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sliced turkey breast on a black plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Juicy turkey breast with crisp skin is the perfect holiday center piece and when done in the air fryer it cooks at a fraction of the time
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Resting time15 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean, Middle East
Diet: Halal
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 32kcal
Author: Amira

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients

  • 5-6 pound turkey breast, bone-in skin-on
  • 2 Tablespoons oil
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2-3 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ Tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ Tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ Tablespoon black pepper
  • ½ Tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sage

Instructions

Prepare the turkey:

  • Pat dry the turkey breast with paper towels
  • In a medium bowl combine oil, melted butter, and all the spices.
  • Rub the turkey all over with the butter oil mixture and make sure to rub inside the cavity and if you can under the skin.

Cooking the turkey:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350F.
  • Place turkey breast in the air fryer skin side down and air fry for 20 minutes.
  • Turn it over and air fry for another 30-45 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers 165F.
  • Let it rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • You MUST thaw the turkey breast before cooking. The best way is to thaw in the fridge. It takes 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. 
  • If you are in a hurry, then you can submerge the turkey in tap COLD water not warm and allow 30 minutes per pound and change the water every 30 minutes. Do not thaw on the counter or in the microwave.
  • Before starting the recipe, it is recommended to check the size of the turkey fits into your air fryer. A 5-pound turkey breast should fit into a 5 quart air fryer.
  • You can use salted butter but adjust the salt accordingly.
  • You can use olive oil or if you would like a higher temperature smoking point oil, avocado oil works as great.
  • Letting the turkey breast rest before carving ensures moist and tender turkey. Also cutting it into thin slices makes it taste more tender.
  • In case your air fryer smoke especially when cooking fatty food or if you are cooking multiple batches consider adding a couple of tablespoons of water or a piece of bread in the dripping pan or at the bottom of your air fryer. Please refer to your manual for safety and proper use.
  • Air fryers are different so until you get used to yours you should check it 5-10 minutes before the suggested cooking time ends.
Storage:
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat:
  • Place turkey slices in a baking dish, add 1 cup of low sodium broth per pound of turkey and add about 1 tablespoon of butter, cut into pieces, on top. 
  • Bake in a 350F oven until the slices are heated thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºf.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 469mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg