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Serve this Air Fryer Turkey Breast for a simple family meal with tender slices of turkey, golden skin, and a savory garlic and rosemary seasoning.
This boneless turkey breast cooks in less than an hour with crisp skin and juicy, tender meat seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and poultry seasoning.
It works well for family dinners, weekend meals, smaller gatherings, or special occasions, and the air fryer leaves your oven free for side dishes.
Why This Recipe Works
- Frees up oven space. The convenience of using the air fryer means your oven stays free for side dishes, bread, or dessert.
- Less cleanup afterward. The turkey cooks directly in the air fryer basket, cutting down on extra cookware to wash.
- Cooks in under an hour. The turkey breast takes about 45-50 minutes in the air fryer, so you can have it ready faster than a whole turkey.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Turkey: I use a boneless, skin-on turkey breast that weighs about 3 pounds. If you prefer other cuts, try my Stuffed Turkey Rolls or Baked Turkey Drumsticks.
- Oil: Olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the turkey skin and keeps the meat moist. Avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil will also work.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds savory flavor to the turkey.
- Seasonings: Poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper are all you need to season the turkey.
- Rosemary: I use fresh chopped rosemary for a mild herby flavor that goes well with turkey.
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the seasoning mixture. In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, minced garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and rosemary until well combined.
Step 3: Season the turkey breast. Spread the seasoning mixture under the turkey skin, then evenly coat the entire turkey breast with the remaining mixture. If you have time, refrigerate the seasoned turkey breast for up to 2 hours. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.
Step 4: Air fry the turkey breast. Place the turkey breast in the prepared air fryer basket and cook for 45-50 minutes, flipping every 15 minutes.
Note: Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast. It should reach 165°F before serving.
Step 5: Rest the turkey. Transfer the turkey breast from the air fryer to a cutting board and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat.
Step 6: Slice and serve. Slice the turkey breast against the grain and serve with your favorite sides.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Secure any loose skin. Use toothpicks to hold the skin in place if it starts to pull away from the turkey breast during cooking.
- Season the folds and crevices. Rub the garlic and herb mixture around the sides and into any folds so the seasoning reaches more of the turkey.
- Check the thickest section first. Start checking the temperature a few minutes before the suggested cooking time ends since boneless turkey breasts can vary in shape and thickness.
- Slice against the grain. Cut the rested turkey breast across the grain to keep the slices tender and easy to eat.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Vegetables: Serve with green bean casserole, roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or roasted broccoli.
- Potatoes: Pair with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or sweet potato casserole.
- Bread: Add warm dinner rolls, biscuits, or garlic bread to round out the meal.
- Classic Sides: Serve with stuffing and cranberry sauce for a traditional turkey dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but thaw it completely before you use this air fryer recipe. A fully thawed turkey breast will cook more evenly and follow the recipe’s stated cooking time more closely.
Yes. Roast a boneless turkey breast at 375°F for about 60-75 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F. For the full oven method, try my Boneless Roasted Turkey Breast recipe.
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. The turkey is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Storing and Reheating
Store Air-Fried Turkey Breast leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Refrigerate the turkey within 2 hours after cooking.
You can also freeze the cooked turkey in a freezer-safe container for longer storage. For best quality, use it within 2 to 3 months.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the air fryer at 325°F for about 3 to 5 minutes, or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the thickness and amount. Reheat the turkey until the center reaches 165°F.
More Recipes to Serve with Turkey
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Maple Walnut Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Parmesan Roasted Carrots
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and rate the recipe! Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on Facebook |Instagram |Pinterest for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless turkey breast, skin-on, about 1 breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil and set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, minced garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and rosemary until well combined.
- Spread the seasoning mixture under the turkey skin, then evenly coat the entire turkey breast with the remaining mixture. If you have time, refrigerate the seasoned turkey breast for up to 2 hours. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.
- Place the turkey breast in the prepared air fryer basket and cook for 45-50 minutes, flipping every 15 minutes. Note: Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast. It should reach 165°F before serving.
- Transfer the turkey breast from the air fryer to a cutting board and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat.
- Slice the turkey breast against the grain and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes and Recipe Tips
- Make sure the turkey breast fits comfortably in the air fryer basket without touching the heating element.
- If the skin gets too dark before the turkey is done, loosely cover it with foil if your air fryer manufacturer allows it.
- If you marinate the turkey for 2 hours, take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before the air fryer preheats.
My family loved this!