We love quick cooking holiday favorites like this air fryer turkey breast. For a personalized holiday dinner touch try making Homemade Cranberry Sauce, made with fresh cranberries. Or make these Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes, made with a secret ingredient.
Air Fryer Bone-In Turkey Breast
If you are looking for the simplest turkey breast recipe you have come to the right place. If you have never made a turkey breast before then this is the recipe for you. There is no dry brining, wet brining, marinating or any of those things that take a lot of extra time. This may not be the most fancy turkey breast recipe, of course it tastes amazing, but sometimes we just need to keep things simple!
There is no reason to add additional stress of having a perfect turkey, if you are just having a small Thanksgiving. Air fry turkey breast is the easiest way to make it.
If cooking a whole turkey in the oven seems a little daunting, try making just a turkey breast instead. The breast will be done in about an hour compared to slaving over the oven for hours on end. Or maybe you just need a little extra meat and want to do a turkey breast in addition to that full bird. This breast takes up no oven room when you make it in the air fryer.
Cooking Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
When you cook turkey breast in the air fryer there aren’t a lot of drippings, so I included an extremely basic gravy recipe that you can serve with your turkey breast or pour on those delicious mashed potatoes. You can add fresh herbs to it if you like for even more flavor.
For some reason most people don’t think to use turkey breast year ’round. Well, I’m here to tell ya, that turkey breast can be so much more. If you are tired of constantly eating chicken, try making turkey breast instead, it’s not just for Thanksgiving.
This is the perfect turkey recipe to make for when company is in town, big Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Make this cute turkey veggie tray to serve as an appetizer.
Can You Air Fry A Turkey Breast?
Yes, you can air fry turkey breast. It comes out nicely browned and juicy. It’s also way faster than cooking it in the oven. I like to air fry bone-in turkey breast because it turns out more juicy.
What to Serve with Turkey Breast
At Thanksgiving the turkey is always taking center stage, but it’s has to have those supporting side dishes to make it a full meal. Here are some favorite sides to serve with turkey breast.
- Carrots: Sweet carrots that have been sautéed right on the stove made with crumbly brown sugar and creamy butter taste delicious with turkey.
- Asparagus: Roasted to perfection, this asparagus recipe it seasoned to perfection and topped with a sprinkling of fresh parmesan cheese.
- Cranberries: This classic relish is a must at holiday get togethers.
- Sweet Potatoes: Make this basic recipe for the best whole roasted sweet potatoes or make this mashed sweet potato recipe.
- Stuffing: This bready favorite, goes with turkey like peanut butter goes with jelly. It’s delicious!
- Gravy: I really like the better than bouillon gravy recipe included, it’s great if you don’t get a lot of drippings and it is a make ahead gravy, too. If you want to make your own turkey gravy from the drippings try this foolproof turkey gravy recipe.
Why This Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe Works
- It doesn’t take up valuable oven space when you are cooking big meals.
- It is much quicker than cooking in the oven, meaning less time in the kitchen.
- No time is taken up to brine the turkey.
- Make on to eat on its own or use in other recipes.
- Dinner is ready in about an hour.
- Great for just 1-2 people.
Air Fried Turkey Breast Ingredients
- Turkey Breast: You will need a thawed bone-in turkey breast that is around 4 lbs.
- Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but you could also use a vegetable oil.
- Herbs: You will just need ground thyme, dried crushed rosemary, and paprika (I like smoked paprika).
- Seasonings: Onion powder and garlic powder.
- Salt: I use flakey sea salt or kosher salt.
- Pepper: Freshly ground pepper.
Better Than Bouillon Gravy Ingredients
This is a super basic recipe for a classic gravy without the drippings. It’s perfect for air fryer turkey breasts because there aren’t a lot of drippings from the breast and it’s a gluten free gravy.
- Better Than Bouillon Base: This is a product I love to use. You can use the turkey or the chicken flavor.
- Cornstarch: The cornstarch is used to thicken the gravy.
- Water: You will need water to mix with the bouillon base and to make the slurry with the cornstarch.
- Rosemary: Dried rosemary that has been finely chopped.
- Thyme: I use ground thyme, but dried thyme will also work.
- Parsley: Dried parsley.
