24. This was such a hit at our Friendsgiving!! I was very hesitant to make it for the first time but it was sooo easy! Definitely make this if you are thinking about it. I used a 5 pound turkey in a 12 qt air fryer. It was smaller once I cut off the ribs. It could have also fit in my 5 qt basket air fryer as well. 

  25. Had 2 lb boneless, skin on.  Air fryer for 20 minutes skin down, then 10 minutes until 160 F internal temp.
    Very juicy, great flavor!  Easy, would make again!

  26. Pardon my ignorance, but the recipe I see lists 2 tsp kosher. May I assume this is referring to kosher salt? I enjoy your recipes very much.

  27. Really simple and so delicious. I had one piece and had to have another. Just awesome taste and texture.

  28. This is the best turkey breast recipe I have ever had and made. It is absolutely delicious!!! I highly recommend it.

  29. This was OUTRAGEOUSLY good. I didn’t have poultry seasoning, so I used salt, coarse-ground pepper, and Old Bay. For those of you asking about the 3-lb Butterball breast roasts, that is what I used. I took the cook temp up to 375 and did 40 minutes on each side. It got golden and crispy (that skin…WOW) on the outside, and the inside was sooooo moist. This was easily the best turkey I’ve ever had.  The Old Bay was a really good move. I’ll try other seasonings in the future. Definitely making turkey more often from now on.  This is a great way to do it. 

    1. I made a 3# breast turkey in the air fryer 20 and 25 minutes, it came out a little dry, next time I will do it in less time each side, before I made a bigger size and it came very moist, which I liked it, and also I made a whole turkey in the toaster oven and I follow somebody’s instructions to make a crispy turkey at 450* fir the first 30 minutes and also came very dry, I don’t advice to do it.

    2. Gena, I have a 3 # Butterball breast. Did you cook yours 40 minutes total, or did you really cook it 40 minutes on each side? Seems like 80 minutes would overcook it?!

  30. Made this for Thanksgiving. 5.29 lbs. Completely thawed. Came out beautifully! Prettiest one I’ve ever cooked. HOWEVER, it was very tough. Followed the directions exactly. Had the same problems with some large chicken wings I cooked a few weeks ago. I will save my air fryer for simple things from now on!

    1. Next time try a salt and brown sugar brine for your turkey breast let it sit in the refrigerator overnight before cooking that may help

  31. Thanks! I was given a small turkey this year. I hadn’t planned on cooking and didn’t want to even with a turkey. Then I thought, hmmm air-fryer. It came out great. I’m still shocked at how moist it is.

    Thank goodness I’m not at my mom’s. She prefers dry turkey. Lol I like it moist. This article really helped.

  32. I also have a breville smart oven and am wondering the same thing. I’m thinking of putting it in a shallow pan to get the juices for gravy and not mess up the oven.

  33. Avatar photo
    Jeffrey Bradford Thorson

    I bought a 7 3/4 pound turkey breast? I checked it out to see if it would fit in my NUWAVE AIR FRYER and it fits snug. Should I use the air fryer or should I cook it in conventional oven?

  34. Hi Gina………………. What brand of air fryer do you use? I want one but have no idea which one to buy!

    Thank you!

  35. I have a mini air fryer which, for on or two people is incredible!  I cooked a 1.5 lb breast and it was wonderful.  

    1. Going to make this today. Two quick questions:
      Why are the blue SP lower than green or purple? 
      If I only eat the meat, no skin, would it be 0 SP on the purple plan?

  36. Avatar photo
    Kimi Humphreys

    I do not have an air fryer, but my toaster oven has a convection bake setting (which from what I read is the same heating mechanism as an air fryer). Would instructions need to be altered for using the toaster oven?

    1. Avatar photo
      Mandy Whitescarver

      I know the process would be the same. My concern would be the size of your toaster oven. Since it’s small, you’ll need to watch it carefully. Seems like the toaster oven can burn the tops of items faster than the air fryer. I think it has to do with the location and intensity of the heating element.

  37. I have a 3 pound butterball boneless breast, how long should I air fryer it for and do I leave the webbing on like some other sites suggest?

  38. Avatar photo
    Timothy Zarpentine

    This was the best turkey ever. I did however brine the turkey for two hours before cooking. Thanks!

  39. I recommend using sea salt rather than kosher in this case because it adheres better to the meat. When I used kosher salt, it flaked into the bottom of the air fryer along with traces of oil, and I had a nasty burnt smell overpowering the roast turkey aroma.

