Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

This juicy air-fryer turkey breast will make your whole family smile at dinner time! Anyone who loves tender, flavorful meat will absolutely love this recipe, and the best part is it’s ready in under an hour with just 10 minutes of prep work.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 55 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 206 Calories, 12g Fat, 1g Carbs, 22g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Extra-virgin olive oil: You’ll need 3 tablespoons of good quality olive oil. This creates the perfect base for our herb mixture and helps the skin get beautifully golden.

Fresh rosemary: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary gives this turkey the most amazing smell and taste. Fresh herbs really make a difference here!

Salt and pepper: ¾ teaspoon of each will season the meat perfectly. Don’t skip this step – it brings out all the flavors.

Turkey breast: Look for a 1½ to 2-pound boneless, skin-on turkey breast. The skin keeps everything juicy and gets crispy in the air fryer.

Garlic: 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced garlic goes right under the skin. This trick adds so much flavor without burning the garlic!

How to Make Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

Step 1: Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with foil and preheat to 350°F for 5 minutes. While it’s heating up, mix the olive oil, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Step 2: Pat your turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Gently slide your fingers between the skin and meat to loosen it up. Rub that herb mixture all over both sides and under the skin too.

Step 3: Tuck those garlic slices evenly under the skin. This keeps them from burning and flavors the meat from the inside out!

Step 4: Place the turkey skin-side down in your prepared basket. Cook for exactly 20 minutes, then flip it skin-side up.

Step 5: Keep cooking until your instant-read thermometer shows 165°F in the center, about 15 to 20 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil.

Step 6: Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Cut into ½-inch thick slices and serve while it’s still warm!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Version

Want to make this even faster? You can skip the garlic slices and just mix minced garlic right into your herb oil! Use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh slices. Just rub everything together and cook the same way. It saves you a few minutes and still tastes amazing!

Serving Ideas

This turkey makes a complete meal when you pair it with some roasted vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. I also love serving it with steamed green beans or a fresh garden salad. The leftovers make incredible sandwiches too!

Storage

Store your leftover turkey in the fridge for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. The meat stays juicy when you don’t overheat it!

Substitutions

No fresh rosemary? Use 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary instead! You can swap the olive oil for avocado oil if you prefer. Don’t have fresh garlic? Garlic powder works great – just use about 1 teaspoon mixed right into the oil.

Pro Tips

• Temperature is key: Always use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F – no guessing!
• Don’t skip the rest: Those 10 minutes of resting time help keep all the juices in the meat
• Pat it dry: Really dry skin gets much crispier in the air fryer
• Foil saves cleanup: That foil liner makes cleaning your air fryer so much easier

FAQs

Can I use a frozen turkey breast?

You’ll need to thaw it completely first! A frozen turkey breast won’t cook evenly in the air fryer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you start cooking.

What if my turkey breast is bigger than 2 pounds?

Sure! Just add about 5-10 more minutes to the cooking time and keep checking with your thermometer. Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so the thermometer is your best friend here.

Can I make this without the skin?

You bet! Skinless turkey breast works fine, but it might cook a bit faster. Start checking the temperature after about 30 minutes total cooking time. It won’t be quite as juicy, but it’s still delicious!

Do I have to use foil in the basket?

The foil just makes cleanup easier, but you don’t have to use it. If you skip the foil, just make sure to clean your basket right after cooking while it’s still warm.

I hope you love this simple turkey recipe as much as my family does! Let me know how yours turns out – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking!