This Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast is juicy and moist and so easy to make. Use bone-in or boneless turkey breast to make this beautiful golden roasted turkey in less than an hour.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Turkey is not just for Thanksgiving. It’s available year-round and is perfect for times when you get tired of simple roasted chicken. The turkey breast in the air fryer is perfect for the times you:
- Don’t want to turn on the oven to roast a small turkey breast.
- Don’t feel like taking the extra step of brining the turkey.
- Want to have a turkey on the table in less than an hour.
- Love your Air Fryer so much that you make any and everything in it (this is me, this is me!)
This recipe works for bone-in or boneless turkey breast and requires no brining.
How to cook a bone-in turkey breast in an air fryer
First, you want to make sure you have a fully defrosted turkey breast that will fit in your Air Fryer basket. Some of those bone-in breasts are huge and literally won’t fit in your everyday basket air fryer. I go for a breast that is 4 pounds or less. I suggest using an air fryer that is at least 5.3 quarts.
Rub mayonnaise and seasonings all over the turkey breast. I also season under the skin.
How long to cook bone-in turkey breast in air fryer
Preheat your Air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. I lay my bone-in turkey breast on the side and cook for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, I open the air fryer basket and flip it and cook it for an additional 25 minutes. Your turkey breast is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a quick read thermometer.
Allow your turkey breast to cool on a cutting board for a few 5-10 minutes before slicing.
How to cook a 3 Pound Boneless Turkey Breast
My boneless turkey breast generally has a net around the meat. I like to keep the net on the meat so that the meat cooks together and slices better after cooking.
How long to cook a boneless turkey breast in the air fryer
Preheat your Air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Season your turkey breast. Air fry on 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes. I find that my boneless breast takes a little longer than bone-in because it is wrapped in netting. Use a quick-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allow your turkey breast to cool on a cutting board for a few 5-10 minutes and remove the net before slicing.
Tanya's Top Tips
These tips will help you make the most delicious turkey breast in the air fryer.
- I use defrosted turkey breast so I can properly season it and have the seasonings stick to the meat. You can also choose to dry brine it and let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours. I usually just season and get to cooking.
- I choose mayonnaise to coat the breast because I like the taste and the golden color it gives my breast. You could opt for a reduced amount of oil instead.
- I like to use this turkey breast for meal prep for sandwiches and wraps for the week.
- If making the boneless breast, be careful when removing the netting. Some meat may stick to the netting when removing.
- Once the turkey breast is cooked, set it aside for 10 minutes to rest before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to be absorbed back into the turkey, leaving you with deliciously tender pieces of turkey.
Additional recipes
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, or are looking for more ways to cook a turkey breast, try these out:
How to serve turkey breast
If you need ideas of what to serve this with, try these:
Watch this full video tutorial and see how I make this turkey breast from start to finish.
How to store leftover turkey breast
To refrigerate: Keep any leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Leftovers make a great addition to salads, soups, pasta dishes and sandwiches the next day.
To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place the turkey into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to enjoy.
FAQs:
Yes, turkey breast is a really lean cut of meat, which makes a healthy option when choosing a roast.
Cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
No, I've never brined my turkey, as it's cooked in a delicious blend of spices that pack lots of flavor into the finished turkey breast. However, if you wish you can dry brine the turkey in the spices and leave it to rest in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
I do not recommend it. I recommend fully thawing the turkey breast and adding seasoning to it before air frying. Cooking from frozen may result in the outside browning/cooking too fast while the inside comes to the correct temperature.
If you have tried this turkey breast recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)
Ingredients
Bone-In Turkey Breast
- 4 lb bone-in turkey breast*
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Boneless Turkey Breast
- 3 lb boneless breast*
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bone-In Turkey Breast
- Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season turkey breast with mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Place turkey breast in the air fryer basket on its side. Cook on one side for 25 minutes, flip, cook on the other side for 25 minutes or until internal temperature has reached a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boneless Turkey Breast
- Preheat your Air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season your boneless turkey breast with mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Air fry on 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes or until internal temperature has reached a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Suggested Tools
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published October 22, 2019. It has been updated with helpful information and storage tips.