  40. Fantastic recipe! I️ have made it several times with different seasonings. Always a hit with my family. Thank you, Gina!

  41. What temperature do you put the Air Fryer on during the whole process. I want to do it and would like to have a recipe or maybe a list of seasonings that’s okay to use on your turkey breast and acceptable for the air fryer.

  42. Avatar photo
    Marti Granger

    We made this on a whim because it rained & my husband wasn’t able to use his smoker. It was so easy & so delicious! Moist & flavorful, & start to finish was ready to eat in about an hour. I don’t think we’ll ever cook turkey breast any other way. So happy it rained so we could discover another winning recipe. Thank you, Gina! 

  43. Avatar photo
    Debbie Acchione

    I am always looking for new recipes on skinnytaste and I am so glad I tried this one! I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey was crisp on the outside and perfectly juicy on the inside. Thank you for this recipe!! We will be making again for sure.

  44. I bought the butterball turkey tenderloins, they are smaller than the bone in breast. How long do you suggest those cook for in the air fryer? Thanks!! 

  45. Waiting for my air fryer in the mail to try this recipe and so excited! Just wondering do you make a gravy to go with this or eat as is?

  46. Tried this recipe today (Thanksgiving Day). Mine looked just like the photo and the taste was amazing. My grandson said it was the best he’s had. Will make again!

  47. Amazing. Beautifully browned and juicy and tender. Turkey breast was perfect. Mine was 5.5 pounds and it fit the fryer ok. I did Skinny Taste other turkey recipe suggestion of a dry brine a few days before too. I cooked it for 20 minutes flip and then 30 minutes and it was done just fine even being a bit bigger. Wondering if the calorie count is with skin? I ate it without.

  48. I have cooked turkey every way possible, until today! I made the air fried breast and the first bite my husband took he said, we’re never cooking turkey any other way.  Amazing!  Thank you GINA and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

  49. Gina – I am cooking a 3.2 lb. dry rub brined boneless turkey breast. I have tied it into a tight ball and it is in the fridge til tomorrow. I planned to untie it, rub it with parsley/butter and cook it. My QUESTION is:
    Do I need to tie it up again t cook in the Air Fryer?

    I hope you get back to me before I screw things up too badly.
    Thanks,
    Shelley

  50. Avatar photo
    Christopher Morino

    The instructions say 350°, but the video shows the temp at 380°.  Which is the right one?  😉

  51. Will this same recipe work for just a Butterball turkey breast roast? No bone? Same heat for same amount of time? Thanks so much!

  52. Had this for dinner tonight and it was SO GOOD! So easy, too. My husband and I ate it standing up in the kitchen. I love every recipe I’ve tried of yours!

    1. I have a breville smart oven with air fryer function, it’s not a drop in bucket like though. How would that work?

  53. Did you remove the ribs yourself because I’m not able to find a bone in breast without ribs? And thank you for all your recipes! I have all your cookbooks, I follow you on Instagram, enjoy your emails and recommend you to everyone I know. Recipes are always a success!!!! Trish

  54. This came out amazing! I left the ribs on because I’m lazy. My husband kept commenting on how crispy the skin was! Minimal effort with high reward. Will definitely make again!

  55. This was my first time making a turkey breast in my air fryer, and I was a little sceptical, but it came out perfect! It was boneless, so it took less time, I cooked it for 20 minutes each side, and it was juicy and delicious! This will be my go to way to cook a turkey breast from now on!

    1. Quick question…did you cook at same temperature? I am considering buying a fryer and doing this for Thanksgiving but I have the turkey breast roasts-no bone. Please advise. Thanks so much!

  56. I started cooking mine in the instapot and then transferred to the air fryer to crisp it. It cut down on the cooking time immensely.

  57. Hello, and thank you for such great recipes, and including the WW points on them.

    I received a Breville Smart Oven for Christmas, and it has an air fryer setting, can I use that for making this? Or do I need a specific air fryer?

    Thank you in advance!

  58. This is amazing! I used a 2.75 Jenny-O bagged turkey breast. Was already seasoned. 20 minutes, flipped and 20 more minutes and it was perfect! Never making a turkey in the oven again. This is so moist and juicy! Happy New Year from Phoenix!

    1. Patty, was your turkey breast boneless? I have a boneless one that I wanted to try using but I just wanted some feed back before giving it a go!