- Pepper: Freshly ground pepper.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
- Thaw breast. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed.
- Prep air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
- Olive oil. Spread olive oil all over turkey breast with a pastry brush.
- Season. Evenly sprinkle on all the herbs and seasoning.
- Turkey in air fryer. Place bone-in turkey breast non-presentation side down in the pre-heated air fryer.
- Cook. Cook for 25 minutes then flip over and cook for an additional 25 minutes. The turkey breast is done when a thermometer stuck in at the widest part of the breast reads 165°F.
- Let it rest. Let the breast rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
How to Make Quick Gravy
This is an easy gravy that is made with better than bouillon base (found in cooking section). More specific directions are below in the recipe card.
- Prepare the water. Boil the water.
- Mix in the bouillon. Whisk in the better than bouillon base, mixing until well combined. Turn the heat down to medium.
- Mix thickener. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water.
- Add thickener to bouillon. Slowly add in the cornstarch mixture. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Season. Stir in the herbs and add pepper to taste.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use a thermometer. Make sure to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast.
- Check thermometer placement. When taking the temperature make sure that the thermometer is not touching a bone inside the turkey breast.
- Use different seasonings. You could add poultry seasoning, seasoned salt instead of salt, dried parsley, or whatever your favorite is.
- How to tell when turkey breast is done. You will know that the turkey breast is done when the thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast ready 165°F.
- Turkey breast size. A larger or smaller turkey breast will need the cook time adjusted. A little less time for smaller than 4 lbs and a little more for more than 4 lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is turkey breast cooked? Turkey breast is cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, if it cooks too long after reaching 165°F, it will begin to dry out and toughen up.
- Can you freeze leftover turkey breast? Yes, turkey breast can be frozen. Just be sure to put it into an airtight container and label with the date and recipe. If you add some gravy in with the turkey it will help keep it more moist.
- How long to cook turkey breast in air fryer? The total time it takes to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer is about 50-60 minutes. The turkey breast will need to be flipped over half way through cooking time.
Storage Instructions
- How to Refrigerate Turkey Breast: Let the turkey cool and put in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. It should last about 4 days in the fridge.
- How to Freeze Turkey Breast: Let the turkey cool off completely. Make sure to slice it all off of the bone. Put the slices into an airtight glass, BPA-free freezer-safe bag or freezer-safe plastic container. Make sure to label with the recipe name and date. The turkey breast should last about 3 months in the freezer.
- How to Thaw Turkey Breast: Thaw the frozen turkey in the refrigerator until thawed or overnight.
- How to Reheat Turkey Breast: Reheat cold turkey in the microwave for a few seconds at a time until desired warmth is reached.
Try these favorite holiday recipes!
- Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Caprese Salad Skewers Appetizer
- Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
- Brown Sugar Carrots
- Sweet Potato Casserole
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast and Gravy
Ingredients
Ingredients for Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
- 4 pound bone-in turkey breast, thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Ingredients for Easy Gravy
- 2 1/2 tablespoons better than bouillon, roasted chicken flavor
- 4 cups water
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water for slurry
- 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
To Make Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
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Make sure the turkey is completely thawed.
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Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
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Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Spread olive oil all over turkey breast with a pastry brush.
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Evenly sprinkle on all the herbs and seasoning. Squeeze lemon all over the turkey breast.
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Place bone-in turkey breast skin side down in the pre-heated air fryer.
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Cook for 25 minutes then flip over. Raise temperature up to 370°F and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. The turkey breast is done when a thermometer stuck in at the widest part of the breast reads 165°F.
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Let the breast rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
To Make Easy Gravy
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Boil the water.
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Whisk in the better than bouillon base, mixing until well combined. Turn the heat down to medium.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water.
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Slowly add in the cornstarch mixture. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the gravy thickens. Stir in dried herbs.
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Add pepper to taste.
Recipe Notes
- Make sure to check the temperature of the turkey breast at the widest part and make sure it’s not touching a bone.
- You will know that the turkey breast is done when the thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F.
- Cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the size of the bone-in turkey breast. A little less time for smaller than 4 lbs and a little more for more than 4 lbs.
- Cooked turkey breast will last about 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Nutrition Information
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