I've been making turkey breast in the air fryer for years, and my seasoned rub is the reason it comes out juicy with a golden crust. I've made it with half breasts, whole bone-in breasts, and boneless breasts.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
Air Fried Turkey Breast at a Glance
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes (half breast)
- Temp: 360°F (182°C)
- Serves: 6
- Best For: Sunday dinner or a smaller holiday meal
I love making turkey breast in the air fryer. It’s quick, easy, and always turns out juicy. It’s perfect for a family dinner or when I need cooked turkey for another dish, like a stack of delicious turkey sandwiches. For this recipe, I mix mayonnaise with my seasonings to make a rub. It's the trick to getting a nice golden crust on my turkey.
Lately, I've been able to find half breasts more often than whole breasts, so I added my instructions for those too. You'll also find directions for whole bone-in and boneless breasts, so you can use whichever one your store has. If you want something with more spice, try my oven-roasted jerk turkey breast.
Happy Cooking,
Tanya
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Turkey breast - I've included directions for a half breast, a whole bone-in breast, and a boneless breast. A half breast is one side of the breast, still on the bone, and is usually 2 to 3 pounds. For a whole bone-in breast, I prefer one that weighs 4 pounds or less so it fits in the basket. If your boneless breast comes in netting, leave it on while it cooks.
- Mayonnaise - I stir it together with the seasonings to make a seasoned mayo rub. It helps the seasonings stick and gives the skin a golden, crisp finish. You can use oil or butter if you'd rather skip the mayo.
- Seasonings - I use a simple blend of poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Adjust the blend to your taste or to what you have on hand.
How to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer
Half turkey breast in the air fryer
Step 1: Check the size. Make sure your half breast is fully thawed. One that's about 2 to 3 pounds fits in most basket air fryers. It should sit flat, skin side up, with a little room around it so the air can move.
Step 2: Preheat. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). If yours doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run empty for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Dry the turkey. Pat the turkey breast dry all over with paper towels, including the underside. The rub sticks better to dry skin, and dry skin browns better.
Step 4: Make the seasoned mayo rub. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until the seasonings are mixed in evenly.
Step 5: Season the turkey. Gently slide your fingers under the skin to loosen it. Go slowly so the skin doesn't tear or pull off. Spread some of the rub on the meat under the skin, then spread the rest over the top and sides.
Step 6: Air fry. Place the turkey breast in the basket skin side up. You don't need to flip it. Air fry for 40 to 45 minutes, until the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C) on a quick-read thermometer. Keep the thermometer off the bone so you get an accurate reading. Air fryers run differently, so start checking at about 35 minutes.
Step 7: Rest and slice. Let the turkey rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes, then slice the meat off the bone.
Whole bone-in turkey breast in the air fryer
Step 1: Check the size. Make sure your turkey breast is fully thawed and fits in your air fryer basket. Some bone-in breasts are huge and won’t fit in an everyday basket air fryer. I prefer a breast that weighs 4 pounds or less, and I suggest an air fryer that’s at least 5.3 quarts.
Step 2: Dry and season the turkey. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Make the seasoned mayo rub, then season the breast the same way as the half breast: some under the skin, the rest all over the outside.
Step 3: Air fry. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). For a bone-in turkey breast, I place it on its side and cook it for 25 minutes. Then, I open the basket, carefully flip the turkey, and cook for another 25 minutes. The turkey is done when the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) on a quick-read thermometer. Keep the thermometer off the bone.
Step 4: Rest and slice. Let your turkey breast rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
3-pound boneless turkey breast in the air fryer
My boneless turkey breast typically comes with 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.
Step 1: Preheat and season. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Pat the turkey dry, make the seasoned mayo rub, and spread it all over the breast, both under the netting and over it.
Step 2: Air fry. Place the turkey breast in the air fryer and cook for 1 hour, turning it every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking. I’ve found that boneless turkey breasts can take a bit longer than bone-in, especially if they’re wrapped in netting. Use a quick-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Step 3: Rest, then remove the net. Let the turkey breast rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove the net before slicing.