Tonya says
This recipe was easy and the seasonings were on point, perfect for my bone in turkey breast. The turkey was very juicy and flavorful. Next time, I'll put some of the seasoning under the skin, that's what I do when I smoke mine, but I'll be using this seasoning mix from here forward! Thank you!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Tonya! So happy you liked the seasonings and recipe. Great tip for seasoning under the skin as well.
Karen says
How do I make gravy when using the air fryer for thanksgiving turkey?
Tanya says
Hey Karen, great question. I make gravy on the stovetop with vegetables, a roux, and broth. It's so good and perfect when roasting turkey in the air fryer and you don't really get to save the drippings. Here is the recipe. https://www.myforkinglife.com/recipe-for-gravy-without-drippings/
Sharon says
It was done after about 40 minutes and was nice and juicy. Glad I read the info above the recipe advising to leave the netting on the boneless breast and also to use kosher salt vs. regular salt. Both are important to the recipe's success.
Tanya says
Thanks, Sharon! So happy the recipe worked well for you 🙂
Wendy says
I'm going to try this in my range air fryer. I am doing and 8lb turkey breast so I doubled the seasonings. First time so we'll see what happens!
Tanya says
Oh wow, how awesome. Please let me know how it turned out.
Karla Sheeley says
Absolutely fabulous like any other of your recipes that I’ve tried. My family loved it, and it was so easy and a delicious turkey dinner in just a little time. Thank you!
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Karla! So happy you all loved the recipe.
Lori says
Used a 4.5 lb bone in butterball turkey breast in my bucket air fryer. Took only 20 minutes per side. Perfection!
Tanya says
Thanks Lori! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Anne says
This turkey breast was the best ever. Did a practice one and will be making 3 of them (separate air fryers) for thanksgiving.
Tanya says
Thank you so much, Anne! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Marlene says
I was very impressed with this recipe and must Thank You! It was moist, flavorful and the skin was crispy. Never used mayonnaise on Turkey before roasting. Where had this been all my life.
Tanya says
Thanks, Marlene! Yes, the mayo rub is a game-changer.
Liz Blickenderfer says
The turkey breast was so tender and juicy. I was a little concerned since it was extremely dark on the outside, from seasonings and cooking. But was so very yummy!! I also used the air fryer to brown the top of scalloped potatoes that I cooked in the microwave. PERFECT!! I am new to the Air Fryer, definitely learning, but so far I am loving it.
Tanya says
Thanks Liz! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Brian Dowdy says
I can’t believe how tender, flavorful and juicy the turkey was, and the mayonnaise created a delicious crust! My entire family loved this recipe, even my picky eater. I had a 6 lb turkey breast so I simply cooked it for 33 minutes per side, worked perfectly! I’ll definitely be making this again, thanks for the recipe!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Brian! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Myron says
My good gracious!!! Where was this recipe?? The turkey breast came out so wonderful that it only lasted 2 days. This will always be my go to. Thank you so much!!!
Tanya says
Thanks Myron! So happy you like the recipe. That mayo is the real game changer when it comes to this recipe.
Darcy says
OMGosh! I just cooked a bone-in Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving dinner, and this...hands down, is the BEST recipe EVER! I've been cooking turkey's for 36 years and this is the first that my husband has ever said "This is the BEST you've cooked!" This was the first time I have just cooked a turkey breast...and in my Air Fryer. But the mayonnaise just made it soooo moist and tangy. Thank You! I will be making this my Only turkey recipe!
Tanya says
Thanks Darcy! So happy you enjoyed the recipe. I agree that mayo rub does wonders.
June says
OMG, it was the BEST ever, Thank you for this amazing recipe. I cut a 6 lb. breast in half and reduced the time to cook half, just so moist and tender.
Tanya says
Thanks June! So glad you liked the recipe.
Leslie Booth says
Tanya, how do you keep the turkey warm until you actually serve it. I generally have rice or potatoes and veg. Seems I always have trouble keeping the meat warm.
Tanya says
Hey Leslie, it would be hard to keep it warm if you are making all the sides in the air fryer. I usually start my sides about 20-30 minutes before the turkey is done, but I cook those other ways.