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.
Kathryn says
How long do you think it would take using the rotisserie? I have the instant vortex air fryer oven with the rotisserie open, so no basket just shelves or the rotisserie option.
Tanya says
Hi Kathryn, I would guess it would take about the same amount of time with the rotisserie. I've only used my rotisserie for whole chickens and the cooking time has always been the same as with the air fryer times.
Dick Bathurst says
Hi Tanya:
Great site I just located you doing some searching for Air Fryer recipes.
I am new to Air Frying just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8 quart unit. Only Cooking for my wife and I. We purchased frozen 6 pound turkey breast. Does it matter with your recipe where you say to place breast in airfryer basket can it be placed in the instant pot pot directly or do you need a basket to allow air to circulate around the breast. We purchased the instant pot duo so we can get the best of two worlds being able to pressure cook and Air fry with the same unit. Looking forward to receiving your Air Fry Recipes
Tanya says
Yes, if you are going to just air fry it, you'll want to place it on the rack to get the circulation. If you were to choose to pressure cook it instead, you won't need the rack, you will need to add liquid, pressure cook it, and then crisp it after pressure cooking it. I don't have an 8qt but I couldn't fit a large turkey breast in my IP on a rack. I have a pressure cooker turkey breast that shows photos of how I pressure cooked a large breast. I just ended up adding it to the oven after pressure cooking. https://www.myforkinglife.com/instant-pot-turkey-breast/
June says
Thanks! I was looking for an air fryer recipe for a 4 lb turkey breast.
Tiffany Eckroth says
What would you suggest for an oven-door Airfryer without a basket?
Tanya says
Hi Tiffany, I'd use the same method but it may just take a little longer to cook in an oven-door air fryer.
David W Booth says
I watched your video on air frying a turkey. It was great. Oh, by the way your hair looks good and you look 10 yrs. younger. Not flirting too old for that 78yr.
Tanya says
Thank you 🙂
Anita says
Every time I leave the netting on I always end up pulling off so much of the skin cracklings “toasted” part of the turkey breast. I don’t want the boneless turkey breast to dry out and I do want to try it in the air fryer but I am really new to an air fryer and I was wondering if you had tips on getting the net off without losing so much of the toasted outside of the turkey breast or is there something in particular I should do if I’m going to start with the net off from the beginning of cooking in the air fryer? When I have previously tried to cook the turkey breast boneless without the net on in the oven it always falls open and seems to dry out the turkey. Thanks for the recipe and for answering my question if you can I don’t have much experience cooking so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Tanya says
Hi Anita, I actually have a video I'll be posting tomorrow that shows how I remove the netting. The trick is to cut the netting vertically and then carefully remove it from the breast. For the parts that are sticking, apply a little pressure to the area while picking up the netting. I use a pair of tongs to apply pressure to the areas that are sticking and carefully lift the netting. It helps a ton. I agree, removing the netting first will just lead to dry turkey breast. I'll be sharing the video to my email list tomorrow 🙂
Anita says
@Tanya,
Thanks so much I’ll look for it tomorrow I am signed up for your email list
Dolores says
@Anita, do I remove netting
Colleen says
@Anita, I remove the netting and tie it myself with butcher twine. This way it holds it together and allows for easier removal.
Don Butler says
Thanks for everything. I learned to keep the netting on. I learned that 360 degrees is the correct temperature. It was confirmed by my air fyrer instructions for turkey breast and whole chicken. Instead of mayonaisse, I used peanut oil--added smoked paprika and sage, and some powdered garlic. Will add the ground pepper during the last 15-mins. Plus plus alternative: Finsih the breast off in a smoker at 190 F. Used mesquite or hickory to give a nice smoked flavor. Appreciate the great menus and directions.
Tanya says
No problem Don. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
John L Hart says
When you say cook on it's side, do you mean breast side down and flip or breasts facing one way and spi ne facing the other then flip?
Tanya says
Hi John, I mean breast facing one way on it's side, and then flip on the other side. The breast with bone I use isn't split.
Linda Markham says
Is the nutritional value for the whole turkey breast or one serving size. And what is one serving size?
Tanya says
it's per serving. We tend to get 4-6 slices each of turkey breast but you can modify that amount for each serving.
jim says
Don,t leave the string netting on . I had to rip the nice burnt outside off to get it off .We like the charred outside thats why we make it in the airfryer in the first place very disappointing . I will make again with NO netting .
Colleen says
@jim, Tie it with butcher's twine, it is easier to remove and will keep it together for a moister roast.
Keith says
I did this tonight and nailed it!! 3lb boneless turkey breast. I modified my seasons slightly but that was a choice. 360 and mine was done in probably 55 mins. Let rest for 15 mins lightly tented when done. I have a Instant Pot 6qt but all air fryers are different so keep an eye on it that last 15 mins. I admit I had my doubts but I hit the temp perfect and it was great. Be sure you have that instant read thermometer. Thanks for the recipe.
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad you liked it Keith. I agree, an instant read thermometer helps get the temp just right.
Vickie says
We really enjoyed the turkey breast prepared according to your recipe. It was delicious. (My Breville air fryer required ninety minutes of cooking for a boneless three-pound breast to reach 165 degrees internally.) Thank you for the recipe.
Beverly Y Carney says
This was superb. We had a 3 lb chicken breast and it was enormously flavorful using your mayo coating and the air fryer. Very impressed. Thank you.
Sharon says
Tried this for our Christmas dinner and it turned out amazing! It was so moist and lots of flavor! Definitely making this again.
Tanya says
Awesome! Thank you for the feedback. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Dennis Ripley says
My Wife had to work Thanksgiving so we had ours two days later. I had a 4lb. turkey breast, an air fryer plus your recipe. Tanya I followed the recipe exactly and it couldn't have turned out better. I like my air fryer and your recipes make it easy for me to find more to make in it. Thank you,
Tanya says
Thank you so much Dennis! That makes me so happy 🙂
Bj says
@Tanya, how long for a larger one say 7 pounds?
Tanya says
Hi Bj, I'm not totally share. I'd guess about an hour and a half. I would cook it for an hour and check and 15 minutes and check every 10-15 minutes with a thermometer until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.