    2. I am planning to cook the same Jenny O turkey breast in my airfryer tomorrow but was wondering what setting you used? I have a NuWave and have only used it a couple of times so I’m not too familiar with it yet. It has a 600, 900 and 1500 watt setting and have no idea which to use. 

  59. Cooked this tonight and it was incredible. Crispy skin and moist meat, tasted more like chicken than anything. Yum.

  60. Made this and also one that I traditionally do in the crock pot. This was the crowd favorite! The bones were picked clean. Only wish I could have done a bigger one. Will definitely be using this recipe and my air fryer for many more wonderful turkey breast dinners. I sprayed the turkey beast with Pam and seasoned it with Weber Chicago Steak seasoning – it was succulent. Crispy skin and moist juicy meat!.

  61. Avatar photo
    Jessica The Housewife

    I made yesterday with Boneless Breast. It works! Just keep checking the temp., as Gina directs in the instructions. It cooks a bit quicker. This recipe is goign one our rotation. Delicious and easy! 

  62. This was so good! I bought an air fryer just to try it. Now I’d like to learn how to make a chicken in the air fryer.

      1. For a 2.75 pound Jenny-O boneless turkey breast, what would you reduce the cooking time to?

  63. I am having trouble finding a bone in turkey breast with ribs removed.  Anyone have a luck?  I live in Charlotte, NC so have most grocery options. Thank you.

    1. There are some easy videos online that will show you.  Another option is to ask the butcher to do it for you.  Many grocery stores won’t charge extra for it either.  

  64. I have already purchased a Butter Ball Boneless roast. Will this recipe work with what I already have? Thanks!

  65. Any idea on the price range for your Skinnytaste Air Fryer that comes out in March?  Is there a website where we can get more info?  Or is it too early for that?

    1. In the $80-$90 range. You can sign up for updates here https://vremi.com/pages/skinnytaste-air-fryer-sign-up

  66. Avatar photo
    Ellen A Linsen

    I thought turkey breast was zero points If you eat it without skin. Are you eating the skin to get your 4 point value? Please help!

  67. I have made a turkey breast in my air fryer for the last 2 years .  It is just like Gina says! Very crispy and moist!  Love skinny taste!  Try baked potato’s too just like those crispy ones at the restaurant!

  68. Avatar photo
    Donna B Oliphint

    I don’t have an air fryer, but I do have a NuWave Infrared Oven. Have you ever used one of those? Admittedly, I haven’t used mine much, but my mom uses hers a lot and gets good results.

  69. This sounds delicious and I have put a turkey breast on my shopping list for today! I’m cooking for just my husband and me, so would probably cut a turkey breast in half and freeze one half for later. Would you recommend any change in cook time doing half of the breast instead of the whole thing? I”m a bit new to this air fryer thing so haven’t done a lot of experimenting yet.

    1. I suggest using the thermometer to see the internal temp every 10 minutes. The only way to know if it’s fully cooked inside.

  70. My husband cooks the smaller tenderloin pieces in the air fryer and they are great!  We use the spray on olive oil (uses less oil) and cook for 18-20 minutes. We have this a couple of times per month and love them!!  

  71. So are you getting crispy skin like in frying or is it more like roasted turkey? BTW, I love your Blog! I don’t always comment but I read it!

  72. Avatar photo
    Paulette Repasy

    Could you share the brand of your air fryer?  Not as a recommendation , but as a reference. I’m having a hard time finding one over 4 quart. Thanks. Paulette

  73. If I use a frozen turkey, I am assuming I have to let  it thaw out first.  Not sure what you mean by using a cooked turkey??

      1. Using 1st time should l air fry 3lb turkey onthe 400 or 325 as in a recipes l found?

    1. Avatar photo
      Jessica the housewife

      Yes! It works! made yesterday with boneless roast! Just keep checking the temp. as Gina suggests. It cooks a bit faster. BUt absolutely it works! 

  74. I wonder how this would work in my convection oven. Any thoughts? We never have leftover turkey to make a sandwich as we are guests at a family members home. So I thought this year I would make a turkey breast for my husband and I to have for sandwiches and maybe some soup.. Thanks for any perspective you can offer.

    1. I have the Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 n I love it it’s a Air Fryer plus oven nine functions all together you don’t have to flip your food large enough while cooking it Cooks both sides in the basket