Variations
Compound butter instead of mayo. If you'd rather use butter, swap the mayo for a compound butter, which is just softened butter mixed with herbs and seasonings. My garlic herb butter is a good one to try. Spread it under the skin and over the outside the same way.
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 use a seasoned mayo rub because I like the taste and the golden color it gives my turkey. You could use a small amount of oil instead.
- If making the boneless breast, be careful when removing the netting after cooking. Some meat may stick to the netting when removing.
- Trust your thermometer over the clock. The size and shape of your turkey breast, and your air fryer, all change how long it takes.
Plan Ahead + Storage Tips
- Prep Ahead: Season the turkey breast up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Leftovers: Store cooked turkey in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked, sliced turkey for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave in short intervals, covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
How to serve turkey breast
If you need ideas of what to serve this with, try these:
More Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
I've been making turkey in my air fryer for so long that I've tried just about every cut. These are a few of my favorites.
- Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- Seasoned Air Fryer Turkey Wings
- Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
- Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
FAQs:
Cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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 prefer, you can dry-brine the turkey with the spices and let it 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 quickly while the inside takes longer to reach 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 Recipe (Bone-In or Boneless)
Video
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Pat the turkey breast dry all over with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Gently loosen the skin with your fingers without tearing it. Spread some of the rub under the skin, then spread the rest over the top and sides.
- Place the turkey in the basket skin side up. Air fry for 40 to 45 minutes without flipping, until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then slice the meat off the bone.
Nutrition
Notes
- Whole bone-in breast (4 lb): Use the same rub. Place the breast on its side, cook for 25 minutes, flip, and cook for another 25 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Boneless breast (3 lb): Use the same rub, spreading it both under the netting and over it. Air fry for 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes, until it reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the net after resting.
- Thermometer: Check the thickest part of the breast, not touching the bone.
- Cook times will vary depending on the size and shape of your turkey breast and your air fryer.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on October 22, 2019. It has been updated with new photos, half turkey breast instructions, and Celsius temperatures.
Carol says
Delicious! Just a few take aways from my experience: Make sure your air fryer is large enough - my 6 qt was the perfect size for a 4# breast. I mixed up the ingredients, spread about a third on one side, placed it in the hot air fryer (coating side down) and spread another third on the upward facing side - cooked 20". Then, after flipping, I put the remainder of the coating on the other side since most of it had fallen off by then. Cooked another 20" and it was FAR from done. All total, I cooked it about an hour and rested another 20-30", then sliced. I may try to season the interior a bit when I cook it again, as the exterior was flavorful, but the meat itself could've used something. Next TG, I will cook one of these to supplement our regular fried turkey. Would've never thought to use the air fryer, but glad I did!
Tanya says
Thanks so much for the feedback Carol! Injecting the meat is also a great idea. Thank you.
Judith says
I love this idea and I am going to use this great trick! Thank you!
Tanya says
Thanks Judith, I hope you enjoy 🙂
Karen says
Do you think you would cook it the same amount of time if you cook it in an oven type air fryer?
Tanya says
Hi Karen, I usually have to add a few minutes, like 4-5 minutes, to my oven type air fryer. I keep the temperature the same.
Kristen says
Would that be on the bake setting or air fry?
Tanya says
Hi Kristen, it's the air fry setting.
Faith Teems says
I always enjoy your videos!....my screen shows you in a pale blue sweater w/ blue eye shadow..youlook beautiful in this color. Several years ago you wore a light pink / peachy color ( this is how it appeared on my screen ) and I commented @ that time on how pretty you looked in that color as well. Thank you for all your videos!!!! you are a pretty girl in all your video , but these 2 colors look especially good on you!! ( I have snow white hair and skin color to match and these colors look fab on me also ) ...I just have to wear lots of color in my makeup not to look washed out , hahaha!!! I have found in my many years that wearing colors that look good on us will affect how people respond to us, especially at a 1st meeting when a 1st impression is formed :)))
Thank you again !!!!!
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Faith! I'm still trying to find the color that suits me lol. I totally get what you mean. I even have an orange dress that i get tons of compliments on. I especially look good in yellow. I could go on and on about this lol. I appreciate the compliments and the tips.
Louise says
excellent video
Tanya says
Thank you so much Louise!