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.
Nina Adair says
Great flavor, but it was too salty for me. I will omit the salt next time.
Tanya says
Thank you for the feedback Nina!
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/
Carol says
Hi Karen - When mine was done, I removed the tray from the air fryer basket and there were quite a lot of drippings there in the basket - at least 1/3-1/2 a cup. I suspect you could use that as the base for the fat component of your roux - just hold back on the salt since it's pretty highly seasoned!
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.