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Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)

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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. 

Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Breast on a cutting board

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks 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 4lbs or less. I use my 5.3 Qt Air Fryer basket to cook my bone-in breast. 

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.

Sliced Air fryer Turkey breast on cutting board

How to cook a 3lb 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. If you choose to remove the net before cooking, your turkey breast will cook faster. 

How long to cook boneless turkey breast in 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 of the way it is wrapped in the 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.

Sliced boneless Turkey breast

Expert 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.
  • The easiest way to check your turkey is cooked through is to use a probe thermometer.
  • 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 Air Fryer meat recipes, 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:

Is turkey breast healthy?

Yes, turkey breast is a really lean cut of meat, which makes a healthy option when choosing a roast.

How do you know turkey breast is cooked?

Cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do I need to brine the turkey before cooking it in the air fryer?

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.

Can you cook a frozen turkey breast in the air fryer?

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 on wooden board
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4.82 from 37 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)

Make juicy and delicious turkey breast right in your Air Fryer. Use bone-in or boneless turkey breast to make the perfect golden turkey breast in your Air Fryer.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer turkey breast, bone-in turkey breast
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 people
Calories 401kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

Bone-In Turkey Breast

Boneless Turkey Breast

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.

Video

Notes

*Cook times will vary depending on the size of your turkey breast.
*I find that my boneless breast takes a little longer than bone-in because of the way it is wrapped in the netting.
*Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 69g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 176mg | Sodium: 1191mg | Potassium: 781mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

This post was originally published October 22, 2019. It has been updated with helpful information and storage tips.

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Recipe Rating




Marlene

Wednesday 12th of July 2023

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

Thursday 13th of July 2023

Thanks, Marlene! Yes, the mayo rub is a game-changer.

Liz Blickenderfer

Sunday 18th of June 2023

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

Monday 19th of June 2023

Thanks Liz! So happy you liked the recipe :)

Brian Dowdy

Tuesday 11th of April 2023

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

Thursday 13th of April 2023

Thanks so much Brian! So happy you like the recipe :)

Myron

Friday 16th of December 2022

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

Saturday 17th of December 2022

Thanks Myron! So happy you like the recipe. That mayo is the real game changer when it comes to this recipe.

Darcy

Thursday 24th of November 2022

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

Monday 28th of November 2022

Thanks Darcy! So happy you enjoyed the recipe. I agree that mayo rub does wonders.