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.
Shana says
Dear Tanya,
I tried this recipe for the first time for an early Christmas dinner, and everybody said that the turkey was SO moist, and I must agree. I added different seasonings though which included all purpose seasoning, cracked black pepper, Spanish paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. In the end, adding mayonnaise was the key. Thank you so much for such clear instructions. I will definitely be trying this again.
Les says
Followed recipe; was terrific. Very moist. Did the boneless version. Will be doing this as long as we buy Turkey Breasts. Love it.
Sheri says
I don’t have an air fryer with the basket…can I just sit it on the rack and serve the same purpose? I do have a rotisserie feature…I have the air fryer power XL
Tanya says
Hi Sheri, yes, you can just use the racks or even the rotisserie.
Cy says
Yeah- so moist and delicious! Thank you!
Paul says
Only 3 of us for Tgiv this year. Did a 4lb breast in fryer, if not best, in the top 2 turkeys ever and I have baked, fried and smoked alot! If I were smart enough to figure out how, I would show a picture of how I put a piece of Andjoulie sausage in the middle part for flavor, part because the slices look incredible! Thanks so much for recipe.
Jillian says
Can I do this with an 8 lb Turkey breast? If so how long?
Tanya says
Hi Jilian, a 4lb breast is the largest that will fit in most basket-type air fryers. If you have a larger oven-type air fryer that can fit an 8lb breast, you will be able to do it but you may need to cook a little longer. You'll need to monitor it. I'd say try for about 12 minutes per pound on 360F.
Leslie Booth says
Even though we’ve not tried this yet, I love your video. You just put some fun into this and so enthusiastic! Definitely thumbs up. Will let you know how ours turns out. Thanks so much.
Tanya says
Thank you so much Leslie 🙂 I hope you like the recipe too 🙂
Lee Whittinghill says
My wife and I have absolutely taken a shine to you and your recipes. This recipe is spot-on, as are all your others. Miss Tasteful Tanya, you hit the spot! Thanks!
Tanya says
Thank you Lee 🙂
Nancy says
Hi Tanya, your guidance is perfect for a 4 lb half turkey breast. It fit in the basket really well. Sunday dinner was delicious. Gravy recipe great too!
Lynn says
I made a 3 lb butterball boneless today and my husband is beyond happy with this! I have the Instant Vortex Pro and put it in the rotisserie basket and used your timing. It was great! Thanks so much.
Tanya says
Thanks Lynn! So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Rhonda says
Would this work in a 4-quart air fryer? I just purchased tonight and I am starting to worry that it might be too small to cook much.
Tanya says
Hi Rhonda, it should fit fine.
Mzjoseph says
Made this for my family last Thanksgiving. It came out so very well! Thank you for sharing
Leslie says
Thank you for this recipe! We made it last night with a boneless breast in our basket air fryer. It came out moist with the outside crispy. I didn't take the netting off beforehand, but was careful when taking it off the breast. I didn't have an issue with it pulling all the good stuff off. I checked it every 15 minutes and ended up overcooking since it went from 140 to 180 in minutes, but it still turned out amazing! Thank you!
Penny says
First time trying my air fryer. Bought a 3 pound Butterball boneless turkey. Your recipe was perfect. Beautiful color and moist. Next time will use less salt. Thanks for this recipe..will be making many times.
Priya <3 says
Hi, I really want to do this recipe, but my mom wants something juicy and wants to brine the turkey, is this recipe juicy as it would be when brining it or... do you the brining it would be better if your looking for juicy.
Tanya says
Hi Priya, I find it juicy without brining but it wouldn't hurt to brine it if that's what you prefer.